PREPARED BY: MATT RODRIGUEZ DATE OF MEETING: 09/20/21
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AMENDING THE FY 2021-23 ADOPTED CITY COUNCIL PRIORITY WORKPLAN UNDER MAJOR POLICY GOAL: ENHANCE COMMUNITY RESILIENCE TO ADD A NEW POLICY ITEM TO SUPPORT RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING AUTOMATION (I.E. NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORIES SOLAR APP+ PROGRAM)
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Council discussion and consider potential adoption of said Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
FY 2021-23 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statement
Residential Solar Permitting Automation (i.e. NREAL SolarApp+ Program) is NOT an adopted policy item under the FY 2021-23 Council Priority Workplan, effective March 15, 2021.
CEQA Compliance Statement
This is not a project as defined by CEQA
BACKGROUND
Adopted City Council Priority Workplan (FY 2021-23)
On March 15, 2021, following a rescinding of previously adopted Resolution #2021-018, the San Pablo City Council adopted a revised City Council Priority Workplan (Workplan) for period FY 2021-23 via adopted Resolution 2021-026.
Two-Step Process for Amending Workplan
Since its formal adoption, the City Council may amend the Workplan periodically to add additional policy items following majority vote via adopted Resolution. This procedure is conducted using a Two-Step Process to support the interests of open government and transparency and to ensure ongoing compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, as follows:
Step #1: Adopt by majority vote, via minute order, to add the proposed policy amendment to a future City Council agenda for discussion; and
Step #2: Have the discussion about the proposed Priority Workplan amendment as part of an agendized item at the City Council meeting. Following Council discussion about the policy amendment, consider whether to adopt by majority vote via Resolution to add the policy amendment to the Workplan.
Proposed Workplan Amendment for City Council Discussion
Following the September 7, 2021 City Council meeting, on motion made by Vice Mayor Xavier and duly seconded, the City Council agreed to schedule a future policy discussion at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on September 20, 2021 to potentially amend the Workplan, as follows:
MAJOR POLICY AREA: ENHANCE COMMUNITY RESILIENCE
Add/New: Policy Item #211:
• Support Residential Solar Permitting Automation (i.e. NREL SolarApp+ Program)
Program Description:
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has launched a joint collaborative effort with key building code officials, local authorities having jurisdiction, and the solar industry to develop automated, standardized plan review software that can run compliance checks and process building permit approvals for eligible residential rooftop solar systems.
• Integrates with existing government software
• Automated plan review, permit approval, and project tracking
• Standardizes up to 90% of standard system plans
• Inspection checklist verification and final sign-off after installation
An information sheet on the recent $20 million in the CA State Budget from the California Solar and Storage Association is attached for additional information (see Attachment)
City Council Policy Consideration - Amend City Council Priority Workplan
Once part of the Priority Workplan, the City Manager may conduct additional policy research and/or develop specific policy recommendations related to this adopted policy amendment for subsequent formal discussion and approval by the City Council in the near future. A proposed Resolution is included with this staff report for formal consideration and potential adoption by majority vote of the City Council this evening (see Attachment).
FISCAL IMPACT
No City funds have been identified at this time for this agenda item.
ATTACHMENT: Information Sheet on CA State Funding from CA Solar and Storage Association