1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: March 14, 2023
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Patrick Prescott, Community Development Director Via: Mario Osuna, Assistant Community Development Director – Building Official
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of a $80,000 Grant from the California Energy Commission for the California Automated Permit Processing (CalAPP) Program for the SolarAPP+ in Burbank and Amending the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget by Appropriating Funds
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE GRANT AGREEMENT
WITH THE CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION FOR THE CALIFORNIA AUTOMATED PERMIT PROCESSING (CALAPP) PROGRAM, ACCEPTING $80,000 IN GRANT FUNDS, AND AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2022 -23 BUDGET BY APPROPRIATING FUNDS.
BACKGROUND
As part of California Senate Bill 129, the California Energy Commission (CEC) is administering a $20 million grant program for cities and counties to receive assistance for the California Automated Permit Processing (CalAPP) program. CalAPP is intended to encourage local governments like Burbank to further enhance permitting processes and accelerate processing and turnaround time with an automated system, particularly for residential solar installation permits and solar-plus-storage systems, called SolarAPP+.
Developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory , SolarAPP+ is a web-based platform that local governments are eligible to use for residential solar installation permits.
DISCUSSION
Staff applied for and was awarded $80,000 to implement SolarAPP+ in Burbank.
SolarAPP+ will allow residents to submit and pay for their solar permit application online, track their project, schedule inspections, and receive final sign-off after installation. This software will eliminate permitting delays and standardize the permitting process between jurisdictions, with the goal of more solar installations, while also contributing to the City’s ongoing effort to make more permits available online.
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
2 This grant will be used to integrate SolarAPP+ with the City’s existing building and planning permit application software from Edgesoft, Inc. Staff from the Community Development and Information Technology Department s will enter into a Professional Services Agreement with Edgesoft, Inc. who will program and ensure solar building permit information is accurately integrated into City records . Staff anticipates the online application will be available to the public in Fall 2023.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This activity accepts grant funds to update online permitting infrastructure and has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and as such, is not a “project” subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 14 Cal. Code Regs § 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
Staff recommends the Council amend the Fiscal Year 2022- 23 Budget by appropriating the $80,000 grant from revenue account number 001.CD000.41005.0000.24733 (General Fund, Community Development Department, Building Permits) to expenditure account number 001.CD42A.62261.0000.24733 (General Fund, Community Development - Building and Safety Division, Other Grant Expenses, CalAPP Solar Grant).
This is a State reimbursement grant. Therefore, funds will initially be drawn from 001.ND000.30010.0000.00000 (General Fund, Non- Departmental Unassigned Fund Balance) until reimbursed.
CONCLUSION
To meet California’s clean energy goals, the State needs new renewable and storage resources, including rooftop solar and storage projects. Accepting this grant will allow Burbank to continue t o facilitate ongoing responsible development with streamlined residential solar installation permit applications, which will help residents save time and meet the City’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction target goals. Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution to accept the grant, execute the grant agreement with CEC, and amend the fiscal year budget.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – California Energy Commission – CalAPP Grant Agreement