Agenda Item
City Council
Item #: 3.10. 9/13/2022 File #: 22-0392
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Rob Houston, City Manager
FROM: Christopher Cash, Public Works Director
1. SUBJECT
Appropriation of $80,000 from the California Energy Commission to be used for upgrading existing automated permit processing program.
2. SUMMARY
The California Energy Commission solicited a funding opportunity through California Automated Permit Processing Program (CalAPP) to assist with establishing online automated solar permitting.
The City of Orange received $80,000 which was based on the City’s population.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Accept into the City’s revenue budget $80,000 in CalAPP funds from the California Energy Commission into revenue account 550.5013.45290.30208, Reimbursable Capital Projects - CalAPP.
2. Authorize the appropriation of $80,000 in the following expenditure account number 550.5013.56572.30208, Reimbursable Capital Projects - CalAPP.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
The total appropriations for this grant are funded by the additional revenue received from the California Energy Commission.
5. STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Goal 1: Provide for a safe community
e: Develop and implement effective community outreach services and programs to promote public safety.
Goal 2: Be a fiscally healthy community
b: Analyze future fiscal needs and potential revenue opportunities.
6. DISCUSSION AND BACKGROUND
The California Energy Commission solicited a funding opportunity through the California Automated Permit Processing Program (CalAPP) to assist with establishing online automated solar permitting.
Based on population size, the City of Orange received a $80,000 grant.
The City’scurrent permit software system has been in place since 1999 and has not been updated in over two years. Staff proposes to replace the system with a more modern structure that utilizes automation to the full extent possible. To that end, these funds will go towards the purchase and implementation of a new system that will allow online residential solar permitting online within the City of Orange Printed on 9/8/2022Page 1 of 2
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Item #: 3.10. 9/13/2022 File #: 22-0392
implementation of a new system that will allow online residential solar permitting online within the allowed use of these grant funds. This will streamline the permitting process for many solar systems by allowing applicants to simply apply online in lieu of having to come to City Hall to obtain a permit.
As the implementation process is complex, staff anticipates work to commence in late spring of 2023.
7. ATTACHMENTS
· None
City of Orange Printed on 9/8/2022Page 2 of 2
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