RESOLUTION NO. _ .
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND,
CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING A PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT BE ENTERED
INTO WITH THE CONTRA COSTA BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL WITH RESPECT TO THE “RICHMOND CLEAN ENERGY AND
HEALTHY HOMES” PROJECT
WHEREAS, the intent of the Richmond Clean Energy and Healthy Homes project (“project”) is to demonstrate that a new, more equitable model of building decarbonization is possible with a neighborhood-scale building decarbonization project that allows all residents of one area regardless of demographics to receive the benefits of energy efficient, healthy, and resilient homes at once; and
WHEREAS, the project proposes a group of houses in target neighborhoods to receive deep energy efficiency retrofits, high-efficiency electric appliances such as heat pumps and electric panel upgrades if necessary, onsite solar, electric vehicle charging and battery storage to improve indoor air quality, lower utility bills, and improve participants resilience in the case of power outages and natural disasters; and
WHEREAS, the project helps the City of Richmond reach one of its Climate Action plan goals by decreasing residential building greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, there is need for timely completion of the project and quality construction that can be obtained through the use of skilled workers represented by local unions; and
WHEREAS, the timely construction of the project will require a significant number of workers with skills and qualifications that are vital to their completion and that the need for apprentices from long-standing, proven apprenticeship programs is critical to quality construction of the project; and
WHEREAS, a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) will secure participation of a unionized workforce that includes meaningful local hiring provisions; and
WHEREAS, the PLA will comply with the City of Richmond’s Local Employment Program (LEP) to help ensure that this program’s workforce development benefits flow to Richmond community members; and
WHEREAS, the Contra Costa Building Trades and Construction Council enthusiastically agrees to work on this project with a PLA arrangement; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond has previously signed PLAs for a host of projects and is committed to evaluating a PLA for this project; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond is the lead applicant for the project to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) Community Change Grant, submitted to the EPA on September 6, 2024, which requires paying a prevailing wage and completing the project on a short timeline; and
WHEREAS, the project would represent the first ever neighborhood-scale residential building decarbonization completed with union labor in the United States and presents the City of Richmond, California with the opportunity for nationwide leadership on the matter.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby supports a PLA be entered into by the City of Richmond for the project.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
________________________________________
Clerk of the City of Richmond
(SEAL)
Approved:
_______________________________
Mayor
Approved as to form:
____________________________
City Attorney