CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
July 31, 2023
TO: City Council
FROM: Department of Administrative Services
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT UP TO $80,000 IN GRANT FUNDS FROM
THE CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ONLINE SOLAR PERMITTING, AND
AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO
EXECUTE ALL GRANT-RELATED DOCUMENTS
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommen ded that the City Council authorize the acceptance of up to $80,000 in California Automated Permit Processing Program (CalAPP) grant funds from the California Energy Commission (CEC) for reimbursement of costs associated with online solar permitting and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all grant -related documents.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
California Senate Bill 129 (2021) included an appropriation of $20 million to the CEC to support a grant program for cities and counties to establish online, automated solar permitting that verifies code compliance and issues permits in real time. The CalAPP funding is intended to promote the development of residential solar and solar-plus-storage systems, greatly decreasing approval times, cutting permitting costs for local governments and homeowners, and helping California meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction goals through an easier installation process. CalAPP also provides opportunities to receive funding for maintenance costs and up to three years of subscription costs for the software database that supports the platform. Payment of grant funds will be issued as reimbursement for eligible costs that are incurred during the term of the grant agreement.
Funding level s vary based on population size of the applicant’s jurisdiction, from a minimum of $40,000 to a maximum of $100,000 per awarded applicant. The City of Simi Valley applied for grant funding in April 2023 and based on its population, has been approved for up to $80,000, which is available for liquidation until June 30, 2027.
SolarAPP+ is a web -based portal developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that automates project plan review and produces code- compliant approvals to support building departments in quickly issuing permits for residential solar energy system installations. SolarAPP+ has been established as an acceptable permitting platform for CalA PP. The City implemented an online permit application utilizing SolarAPP+ in November 2021, configured using the City’s EnerGov Enterprise Permitting & Licensing software (EnerGov) provided by Tyler Technologies, Inc . Any costs incurred or activities conducted prior to entering into a grant agreement with the CEC are not eligible for reimbursement; however, it is permissible to seek reimbursement of eligible expenses, such as related subscription costs for EnerGov.
AGENDA ITEM NO.
Consent (2)
2 City staff will be responsible for ident ifying eligible costs , preparing invoices for reimbursement, and annually reporting data such as the number of permits issued for solar energy systems or solar energy system s paired with an energy storage system, including relevant characteristics such as system capacity. No additional impact upon City resources is expected.
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
The City of Simi Valley has been approved for up to $80,000 from the CEC through the CalAPP grant program for reimbursement of costs related to an online solar permit application, available for liquidation until June 30, 2027. Upon approval and execution of the grant agreement with the CEC, City staff will provide invoicing and reporting as required.
The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Authorize the acceptance of up to $80,000 in CalAPP grant funds from the CEC for reimbursement of costs associated with online solar permitting and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all grant-related documents;
2. Do not authorize acceptance of the CalAPP grant;
3. Provide staff with alternative direction.
Staff recommends Alternative No. 1.
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I move to authorize the acceptance of up to $80,000 in California Automated Permit Processing Program grant funds from the California Energy Commission for reimbursement of costs associated with online solar permitting and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all grant-related documents.
SUMMARY
The City of Simi Valley has been approved for up to $80,000 in CalAPP grant funds from the CEC for reimbursement of costs associated with online solar permitting. Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the acceptance of the grant funds and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all grant-related documents.
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Carolyn Johnson
Administrative Services Director
Prepared by: Karen Smith, Management Analyst