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Authorize Town Manager to Apply for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Funding to Support a Free Pilot E-Bikeshare Program.
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Staff: |
Department: |
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John Richardson, Community Sustainability Manager |
Manager’s Office |
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Sarah Poulton, Senior Project Manager |
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Brennan Bouma, Sustainability Program Analyst |
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Bergen Watterson, Mobility and Greenways Manager |
Office of Mobility and Greenways |
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Ben Berolzheimer, Mobility and Greenways Planner |
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Overview: The Town of Chapel Hill is eligible to receive a formula grant of $129,010 from the U.S. Department of Energy under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program <https://www.energy.gov/scep/energy-efficiency-and-conservation-block-grant-program> (EECBG). To remain eligible for funding, the Town must apply by April 30, 2024, and we need the Council to authorize the Manager to proceed by no later than April 17, 2024. Building off community and Council support for an ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act)-funded e-bikeshare program, staff are proposing to use EECBG funding to develop a more robust and free pilot program for at least 1-2 years. See the attached draft program concept for more information. On March 26, 2024, staff met with the Transportation and Connectivity Advisory Board, who gave their support for the proposal. The Environmental Stewardship Advisory Board was set to discuss it on April 9, 2024.
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Recommendation(s): |
That the Council authorize the Town Manager to apply for EECBG funding to support a pilot e-bikeshare program in Chapel Hill.
Fiscal Impact/Resources: A combination of ARPA ($50,000) and EECBG ($129,010) grant funding would fund the proposed pilot program.
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Attachments: |
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• Resolution |
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• Draft E-Bikeshare Pilot Program Concept |
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TOWN MANAGER TO APPLY FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION BLOCK GRANT FUNDING TO SUPPORT A FREE PILOT E-BIKESHARE PROGRAM (2024-04-17/R-7)
WHEREAS, the Town Council has adopted policy that supports the use of alternative transportation through a variety of measures including the Complete Community Strategy, the Mobility and Connectivity Plan, and the Climate Action and Response Plan; and
WHEREAS, creating a bikeshare program is a longstanding goal in Chapel Hill that has the potential to replace vehicle trips, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, and provide new ways of getting around town; and
WHEREAS, Town staff have thoroughly explored options for a bikeshare program in Chapel Hill; and
WHEREAS, the creation of an e-bike pilot program can afford residents the opportunity to try out e-bikes, reduce barriers to entry for e-bike use, gauge demand for a permanent e-bikeshare program, and collect data on program implementation; and
WHEREAS, on April 19, 2023, the Town Council allocated $50,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for a community bikeshare program; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill is eligible to receive $129,010 of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding and can purchase e-bike equipment for a community bikeshare program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Town Manager to apply for EECBG funding to support a pilot e-bikeshare program in Chapel Hill.
This the 17th day of April, 2024.
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The Agenda will reflect the text below and/or the motion text will be used during the meeting. |
presenter
By adopting the resolution, the Council authorizes the Town Manager to apply for EECBG funding to support a pilot e-bikeshare program in Chapel Hill.