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6 THECITY ,OF #"""' -'-' ��,� "" CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT LT6L June 6, 2023 Community Development Building Division TITLE: ACCEPT A CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION GRANT FOR AUTOMATED SOLAR PERMIT PROCESSING UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $60,000 AND APPROVE BUDGET AMENDMENTS IN THE GENERAL FUND SUMMARY Senate Bill 379 mandates that all cities in California with a population greater than 50,000 residents implement an online, automated permitting platform for residential solar energy systems by September 30, 2023. The California Energy Commission (CEC) is offering cities with populations under 99,999, up to $60,000 in grant funding through the California Automated Permit Processing Program (CaIAPP). This grant is to be utilized for the implementation of an online solar permitting process that will allow contractors to efficiently obtain permits and help California and the City meet clean energy goals. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City Council: 1. Authorize the City Manager or designee to accept the grant awarded through CaIAPP for up to $60,000; and 2. Amend the FY 2022/23 Budget Appropriation for the General Fund by increasing the Building Division's Reimbursements revenue and Reimbursable Expenditure appropriations by $60,000. FINANCIAL STATEMENT The City is eligible to receive up to $60,000 in grant funding for the implementation of the Solar Automated Permit Processing Plus (SolarAPP+) through the CaIAPP program. This grant will reimburse the cost of consultant services necessary to implement SolarAPP+. No City matching funds are required; staff anticipates the grant funds will fully cover consultant costs. There will be minimal staff time required to maintain the SolarAPP+ software; it is updated with new code requirements as needed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Any ongoing costs for technical assistance related to the SolarAPP+ integration are expected to be minimal and will be covered by the existing department budget.