City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: OCTOBER 2, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: RYAN FREED, CLIMATE ACTION OFFICER
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an ordinance to amend and reordain Chapter 7 (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Financing Program) of Title 7 (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT) of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended.
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ISSUE: Consideration of an ordinance to adopt the model Statewide Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing Program and Program Agreement.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council adopt the C-PACE ordinance on first reading and schedule a second reading and public hearing on the ordinance on October 19, 2024, and after public hearing, adopt the ordinance.
BACKGROUND: The City approved the operation of a Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) program in 2020 and made amendments to that program in 2022. Projects financed under the current ordinance in Alexandria are subject to an Alexandria-specific Program Agreement and is not aligned with the Statewide CPACE program requirements, potentially limiting interest from financing institutions for projects in the City. In conversations with the Viriginia PACE Authority, they have indicated that it is unlikely that financial institutions will be interested in executing projects in Alexandria that have requirements that differ from the statewide program.
DISCUSSION: In consultation with the Virginia PACE Authority, the Office of Climate Action, Department of Finance, and City Attorney’s Office have determined that the changes included in the ordinance do not materially impact the City’s operation and do not increase risk or financial exposure for the City. With the increase in projects that are adopting technologies and designs that can be financed using the C-PACE mechanism, and in alignment with the Environmental Action Plan and Energy & Climate Change Action Plan, this ordinance will allow more efficient operation of the C-PACE program by the program administrator (Viriginia PACE Authority) and increase the likelihood of projects in Alexandria.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct cost to the City. The C-PACE program is administered by the Virginia PACE Authority, and costs are paid by the borrower, including any costs of enforcement through the City’s contracted collection agent. City staff costs are expected to be minimal for both the Office of Climate Action and the Department of Finance.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 - Ordinance Cover
Attachment 2 - Ordinance
Attachment 3 - Exhibit 1 to Ordinance
Attachment 4 - Exhibit 2 to Ordinance
STAFF:
Ryan Freed, Climate Action Officer
Kevin Greenlief, Assistant Director Revenue Division, Department of Finance
Julian Gonsalves, Assistant City Manager
Shawn Lassiter, Assistant City Attorney