Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sustain Dane for continued collaboration on shared sustainability interests. The MOU covers the years 2021-2023 with an option of a 3-year renewal for 2024-2026. The City will provide $40,000 annually to the program. Funding for the 2021 payment is included in the 2021 Adopted Capital Budget for Engineering - Facilities Management as GO Borrowing under the Sustainability Improvements program (MUNIS 10563). Payments beyond 2021 are subject to appropriations in future years. No additional appropriation is required at this time.
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SUBSTITUTE - City of Madison Sponsorship of Sustain Dane programming in 2021 and authorization to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Sustain Dane.
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WHEREAS, since 2009, Sustain Dane's MPower Champions Program has provided a one-year, fully customizable program for businesses and organizations in the Greater Madison Region that want to reduce their environmental impact while saving costs and creating a healthier and more equitable and engaging workplace and community; and,
WHEREAS, MPower is a proven and nationally recognized model for achieving sustainability success from within an organization, both EPA administrators Jackson and McCarthy have visited Madison to congratulate Madison on a collaborative approach to engaging the community in meaningful carbon reduction and the accompanying health related co-benefits through MPower; and,
WHEREAS, over 110 Madison-area businesses and organizations have excelled as MPower Business Champions, creating positive change in areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste reduction, transportation, supply chain efficiency, employee health and wellness, employee and community engagement, and more; and,
WHEREAS, as a result of the program, MPower Business Champions collectively realize an annual reduction of 18.9 million kWh saved, 60 million lbs. of CO2 emissions avoided, and $2 million dollars saved each year; and,
WHEREAS, as a result of funding from The City of Madison and the other “founding sponsor” Madison Gas and Electric, Sustain Dane has leveraged these funds annually to secure national grants and/or local corporate sponsors; and,
WHEREAS, in 2012, Sustain Dane launched a new program Sustainable Business Network (SBN) to compliment MPower and provide a network for MPower Alumni while engaging organizations not interested in the cohort model of the MPower program but that want to stay current and connected to a sustainable business community; and,
WHEREAS, in 2013, The City of Madison became the first municipal member of SBN, and by 2019 the network has over 90 organizations, more than half not having participated in MPower; and,
WHEREAS, in 2019 Sustain Dane spent a year to research, engage with past, current, and potential future participants (including City staff), conducted strategic thinking on the ten years of the MPower and SBN programs and participated in the StartingBlock’s Social Impact Initiative; and,
WHEREAS, in 2020 Sustain Dane built upon on the success of MPower and SBN in ways that enhanced sustainability education and implementation in the business sector, provide a more robust program offering, reduce barriers to participation, and increase engagement, participation, and diverse inclusion in the sustainability movement; and,
WHEREAS, Sustain Dane seeks assistance from The City of Madison in the amount of $40,000 to support programs such as the Accelerate Sustainability Workshops, Green Team Roundtables, Sustain Dane Membership, Master Recyclers Course, and other programming; and,
WHEREAS, Sustain Dane has secured assistance from MGE to support the Accelerate Sustainability Workshops, Green Team Roundtables and Sustain Dane Membership in 2021; and,
WHEREAS, by funding Sustain Dane’s programs, the City of Madison assumes a leadership role in climate change mitigation and preparedness, positioning our businesses to thrive in the future, demonstrates its commitment to innovation and accessible programing, being proactive in addressing the regions challenges, ensuring that Madison continues to be attractive to people and businesses by supporting the health of our environment, the competitiveness of our local businesses, and the meaningful connections among our citizens; and,
WHEREAS, the City and Sustain Dane desire to enter into an agreement that will guide continued collaboration on shared sustainability interests, and which will include $40,000 in annual funding to Sustain Dane of its programming.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and the City Clerk are hereby authorized to provide funds in the amount of $40,000 to support Sustain Dane Programming in 2021 and to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Sustain Dane, for the years 2021-2023 with an option of a 3-year renewal for 2024-2026, to collaborate and fund certain sustainability programs, in the amount of $40,000 annually, subject to future budget allocations, and in a format and manner that is approved by the City Attorney.