Title
Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to amend the contract between City of Madison and RENEW Wisconsin, Inc. for administration of the MadiSUN program to extend the contract term and add up to $115,000 in 2026.
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WHEREAS, the City of Madison has been a Solar America City since 2007, a SolSmart Gold Community since 2016, and is committed to promoting solar technology adoption at the local level; and,
WHEREAS, in March of 2017, the Common Council adopted RES-17-00213 which called on the City to establish a goal for the Madison community to reach a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050; and,
WHEREAS, the City has invested in the MadiSUN programs since 2016 to make it easier and more affordable to install solar energy throughout the community; and,
WHEREAS, the City has contracted with RENEW Wisconsin, Inc. (RENEW) to administer MadiSUN since 2016; and
WHEREAS, the City entered into a three (3) year contract (RES-23-00209) with RENEW to administer the MadiSUN program effective April 19, 2023 through December 31, 2025, as approved by the Common Council; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to continue the contractual relationship with RENEW to administer this program for the 2026 calendar year and wishes to extend contract to allow for more seamless administration of the program; and,
WHEREAS, MadiSUN is comprised of the following programs:
1. Residential Group Buy program which offers homeowners a negotiated price for solar, a vetted solar installer, as well as, education, guidance and technical support throughout the process. Initiated in 2016, the program has enabled more than 350 households to install over 2,000 kilowatts of solar energy, generating over $4.2 million in local clean energy investments.
2. The Backyard Solar Grant provides funds to nonprofit organizations and affordable housing developments to address inequitable access to solar energy. Since the program launch in 2019, grants have enabled 21 organizations to install approximately 1,250 kilowatts of solar energy, generating $2.7 million in local clean energy investments.
WHEREAS, for 2026, RENEW has proposed a total contract price of $115,000 which includes educating and recruiting participants, technical assistance, grants for purchase and installation of solar equipment, performing various services to obtain better pricing for program participants, and related administrative services; and,
WHEREAS, under MGO 4.26(4) a contract for purchase of services of more than $75,000 that was not competitively selected must be approved by the Common Council and, this contract meets the exception in MGO 4.26(4)(a) 2. & 7. for a particular consultant who has provided services to the City on a similar or continuing project in the recent past. It would be economical to the City on the basis of time and money to retain the same consultant, and the service is available from only one firm;
WHEREAS, MadiSUN grant funds are paid to a grant recipient when installation of their solar array is complete, and it is anticipated some 2025 grant recipients may not be able to complete construction until 2026;
WHEREAS, a contract extension is needed to allow any 2025 MadiSUN grant recipients that need to complete installation in 2026 to receive their payment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council approves an extension of the contract between the City and RENEW Wisconsin, Inc. for administration of the MadiSUN Program through December 31, 2026 and authorizes the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a contract amendment to that effect; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to further amend the contract with RENEW Wisconsin, Inc. to add up to $115,000 for administration of the program in 2026 subject to funding being allocated in the adopted City’s 2026 Capital Budget.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to execute the above documents and any other documents related to this transaction in a form to be approved by the City Attorney.