Committee recommends city hire design firm for solar systems at three city buildings

BENTON HARBOR — The committee recommended authorizing the city manager to execute a contract to design solar energy systems for three city buildings so the city will be ready to build when funding becomes available.

City Manager Chris Cook described the background: the city had been part of an EPA-sponsored effort (packet referenced a $20,000,000 grant with $17.5 million to the city) that was later canceled. “Even though EPA canceled their project, we went back to the state and said, look. Let us utilize that money since it's already been appropriated to get a designer that can design the system for the 3 buildings,” Cook said. He said staff sought bids and recommended an award to the responsive low bidder so the city would have construction-ready plans if and when grant funds are released.

Cook said the three sites named in the materials are City Hall, the water plant and a property listed in the packet as "Bobo Brazil". He also said the work will be covered by an EGLE grant for $129,815. When asked how soon work would start, staff said the design work would begin once the successful bidder has been notified and the contract is executed.

Next steps: staff will notify the successful bidder and begin design work; the resolution will be placed on the commission agenda as recommended by the committee.