Resolution 14-017 Preliminary Report for Council Consideration of Benefits of Converting the City’s Vehicle Fleet to Natural Gas

CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

                                                                                                                                Burgess

RESOLUTION 14-017

A RESOLUTION OF THE HOMER CITY COUNCIL DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO PREPARE A PRELIMINARY REPORT FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION ON THE COSTS, FEASIBILITY, POTENTIAL PAYBACK, AND OTHER COMMUNITY OR ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF CONVERTING THE CITY’S VEHICLE FLEET TO NATURAL GAS. 

                WHEREAS, Natural gas is now widely available in the downtown Homer area and is expected to be available in the remainder of the community by next fall; and

                WHEREAS, The City is in the process of converting many of its buildings to natural gas in order to save on energy costs and reduce greenhouse emissions consistent with its adopted Climate Action Plan; and

                WHEREAS, The technology exists to convert the City’s vehicle fleet to natural gas and other communities and businesses have done so for the same reasons the City is converting its buildings and facilities; and

                WHEREAS, Converting the City’s fleet to natural gas has the potential to save money in the long run and possibly stimulate new business activity in the community however, there are also significant economic , capital cost, structural, regulatory, and practical considerations which must be carefully evaluated as well; and

                WHEREAS, It is in the public interest for the City Council to explore the costs, feasibility, payback, and other benefits that might be associated with converting the fleet to natural gas; and

                WHEREAS, The City administration reports that it has already done some work on a literature review, is able and willing to take this project on, possibly in partnership with the University of Alaska, and that it is not necessary to spend money on consultants at this juncture.

                NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Homer City Council finds that it is in the best interest of the community to explore the possibility of converting its fleet to natural gas.

                BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council hereby directs the City Administration to prepare a preliminary report for Council consideration on the costs, feasibility, potential payback, and other community or economic benefits of converting the City’s fleet to natural gas.

                BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report is due by the end of March and shall include recommendations regarding how the City should proceed.

             PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of Homer, Alaska, this 13th day of January, 2014.

                                                                                                                CITY OF HOMER

                                                                                                                _____________________

                                                                                                                MARY E. WYTHE, MAYOR

ATTEST:

___________________________

JO JOHNSON, MMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: N/A