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HomeMy WebLinkAbout110122-06.4 ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF REPORT 6.4 TO: Mayor and Town Council November 1, 2022 SUBJECT: Resolution No. 92-2022, accepting California Automated Permit Processing Program (CalAPP) funding and appropriating $40,000 to implement automated solar permitting application SolarAPP+ BACKGROUND In order to meet California’s clean energy goals, the California State Legislature passed a series of bills intending to promote the development of residential solar and solar plus storage systems. For example, Senate Bill 379, signed by Governor Newsom on September 19, 2022, requires most cities and counties to adopt a Solar Automated Permit Processing (SolarAPP+) application for residential solar energy systems. It is an online web portal that automates the plan review process for issuing permits to qualified businesses or individuals to install code-compliant residential photovoltaic systems. Based on model building, electrical, and fire codes, Solar App+ automatically performs a compliance check based on input supplied by the contractor to ensure the proposed system is safe and code compliant. Installation practices, workmanship, and adherence to the approved design is then verified by the Town through the inspection process. Cities with populations of 50,000 or less are required to satisfy these conditions by September 30, 2024. DISCUSSION Senate Bill 129, passed in 2021, is funding source California cities can utilize to implement these clean energy goals. It authorized $20 million in funding to establish California Automated Processing Program (CalAPP) to encourage cities and counties to enhance permitting processes and accelerate turnaround time, particularly regarding solar plan review. The funding is per capita and available on a first come, first served basis. The Town applied and was granting CalAPP funding in the amount of $40,000 to implement SolarAPP+. The funds will be used to cover consultant, staffing and training costs for implementation of the application. PUBLIC CONTACT Posting of the meeting agenda serves as notice to the general public. California Automated Permit 2 November 1, 2022 Processing Program Funding FISCAL IMPACT The $40,000 grant will cover the cost of the application, staffing and consulting costs. RECOMMENDATION Adopt Resolution No. 92-2022, accepting CalAPP funding and appropriating $40,000 to implement automated solar permitting application SolarAPP+. Prepared by: Diane J. Friedmann Deputy Town Manager Reviewed by: Tai J. Williams Assistant Town Manager Attachment: Resolution No. 92-2022 RESOLUTION NO. 92-2022 ACCEPTING CALIFORNIA AUTOMATED PERMIT PROCESSING PROGRAM (CalAPP) FUNDING AND APPROPRIATING $40,000 TO IMPLEMENT AUTOMATED SOLAR PERMITTNG APPLICATION SolarAPP+ WHEREAS, Senate Bill 129 authorizes funding to the California Energy Commission to establish California Automated Processing Program funding (CalAPP); and WHEREAS, Senate Bill 379 requires most cities and counties to adopt a Solar Automated Permit Processing (SolarAPP+) application for residential solar energy systems; and WHEREAS, SolarAPP+ is an online web portal that automates the plan review and process for issuing permits to qualified businesses or individuals to install code- compliant residential photovoltaic systems; and WHEREAS, the Town of Danville applied for and has been awarded $40,000 in CalAPP funding to implement SolarAPP+, based upon a first come, first served basis; and WHEREAS, the funds will be used to offset consultant, staffing and training costs for implementation of the application; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Danville Town Council hereby accepts California Automated Permit Processing Program (CalAPP) funding; and, be it further RESOLVED, that the $40,000 be appropriated from the CalAPP funding to implement automated solar permitting application SolarAPP+. APPROVED by the Danville Town Council at a regular meeting on November 1, 2022, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSTAINED: ABSENT: ______________________________ MAYOR APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST: _______________________________ ______________________________ CITY ATTORNEY CITY CLERK DocuSign Envelope ID: CE0F397B-718A-4808-B15F-87722DDB1E4C