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HomeMy WebLinkAbout728-16 PACE FGFA RESOLUTION NO. 728-16 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ZEPHYRHILLS, FLORIDA, EXPRESSING THE CITY'S SUPPORT AND INTENTION TO CREATE WITHIN ITS BOUNDARIES, THE "RENEWPACE PROGRAM" A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM PROVIDING INTERESTED PROPERTY OWNERS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO FINANCE ENERGY EFFICIENCY, RENEWABLE ENERGY AND WIND MITIGATION IMPROVEMENTS ON THEIR PROPERTY BY REPAYMENT THROUGH NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENTS ON THEIR PROPERTY TAX BILL; AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ZEPHYRHILLS, FLORIDA TO EXECUTE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE FLORIDA GREEN FINANCE AUTHORITY FOR ADMINISTRATION OF THE RENEWPACE PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF ZEPHYRHILLS, FLORIDA; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. WHEREAS, home and business energy consumption accounts for a large portion of the over 11 usage of energy in a community; and WHEREAS,there is a vast quantity of existing structures with many years of remaining life befo e replacement, and these structures are not as energy efficient as today's standards, nor do ma y existing buildings have renewable energy systems installed to provide some or all of their elect is energy needs and many buildings are in need of improvements to protect them against dama e from storm events; and WHEREAS, installing energy efficiency, renewable energy and wind resistance improvements on existing structures can provide significant progress towards increased energy conservation a d protection of properties in the City of Zephyrhills, Florida and statewide; and WHEREAS, the upfront costs of these improvements are a hurdle to installing them and existing financing options may be insufficient for property owners to access cost-effective financing f r energy-saving or wind-resistance property improvements due to requirements associated wi h traditional debt or equity financing options; and WHEREAS,the expected life of energy efficiency, renewable energy or wind resistance proje is may require a longer term payback period than offered by traditional financing, which may necessitate alternative options to fund installation of the improvements; and WHEREAS, local governments within Florida and nationally have either formed,- or e contemplating the formation of, programs to provide alternative financing options allowing a property owner to voluntarily finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements through payment of non-ad valorem assessments; and WHEREAS, the State of Florida has declared it the public policy of the State to develop ener y management programs aimed at promoting energy conservation and protecting properties fro wind damage; and WHEREAS, the financing provided to these participating property owners will be repaid thou h non-ad valorem assessments and only those property owners who request to participate will e levied the assessments; and WHEREAS, the benefits of these energy financing programs include improved air qualit r, lowered fossil fuels use,creating energy independence and security,promoting the creation of jobs and economic development by stimulating "green industries" and saving citizens money 1 y reducing energy consumption; and WHEREAS, Section 163.08, F.S. authorizes local governments in Florida to either fo individually, or in partnership with other local governments, programs to allow property owne s to voluntarily finance energy efficiency, renewable energy or wind resistance improvements; ai d WHEREAS, the Town of Lantana has formed the RenewPACE program which is an ener y financing program created pursuant to Section 163.08, F.S.; and WHEREAS, other local governments in the State are able to partner in the RenewPACE program by executing an Interlocal Agreement creating the Florida Green Finance Authority to administer the program, thus eliminating the costs and reducing the efforts to form an energy financing program by individual local governments; and WHEREAS, the Florida Green Finance Authority is already creating the financing, levy and collection process to implement the RenewPACE program through the local government partners; and WHEREAS,the RenewPACE program will provide significant benefits including property owner cost savings,enhancing property values,economic development and job opportunities and the City of Zephyrhills,Florida believes that it is in the best interests of the health, safety and welfare of its citizens to participate in the program and authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to finalize the Interlocal Agreement creating the Florida Green Finance Authority and begin the steps to create the RenewPACE program in the City of Zephyrhills, Florida. NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF ZEPHYRHILLS, FLORIDA, as follows: Section 1. The above declarations are true and accurate, and are incorporated herein. Section 2. The City Council of the City of Zephyrhills, a Florida municipal corporation,hereby authorizes participation in the Florida Green Finance Authority to implement the RenewPACE program. Section 3. The City Council hereby directs the City Manager and City Attorney to finalize the Interlocal Agreement with the Florida Green Finance Authority, and further authorizes the City Council President of the City of Zephyrhills, Florida to execute the Interlocal Agreement on behalf of the City. Section 4. The City Council hereby directs that the City Manager and City Attorney to begin creating the levy and collection process for the voluntary non-ad valorem assessments with the Florida Green Finance Authority and Pasco County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector. Section 5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption. The foregoing Resolution No. 728-16 was read and passed, following a public hearing, in an open and regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Zephyrhills, Florida, on this 28th day of November, 2016. ATTEST: CITY OF ZEPHYRHILLS, FLORIDA By: _O_���_� _ By Lort'L.-Hillman, City Clerk Kenneth V. Compton, Council President The foregoing Resolution No. 728-16 was approved by me this 2 th day of November, 2016. 'e IGene afield, Ma r APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM AND CONTENT Office of the City Attorney By: Matthew E. Mag , City Attorney