HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated January 28, 2025ITEM #:15
DATE:01-28-25
DEPT:ADMIN
SUBJECT:GREEN IOWA AMERICORPS HOSTING
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Green Iowa AmeriCorps is a state-wide community service program founded in 2009. The program
partners with over 20 city and county governments, school districts, non-profits, and conservation
organizations in Iowa to support community-specific environmental sustainability efforts. Program
partners that choose to participate are known as host sites. Services host sites may receive through the
program can include, but are not limited to:
Energy efficiency audits and weatherization for homes and businesses.
Conservation work, including tree planting, prairie maintenance, water quality monitoring, and
prescribed burns.
Reduction in waste through waste auditing.
Promotion of recycling and composting within the community.
Greenhouse gas inventorying for climate action planning, and more.
Green Iowa AmeriCorps provides these types of services to host sites by employing interested
community members to serve as Green Iowa AmeriCorps members. The program matches an interested
host site with interested Green Iowa AmeriCorps members through a standard hiring process.
The Green Iowa AmeriCorps members commit to serving in a three-quarter time position, roughly 26-
28 hours per week, for a set term from September to the following August. Host sites specify what type
of services they are seeking and members are recruited specifically for those host site positions. Part of
the programs goal is to provide the members opportunities to participate in community outreach
projects and environmental education activities.
Staff is requesting Council's authorization to apply to become a Green Iowa AmeriCorps host
site for two Green Iowa AmeriCorps members for the period between September 2025 - August
2026. The program requires a minimum of two members per host site.
If accepted into the program, the two Green Iowa AmeriCorps members will advance the work that can
be done to achieve the goals of the Climate Action Plan. Specifically, their scope of work will involve
administering energy efficiency services to interested Ames residents, complimenting and coordinating
with the other energy audit and weatherization programs. Their primary duties will involve conducting
energy audits and directly installing energy-efficient measures such as weather stripping, caulking, pipe
insulation, LED lights, and low-flow sink aerators. Members will be trained to do this work by Green
Iowa AmeriCorps and the Building Performance Institute (BPI).
The materials needed for conducting energy audits and weatherization will be covered by the Electric
Department Demand Side Management Program, which is the same fund used for electric rebates and
other demand-side management strategies. Staff estimates material cost would be around $40-$60 on
average for a housing unit and the goal would be to complete 70 home energy audits and
weatherization. The host site fee to participate in Green Iowa AmeriCorp of $10,000 will also be funded
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by the Demand Side Management Program fund.
When the members not conducting energy audits or weatherization activities, they will participate in
sustainability-related outreach events, promote sustainable actions through public education, and
conduct research as needed to support the City's sustainability efforts.
The City Manager's Office will provide a workspace, computers, access to transportation for work, and
other supplies as needed.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Authorize an application to be a host site for the Green Iowa AmeriCorps program for two Green
Iowa AmeriCorps members.
2. Do not authorize the City of Ames applying as a host site at this time.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The Green Iowa AmeriCorps program aligns with the City's sustainability goals and a
partnership would result in making progress towards Climate Action Plan implementation. The
energy efficiency services provided by the program will lower utility bills for residents and
reduce residential community greenhouse gas emissions. The program fee is also a cost-effective
investment for the Electric Department in peak demand reduction. Therefore, it is the
recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1, as noted above.
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