Council Votes to Assess Withdrawal from Bloomberg Solar Grant

Councilman Fought put the following item on the Council agenda for last night, July 24, 2019.

In May of 2019 the Council voted (4-2) in favor of a motion to accept the Bloomberg Grant. Only 6 Council members voted on the motion because Council Member Hesser (District 3) was absent and newly-elected Council Member Triggs (District 3) had not been seated. Given the overall situation in the Georgetown Electric Utility System, I believe it would best serve the Council, and the public, to place the issue on a future Council Agenda and allow ALL members, including the now-seated Member Triggs, to cast their vote on the Bloomberg Grant. I believe a Motion to Withdraw from the Bloomberg Grant would be appropriate. In order to allow that vote, it is necessary to have a Staff assessment of the feasibility, and the impact of withdrawing. The Motion to Withdraw from the Bloomberg Grant would also need to take place at a future meeting where all Council Members are present.

I am therefore asking that a Proposition to Withdraw from the Bloomberg Grant be placed on a future Council Agenda, accompanied by a Staff assessment of the feasibility and impact of a “withdraw” decision. I also ask that this item, and the subsequent Proposition, be placed on Council Agendas within the next 30 days.

The vote was 5 for and 1 against with Councilwoman Eby absent. Councilwoman Jonrowe was the single no vote.

The City manager said they were ready to provide the assessment at the next council meeting.

Watch the schedule!

Councilmen Gonzales and Pitts were ready to vote on withdrawal last night, but, the city attorney said the specific wording of the proposed motion above precluded that action. It will have to be voted on at a future council meeting.

Staff indicated $200,000 had been received, but, there have been no expenditures. The city has also advertised for a grant manager, but, have not moved forward with selection. Staff also indicated there would be no penalty for withdrawing from the grant.

Councilman Pitts observed that he had received numerous inputs from his constituents and others outside his district supporting his previous vote to NOT move forward with the grant. He also noted the only people that he personally knew that were for the grant were the 4 council persons who voted yes to proceed!

If you think the City should terminate their participation in this grant, contact your council person and urge them to withdraw from the grant.