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R25-172 RESOLUTION NO. R25-172 2 3 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON 4 BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY'S APPLICATION FOR THE 5 NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY ("NREL") ENERGY 6 TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP PROJECT ("ETIPP") FOR 7 THE AMOUNT UP TO $50,000, AND IF AWARDED, AUTHORIZING THE 8 CITY TO ACCEPT THE GRANT, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO 9 EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GRANT;AND FOR 10 ALL OTHER PURPOSES. 11 12 WHEREAS, sustainability and resiliency are central to the City of Boynton Beach's ("City") 13 Utilities Department's long-term planning, with current initiatives focused on strengthening water 14 infrastructure, promoting water conservation, lowering operational costs, and addressing the 15 long-term risks posed by climate-related hazards such as flooding, drought, and hurricanes; and 16 WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Energy, in collaboration with the NREL, leads the ETIPP 17 program to support coastal and remote communities in enhancing their energy resilience by 18 providing access to tailored technical expertise and strategic energy planning; and 19 WHEREAS, the ETIPP program offers two tracks, with the first taking 4 to 8 months as 20 Strategic Energy Planning, supporting the development of a community-specific energy resilience 21 plan, including baseline energy assessments, community goals, and a phased action plan, and the 22 second taking 12 to 24 months as a Deep Dive Technical Assistance phase, which provides in- 23 depth analysis for communities with an existing energy plan or defined energy project; and 24 WHEREAS, the City qualifies for the ETIPP program due to its coastal location, aging 25 infrastructure, and increasing vulnerability to extreme weather; and 26 WHEREAS, the Grant will provide the City with up to $50,000 in grant funds, if awarded, 27 and will allow the City to identify strategies to improve energy efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure 28 uninterrupted operation of critical water services; and 29 WHEREAS, the City Commission, upon the recommendation of staff, has deemed it in the 30 best interests of the city's citizens and residents to authorize and ratify the City's application for 31 the ETIPP program to support and enhance the City's energy resilience, which will provide the City 32 with up to $50,000 in grant funds, and if awarded, authorize the City to accept the Grant and 33 execute all future documents associated with the grant. 34 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON 35 BEACH, FLORIDA, THAT: 36 SECTION 1. The foregoing "Whereas" clauses are hereby ratified and confirmed as 37 being true and correct and are hereby made a specific part of this Resolution upon adoption. 38 SECTION 2. The City Commission of the City of Boynton Beach, Florida, does hereby 39 authorize the City to apply for the Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project to support 40 the City's energy efficiency and reduce costs, which will provide the City with up to $50,000 in 41 grant funds, and if awarded, authorize the City to accept the Grant. 42 SECTION 3. The City Commission of the City of Boynton Beach, Florida, does hereby 43 authorize the Mayor to execute the Grant application attached hereto as Exhibit A, and if 44 awarded, the Grant Agreement, and any other document associated with applying for and 45 accepting the Grant that does not otherwise increase the financial obligations of the City, subject 46 to the approval of the City Attorney's Office. 47 SECTION 4. This Resolution shall take effect in accordance with the law. 48 49 [SIGNATURES ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE] 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 PASSED AND ADOPTED this 1S-1441 day of c )1.1,L1 2025. J 64 CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA 65 YES NO 66 Mayor- Rebecca Shelton ✓ 67 68 Vice Mayor-Woodrow L. Hay ✓ 69 70 Commissioner-Angela Cruz L/ 71 72 Commissioner-Thomas Turkin 73 74 Commissioner-Aimee Kelley 75 76 VV S-'0 78 77 (_AT S 7 80 Maylee/D\esus, MP�! 1MC Rebecca Shelton 81 City CI r Mayor 82 - 80YNr‘`‘� 83 �'oF ...••.. 04, +1 APPROVED AS TO FORM: i ORPO '•• 1 84 (Corporate Seal) i i- ° 74.;.*<9 1 SEAL TY. 85 . :_ $ gni 86 � :�iNCORPpRArED: � `�G����/7Ct (. 87 1 1920•. ' Shawna G. Lamb 88 1 ' CORIDP ' City Attorney ETIPP Community Technical Assistance Application o This is the application for coastal,remote,and island communities to participate in the Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project(ETIPP).Applications are due by Sunday,July 27,2025,at 11:59 p.m.MT. • Please consult with an ETIPP Regional Partner before submitting an application.Regional Partner contacts are listed on the ETIPP Technical Assistance webpage:https://www2.nrel.gQ/state-local-tribal/gtip_p-technical- assistance. • All sections must be filled in before the application can be reviewed. • In addition to this application,applicants are required to have at least two Stakeholder Support Forms submitted on behalf of their application.Stakeholder Support Forms should be completed by partners or decision makers outside the applicant's organization whose support is important for project success.Send the Stakeholder Support Form link below to the organizations who support your proposed ETIPP project.Ask your supporting organizations to submit this form by Sunday,July 27,2025,at 11:59 p.m.MT.Applications without corresponding stakeholder support submissions will not be considered. Stakeholder Support Form Follow this link to fill out the Stakeholder Support Form:httos://forms.office.com/g/cf9rOCVy5H Tips Before You Begin: • Review the application guidelines on the ETIPP application webpage(httos://www2.nrel.aQ/state-local- triba I/etip_p-technica l-assistancel. • Preview all of the application questions in the PDF version of the application posted on the webpage listed above. Prepare your answers to the application questions in a separate document,so you can copy and paste them into the online application and don't risk losing your work. Questions:Contact an ETIPP Regional Partner or email ETIPP@nrel.aov. Data and Privacy Notice:The data collected will be used to select communities for ETIPP technical assistance.Data collected will be retained indefinitely by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory(NREL),the U.S.Department of Energy,and its other national labs.For more information,see NREL's security and privacy notices at www.nrel.00visecuritv.html. Note:Only one application per applicant will be accepted. Required Applicant Information 1. What community will this proposed ETIPP project support(city and state,neighborhood, region, coalition,task force, etc.)? * Greater Boynton Beach, FL: Boynton Beach, Briny Breezes, Ocean Ridge, Golf, Hypoluxo, and portions of unincorporated Palm Beach County such as San Castle and unincorporated Boynton Beach. 2. Please list the names,titles,organizations,and email addresses for team members who will serve as key points of contact for your proposed ETIPP project and can commit to engaging in the activities listed in the application introduction.At minimum, please identify yourself (the applicant)and one point of contact for the project. What is the applicant's organization? City of Boynton Beach, FL 3. Applicant organization's point of contact- Name * Mirna Crompton 4. Applicant organization's point of contact- Email * cromptonm@bbfl.us 5. Applicant organization's point of contact-Title* Grants Manager 6. Applicant organization's point of contact-Organization * City of Boynton Beach, FL 7. Project's primary point of contact(can be the same as the applicant)-Name* Alannah Irwin 8. Project's primary point of contact(can be the same as the applicant)-Email* irwina@bbfl.us 9. Project's primary point of contact(can be the same as the applicant)-Title* Sustainability & Resiliency Administrator 10. Project's primary point of contact(can be the same as the applicant)-Organization* City of Boynton Beach, FL 11. Project's secondary point of contact-Name 12. Project's secondary point of contact-Email 13. Project's secondary point of contact-Title 14. Project's secondary point of contact-Organization 15. Is the applying team interested in potentially receiving subcontracting funds for services rendered as part of the technical assistance delivery? * O Yes QNo 16. Please name the ETIPP Regional Partner point of contact you worked with to prepare your ETIPP application. Regional Partner organization: * Southeast Sustainability Directors Network (SSDN) 17. Please name the ETIPP Regional Partner point of contact you worked with to prepare your ETIPP application. Point of contact's name: * Jake Leech 18. Please name the ETIPP Regional Partner point of contact you worked with to prepare your ETIPP application. Description of your consultation: * Name of ETIPP Regional Partner Point of Contact: Jake Leech, Gulf Coast Energy Manager, Southeast Sustainability Directors Network(SSDN) Description of Consultation: Jake Leech provided essential support in preparing our ETIPP application. He reviewed the proposed project scope and helped assess alignment with ETIPP's goals and eligibility criteria.Through several discussions, Jake offered guidance on framing our energy resilience needs, refining our application narrative, and identifying the most appropriate ETIPP Technical Assistance pathway. He also facilitated communication with NREL and ensured our project goals were clearly articulated in the context of ETIPP's mission. His support helped strengthen the application and positioned the City of Boynton Beach to fully benefit from the program's resources. Stakeholder Support 19. Please list at least two stakeholders outside of your organization who will submit Stakeholder Support Forms on behalf of your ETIPP application. Ideally,these supporters should play a role in decision-making for your proposed project.Stakeholders could include community organizations, government leaders, local utilities,and many more. Send the Stakeholder Support Form link(https://forms.office.com/g/cf9rQCVy5H)to these stakeholders.They may also download the form on the ETIPP application page (nrel.gov/state-local-tri bal/etipp-techn ical-assistance.html). Ask your stakeholders to submit this form by 11:59 p.m.MT on Sunday,July 27,2025. Applications without corresponding stakeholder support submissions will not be considered. Applicant Need In this section,please demonstrate your community's need(s)for technical assistance to increase energy resilience.Energy re- silience is defined as the ability to anticipate,prepare for,and adapt to changing conditions and withstand,respond to, and recover rapidly from energy disruptions. 20. Please describe the unique physical features of your coastal,remote,or island community, and how they shape your local energy challenges(e.g., aging infrastructure, high costs, frequent outages, etc.).(500 words) * The City of Boynton Beach is a coastal community that faces mounting energy resilience challenges shaped by its geographic and environmental conditions. Located directly along the Atlantic Ocean, the City and its surrounding potable water service areas, including Briny Breezes, Ocean Ridge, Hypoluxo, and unincorporated Palm Beach County, experience frequent exposure to harsh weather conditions like tropical storms, hurricanes, and heavy rainfall events. Boynton Beach serves many small frontline communities that are directly impacted by weather- and climate-related threats, making it increasingly important to evaluate energy resilience at the potable water plants to preserve critical electrical infrastructure. The City seeks to assess energy vulnerabilities, build capacity for long-term planning, and evaluate resilient, energy-efficient solutions that will improve operational continuity and reduce electric costs.The City is already conducting separate work on the infrastructure itself and is seeking technical assistance for developing a strategic roadmap to energy resilience. Boynton Beach's proximity to the ocean and low-lying elevation make it especially vulnerable to flooding, storm surge, and saltwater intrusion, which can have impacts on the energy supply. During normal rain events,the East Water Plant experiences power surges, activating the backup power generation mechanisms at the plant. During extreme weather events, high winds and lightning strikes frequently disrupt power supply, leading to long duration incidents that can cause boil water orders or system shutdowns.These vulnerabilities present serious public health concerns, especially for drinking water and wastewater treatment infrastructure, which must remain fully operational to comply with the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. While the City of Boynton Beach completed a vulnerability assessment through the Resilient Florida Program, an energy resilience study of the water utilities infrastructure has never been conducted. As a result,the system's ability to respond to and recover from unforeseen energy disruptions remains largely unassessed.The infrastructure is increasingly susceptible to downtime, reduced performance, and system failure during power interruptions.The system was not designed with resilient energy solutions in mind, such as on-site renewable energy generation, additional backup power, or load management strategies, which limits the City's ability to provide uninterrupted service during prolonged power disruptions or natural disasters. Boynton Beach is also contending with broader regional challenges such as sea level rise, saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers, and periods of drought, all of which compound the stress on water supply systems. Rapid population growth in the area has increased water demand and utility usage, further straining the existing energy-intensive infrastructure.The reliability and efficiency of the City's water system has become a top priority, as electric consumption costs continue to rise. These factors underscore the urgent need for technical assistance.A strategic partnership through ETIPP will help Boynton Beach enhance the sustainability of its water utilities system while protecting public health and supporting the long-term resilience of our coastal community. The City's goal is to use the findings to pursue grant funding and implement cost-saving measures that stabilize or reduce rates over time, particularly for residents already facing high energy or housing burdens. 21. Does your community have a strategic energy plan,resilience action plan,or similar document that represents work toward energy goals? * O res ©No ttn:T ssa Crcco 1 Proposed Project In this section,please discuss how ETIPP can support increased energy resilience in your community.Energy resilience is de- fined as the ability to anticipate,prepare for,and adapt to changing conditions and withstand,respond to,and recov- er rapidly from energy disruptions. 23. Which track of ETIPP Technical Assistance are you requesting?* OStrategic Energy Planning(4-to 8-month period of performance and includes a Strategic Energy Plan in report and presentation format as deliverables)(Skip to Question 26) Technical Deep Dive(12-to 24-month period of performance and includes long-term analysis for one or more Ospecific energy projects within your community.Deliverables vary but can include financial models and analysis, resource characterization,grid analysis,etc.in report and/or presentation formats.) 24. Please describe the goals of your project.(250 words) * The primary goal of this project is to enhance the energy resilience and operational reliability of the City of Boynton Beach's water utilities system through energy audits and the assessment of resilient energy solutions. By evaluating current energy use and infrastructure vulnerabilities,the City seeks to identify opportunities to optimize energy efficiency, reduce electricity costs,and ensure the long-term continuity of critical water services.This will help ensure that our water utilities rates remain competitive to customers and not result in unexpected rate increases. The project will focus on building a clear understanding of how aging infrastructure and exposure to coastal hazards, such as flooding, saltwater intrusion, hurricanes, and lightning, affect the water system's energy demands and reliability.The City has never conducted an energy audit on its water infrastructure, making this effort essential to determine current risks and prioritize electrical upgrades. Specifically, the project aims to: • Conduct energy assessments of drinking water and wastewater facilities; • Identify high-impact opportunities to improve electrical efficiency and reduce pollution; • Assess the feasibility of resilient energy solutions such as on-site solar, battery storage, and backup generation; • Develop a strategic energy plan or resilience roadmap that supports service continuity during routine operations and emergencies. With over 112,000 residents relying on the system across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring uninterrupted access to clean drinking water is vital. By improving energy reliability and reducing vulnerabilities,this term community resilience in the face of climate change and increasing demand. 25. What are the specific activities you envision ETIPP supporting during your technical assistance project?You may wish to provide some of the possible technical assistance activities you discussed with an ETIPP Regional Partner.(250 words) * The City of Boynton Beach envisions ETIPP supporting a range of technical assistance activities that will help build an energy resilience roadmap for our water utilities system.With aging infrastructure and increasing exposure to harsh weather conditions, we seek expert guidance to identify vulnerabilities, evaluate resilient energy options, and plan for long-term system sustainability. Specifically, we anticipate ETIPP support in the following areas: • Energy audits and benchmarking:Conduct facility-level audits of key water and wastewater infrastructure to evaluate baseline energy usage, equipment efficiency, and system vulnerabilities. Support in compiling, reviewing, and interpreting electric utility and operational data would be instrumental. • Risk and resilience assessments:Analyze how climate-related stressors(e.g., hurricanes,flooding, sea level rise) impact system reliability. Identify critical energy points of failure and assess infrastructure readiness to withstand power outages or disruptions. • Technology and strategy evaluation: Explore clean, reliable energy solutions such as solar PV, battery storage, microgrids, and fuel-switching options to improve system resilience and reduce emissions.Assess cost-benefit and feasibility across multiple facilities. • Strategic planning: Develop a phased, actionable energy resilience roadmap or strategic energy plan for the Utilities Department.This plan would include recommended projects, potential funding sources, and integration with existing capital planning cycles. • Capacity building: Support internal staff understanding of resilient energy principles, data management, and implementation planning to ensure long-term success and alignment with community resilience goals. 26. How will you use results from the activities described above to increase your community's energy resilience? (250 words) * The results from the technical assistance activities will be used to strengthen the operational resilience, environmental sustainability, and economic stability of the City of Boynton Beach's water utilities system. These findings will inform the development of a strategic energy resilience strategy that prioritizes cost- effective, high-impact improvements to aging infrastructure, helping to ensure uninterrupted delivery of essential water services to over 112,000 residents. By identifying inefficiencies and high-risk vulnerabilities in our energy systems, the City will be able to implement targeted upgrades that reduce dependence on external energy sources, improve reliability during extreme weather events, and prevent service disruptions during outages.These improvements are especially critical in a coastal community exposed to hurricanes,flooding, and saltwater intrusion. Enhanced system performance will also reduce environmental risks.Well-maintained and efficient infrastructure can prevent overuse of natural water sources, reduce natural resource consumption, and minimize risks of system failures that may result in environmental contamination. Additionally,the project's outcomes will produce operational cost savings that can be reinvested into resilience and climate adaptation measures or help stabilize utility rates for residents, particularly beneficial in underserved neighborhoods with high energy burdens. Ultimately,the results will support the City's broader resilience goals by guiding infrastructure investments, improving regulatory compliance, and safeguarding public health.The insights gained will serve as a model for future initiatives, helping to institutionalize energy resilience as a core function of utility operations and long-term community planning.We envision using the results to create a framework for future grant opportunities. 27. Who in your community will benefit from your proposed ETIPP project?How will they benefit?(250 words) * The proposed ETIPP project will benefit all residents and businesses served by the City of Boynton Beach Utilities Department by improving the resilience and reliability of water and wastewater services, especially during power outages and extreme weather events.The service area spans over 112,000 people across Boynton Beach and neighboring jurisdictions, making uninterrupted access to clean water critical for public health and safety. The greatest benefits will be felt by low-income residents, seniors, and renters, many of whom are more vulnerable to utility disruptions. Based on 2024 census data, an estimated 17%of residents in the service area live below the poverty line and 21%are over age 65.A recent study conducted with Florida International University found that these residents often face higher burden from factors like aging infrastructure and increasing costs for water and electric utilities. Many reside in areas with limited resources, which amplifies reliance on electric and water utilities during the hottest months, leading to higher utilities costs.Additionally,these neighborhoods take longer to recover due to limited infrastructure to mitigate outages or flooding associated with system upsets. By identifying opportunities to reduce energy consumption and prevent service interruptions, this project will help stabilize utility costs, reduce financial stress for vulnerable populations, and mitigate environmental risks. Systemwide energy efficiency and resilience upgrades will promote cleaner air and water by directing investments where they are most needed.This project will enhance the well-being, safety, and economic stability of the entire Boynton Beach community. 28. Who,if anyone,will be negatively impacted by the project?How would they be negatively affected? (250 words) * The proposed project is designed to benefit the entire community by improving energy efficiency, system reliability,and resilience within the City's water utilities infrastructure.As such, we do not anticipate any direct or long-term negative impacts on residents or businesses. However,we recognize that certain activities associated with the project, such as infrastructure assessments, pilot installations, or facility electrical upgrades may result in short-term inconveniences or disruptions. For example, energy audits or retrofitting work could temporarily affect operations at water or wastewater facilities, potentially resulting in brief service interruptions, noise, or increased traffic in surrounding areas. These impacts would be carefully managed to ensure minimal disruption,with ample public notice and coordination with impacted neighborhoods or stakeholders.Critical services would remain operational at all times. Additionally, if upgrades identified through the project require long-term capital investment, there may be concerns from some stakeholders about future utility rate adjustments. However,the City's goal is to use the findings to pursue grant funding and implement cost-saving measures that stabilize or reduce rates over time, particularly for residents already facing high energy or housing burdens. We are committed to engaging community members early and often throughout the project to ensure transparency, build trust, and avoid unintended consequences. Equity and inclusion will be prioritized in all planning efforts, and strategies will be in place to mitigate any short-term disruptions while maximizing long-term benefits for all. 29. How does your project plan to engage with community decision makers and stakeholders? (250 words) * Community and stakeholder engagement will be a cornerstone of the City of Boynton Beach's ETIPP project. We plan to involve internal and external stakeholders throughout the planning, assessment, and decision- making phases to ensure the outcomes reflect the needs and priorities of our community. Internally,we will work closely with the Utilities Department, City Manager's Office, Sustainability& Resilience Division, and Public Works to ensure cross-departmental alignment and long-term integration of recommendations into capital improvement planning.Coordination with City Commission members will ensure elected officials are informed and have the opportunity to guide the process. Externally,we will engage with key regional stakeholders such as the Southeast Florida Utility Council (SEFLUC), our electric utility provider, Palm Beach County agencies, and relevant regional resilience collaborations.We will also strengthen our existing partnerships with community-based organizations, faith- based groups, tenant associations,and neighborhood leaders to ensure that voices from underserved and historically disinvested communities are included. Community engagement will be structured through a combination of focus groups, public workshops, one- on-one stakeholder interviews, and digital outreach.These forums will be used to share project goals, gather input on priorities, and build shared understanding of how energy resilience impacts health, safety, and economic stability. Our goal is to foster trust,transparency, and equity by ensuring that all stakeholders, particularly those most vulnerable to system disruptions, have a meaningful voice in shaping the City's energy resilience roadmap and future infrastructure investments. 30. Do you have or plan to seek other sources of funding or support to complement the technical assistance provided by ETIPP? Please describe them if so.(Answering "Yes"does not disqualify you from ETIPP support;rather it helps NREL plan for and coordinate with other assistance programs.) (250 words) Yes,the City of Boynton Beach plans to pursue additional sources of funding to complement the technical assistance provided by ETIPP.We recognize that implementing energy resilience improvements will require long-term investment and financial support beyond the planning phase. While we are committed to leveraging ETIPP's guidance to develop a strong energy resilience roadmap, the City has historically faced challenges in securing grants or funding specifically for water utility energy assessments and upgrades.These difficulties stem from limited staff capacity, competing municipal priorities, and challenges navigating complex application processes for federal and state funding programs. Despite these barriers,we have explored funding opportunities such as FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Resilient Florida Grant Program, and federal infrastructure and energy funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law(BIL)and Inflation Reduction Act(IRA).We continue to monitor future funding opportunities for energy resilience projects as they develop, and we are also considering partnerships with our utility provider and regional organizations to pursue collaborative funding applications. ETIPP's technical assistance will play a critical role in making us more competitive for these funding streams by providing data, analysis, and a clear strategy for implementation.We anticipate using the resulting energy audit findings and resilience roadmap to strengthen our future grant proposals and secure the financial resources needed to advance this work. Review and Submit Your Application You have completed the application.Before you submit your application,confirm: 1.You have reviewed your application answers for accuracy.After you submit your application,you will not be able to change your answers. 2.You have emailed or mailed your strategic energy plan,if applicable. 3.You have reviewed the application guidelines on the ETIPP application webpage(nrel.gQIstate-local-tribal/etioo-technical- Assistance.html). Only one application per applicant will be accepted.