Richmond City Council voted to accept a bid from Ameresco Inc. and to adopt ordinance 2025-191 authorizing a ground lease and the installation of a solar farm at Pollinator Meadow, 3800 East Richmond Road.

City staff told council they ran a request-for-information process in August that produced seven expressions of interest and that the administration interviewed multiple respondents. During the formal procurement, only one bid was received; the sustainability director recommended moving forward with Ameresco.

"The recommendation is to accept the bid," Laura Thomas, the director of sustainability, told council. Council members then held a public hearing; a resident, Casey Miller, spoke in support and asked for greater transparency about the bidding process so the public could review vendor qualifications.

Council members who spoke in favor noted the project includes an upcoming community benefit agreement and that staff will engage neighbors to outline terms and benefits. The council approved the ordinance and accepted the Ameresco bid; the vote was recorded in the affirmative on the motion to adopt.

Administration staff said the community benefit agreement would be developed with public engagement as part of project implementation. The ground lease and contract terms require staff to confirm that Ameresco meets all contract and insurance requirements before construction begins.