Resource Management Commission approves Solar for All interlocal and honors outgoing chair; minutes approved with one abstention

The Resource Management Commission voted 7-0 to authorize negotiation and execution of an interlocal agreement with Harris County to accept funds and act as a subrecipient for Solar for All program activities, and approved a resolution commending outgoing commissioner Louis Stone. The commission also approved the previous meeting minutes with one abstention.

The interlocal agreement authorizes Austin to participate as a subrecipient to Harris County for a Solar for All grant and establishes a maximum agreement amount of $31,593,683, with the funds to be drawn from Austin Energy’s Special Revenue Fund when available.

Tim Harvey, customer renewable solutions manager for Austin Energy, told the commission that Harris County is the primary recipient of a $150,000,000 grant to the state of Texas and that Austin is part of a coalition that won part of that grant. Harvey said Austin has not spent any of the grant funding and will not do so until the interlocal agreement is complete and federal reimbursement is available. He also said the city plans to hire three grant-funded positions—two coordinators and one associate—if funds are accessible.

The minutes from the prior meeting were approved by acclamation, with Commissioner Gary recorded as abstaining.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (prior meeting): Outcome — approved; tally: yes 6, abstain 1 (Commissioner L. Gary). Motion and second: not specified in the record. Evidence: roll call and verbal acclamation recorded during the meeting. - Interlocal agreement with Harris County (Solar for All): Motion — recommend approval authorizing negotiation and execution of an interlocal agreement with Harris County in support of Solar for All program activities for the term 03/27/2025 through the grant period ending 08/31/2029 in an amount not to exceed $31,593,683; Outcome — approved; tally: yes 7, no 0, abstain 0. Mover: not specified. Second: yes (record shows a second). Staff presentation: Tim Harvey, Austin Energy. -…