Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE NEGOTIATION OF DEVELOPMENT AND LEASE AGREEMENTS WITH EDEN RENEWABLES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HAYFIELD SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT.
Body
CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, The City of Duluth in 2024 requested proposals from solar development firms to assess select City properties for their potential to host maximum ten megawatt solar photovoltaic facilities and selected Eden Renewables to assess the properties; and
WHEREAS, Eden Renewables conducted the site assessment and recommended that the City further explore a solar photovoltaic project on a remote City-owned hayfield north of Hawk Ridge in eastern Duluth; and
WHEREAS, the hayfield site is zoned P-1 but has never been designated as protected parkland or improved for park use and was excluded from the Lester-Amity-Hawk Ridge Natural Area provisionally approved in Council Resolution 25-0494R; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Property, Parks, and Libraries entered a Professional Services Agreement with Eden Renewables that authorized Eden to submit a proposed solar photovoltaic project at the hayfield site to Minnesota Power for approval to proceed under Minnesota Power's distributed solar resources program; and
WHEREAS, if the hayfield became a part of Minnesota Power's distributed solar resources program, the City of Duluth would be paid a negotiated lease fee and receive proceeds from the solar energy production tax mandated by Minnesota Statutes ? 272.0295, of which 20 percent would go to the City and 80 percent would go to St. Louis County; and
WHEREAS, the City Council must approve associated development and lease agreements with Eden Renewables before the project may proceed to construction.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the proper city officials are hereby authorized to negotiate development and lease agreements with Eden Renewables for the installation and management of the hayfield solar energy project.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution au...
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