City of Minneapolis partnership aims to make it easier go solar

The city of Minneapolis recently announced a new partnership with EnergySage, a one-stop shop for consumers to find reputable solar installation companies.

One of the city’s goals in the Climate Equity Plan is to increase the use of solar in our communities. Since 2017, more than 1,700 homes have gone solar in Minneapolis. The city hopes to increase that number to 15,000 by 2032.

To help community members explore solar options and compare companies, the city has partnered with EnergySage to make the process easier for homeowners looking to make the move to solar.

—Submitted by City of Minneapolis Health Department

Should we take a position on the city's new Climate Equity Plan?

The Waite Park Community Council has been asked to sign-on to a letter encouraging city leaders to invest in and support the implementation of the newly adopted Minneapolis Climate Equity Plan.

A coalition of local climate, environmental and labor groups including MN350, ISAIAH, UNIDOS MN, SEIU Local 26, and Sierra Club is asking neighborhood associations to endorse the open letter, which call for “city leaders to use every necessary tool to guide Minneapolis forward as we transition our homes and businesses to electric and other cleaner energy sources.”

You can read the full letter here.

The WPCC board of directors plans to consider the request at its next regular meeting on Thursday, Nov. 30. Before deciding whether to take a position, the board will host a neighborhood forum from 6:30-7:00pm at the Waite Park Recreation Center, 1810 34th Ave. NE. (Zoom link). A representative of the campaign will share a brief presentation, followed by Q&A and community input.

The board regular meeting will follow at 7 p.m.

If you would like to share your opinion with the WPCC board but are unable to attend the meeting, you may email your thoughts to board@waiteparkcc.org or leave a voicemail at (612) 470-0861.

WPCC board to vote on reallocating NRP funds for home loan programs

The Waite Park Community Council (WPCC) intends to vote on a proposed NRP plan modification at its Nov. 30 regular board meeting.

At its Oct. 26 board meeting, members expressed interest in reallocating $14,909.59 in unspent funds from various strategies in its NRP Phase 1 budget for use instead on its home loan programs.

WPCC offers two home improvement loan programs in partnership with the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE). The first provides low-interest loans up to $15,000 to income-qualifying property owners. The other offers no-interest emergency loans of up to $5,000 that are forgiven if the owner continues to own and occupy the property for 5 years.

The programs have seen an uptick in use this year with five loans being issued. The budget that had been allocated to cover CEE’s annual contract fee is now depleted, and the board must allocate at least $2,500 in additional funding by December or else the program will sunset at the end of the calendar year.

As of last month, the WPCC home loan program has $16,601.32 remaining to loan for general home improvements, and $15,507.00 for emergency loans. It also had $3,247.87 to cover origination fees, but $0 left for annual contract fees. As loans are repaid, the money becomes available to spend on general WPCC programming and expenses.

At its Oct. 26 board meeting, members identified the unspent NRP Phase 1 money has a good source to continue funding the successful neighborhood home improvement loan program. Prior to voting on an NRP plan modification, neighborhood organizations must provide at least 21 days public notice.

If you have questions or comments for the board, you may email board@waiteparkcc.org, leave a voice mail at (612) 470-0861, or attend the Nov. 30 board meeting, 7pm at the Waite Park Recreation Center, 1810 34th Ave. NE.