Orange County NC Website
1 <br /> ORD-2022-024 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: October 18, 2022 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 6-b <br /> SUBJECT: Consulting Services Award to Blue Strike Environmental Consulting for the <br /> Orange County Climate Action Plan and Approval of Budget Amendment #2-A <br /> DEPARTMENT: Asset Management Services <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> 1. Blue Strike Environmental Consulting Amy Eckberg, (919) 245-2626 <br /> Draft Service Agreement with Steven Arndt, (919) 245-2658 <br /> Attachment #1 - Orange County Kirk Vaughn, (919) 245-2513 <br /> Budget and Timeline <br /> 2. Year-to-Date Budget Summary <br /> PURPOSE: To consider the approval of a Professional Services contract with Blue Strike <br /> Environmental Consulting for the preparation of an Orange County Climate Action Plan, and to <br /> approve Budget Amendment #2-A. <br /> BACKGROUND: As part of the County's, on-going efforts to accelerate climate change mitigation <br /> actions in Orange County, a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was issued to identify a consultant <br /> to help lead the climate action planning process. An evaluation review committee consisting of the <br /> Director of Asset Management Services, the Director of the Environment, Agriculture, Parks and <br /> Recreation, the Deputy Financial Services Director, the Sustainability Programs Manager, and a <br /> member from the Commission for the Environment evaluated Blue Strike's proposal. The group <br /> unanimously recommend Blue Strike Environmental Consulting to develop the County's climate <br /> action plan. <br /> Blue Strike Environmental has helped develop over 100 climate action plans and has local <br /> experience including a recently completed Renewable Energy Plan for Durham County, a Climate <br /> Action Plan for Research Triangle Institute, and a Solar Energy Development Evaluation for <br /> Chapel Hill Transit. The evaluation committee contacted both local and out of state references <br /> and was very impressed with the feedback received. Blue Strike Consulting demonstrated the <br /> desired knowledge, innovation, and proven track record of working with local governments that <br /> the review committee was looking for. <br /> The Climate Action Plan will lay the foundation and identify the specific strategies that will help the <br /> County meet the climate change mitigation goals set by the Board in recent years: <br />