Requesting approval to accept and expend a $95,000 grant with no new match required, from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to the Office of Sustainability and Environment for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program 2.0 Planning Grant.

To the Honorable City Council: The Mayor respectfully requests that this Council accept and approve expending a grant of $95,000 from Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to the Office of Sustainability and Environment, under the provisions of MGL Chapter 44, Section 53A. This grant does not require the commitment of new matching funds. The purpose of this grant is to pay for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program 2.0 Planning Grant. Somerville applied for $95,000 through the MVP 2.0 grant program in 2023. These funds will support the City’s climate action and resiliency work and supplement the ongoing Climate Forward plan update. The work completed through the grant will prioritize resiliency, with a focus on social resiliency and equity, then translate those priorities into action through project development and implementation. The process will focus on connecting and collaborating with community members and expanding involvement in climate resilience efforts. The grant provides guidance, tools, and guaranteed funding to complete a resilience project.   The City of Somerville became a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness designated community in 2018. Since becoming designated, Somerville has received $350,000 in direct funds to reduce local climate change vulnerability and has been part of regional climate change resilience projects totaling more than $1,000,000. Appropriate staff will be available to answer any questions you may have. Thank you for your consideration of this item. Respectfully submitted, Katjana Ballantyne, Mayor