Title
Authorization to Amend the Agreement with FUSE to Host Additional Executive Fellows in Support of City Sustainability Programs (Ordinance S-52024) - Citywide
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to amend an existing agreement with FUSE (Agreement 162288). The amendment is to extend the agreement term two additional years and recruit four additional FUSE Executive Fellows to support City of Phoenix Sustainability programs in various departments. FUSE will cover 90 percent of the Fellows' compensation cost. The City will cover 10 percent of the cost, or up to $20,000 per year for each Fellow. The total City cost is up to $160,000 over two years.
Report
Summary
FUSE is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the capacity of local governments to work more effectively for communities. Founded in 2011 by a group of public-, private-, and social-sector leaders, FUSE assists communities in adapting to constantly evolving sustainability challenges. FUSE administers an executive fellowship-based model funded through philanthropy to accelerate community-based, renewable energy focused programs and projects.
The City's existing agreement with FUSE was approved by City Council in November 2024 and authorized two Executive Fellows in the Office of Sustainability to support Citywide solar programs. This amendment would authorize four additional Executive Fellows to conduct the following:
1) Support the Public Works Department in advancing the City's fleet vehicle electrification and climate action goals through the development of a strategic plan for low-emission and alternative-fuel fleet transition. This Fellow will help assess infrastructure needs, vehicle performance, and technology readiness across departments.
2) Support the Public Works Department in its efforts to advance the Resource Innovation Campus development and become a national leader in circular economy innovation. By focusing on sustainable waste diversion, business attraction, and end-of-life materials management, this Fellow will help refine strategies to attract and support companies working in e-waste, solar panel recycling, and electric battery vehicle recovery.
3) Support the Office of Environmental Programs in expanding sustainable urban agriculture as a strategy to address food insecurity, resource conservation, and long-term climate resilience. This Fellow will develop a strategic plan to help scale regenerative agriculture and agrivoltaics aligned with the City's 2030 Food Action Plan.
4) Support the Aviation Department in advancing its roadmap to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. This Fellow will assess and validate current sustainability strategies while identifying emerging opportunities to enhance operational resilience. Key areas of focus include exploring alternative energy generation such as solar, battery storage, and microgrids, alongside utility-scale renewable partnerships and electrification of ground operations.
Contract Term
The amended contract will be extended for up to an additional two years.
Financial Impact
The Aviation Department, Public Works Department, and Office of Environmental Programs have the funding to cover the City's portion of up to $160,000 for four Fellows for up to two years. The City will have the option to terminate any of the Fellows, or the agreement with FUSE entirely, at any time and the City's costs will be prorated based on the amount of time each Fellow provides to the City.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Managers Alan Stephenson and Mario Paniagua, and the Office of Environmental Programs, Aviation and Public Works departments.