HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Climate Action Plan Task Force - 02/10/2022SOUTH BURLINGTON CLIMATE ACTION TASK FORCE
MEETING MINUTES
10 FEBRUARY 2022
1
The South Burlington Climate Action Plan Task Force held a meeting on Thursday, 10 February 2022, at
7:00 p.m., in person at 180 Market Street and online via Zoom remote technology.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Andrew Chalnick, Darrylin Peters, Donna Leban, Ethan Goldman, Michael Mittag
(first part of meeting), Sriram Srinivasan, Paul Conner (Ex-Officio Staff Liaison)
ALSO PRESENT: Melanie Needle (CCRPC project consultant), Ann Janda (CCRPC Project Consultant), R.
Greco, M. Murray
1. Instructions on existing building in case of emergency and review of technology options – Paul
Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning
Mr. Conner provided instructions for those attending in person.
2. Agenda: Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items
No changes were made to the agenda
3. Open to the public for items not related to the agenda (7:04 pm)
No comments unrelated to the agenda were provided
4. Review and finalize structure of Pathways and Actions worksheet
Mr. Goldman, Ms. Janda, and Ms. Needle discussed how the worksheet has been updated based on
feedback provided at the last meeting. This included defining a goal vs a pathway and action and
sets up a structure to capture key information. Ms. Needle noted that some of the information
would be filled in later in the process.
Mr. Srinivasan said he thought this format is fine for now. Looking at other examples from other
CAPs, there are nuanced attributes that may be helpful to incorporate at a later date. Ms. Leban said
there were some columns containing much of the same information that should be removed or
hidden. Ms. Peters said the structure is sufficient for now and urged the Task Force to not worry
about the final columns until later. She recommended working with a more nimble document.
Mr. Chalnick said there needs to be a little more known by sector as a goal. Ms. Leban said the Task
Force should filter between small actions and big actions, and to focus on what can be achieved and
how. Ms. Conner said he felt the levels of each action differ; that by having the same level of depth
of each action it would make them easier to review.
Mr. Mittag excused himself from the remainder of the meeting during this item.
Mr. Goldman said that while the Task Force didn’t appear ready to vote on approval of a structure,
that with these improvements discussed herein the Task Force could move to the next item. Ms.
Janda said she would take the feedback and incorporate it into the next draft of the
Building/Thermal Sector.
5. *Begin review of Pathways & Actions, by Sector, beginning with building / thermal
2
Ms. Goldman invited each member to take 2-3 minutes to outline their thoughts.
Mr. Chalnick said he would add code enforcement to column H under efficiency improvements to
new and existing buildings. In addition, the focus we have listed for renovations is towards lower-
income. He said he would want to make sure that we’re also looking at big homes which are energy
hogs as the charge of the Task Force is on energy reduction. On the switch out fossil fuels, he would
like to add some kind of taxation method, and would also want to understand how this pathway
relates to the state’s clean heat standard. If state adopts its standard, will there be things we need
to do as a city or will the work be done? Regarding net-zero, these are the right actions; the key will
be the obstacles to implementation.
Ms. Leban said there should be a focus on benchmarking. She recommended utilizing VT Gas to
identify high energy use homes / businesses and focus there. This is work that Efficiency Vermint has
been doing for a long time. Similarly, identify rental properties with high energy use, and low
income families in coordination with CVOEO. Sometimes people just don’t know about CVOEO and
what they can assist with. At the high income end, efficiency programs work better on higher
income. Need to convince them to spend in this area. For working families, we should work to
convince people this is a financially even, teach them how this has to be done to meet climate
objectives. With Realtors, work with them to help share and market what’s fashionable, what’s not.
Mr. Srinivasan said we should code buildings based on energy efficiency. The City should develop a
sustainable audit plan on energy efficiency. In reading other climate action plans, he said, he is
picking up is “what policy does the city need to consider”, then “what expertise”, then “what
financial resources” as a primary theme.
On energy audits: the City could jump start the effort by having a part time person, maybe a basic
fee for service. In addition, when a sale goes through, have an energy audit required.
Ms. Peters said she liked the idea of these requirements, such as a time of sale audit. We’re going to
need to have a training program though because CVOEO can do this but they don’t have sufficient
staff.
Mr. Goldman said he has been thinking about what is the City’s unique role. He said he’s observed
two buckets: Hard power and soft power. Hard power is regulations, taxation, etc. Soft power is
information. He recommended we think about it in these terms and what can the city impact.
Mr. Conner said that he’s add to Mr. Goldman’s notes that city has (some) financial ability and can
access grants as tools as well. Ms. Leban said the City has political capital too.
Task Force members discussed some of the individual actions. Educational programs (button up
workshops) were discussed. Ms. Peters said that in her view, the educational program such as these
are in service of the other actions, and should not be our primary focus as individual actions
themselves but as means to accomplish the others.
3
Mr. Conner said that he felt some of the actions, such as the button up workshops, were too
specific, while others were too broad. He recommended the next draft strive to be at an equivalent
level of depth so that the Task Force could view them through a similar lens.
Ms. Janda invited members to provide their feedback in writing by the end of the following week, to
be incorporated into the March 10th draft.
6. Evaluating equity of Pathways and Actions in the context of the Climate Action Plan
The Task Force has a short discussion of equity. Ms. Needle indicated that through the CCRPC’s
channels, they would reach out to representatives of some underrepresented populations. Ms.
Peters drew the Task Force’s attention to the State of VT’s list of underrepresented populations, and
noted that in the State CAP, one of the goals is to involve underserved populations from the start.
7. *Minutes: January 26, 2022
Ms. Peters moved to approve the minutes as presented. Ms. Leban seconded. Motion approved 5-0.
8. Other Business
9. Adjourn (8:55 pm)
The meeting was adjourned at 9:17 pm.
Minutes approved by the Task Force March 10, 2022