HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Energy Committee - 09/01/2022South Burlington Energy Committee
Meeting Minutes
Approved 9/14
September 1, 2022
Committee members present: Tim Perrin (Chair), Steve Crowley, Keith Epstein, Ahmad Abdel-Fattah,
Ethan Goldman, Carrie McLaughlin, Sam Swanson.
Committee members absent: Frans van Boden, Robert Meader, Ken Pulido, MJ Reale
City staff present: Ilona Blanchard
Others present: no one from the public attended
Tim Perrin convened the meeting at 6:40 PM
Sam Swanson will serve as scribe.
The principal purpose of this special meeting was to review, amend, and finalize previously prepared
draft recommendations the Energy Committee intends to submit to the City Council identifying effective
uses of funds provided the City by the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA).
Tim Perrin invited public comments but no one was present to comment.
The Committee discussions focused on an amended version of a July 13, 2022 draft memo from the
Committee to the City Council, which included additional recommendations offered in comments from
Ahmed Abdel-Fattah. A copy of this draft memo is attached to these meeting minutes.
The Committee reviewed and modified some details of the July 13 draft. In addition, the Committee
received and considered recommendations for additional recommendations offered by Ethan Goldman
and Ahmed Abdel-Fattah.
Ethan Goldman identified two additional recommendations that the Committee discussed and added to
the draft recommendations.
1. To help promote the transition to electric vehicles across the city, offer grants to businesses,
affordable housing, and institutions to invest in electric vehicle charging infrastructure on
their property.
2. To use ARPA funding to hire a partner organization to develop educational materials,
conduct outreach and community engagement activities, and accelerate heat pump
deployment across South Burlington.
Abdel-Fattah identified two additional recommendations in written comments before the meeting.
1. To deploy and to effectively use the potential of smart street lighting to reduce electricity
use.
2. To take steps to support the formulation of a budgeted implementation program that would
advance the implementation of the City’s emerging Climate Action Plan.
The Committee discussed each of these two recommendations, deciding to set aside the first and to
adopt the second.
Sam Swanson introduced a motion to adopt the amended memo presenting Committee
recommendations for important candidate used of the funds provided to the City by the ARPA. Carrie
McLaughlin seconded the motion. The Committee voted unanimously to approve this motion.
Tim Perrin indicated he would send the approved Committee recommendations via an email message to
City Council Chair Helen Riehle. A copy of the Committee approved recommendations is attached.
Tim Perrin adjourned the meeting at 8:05 PM.
Attachments (2)
• Draft recommendations of the Committee
• Approved recommendations of the Committee