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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Energy Committee - 07/12/20231 South Burlington Energy Committee Meeting Minutes July 12, 2023 Committee members present: Steve Crowley, Keith Epstein, Ethan Goldman, Sam Lipschutz, Carrie McLaughlin, Rob Meader, Tim Perrin (Chair), MJ Reale (Vice Chair) Committee members absent: Frans Van Boden City staff present: Ilona Blanchard, Lou Bresee, Nick Atherton City council member present: Andrew Chalnick Community members present: none Convene: Tim called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM. MJ volunteered to serve as scribe. Public comments not related to the meeting agenda - none Introductions: The Committee welcomed new city liaison, Nick Atherton and new member, Sam Lipschutz, by introducing themselves. Minutes. The Committee reviewed and adopted the draft meeting minutes from the June 14 meeting. Rob motioned to adopt the minutes and Keith seconded. The members present voted unanimously to adopt the minutes as presented. We will aim to keep the ACTION element of the minutes moving forward as an easier way to identify pending work and point people if applicable. Fiscal Year 2024 SBEC workplan development The committee reviewed the 2024 workplan. After much discussion of the strategies and clarification of tactics, members committed to participating in specific goals. A few of the strategies were left without team commitment because they are more dependent on city staff input and direction. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10iSs4RdjPTooT0xc8_uWujOoMk9wYa5N/edit#gid=2054491208 ACTION: Coordinate with other energy committees: Rob, Tim, Steve, Carrie Support the City in implementing infrastructure/funding: Ethan, Sam, Keith Assist monitoring/analysis of the energy of City facilities: Sam, Ethan, Tim Conduct public outreach, education, and engagement: MJ, Keith Related discussion points: Energy committees – join and participate in VECAN, CCRCP platforms. We have lots to share as well as learn. City receives $70-$100K per month from solar array. Scope of the SBEC – consider “energy” vs “climate” Energy per square foot – this is something city staff are asked about 2 Community Engagement MJ and Tim shared a summary about plans for our September 30, 2023 event at City Hall. The group agreed on the name “South Burlington Energy Festival” and tagline “Clean and Green Transformations”. Discussed “sustainability” vs “energy” in the name related to general appeal and exhibitors expected. The event will include 20 minute scheduled presentations that will educate/engage the public and function as teasers for more substantial workshops/demos planned for the winter months. We need ideas and contacts for workshops/presentations. Andrew will have a spot to discuss CAP and perhaps a longer one scheduled in the winter. The event subcommittee is Tim, MJ, Rob, Carrie, Keith. All members have exhibitors to follow up with an application. We will invite other city committees to have a table at the event. MJ has reached out to over 30 food vendors with only 2 committed – group gave suggestions. Keith’s contact has provided logo options and we still need another graphic designer to layout the materials. A $4000, MERP grant has been applied for – if that is not forthcoming, we will need to access SBEC funds. Current estimate is that there is $7000 there. Volunteers are needed. Duties include: Vendor coordination & setup, Traffic control, Help navigate sessions in building, Transport smoothie bike with a truck, SBEC table staffing, Manage and Pitch the Scavenger hunt. Besides SBEC members, we will seek other helpers. ACTION: Volunteers: All members: please send MJ an email if you can volunteer, indicating specific hours. MJ will reach out to Sunrise Movement and Rotary Club (unless someone has a contact). Keith will check with high school. Workshop: All members: If you have any suggestions please email us or fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemF8NxpIYIqYkTMqkwURWQljO9Q95BARDc- vgTsB-xhZwuUQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0 Comprehensive/City Plan The committee again reviewed the most recent draft copy of the Comprehensive Plan provided by the Planning Commission. Tim noted comments from SBEC members. Members noticed specific content was removed from the last version and believe it is important to include. The committee noted that Climate Resiliency is identified as the primary goal for the city moving forward. We agree with the importance of elevating the issue while recognizing it may need public support. Ethan moved that SBEC support and accept that language in the Plan and provide a statement of support to the Planning Commission along with the recommended other changes and comments. Keith seconded that motion. The motion passed with one opposed and one abstaining. Sam made a motion that Tim will write the document in support of including climate resilience as the primary goal of the Plan. Ethan seconded and all approved. ACTION: Tim will write the support document and send to Planning Commission along with recommended changes to the current draft of the Plan. 3 City Policies Andrew indicated some policies that SBEC should weigh in on, as this committee is viewed as having expertise. Two issues being looked at soon are thermal energy systems and rental ordinances related to weatherization. ACTION: SBEC will discuss these at August meeting. Perhaps a subcommittee will be formed to research and draft a presentation to full SBEC and then present to City Council. If a SBEC member has time sooner, they can look at related language used in Burlington ordinances. Other business: Tim pointed out that VEEP is looking for contacts in the SB school system. It was recommended to have them reach out to Kate Bailey who is on the School Board and is a former SBEC member. ACTION: Tim can provide the contact - kbailey@sbschools.net Appreciation from SBEC We said goodbye and gave thanks to Ilona because this was her last meeting as a city liaison of the SBEC. She will continue to stay involved to help us manage the energy event. We look forward to working with Nick Atherton a planning and zoning department staff member who is our new staff liaison. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned approximately at 9:15pm. Next Regular Meeting: Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 6:30pm.