HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Energy Committee - 06/06/2013PCT: 6/11/2013 DRAFT
South Burlington Energy Committee Meeting Minutes
Minutes from meeting on June 6, 2012
SBEC Members Attending:
Keith Epstein, Marcy Murray, Don Cummings, Laura Waters, Marc Companion, Peter Tousley
SBEC Members Absent:
Sam Swanson
Date: June 6, 2013
Meeting Location: South Burlington City Hall
City Staff attending: Ilona Blanchard
Members of the Public Attending: Susan Sobyle, Lou Bresee, Ian Donahue, Karen McKenny
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Motion 1: Accept May 2, 2013 Meeting Minutes
Moved by: Keith Epstein
Seconded by: Laura Waters
Approval: Unanimous
Staff:
Don Cummings reviewed meeting agenda and asked if additional items should be included.
Added to agenda was:
1. Topology discussion regarding the Marketplace street design
2. The addition of new members by expanding the number of seats on the SBEC.
Ian Donahue presented his latest work and findings regarding efforts to improve South
Burlington street traffic flow for carbon and greenhouse gas reductions. Ian is finding that his
recommendations for changes to traffic control devices (to improve traffic flow during non-peak
traffic times of day), is being met with resistance by those individuals responsible for public
safety. Marc Companion suggested that even though it “appears” that changes are
recommendable, engineering studies made before lights and signage were initiated were
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thorough. In instances where previous planning has changed or not been realized, a study could
be initiated to establish justification for changes but that it would be expensive.
Karen Mackenny presented the SBEC with an update on the Vermontivator game.
Although South Burlington has the most players of any town in Vermont, points for
participation are weighted, per-capita and therefore, other towns are ahead in the competition.
Non-the less, Karen is ecstatic over the number of South Burlington participants this year
compared to last.
Karen provided information about a grant program provided by the State of Vermont Agency of
Transportation’s Go Vermont Program. The VTAOT is offering VT municipalities grant money to
encourage local activities to promote public awareness and participation in the agency’s efforts
to “increase carpool registrations, numbers of vanpools and general activity on the Go Vermont
website”.
Motion 2: That the SBEC craft a letter to Ross MacDonald of Go-VT, stating that the SBEC would like to
apply for a Go Vermont Pilot Program Grant. Karen McKenny will draft the letter, Marcy Murray will
proof the draft and Don Cummings will sign the letter.
Moved by: Marc Companion
Seconded by: Keith Epstein
Approval: Unanimous
Ilona Blanchard gave a brief summary of the SB street lighting conversion program progress.
Don Cummings volunteered to calculate the carbon savings from the conversion of street lights from
HID to LED.
Ilona also stated that the Dorset Solar Array was on-line and Keith Epstein recommended that to
establish a system “baseline”, each inverter should be read and the data logged.
Ilona also indicated that progress is being made for a (68 kW ?) roof-mounted solar array. Encore and
Green Lantern Capital are the developing team for this project.
Clare Solar Project: The City of South Burlington has applied for “Intervener” status and will not state a
position until after Discovery Proceedings are completed.
SBEC Project Updates:
Condo Weatherization project: The attempt to motivate this market sector has been “overwhelming”
and disappointing. The general consensus is that, given limited resources and time, more attention
should be directed towards single family weatherization efforts such as the Stay Warm program.
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Affordable Housing: Don Cummings presented his thoughts on the impact that utilities have on the
affordable housing market and how more efficient housing is presently being considered as a factor in
mortgage calculations. SBEC committee discussed the need to “Define” affordable housing and the
need to reach for a higher standard than that established by the VT Residential Energy Building Code
and to establish a prerequisite for “solar-ready” roves including appropriate orientation and supportive
construction techniques.
Motion 3: That the SBEC will craft a comment on affordable housing.
Moved by: Keith Epstein
Seconded by: Marc Companion
Approval: Unanimous
Market Street:
Ilona Blanchard provided a description of the proposed design for right-of-way on the new Market
Streetscape.
The committee discussed needs for an appropriate and safe bicycle route and how bicycle traffic in
marketplaces has been studied and proven to substantially increase retail sales.
Motion 4: That the SBEC will make the following recommendation on Market Street “The South
Burlington Energy Committee strongly recommends that the bike lane be continuous and buffered from
the vehicle travel lane for the entire length of Market Street.
In addition, we strongly encourage that public transit connections be accommodated on Market Street
throughout its length.
These recommendations would support environmentally sustainable transportation options and would
safely accommodate all users of all abilities along Market Street in an energy efficient way.”
Moved by: Marc Companion
Seconded by: Peter Tousley
Approval: Unanimous
City Wide Topology:
Motion 5: That the SBEC will make recommendations on Street Typology by July 8, 2013. Marcy Murray
will draft recommendation and submit to SBEC for comment.
Moved by: Marc Companion
Seconded by: Keith Epstein
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Approval: Unanimous
Next Meeting: Due to the first Thursday of July being a holiday, the next Energy Committee Meeting will
be held on June 27, 2013: 7 PM at the South Burlington City Hall.
Motion 5: To adjourn meeting
Moved by: Marc Companion
Seconded by: Peter Tousley
Approval: Unanimous
Meeting adjourned at 9:55 PM, June 6, 2013