Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Energy Committee - 02/05/2015South Burlington Energy Committee Adopted Meeting Minutes February 5, 2015 Committee Members Present: Karen Mckenny, Keith Epstein, Patty Tashiro, Marcy Murray, Linda McGinnis, Sam Swanson Volunteers/Guests/ Members of the Public Present: Sopie Quest, David Miller Larissa Del Rosso Rayner (UVM student), Quin Mann (UVM Student), Carson Casey, Rosanne Greco, Elizabeth Palchak (UVM student), Emil Tsao (UVM student), Steve Roy. Keith Epstein called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Karen Mckenny volunteered to take minutes for the meeting. Keith presented the city updates: Solar City and Encore are moving ahead with contracts and project planning, meetings with the city and planning agencies are occurring. Keith led a discussion regarding recruitment of new members. We have one vacant spot on the committee. Marcy presented a SBEP treasurer's report. Reimbursement forms will be available in the shared google drive. UVM senior capstone students presented their SBEP project plan which involves working on collecting information for the form based codes committee on solar ready building. They are collecting data and research on what the definitions are, costs associated, and other location across the country that have incorporated these standards. UVM Doctoral and Masters students presented their SBEP project on using Behavioral research in change specifically around energy issues. The course is Energy Transition. They are collecting research and looking at what motivates people and/or approaches can be used that will lead to changes in energy behaviors. Keith presented the GUEP energy prize planning task force document to the group. He plans to present this to city council to ask that this task force be initiated for planning on what to do with the 5 million if/when we win. Minor revisions were suggested which Keith will make. Linda moved that the document be accepted and that Keith present to the city council. Karen seconded. It was unanimously approved. Linda moved to approve minutes from January 7 and 24, Sam seconds, minutes approved unanimously. Marcy moved to amend the Oct 12th financial authorization for creative and design directions to include media and other marketing efforts and to amend the Jan 7th authorization for the Kick Off Party supplies to include promotional expenses. Keith seconded. Approved unanimously. Keith moved that we authorize spending $205 on improvements and upgrades to the website to Ara Hagan and associates. Marcy seconded. Approved unanimously. Marcy moved that we authorize spending $64 from the general fund for a display rack for the kill-o-watt meters loan program to the library. Keith seconded. Approved unanimously. Champions (leaders) of the various GUEP project areas gave detailed updates on progress being made in their respective areas. Sam would like to see a direct install approach used at all of our outreach events. Offer light bulbs and when applicable have the host of the events install them on the spot. Also hand them out to people at whatever event we host. Patty continues to work on fund raising and will be seeking corporate donors. She is also follow up with all donors with a thank you letter. Investigating and working with hardware stores to set up displays of energy efficient items in one location with our "logo" or brochure info. Team leaders are suggested to keep notes on what you are doing on an ongoing basis and that the team as a whole will create quarterly reports to help keep us on track with our final report. Suggestion that we use the project charter and Linda will email the form to the group. Karen discussed the Kickoff party results, other events that have been attended and upcoming events including tabling at the pre town meeting in SB on March 2nd. Karen will begin working on setting up a series of workshops at the library. Linda will forward information on this project. Discussion about the need for a volunteer recruiter that can focus on both finding people and matching them to the right opportunity. This is a critical need with all of the projects we have going. David Miller volunteered to work on this and Keith will be sending him information to get started. Sam discussed the municipal proposal and continues with group outreach. Karen and Sam are attending the upcoming rotary breakfast on Feb 19th to present the SBEP. Natural Gas-moving along especially in terms of targeting and working with high end users. Residential Electric- energy mapping continues Schools- solar landfill progress, energy efficiency walk through of all schools is planned for Monday, many of the committee are joining this group. VEEP curriculum training has been completed. HS community service team have several projects including solar mapping, and a solar lawn sign art competition. The National Honor Society will be tabling at all sporting events about both the whole school energy challenge and the SBEP. Karen will meet with the group to coach them on the SBEP information. Need for a school volunteer coordinator is urgent. We need someone to oversee the elementary, middle and high school projects. Linda and Karen to reach out to volunteers that signed up at the party to see if they would be interested in taking on a school. Municipal planning-Sophie Quest working on the energy language in the comprehensive plan. Will review with Marcy. Solar consortium has 10 members and Steve prepared a document that outlines their services and commitments to the SBEP. Keith will have Ara add this to our website. 9:30pm Keith adjourns the meeting.