Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Energy Committee - 12/03/2015 South Burlington Energy Commiee 575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 846-4106 www.sburl.com facebook.com/SouthBurlington Thursday, December 3, 2015 Approved Meeng Minutes Public Works 2nd floor conference room 104 Landfill Road, South Burlington (off Patchen Road) Committee members present: Don Cummings, Keith Epstein (Chair), Marcy Murray, Patty Tashiro, Sam Swanson, Thor Vue, Wayne Maceyka Committee members absent: Fred Kosnitsky, Karen Mckenny, Linda McGinnis, Community members present: Grant Taylor; Tara Bartlik, VEIC City staff present: None Initial Business The meeting began at around 6:30 p.m., Marcy volunteered to scribe, and the committee approved the November minutes. Public input Grant shared opportunities for collaboration with students enrolled in the ENSC 202 course at UVM’s Rubenstein School, i.e., students working on capstone projects would welcome the opportunity to engage in real-world project work next semester or the following fall. Grant expressed willingness to guide the effort. Given the usefulness of the committee’s collaboration with students last year, Keith asked members to contact Grant with any project ideas. Comprehensive Plan Regarding the comments that the committee recently submitted to the Planning Commission, Keith gave detailed descriptions of which recommendations were adopted and which were not. The committee agreed that it was important to try again to have “where appropriate” removed consistent with how non-energy-related statements are treated in the document. The committee authorized Keith to write a letter to the Planning Commission emphasizing this point. Planning Retreat Don will create a doodle poll with the goal of finding a date in early January to hold an assessment and planning retreat. Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program Marcy and Tara Bartlik of VEIC shared additional information regarding PACE. The committee first considered participating in PACE in 2010. Since then, the program and cost structures have changed in ways that significantly relieve towns of administrative burdens while making the program more affordable for certain segments of the population. While the committee wouldn’t expect large numbers of participants given the current program configuration, it sees value in providing property owners—especially those with low incomes—a more accessible financing mechanism to make money- and energy-saving improvements. If the City Council approves adding PACE to the March 3rd ballot by January 4th, we will have a short timeframe in which to finalize ballot language and educate voters about the program. South Burlington Energy Prize updates · Treasurer’s report: Marcy reported that we’ve spent $14,282.77 to date and have $20,641.76 on hand ($1,956.19 in the General Fund and $18,685.57 in the Energy Prize Reserve Fund). An additional $3,650.54 in spending has been authorized but not yet spent. · Members shared key accomplishments, next steps, and requests for assistance as Keith scrolled through the pre- meeting written project update summary. Wayne plans to talk with Linda to confirm that funds have been raised or donated to cover the cost of ordering the solar signs (no Energy Prize Reserve Fund spending has been authorized for that purpose), that information has been gathered to confirm that residents with roof or community solar will want to display the signs, and that there is a plan in place to distribute the signs. Other Business Keith sought input from committee members about whether we should invite the other two Vermont towns competing for the $5 million Georgetown University Energy Prize to adapt and use the marketing ads and other materials that we have created. Discussion was postponed until the next meeting because of time constraints. Motions MOTION: Don moved and Thor seconded a motion to approve the November minutes. Approved unanimously. MOTION: Don moved and Keith seconded a motion to recommend to City Council that PACE be put on the March 2016 ballot. Approved unanimously. MOTION: Don moved and Patty seconded a motion to authorize Keith to write a letter to the Planning Commission asking it to reconsider the committee’s initial “where appropriate” Comprehensive Plan recommendation [mentioned above]. Approved unanimously. MOTION: Sam moved and Keith seconded a motion to authorize Patty to spend up to $150 to pay for tissue paper, bags and labels for 50 Energy Welcome Bags for real estate agent(s) to give to new South Burlington homeowners. Approved unanimously. MOTION: Sam moved and Thor seconded a motion to authorize Keith to ask the City Council for permission to add the committee’s name to the Norwich Energy Committee’s letter supporting Green Mountain Power’s request for the Public Service Board to increase the net-metering energy generation limit. Approved unanimously. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m. Next Scheduled Meeting: Thursday, January 7th, at 6:30 p.m. (location to be determined)