Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Energy Committee - 04/07/2016 South Burlington Energy Committee 575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 846-4106 www.sburl.com facebook.com/SouthBurlington Approved Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 7, 2016 Committee members present: Don Cummings, Karen Mckenny, Keith Epstein (Chair), Marcy Murray, Patty Tashiro, Sam Swanson, Thor Vue Committee members absent: Fred Kosnitsky, Linda McGinnis Community members present: Daniel Busi, Grant Taylor, James Phillips, Nick Clemens, Rachel Seigel, and Rosanne Greco. City staff present: None Initial business Marcy agreed to scribe and members approved the February 4th minutes with one change and the agenda without changes. With the resignation of Wayne Maceyka, the committee will ask city staff to advertise to fill the open position. Input from the Public Rosanne Greco explained her creative and generous idea to share her excess solar power with someone in need or with a South Burlington nonprofit. She has received approval from Green Mountain Power and the Public Service Department, and she knows of other solar panel owners who would also like to donate their extra solar electricity credits. Ideally, she would like our committee’s Energy Prize participation to benefit from this endeavor. Sam and Marcy will meet with Rosanne to explore the idea and will report to the committee at the May meeting. If the committee decides to move forward on the project, its role would likely be as advisor and promoter while Rosanne would be the leader. Presentation by UVM NR206 students UVM students Daniel Busi, James Phillips, Nick Clemens, and Rachel Seigel gave a demonstration and status report related to their work using Portfolio Manager (PM) to benchmark South Burlington’s municipal energy use and related costs. Once the students finish setting up the program and entering all of the data, they plan to create an accompanying how-to booklet that will enable city staff to enter monthly electric, gas and water data into PM and to analyze results so the city can then identify and implement actions necessary to fulfill the city’s Energy Efficiency Policy—extremely important given the growing threat of climate change. Committee members expressed appreciation for all the students’ work. Grant Taylor is serving as liaison with the committee. The students asked for help in quickly identifying contacts who can provide the missing gas, electric and water cost and usage data for the various municipal meters. They will enter data beginning in the year 2008, and they will include electric account numbers for traffic lights (while making PM-related square footage assumptions) so that data can also be included (street light usage cannot be tracked in PM). If they have enough time, the students will include the Dorset Park and Red Rocks Park bathrooms and the house near the community gardens. Only one person can be logged into Portfolio Manager at a time. South Burlington Energy Committee 575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 846-4106 www.sburl.com facebook.com/SouthBurlington Scheduling-wise, students were advised to immediately set up their final meeting with city staff (and to ask Ilona who should attend). Don planned to give guidance regarding missing data, and Sam agreed to meet with the group. Discussion about Planning Commission’s related-committees questionnaire Members shared ideas for answers to the questionnaire that will inform the Planning Commission’s April 26th meeting with representatives from several committees. Keith agreed to finalize and forward our input. Sam and Marcy will give Keith key climate-change-related statistics (with sources) for potential inclusion. South Burlington Energy Prize Updates Members shared key accomplishments, next steps, and requests for assistance as Keith scrolled through the pre-meeting written project update summary. Treasurer’s report: Marcy reported that we have $17,068.76 on hand ($675.38 in the General Fund and $16,393.38 in the Energy Prize Reserve Fund) including $3,418.68 authorized for spending and reimbursement. Motions MOTION: Don moved and Karen seconded a motion to approve the February 4th minutes with one change. Approved unanimously. MOTION: Keith moved and Sam seconded a motion for Karen to spend up to $50 for low-flow showerheads and light bulbs for an upcoming workshop. Approved unanimously. MOTION: Don moved and Thor seconded a motion to authorize $1,500 in additional funds for ad development and placement. Approved unanimously. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Next Scheduled Meeting: Thursday, May 5th, at 6:30 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room at the South Burlington Police Station (19 Gregory Drive).