Sustainability Commission

SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SAC) Meeting Minutes: February 6, 2020 Attending: Peter Sheehan (Chair), Tina Lieberman (Vice Chair), Ewa Sobczynska (Filling in for Secretary), Scott Kellogg, Joe Coffey (Water Department), Lauren Alpert (Mayor’s Office), Allison Bradley, Frank Zeoli (DGS), Bill Trudeau (Traffic Engineer), Sandy Misiewicz, Randy Milano (City Engineer), Gabriella Cebada Mora Absent: Chris Spencer (Planning Dept), Laurie Wheelock, Daniel Kirk-Davidoff, Andre Lake 1. New Business - CCA Update – Louise Gava from MEGA  Louise Gava presented an update on Community Choice Aggregation (CCA). Albany is currently in Step 2 of the program with public education focus. MEGA has been presenting to neighborhood associations and other interested entities and citizens (Albany Washington Ave library, etc). March 2 Common Council meeting will consider passing the local law. Out of 14 municipalities that are part of this CCA, 9 have passed laws. Next step – we go out to bid for all the households about 90,000 for 14 municipalities. There is also a program for low-income households that is being promoted – Solar for All (income eligible, SNAP enrolled, not naturally part of the CCA). In the bid, MEGA will request green supply rate (it is decided by municipalities participating in the CCA to if the default offering is renewable). Bid is written in a way to encourage the renewable option. If Albany residents already purchased solar on their roof and/or participate with another green energy provider, this will be in addition to the CCA program. Tina encouraged SAC members to come to the March 2 Common Council meeting to show your support for the CCA program. 2. Regular Business  Pete Sheehan called the meeting to order.  December 5, 2019 Minutes Approval: Minutes approved unanimously.  Public comment period (about 5-6 members of the public were present): o Albany City resident, Janet Carmosky spoke about Climate Emergency resolution proposed by Council member Anane. It is a non-binding resolution. She suggested SAC members are consulted on these type of proposals. o Tina mentioned that there a number of prospective candidates at the meeting who were interviewed for the SAC vacant spot and who would like to participate in the SAC Sub- committees. 3. New Business continued 1  Welcome to new SAC Committee member Gabriella Cebada Mora. Gabriella works with the New York State Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation OPRHP; she’s particularly interested in management of water resources, biology, ecology, and climate change.  Lauren Alpert reported on sustainability study tour in Germany. Lauren gave a brief summary of her study tour to 3 German cities in December, where she met city planners, energy providers, mayors and other interested agencies. She learned a lot and reflected that cities in Germany face similar challenges to US cities. She will provide a formal presentation on the lessons learned in one of the upcoming SAC meetings.  Follow up to SAC letter to IDA and invitation to Sara Reginelli. Pete sent the letter to IDA but has not had any response. He requested that if any SAC members have contact information to IDA office, to contact him and request a follow up.  Follow up on letter to Building and Codes Director Rick LaJoy – Stretch Code adoption. Pete indicated that the Planning Department provided comments on the letter and requested further information and research from the Energy Subcommittee specifically in regards to what Stretch Codes have the most effective cost measures. Stretch Code would apply to new buildings and substantial rehab renovations. Pete will continue engaging the Planning Department on this issue with the view of seeing what Stretch Codes would be adopted in the City of Albany.  Hiring of new City Energy Manager. Pete indicated that candidates for this position have been interviewed and that the selected candidate should be announced soon.  Election of new SAC Chair. Pete indicated he will resign as the SAC Chair effective as of Feb 6 meeting. Tina will serve as the Interim SAC Chair, effective as of Feb 6 meeting. Ewa Sobczynska suggested to hold elections of the new SAC Chair at the next SAC meeting (April 2, 2020).  Commissioner Updates (J. Coffey, R. Milano, C. Spencer, B. Trudeau, F. Zeoli) o Water Dept: Tivoli, Ramsey and Alcove projects all complete. Ramsey Place project – a bit more expensive; great project for tree pits, porous pavement, green infrastructure elements; will be used as a template for any capital project the Dept takes; looking more on porous pavement – working on this with DGS wherever new projects are on paving list; looking for opportunities for additional green infrastructure aspects. Lead Water service replacement (13,000 pipes replacement by 2040), especially where we’re doing pavement replacement. Tivoli project will have ribbon-cutting and media event in the Spring. Alcove - $94,000 received out of expected $1 million (10 year projection); going towards land acquisition; we received an award with Mohawk Land Conservancy for this project. Storm water modeling – Western/Manning; modeling significant rain event/flooding; model has now been developed – we plan to apply that model in other parts of the city; another consultancy we’re engaging on climate resilience (high level resiliency view). o City Engineer: replacing 77 trees across the city in collaboration with City Forester, National Grid and Engineering Dept. Mechanical improvements to city buildings – more energy efficiency units; doors/windows; long-term – we’re looking for energy savings. 2  o Traffic Dept: Continuing with traffic light improvements (8 new intersections over Spring/Summer ($2m grant); Road re-striping project (May); Pedestrian safety action plan – 23 locations, refreshing crosswalks, etc.; Consultant on-board on federal grant, 2021 construction season, 2020 design - 60 locations, Henry Johnson/Clinton (pedestrian safety); South End bike-lane – to be completed Spring 2020; moving to 100% solar on pedestrian signage.  Committee Updates (S. Kellog, S. Misiewicz, P. Sheehan, E. Sobczynska, L. Wheelock, T. Lieberman) o Transport SC: January SC meeting - Review the report that the City put together on CSC re-certification – Transport, where we can more emphasis; Main focus would be on EV infrastructure; Pedestrian Master Plan – SC can be the support for education and outreach; next meeting in April; Focus in 2020 – outreach and education. Update on CDTA electric buses (CDTA is piloting out 4 and conducting research on efficiency (esp. in winter months) and charging; focus in 2020 on education o Energy SC: Main initiatives: Stretch Codes and PACE financing on rehab (upgrades to energy efficiency measures). o Zero Waste SC: During January meeting focus on DGS grant ($225,000); 3 parts: 1. education on food waste; how we shop, eat, etc. 2. Food rescue – development of applications; 3. Composting/recycling. Community compost drop-off sites to be announced on Earth Day (to include Radix, Tivoli preserve, looking for more). Plans include development of backyard composting video; or in-person training. It is important to measure results of this grant. RFP out for an educator, sub-contracted through a non-profit, (aim is to to have someone by June). Upcoming events: Albany Bike Ride – Albany Composting (April 18); April 25 – South End Earth Day; clean up activities. o Agriculture SC: Cities Rise program with AG office for Albany resident: if you maintain Land Bank vacant lots, mow it, and there are no DGS violations, potentially you could own it within a year. o No recent updates from Outreach SC. o Earth Day (April 22): Lauren to check with the Mayor’s office if there are plans for a Press release or event. Sandy to coordinate with Lauren so that SAC members can contribute. o Introduction Dylan Zhang: Dylan was interviewed for the open SAC spot. He is interested in serving as a liaison between SAC and Common Council. He plans to regularly attend Common Council meetings and provide summary of any sustainability-related items to the SAC. Start of a two-way conversations between SAC and Common Council. o Solar for All – Request from Tina: please ensure that if you’re attending a Neighborhood Association meeting to point people to the Affordable Housing Partnership – NYSERDA online application – they’ll follow up with applicants.  Meeting adjourned. Minutes prepared by Ewa Sobczynska, February 28, 2020 3