Sustainability Commission

MEETING MINUTES SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION April 10, 2014 The Sustainability Commission met in Community Conference Room of the Village at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, 2014. In attendance were: Present: Don Anderson, Chairman Richard Heller Laurie Leibowitz Michael Shalen Jerry Witkovsky Brian Wolkenberg Absent: Gloria Threats Also Present: Andrew Lichterman, Assistant to the Village Manager Approval of Minutes Commissioner Leibowitz motioned and Commissioner Shalen seconded to approve the minutes from the March 13, 2014 meeting. The minutes were unanimously approved. Public Comment There was no public comment. Energy Assessment Program Chairman Anderson reported on his follow-up with Eric Keeley of Energy Impact Illinois. He noted that over 4000 Illinois homes have been retrofitted with this program and all have received the Illinois Home Performance Certificate, which signifies a minimum of 15% reduction in energy use (as measured in therms). Chairman Anderson also noted that the North Shore gas rebate program has run out of funding but that the new fiscal year begins June 1 and at that time it will be determined if the North Shore gas rebates will start again. Chairman Anderson asked if anyone on the Commission was hosting an energy assessment “house party” of their own. Commission Wolkenberg and Commission Heller expressed interest. Chairman Anderson requested volunteers to form a subcommittee to plan the promotion of the energy assessment program on the assumption that new rebates will be available June 1. A subcommittee agreed to meet on April 26 at 3 PM at the Deerfield Public Library. Water Assessment Program Commissioner Leibowitz reported on the recent meeting of the water subcommittee with local area plumbers. She noted that the program has been reduced in scope to focus only on bathrooms (i.e. toilets), since that is the largest single source of water usage in a home. The program will include a dye testing of toilets. Homeowners will be encouraged to complete “do-it-yourself” projects to test for leaking toilets; however, the plumbers have agreed to set prices for this work, should a homeowner elect for a professional to complete the assessment. Commissioner Leibowitz stated the plumbers and subcommittee agreed that up to 4 toilets would be dye tested by the plumbers for $79.00 and 5 or more toilets would be tested for $99.00. Any remedial work would be quoted separately. Chairman Anderson stated that the subcommittee wanted to hear from the full Commission whether or not this program is worth pursuing, as described. He noted the program will be offered year-round. Commissioner Heller recommended utilizing YouTube videos to educate residents. Commissioner Witkovsky recommended partnering with the Patty Turner Center and reaching out to Home Owner Associations. Commissioner Witkovsky asked how the $79 price was developed. Chairman Anderson noted that it costs $59 for the plumbers to just come to your house. Commissioner Leibowitz noted that receiving feedback from residents is important and the Village should develop a handout for the plumbers to provide to residents. Chairman Anderson requested that Mr. Lichterman prepare a draft publication for the Commission to review. Commission Witkovsky recommended partnering with the high school to promote the program. He congratulated Chairman Anderson on a job well done. Commissioner Witkovsky made a motion to approve the water assessment program, as described (4 toilets dye tested at $79, and 5 or more toilets dye tested at $99). Commissioner Shalen seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. ZipCar Mr. Lichterman reviewed the ZipCar report that was previously sent to the Commission. After reviewing the report, the Commission unanimously decided that the Lindeman parking lot is the preferred location to stage two ZipCars. Commissioner Wolkenberg stated that the agreement is for 1-year and this is a good experiment for the Village with low risk. If there is a lot of push-back from the public then the Commission can reconsider after the first year. Chairman Anderson noted that he would be in favor of permitting the car-sharing program if the Village was able to come to an agreement with ZipCar on payment for the spaces. Mr. Lichterman stated that so far, the Village has proposed that ZipCar pay the non-resident parking permit fee of $430 per year, per space. Commissioner Witkovsky made a motion to permit ZipCar to operate a car-sharing business in the Lindeman parking lot (as depicted in the report) for a fee of $430 per year, per space. Commissioner Shalen seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Mr. Lichterman noted that after the contract terms are agreed to by ZipCar and the document is reviewed by the Village Attorney this item will be presented to the Village Board for consideration. Earth Day Mr. Lichterman reported that Earth Day is April 22 and the Village Board will be issuing a proclamation to the Sustainability Commission during the April 21 Board meeting. Chairman Anderson stated that he would try to be present for the meeting. Arbor Day Mr. Lichterman reported that Arbor Day is April 25. Chairman Anderson noted the Sustainability Commission and Earthworks Club will be planting a Swamp White Oak tree in the parkway of DHS at 3:30PM to commemorate Arbor Day. The Village Public Works crew will be on-site to oversee the planting. All Commissioners were invited to attend. Other Items for Discussion Energy Open House Chairman Anderson clarified that the North Shore Home Energy Jump Start program offers free installation and free energy efficiency products (i.e. programmable thermostats, water aerators, compact fluorescent lightbulbs, etc.) for residential homeowners. Electric Aggregation Chairman Anderson requested that Mr. Lichterman provide an update on the electricity aggregation program. Mr. Lichterman noted this is the third year of the program, and final year of the contract with MC Squared. The new rate, beginning with the June 2014 billing cycle, is 6.688 cents per kWh which is an estimated 12% savings when compared to the anticipated ComEd rate. Mr. Lichterman acknowledged while this is a significant savings this is also a large increase over last year’s price. He noted this is due to a 300% increase in the capacity charge, which is the cost of generating electricity to meet demand during peak times. Adjournment Commissioner Heller motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Leibowitz seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 PM. Respectfully submitted, Andrew Lichterman Assistant to the Village Manager