Energy Advisory Committee

Montpelier Energy Advisory Committee April 21, 2015 Present: Keil Corey, Dan Jones, Tim Shea, Becky Wigg, Anne Watson, Kate Stephenson, Scott Muller, Cara Robechek, Barry McPhee, Alison Hollingsworth, Barbara Conrey, Ken Jones, Geoff Fitzgerald, Paul Markowitz, Andrew Stein, Dan Crisp, Hannah Reckhow Meeting began at 6:03 Paul Markowitz led the strategic planning meeting. He reviewed the agenda and what the larger process would entail. He established ground rules and opened it up to thoughts. The committee discussed the idea of thinking of MEAC as a nonprofit and the strategic planning process as teambuilding. Dan J. urged some caution to not forget that the committee is given direction from the City. Ken added that the committee would not lose that part of the mission statement, but may take on roles beyond that. The committee reviewed the strategic planning efforts done to date: a strategic planning subcommittee established work areas and set up goals based on those areas and Master Plan guidelines. The existing strategic planning document looked at initial objectives and ideas that could provide momentum to get things rolling. A baseline of energy use was identified as important to begin and track work. This document was overarching but not specific, and it set targets but was not cast in stone. The subcommittee looked at trying to break down the kickoff year objectives into tangible steps. The committee discussed MEAC’s organizational vision, which led into work on the committee’s mission statement. Anne read the mission statement adopted with the committee’s bylaws, and members shared their initial thoughts. Scott thought it was dangerously broad. Ken wondered if the language implies that MEAC is supporting another organization’s work instead of initiating it. The committee then discussed the role of MEAC in the larger context. Is MEAC the main actor in energy work or not? Kate proposed to keep only the middle sentence. The committee focused on what action words to use, including what “implementation” means, especially when applied to initiatives versus strategies. Committee members voted on the three best verbs, and the winners were “coordinate”, “facilitate”, and “initiate”. The final mission statement was: “The mission of MEAC is to initiate, coordinate, and facilitate strategies and actions to foster energy conservation, energy efficiency, and the use of renewable energy resources among the city’s residents, businesses, and in municipal affairs.” Committee took a quick break at 7. Meeting resumed at 7:15. Committee members each brainstormed three goals they would like to see MEAC have. Goals included: - Have fun and celebrate success - Win Georgetown University Energy Prize - Leave meetings with sense of accomplishment and homework - Identify and achieve 5 goals over the next year; implement and promote tangible programs - Have process and governing structure for how we work; establish subcommittee structure with full engagement - Provide City Council with actionable advice; become trusted key resource - Address and take a stand on difficult issues - Secure city staff support - Ensure long term viability through financial support, community engagement, and staffing - Secure long term funding - Incorporate NZM into departmental strategic objectives, master planning; align with other committee work - Secure outside grant support - Broaden membership of committee to include someone with financing background, landlords - Foster and promote public engagement through web presence, social media, and material development - Identify and implement a key project that reduces municipal energy use or produces renewable energy; municipal policy focus; advise and recommend - Secure greater authority to influence municipal decisions and other City bodies - Collaborate with other organizations and engagement stakeholders and private sector; encourage the creation of new organizations where there’s a gap Goals were discussed and narrowed down to a few: - Prioritize our participation in GUEP and Climate Action Champion project over the next two years; efficiency in electrical residential and municipal; implement limited projects in each area - Establish a governing structure that allows for/optimizes full engagement and productivity of members - Work closely with city staff, committees, and stakeholders to fully get buy-in to NZM and identify/implement one project to reduce energy use or generate power; work towards becoming trusted key resource to affect municipal policy - Ensure long term viability through financial support through grants or fundraising and secure paid city staffing - Foster public engagement through diverse methods (social media, web, workshops), engaging other organizations and private sector, and by broadening membership to fill gaps in expertise - Have fun and celebrate success The committee brainstormed key issues: - Incorporating NZM goals into the Taylor Street development - How to address transportation component of NZM - Data and information management - Lack of funding and staffing resources - Overcoming public apathy and people feeling overwhelmed - Declining oil prices - Using EAN dashboard - The need for a clear MEAC message - How to fully integrate NZM and GUEP into municipal decision making and operations - Measurement and reporting of MEAC progress at each meeting - Approaching different demographics; equity The brainstorm of stakeholders was started, but not finished. Who Topic How to Engage MEAC member Planning Incorporate NZM Public input Barbara Commission into new zoning meetings Green Mountain What can you do for Private meeting Tim Power us? Montpelier Business Committing to NZM Private meeting Alison, Barbara Association in a way that is financially advantageous; signing on to district heat; weatherization State Buildings and " " Tim and Geoff General Services City department Energy use, review One-on-one Scott, Andrew heads of purchasing meetings strategies Realtors Integrating Ken, Anne efficiency and whole home approach Agency of Dan Transportation GMTA Andrew Thirty minutes of next meeting will be used to finish this section. The committee discussed what stakeholder meetings would entail and achieve, as well as goals for how long this strategic planning process should take. July was the most popular goal for a finished plan. Meeting ended at 8:55