Energy Advisory Committee

Montpelier Energy Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Memorial Room City Hall, Montpelier, VT Tues Feb 16, 2016 7:00-8:30 PM Cara Robechek (Member), Johanna Miller (Member), Becky Wigg (Member), Dan Jones (Member), Barbara Conrey (Member), Paul Markowitz (Member), Scott Muller (Member), Kate Stephenson (Member), Dan Costin (Member), Ken Jones (Member), Laura Biren (AmeriCorps Member) 1) Approved agenda – Johanna moved, Cara seconded 2) Kate opened up discussion of By-Law revisions Cara said don’t need 20 members – need more engaged members Ken moved: Add Paul to MEAC as a member – approved, all in favor Anne Watson wrote up proposed by-laws Cara/Kate agreed to follow up with members who haven’t participated in MEAC recently By-law proposal by Anne: added 2 paragraphs: F. Staggered Terms: Approximately one-third of the citizen-at-large board members shall be appointed each May into three-year terms. Should a member resign, their appointed replacement will serve the remainder of the term. G. Participation Expectations: If a citizen-at-large board member is absent for more than 50% of the warned meetings in a 12 month period, the board may consider the member position vacant. Kate: set one meeting (maybe in May: annual MEAC meeting) to create terms & new approach: MEAC approved; all in favor 3) Working Group Reports: a. Transportation: - Got $1,450 from MTAC’s ATF - Way-to-Go VT in September - Langdon Street Alive – all building owners had given permission for this - Discussion of overall vision of MTAC - Cara: Keep CarShare cars in Montpelier - Scott: Enterprise in Barre is $9/day and they pick you up - Jo: challenge for Open Streets during Way-to-Go week to promote Alternative Transportation - Dan J: MTAC/talking to Deb Sachs; potential for another summer event as part of a big event b. Community Solar: - meeting on Thursday Feb 18 at 4:30 PM - Barbara: Question on 15% ceiling – how’s it affecting people? - Jo: Definitely affecting populations - VEEP: focus is on Montpelier residents and solar c. Municipal: - Barbara: Kaizan at Water Treatment facility. Did a walkthrough with 3 engineers, Barbara/Geoff from MEAC, Efficiency Vermont - Potential project list & prioritized. 1 idea of rooftop solar. Geoff working on biodigester - Paul: Had meeting with former DPW director – City had not systematically looked at improving efficiency in City buildings – municipal energy fund? - Barbara: That’s what we’re doing, by working our way down - Kate: Met with Jessie Baker à revolving loan fund - Scott: VEIC discussion and EVT money and where it’s going  - Kate: City staffing – no facilities staffer. Jessie Baker said in longer term the City will be rearranging staff - 10 years ago contract with HoneyWell/Nesco – Anne Watson – what happened? - Barbara: Kaizan: lack of follow through with NESCO - Paul: Engage with Commons Energy: Municipality Working Group - Dan Jones: City has not given MEAC money - Scott: Administrative staff or not – will hit same obstacles every time. Means/methodology and City Council must give performance objectives to Departments (BTU’s) - Barbara: We need technical assistance to get objectives done - Scott: We have every energy inventory of this cityàbaseline goals - Kate: Is it worth paying Commons Energy if City won’t get 100% of savings as would with volunteer/committee work? - Paul: partner with City Staff (Jessie, DPW); meet with staff and bring to City Council - Barbara: Presentation by Commons Energy - Dan J: Scott – capable of coming up with proposed metrics for City Staff to create recommendations? - Scott: Yes/no - Department heads & metrics of goals. Scott & Laura will sit down to crunch #’s d. Outreach: - Communications Plan; Paul memorandum & agreement to release money; Paul will write a summary report. Goal to have agreement by March 1. - MEAC also received money from ATF/MTAC - Kate: Graphic Designer (picked Sean – meeting in March) and $ à tabling, flyers, LED, entice newsletter/Facebook - Paul: LED giveaway à Commitment - TD Bank/Public display: Barbara, Tim, Dan à Content à Ken Jones proposed all subgroups should choose items for public display - Kate: need template for slides; Keil is working on EAN flyer; Kate bought URL for NetZeroMontpelier for $4.99 e. Electric Resistance: - Condo owners: include heat pump info; businesses; 3EThermal/multifamily; mailing lists approved for using City Letterhead; dates in March/April - Paul: EVT sent out electric heat customers last year - EVT heat pump hot water heater mailing separate mailing to every resident - Jo: Public interest of MEAC members? - Dan J: Delving into Net Zero Vision à less on technicality - Paul: Design Share It à Langdon Streets Alive - “Between the Buildings” The Human Scale movie discussion; take videos of people at LED giveaway and ask “What does Net Zero mean to you?” - Kate: peketcheka in April/May - Barbara: with students: comparing Master Plan and new zoning 4) Calendar of Meetings: - some of MEAC meetings towards larger goal setting - March meeting starting on “deep dive” of goal setting - Quarterly focus: review communications plan 5) Other Business: - Climate Summit on Monday: Montpelier will be a focus - Dan C: Carbon Tax forum on Thursday from 6-8 PM at Unitarian Church Adjourned at 8:30. Next meeting set for Tuesday, March 15 at 7 PM