Energy Advisory Committee

Montpelier Energy Advisory Committee City Hall – Memorial Room – Montpelier, VT Meeting Minutes 6/22/16 Attendees: Kate Stephenson, Geoff Fitzgerald, Cara Robechek, Dan Jones, Ken Jones, Becky Wigg, Barbara Conrey, Dan Costin, Barry McPhee, Anne Watson, Johanna Miller, Laura Biren (AmeriCorps VISTA) 1) Introductions 2) Cara moves to approve agenda. Dan seconded. All in favor. Becky moved to approve prior meeting minutes. Barbara seconded. All in favor. 3) No public comment 4) Revolving Loan Fund Proposal: Ken, Geoff and Kate met to discuss Revolving Loan Fund. This proposed fund would force the City to get projects off of the ground – it’s been successful across the country. Would take 50% of $37,000 coming in from solar = roughly $18,000 for first year seed money. MEAC will present to the City Council on proposal in July. Template for Revolving Loan Fund from Hillsborough. Under fund uses: make more specific such as put “you can use funds for…Net Zero” – so that MEAC will have some limitations for applicants Discussed City’s role under “Budget Impact” and who project managers are. Will update Jessie Baker, Bill Fraser, Sandy Gallup – discussed Sandy Gallup’s retirement. Discussion on number of projects per year: estimate 3 or 4 per year. More work will come out of this for MEAC and MEAC’s sub working groups. Discussion of concern over using Revolving Loan Fund solely for municipal projects – this is expediting small projects and will have potential for leveraging dollars to public, but would be a can of worms if open to everyone. Would be useful to have a model application. Geoff moves to put forward to City Council in July with revisions if necessary. Cara seconded. All in favor. Discussion of how $20,000 projects will need approval from City Council – could be linked to overall budget – this was dismissed since loan fund would always be available vs. budget only happens every so often. Dovetail loan fund into current project management. 5) Working Group Reports: A. Transportation: Drive Less Have More Fun Event: July 16. Discussion of invites/collaborations. Flyers available. Facebook event. B. Solar: Ken made guide for Montpelier residents. Clean Energy State clients are doing similar work. Discussion of solar tour or stick to weatherization in October. C. Municipal: Meeting on Thursday with firms coming to tour Wastewater facility and VEIC at 11 AM at City Hall. D. Outreach: Display materials were be stored at City Hall in Planning Department. Cara’s table/tent will be available for use. Eat More Kale Fest opportunity and volunteer roles discussed. Home tour – will connect with solar tour. Geoff will volunteer for solar house.  Update on upcoming Condo workshops on Monday, June 27 at VSECU. TD Bank Display needs help – Ken is working on dashboard 6) Barbara update on Planning Commission zoning changes: Clarified Design Review District and not enlarging the Design Review Board district, just shifting it. Planning Commission put set of guidelines for historic review: would allow vinyl replacements & can have deep energy retrofit from inside, not outside. Month delay due to Council waiting for Chapter 3 from Planning Commission. 7) Economic Development Strategic Plan discussion: No indication of energy or Net Zero in the Plan. City Council adopted the plan two Council meetings ago (Wednesday, June 8 2016). Update on Taylor Street: - 1 more eminent domain (bank by railroad tracks behind Shaws owned by Jeff Jacobs) - Easements: slow, but steady Local Development Corporation is major action step from plan – everything else is guidelines. Discussion of economic opportunity with clean energy economy. Ken will come up with specific action steps related to Net Zero and economic development. 8) Review of 2016 Strategic Planning Goals It’s been 1 year since the last strategic planning session – check in on strategic planning during July meeting. There was a question whether weatherization will remain in the plan and discussion about the annual transition of Chairs being strategic and using the strategic plan as a transition piece between Chairs. Mention of Energy Independent Vermont in July 3 parade. Geoff moved to adjourn at 8:35 PM. All in favor. Next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 19 at 7 PM.