Energy Advisory Committee

Montpelier Energy Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 19, 2016 Memorial Room – City Hall - Montpelier 7:00-8:30 PM Attendees: Barbara Conrey, Dan Costin, Geoff Fitzgerald, Kate Stephenson, Cara Robechek, Scott Muller, Paul Markowitz, Laura Biren (AmeriCorps VISTA) 1) Introductions 2) Geoff moved to approve agenda. Scott seconded. All in favor. Geoff moved to approve prior meeting minutes. Dan seconded. All in favor. 3) No public comment. 4) Strategic Plan Goals Review – to view Strategic Plan document from 9-15-15 strategic planning session click here: It’s been roughly one year since last strategic planning session. 5 major goals were identified in that session and were organized into 4 active working groups. Discussion on engaged MEAC members and how or who to further engage disengaged members. Scott talked about 4 years worth of metrics for municipal data and the importance of metrics and relationship with the City so that Departments have performance objectives that align with City goals. Kate, Geoff met with Bill Fraser, Jessie Baker and Mike Miller last week to discuss revolving loan fund. Ken Jones is working on specific action steps that will be ready for presentation and will include exactly how the Revolving Loan Fund will function. MEAC is set to meet with City Council in September to present Revolving Loan Fund. Geoff mentioned that since none of the municipal solar is online yet, we were not likely to see significant changes in electrical use in 2016 relative to the GUEP goals. Discussion of Waste Water Treatment Plant’s future projects. Scott will have metrics ready for September presentation – discussed Sandra Gallup leaving and who the City will hire to replace her. 5) Working Group Reports – within strategic plan goals: Review of Georgetown Goal: Solar – another statewide group is doing a solar guide that will be out around September. Solar group will have a Montpelier cover letter to go with that guide to produce a solar guide for homeowners. Distribution techniques is the next question. House tour – first weekend of October to align with Open Streets event – looking for 6-8 homeowners to illustrate efficiency upgrades/changes on their home. There is a Google Document set up to sign up homeowners. Scott volunteered to show woodchips – lives on College St. Tom Bachman was mentioned. Discussion of piggybacking off of symphony Open House tour. Also discussed getting contractors to tours. Electric Resistance – condo owners and landlord workshops with VSECU were a success. VSECU is interested in doing another program with homeowners in fall with a targeted mailing. EVT did a hot water mailing in May and heat pump mailing in fall – discussed home energy reports and  behavioral programs. Next piece: focus on residential and energy maps. Review of Organizational Structure Goal: Secure funding – maybe DOE Established organizational structure with working groups within MEAC. Has been clarifying MEAC’s goals with the City Council. Kate will analyze attendance of MEAC members. Update EVT and GMP more often. VECAN conference should be attended and contact with regional energy committees should occur more often. Review of Municipal Goal: Did well on first 3 goals – haven’t focused on last 3. Might want to discuss fundraising for revolving loan fund kick-off. City’s hot water in summer is diesel powered – should be solar/thermal – should be next big focus. Contact Commons Energy on this project. Review of Outreach Goal: Developed communications and have been educating the public. Developing public display is in progress. Active participants established for the dashboard, which will be live in September. Focus on other events/workshops. Review of Transportation Goal: Should have more identifiable signage/banner for events/festivals. Local Motion’s efforts this last event were great. Would like to encourage more street closures in the City. More kids to event. Open Streets even in October will be next big focus. 6) What’s missing: Focus on residents within MEAC goals. EVT partnering with GMP: goal to have 100% home walkthroughs in a small town in Vermont – could tie into energy neighborhood maps. Need metrics – need milestone, specific targets for 2030. Town of Hartford hired someone to develop Comprehensive Energy Plan. Could be a focus for Montpelier in the future. 7) S3 Sustainable Design Competition update: Dan Jones and Debra Sachs launched project. First round in September, second round November. Visit www.Netzerovt.org 8) DOE Grant Update: will hear mid-September. Paul moved to adjourn at 8:30 PM. Next meeting scheduled for August 16, 2016 at 7:00 PM.