Sustainability Committee

Minutes of the regular meeting of the Natural Resources and Sustainability Stewardship Advisory Committee held Thursday, October 24, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. at the Ogden City Municipal building, 2549 Washington Blvd., Ogden, Weber County, Utah. Members Present: Joe Linford Bill Hackett Bonnie Christiansen Heather Root Kenna Hill Pearl Marden Rachel Ballard Stephen St. Peter Julie Ray Members Excused: Chase Wilson David Stevenson Adam Tobey Jay Lowder Ex-Officio: Amy Mabey Leesa Brinkerhoff CALL TO ORDER / WELCOME / ROLE CALL • Joe welcomed the committee members and called the meeting to order. • Leesa called the roll. COMMITTEE QUORUM VOTE ITEM #1 APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 26TH MEETING MINUTES – Committee • Joe asked if there were any changes to the September 26th meeting minutes. There were none. Bill moved to accept. Heather seconded it. All approved unanimously. RECAP OF 10/01/19 PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL RECOMMENDING HB 411 RESOLUTION – Joe Linford / Amy Maybe • Amy said the presentation included the core of what the committee has been through with HB 411 including the history, process, timeline, program application requirement, and what other communities are doing. Utah Clean Energy presented different programs and purposes. There was a large group at the meeting. We also had representation by Rocky Mountain Power (RMP), Utah Clean Energy, and the Utah Governor’s Office of Energy Development. The overall discussion was good. There were some questions about the committee’s recommendation. The Council will be supplied with copies of the minutes of the committee’s meeting where HB 411 was discussed. There is an anticipation that there will be a lot more involvement of the committee if it’s adopted in December. • Joe said there were a lot of members of the public there. The Council seemed receptive. One member asked for finding of facts and conclusions. Joe responded that we weren’t given instructions to do that, but emphasized we really did do our due diligence. Joe asked Amy if we’re still okay on the timeframe. • Amy said the November 19th Council will have a follow-up presentation with RMP. Then, December 3rd will be the date of consideration and public input. It’s tentative, but calendared at this time. • Joe asked Amy what happens if they don’t approve it on December 3rd. • Amy said there are two additional meetings after December 3rd and before the end of the year. The Council leadership wants to get moving as soon as possible after the discussion with RMP. The Council has a busy schedule with the election and holiday season. • Amy told Joe that the Council was very grateful for his contribution and recommendation. There’s another item they will be coming forward with after the recommendation. The December 3rd session will have public comments and committee members are welcome to comment as residents of the city. • Council members have indicated, if the resolution is adopted, then there will be many other opportunities to engage the committee. 1|Page  • Heather said the biggest influence for her in making her decision was hearing the other city’s deliberations. She asked if our Council is going to hear that perspective. Amy said she reached out to other communities to gather materials and other contacts with what they have done. Some of the challenge we have is it’s Council driven and they decide who they want at the table for the information they are seeking. • Joe said they talked with the Council about consulting with other cities to find out what their processes were. The RMP person at the meeting offered some very helpful perspectives from the utilities viewpoint. Amy said he’s been great to work with. • Bonnie said she heard that RMP mentioned there are other programs that could be adapted if we don’t go down the HB 411 route. She said the only other program she is aware they offer is the Blue Sky Program, which is about 30% more in terms of cost. She feels there should be some clarification if it’s brought up. Amy said the Council is focused on the 2030 goal and RMP said they are happy to be partners with us if we choose another goal such as 2035 or 2040, for example. If it requires a legislation change, they are happy to help. George Handley of the Provo City Council said they do not work with RMP as an independent municipality, but they have currently gone to a 50% resolution for their city, solely because of cost benefits to them. The only reason why they didn’t go higher is because they are in contracts with coal fire powered plants that they plan to honor. CLOSED SESSION VOTE – Committee • The committee had arranged for a tour of the water treatment plant. Mara explained the purpose of the closed session is it falls into provision F of Section 52-4-205(1) of the Open and Public Meetings Law, due to it being a secure facility in processing the water supply for the city. • A roll call vote to adjourn into the closed session was unanimously in favor. DELIVERABLES FOR NEXT MEETING • All subcommittees to present updates. • Look at the materials provided by the subcommittees to present ideas for goals for the entire committee. ADJOURNMENT • The meeting was adjourned to a closed session at 4:27 p.m. NEXT MEETING Thursday, November 21, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. __________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Jay M. Lowder Joseph Linford, Chair Ogden City Public Services Director Date Approved: 11/21/19 2|Page