Energy and Sustainability Advisory Committee

Rockland Energy and Sustainability Advisory Committee (RESAC) AGENDA Date/time: May 2, 2023/5:00-6:30 pm Committee Members: Mary Ellen Eagan, Connie Evans, Todd Schwendeman, George Terrien, Guests invited: Jenny Carter, Ben Dorr, Karen Jackson, Julie Hashem Student member: Joshua Placides Zoom Link (Zoom Only): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5040315241?pwd=eFhHaWJ4ZmhNakRmQ0VIQko4VmlKUT09 1. Welcome: Ben Dorr, Karen Jackson, prospective committee members 2. Minutes today: _____________________________ 3. Review and vote to approve / See minutes below and in separate email. amend minutes from 03/07/23 4. Public Comment: 5 minutes 5. Updates Member to attend/monitor CC mtg, monitor May agenda: Connie Proposal for HS student involvement resent to teachers, no reply yet 6. Sustainability Coordinator 20 min Update on ongoing projects Ideas and guidelines for out reach articles. 7. Update on Bike to Work Week: Todd 8. Update on Window Dressers: • Events: Midcoast Climate, Energy and Green Building Happy Hour Connie, MaryEllen Volunteer Roundup, Brochures and PPT made • 23 volunteers added, have list of about 18 volunteers from previous list. • Measurer Coordinator in place. • Looking for Build and Volunteer Coordinators, may have some from recently new lists and previous volunteers. • Location to house build: Possibilities: Midcoast School of Technology, City Council Chambers, Lincoln St. Center, UU Church, Barn at 336 Cedar • Online training has started for coordinators and more will happen in May • Belfast has requested help for an additional 2 day build in October that will fill their gaps and serve as training 9. Membership recruitment Presence/Specific announcement at Midcoast Climate, Energy and Green Building Happy Hour Other? 10. Adjourn: 6:30 Notes/ideas Leasing options Sundog/Revision Get email address for RESA, City website update Preparation for “quarterly” report RESAC ANNUAL GOALS 2023 – List form, see also in chart form – separate email 1. Work to secure the position of Sustainability Coordinator as a stable budget item as a Full Time position with salary and benefits commensurate with other City Employees. 2. Contribute to the collaborative effort to develop a Climate Action Plan for Rockland with the Sustainability portion included or in development. 3. Increase engagement of this committee with CC by requesting CC liaison and monitoring/attendance of CC meetings by a member each month. 4. Support efforts of City Council to use a “Sustainability Lens” on purchases and other decisions. 5. Develop community outreach and education program to optimize awareness of and utilization of local, state, and federal resources and incentives to reduce household and business-related GHG emissions. 6. Work to clarify and modify if necessary, CMP or PUC regulations that would allow flexible distribution of locally generated power, both residential and larger sources. Once secured, plan for utilization of these new options with publicity to community and consideration of municipal solar project. 7. Work with SC, CC and local businesses to develop a plan to reduce and plan for elimination of non-biodegradable take out and packaging containers. 8. Work with SC and Window Dressers Organization to plan and advertise a Window Dressers build in Rockland. 9. Provide input and support to Sustainability Coordinator to identify and achieve City Fleet and associated infrastructure transition to EV’ 10. To elevate the importance and associated visibility of “Active Transportation”, RESAC will provide support to host a Bike-to- Work Day by engaging City, Rockland Rolls, Main Street Rockland, sponsors and others. 11. Actively petition City to repaint “bike safety sharows” city-wide and expand “bike safety street striping”. 12. Actively support East Coast Greenway route planning through Mid-Coast to achieve dedicated bike lane. Community outreach and education program 1. Work with educators, parents, students, the School Department, and the State to bring climate education curricula into schools and student activities. 2. Establish a city business sustainability award or recognition program– consider this??? Commented [MEE1]: These could also go into their own 3. Continuously publicize goals and accomplishments to help inform citizens about sustainability issues and category of "Outreach" encourage participation. Commented [CE2R1]: I agree 4. Establish regular input to news and media, e.g., Free Press and other local/regional newspapers regarding resources and information regarding sustainability, GHG and resilience issues as well as municipal projects. 5. Plan community forums, live and online, to provide information and gain community insight on specific topics e.g., heat pump installation, weatherization, EV/residential solar installation, access to solar farm distributive power options, “complete streets” ideas etc. 6. Reach out to local high schools to engage younger generations in sustainability issues and projects, such as involvement on the Energy and Sustainability Committee. 7. Develop and maintain a specific sustainability section on City website. RESAC Goals 2023 Time Frame Progress Progress Progress 1. Secure full-time status of Sustainability Coordinator budget due position in City budget date (??) Lead: RESAC Action: Present proposal to increase SC position to full Completed: George Terrien time to CC presented proposal to CC at February CC mtg. Action: Decide how to proceed Lead: RESAC 2. Collaborate with Sustainability Coordinator in Ongoing development of Climate Action Plan for Rockland Lead: RESAC Action: Submit draft proposal this committee had been Completed 2/23 working on to Sustainability Coordinator to build upon. Action: Allowing time during committee meetings for Ongoing collaboration on continuing development. 3. Obtain liaison to CC Action: Ask CC/mayor to appoint RESAC liaison; attend Completed: 02/23 Request monthly Council meetings submitted to Mayor, denied, and resubmitted with clarification, no reply. Outcome: Request denied 4. Support efforts of the City Council to use a Ongoing “Sustainability Lens” on purchases and other decisions. Lead: Mary Ellen E Action 1: Monitor CC agenda and meetings for Ongoing topics/impending decisions that impact sustainability and advise as appropriate. Lead: Mary Ellen E Action 2: Report to CC quarterly? On goals/progress of RESAC Lead: Todd S 5. Work to clarify and modify if necessary, CMP regulations Completed - clarified that that would allow flexible distribution of locally local distribution by generated power Municipal project is allowable Lead: Connie E, Todd S as a Community Solar Project. Action 1: Zoom meeting with CMP. Completed Completed: Municipally 3/23 driven solar project can be directed to specific sectors of population in same way a community solar project signs on members. Action 2: Evaluate interest / feasibility of developing Ongoing Determine at April mtg community / municipal solar project to serve schools, low income etc. 6. Develop plan for consistent community outreach utilizing newspaper and other community venues. Lead: RESAC Action 1: Develop list of topics to be covered routinely and possible other topics Action 2: Identify venues for initial out reach and for Venues: Free Press starting program. Action 3: Identify people to write and editorial process Action 4: Identify realistic frequency of publication Action 5: Establish name/heading for program Possible Names: Electrify Rockland Recharge Rockland Action 6: Publish first articles 7. Work with SC, CC and local businesses to develop a plan to reduce and plan for elimination of non- biodegradable take out and packaging containers. Action 1.: Research feasibility of a “No Plastic Option” program for Rockland including potential barriers. Lead: Connie E? 8. Organize/support a Window Dressers build in Rockland. Lead: Connie E? Action 1: Contact WD Rep. Steve McFarland re: status Completed: 3/31 and needs for Rockland build. Action 2: Transmit info. to committee for decision as to follow-up/level of involvement. Lead: Connie E Action 3: Clarify level of commitment to move forward Action 4: Identify leads for: 1.Finding 6-8 Measurers and Build Day leaders 2.Tracking progress of each family’s units 3.Tracking / locating management details like location, food, chop saw availability, watching volunteer sign-up, publicity, collaboration with Window Dressers group and mentors 9. Provide input and support to Sustainability Coordinator to identify and achieve City Fleet and associated infrastructure transition to EV Lead: RESAC Action 1: ??? 10. Host a Bike-to-Work Day by engaging City Lead: Todd S, Mary Ellen E. Action 1: Action 2: Action 3: 11. Repaint “bike safety sharrows” city-wide and expand “bike safety street striping” Action 1: Action 2: Action 3: 12. Support East Coast Greenway route planning through Mid-Coast to achieve dedicated bike lane. Action 1.: Action 2: Action 3: 13. Establish RESAC booth at Rockland Farmers Market for Summer 2023 (with support of SC?) Action 1: Apply for booth Applications due in February