Sustainability, Energy, & Resiliency Committee

CITY OF SALEM RENEWABLE ENERGY TASK FORCE Meeting Minutes - Final March 16, 2016 7:00 pm 120 Washington Street, 3rd Floor Attendance: Jenna Ide (staff), John Hayes, Chrissy Kobyljanec, Gail Kubik, Jeff Barz Snell, Jeff Cohen. Not in Attendance: Rick Nye, Matt Rusteika, Craig Thomas • Introductions o Jenna Ide – New Director of Capital Projects & Operations and RETF Staff Liaison introduced herself and explained that since Jeff Elie took another position outside the City, that she would be supporting the group until otherwise determined. Jenna discussed her background and experience in sustainability and renewables. Jenna discussed her current role with the City. Team members present introduced themselves. • Updates and New Business o RETF discussed a new name and redrafting a mission statement. It was discussed that one had been discussed a year ago. RETF decided it was a good opportunity to revisit it. John Hayes will find the previous information on the mission statement and circulate. • Public Comment o No other members of the public were in attendance. • Policy o Clean Energy Resolution ▪ Jeff Cohen spoke about there was a Clean Energy Resolution passed by the City Council (100% clean energy), and that there are other policies that Salem might want to endorse at the State Level. Some policies are 100% clean energy by 2050 and carbon pricing. • Open Discussion –Green Communities Grant 2017, Coastal Resiliency CZM Grant 2017, and other Project Updates Jenna Ide gave a brief update on the status of these projects. Smaller lighting projects were submitted for Green Communities Grant. Work is proceeding on DRAFT RETF Meeting Minutes 3-17-17 the CZM grant design, and submittal for further funding. The PV project at the Witchcraft and Bentley schools has started mobilization. Jenna discussed that the Municipal Aggregation contract ended in June, and that there were discussions with the City’s consultant about options moving forward. Jenna mentioned that several companies offering Net Metering Credit agreements have approached her. She is just listening at this point, and will forward information to REFT members if they are interested in weighing in. The members discussed other potential projects: Jeff Cohen mentioned restarting some of the solar studies for other roofs in the city. Jeff Barz Snell mentioned starting a wind study in the harbor. The group discussed potential short payback projects at the Housing Authority. The group discussed the potential to get more involved in resiliency and sustainable agriculture. Gail Kubik will review the current Climate Change Plan to see if there are some action items for the RETF to support. • Discussion of Sustainability Needs for City of Salem and Role of Advocate Members discussed Jenna’s current role, and how sustainability is and should be incorporated into many positions. Jenna’s role under the Mayor can assist in advocating and incorporating sustainability into many departments. The group reviewed the current posting for the position Jeff Elie vacated. The position is now a FTE position and was advertised with the standardized HR title, however it will not just focus on energy, but other planning needs such as bicycle and other projects. There is a need for building energy management, but the team discussed other areas of importance, such as continuing support of renewables, including wind and solar studies, resiliency, education, and policy. The members also discussed the importance of having a person with sustainability in their title, as this sends a message. The members discussed the benefits of having a City Council Liaison, which this committee does not have. • Next meeting will be held on April 20, 2017 at 7pm. o It was discussed that some members may not be able to make that meeting that the Mayor might attend. Jenna will determine if it can be rescheduled. Know Your Rights Under the Open Meeting Law, M.G.L. c. 39 §23B, and City Ordinance Sections 2-2028 through 2-2033 120 WASHINGTON STREET, SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970  TEL: 978.745.9595 FAX: 978.740.0404  WWW.SALEM.COM T