Climate Smart Task Force

Minutes Climate Smart Task Force of Saratoga Springs March 15th, 2023 In Attendance: Chair Laura Faulk, Rayna Caldwell, James Gallagher, Dianna Goodwin, Anita Morzillo, Deirdre Ladd, Ben Foster, Tara Donadio - Capital District Regional Planning Commission (CDRPC), Jamil Khan - Ravenswood Generating City Staff in Attendance: Michael Dutre, Brooke VanBuskirk Absent: Marilyn Rivers, Dan Barusch Public Comment: Jamil Khan, Director of Development at Ravenswood Generating was introduced by James Gallagher. Mr. Khan moved to Saratoga Springs recently and is interested in what the Climate Smart Task Force is working on. Tara Donadio of CDRPC said she is available as a resource to Climate Smart. She previously assisted the city of Albany with their Climate Action Plan and Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Approval of February Meeting Minutes: The minutes were accepted as read. Climate Action Plan RFP: Rayna Caldwell worked with Michael Dutre and Tara Donadio to create a draft of the RFP. Rayna Caldwell will work with Chair Faulk to finalize the document later in the week. There is some additional policy and Scope 3 Green House Gas (GHG) emissions language that needs to be included. Anita Morzillo, Ben Foster and Jamil Khan offered their assistance on the RFP language before it’s sent out. Municipal GHG Inventory: Rayna Caldwell’s contact at Skidmore was able to recover the GHG vehicle inventory spreadsheets created by Charlotte Levy, intern in 2009. Rayna Caldwell and Michael Dutre have been working with a member of National Grid who provided the energy benchmarking data for 2022. Brooke VanBuskirk followed up with a request from Rayna Caldwell and Michael Dutre on how DPW tracks city-owned vehicles. Brooke VanBuskirk talked to DPW and DPS leadership and currently only the location of the vehicles is tracked. There is a higher tier of the tracking software with an increased cost that may report on data that Climate Smart is interested in such as emissions. Michael Dutre informed Brooke VanBuskirk that DPW should be able to access the Chargepoint dashboard for monitoring purposes. The software allows you to view usage, outages and to respond to messages from electric vehicle users. The chargers should still be under warrantee if there are any issues. LED Streetlight Project Status: Chair Faulk asked about the progress of the LED Streetlight conversion. Rayna Caldwell mentioned that Marilyn Rivers was working on the insurance but that was resolved. Deidre Ladd and James Gallagher also wondered why the project is being held up. Brooke VanBuskirk explained that DPW is meeting with stakeholders on the project this week. Chair Faulk offered it may be beneficial to talk to Jason West of Albany as they have went through this conversion successfully. Community Transportation Emissions Reduction/Complete Streets: Chair Faulk highlighted that the Complete Streets Advisory Board and Open Space Advisory Committee plans have overlap with Climate Smart. It would be useful to attend each other’s meetings to collaborate further. Michael Dutre pointed out that he has been attending Complete Streets as well as Open Space meetings and agreed with Chair Faulk that there is an opportunity for everyone to work together. James Gallagher recalled the Complete Streets - Union Avenue Public meeting he attended and felt that the consultant presenters, JMT could do a better job explaining the plan for the roadway. Further, the breakout tables got a bit off track focusing too heavily on the racetrack’s business and not enough on safety or the backstretch workers. Michael Dutre updated the group that Complete Streets and the City are waiting for JMT’s final report before making any decisions. JMT is expected to touch base with later this month. Champlain Hudson Power Express Community Benefit: James Gallagher inquired about the status of the CHPE letter that the mayor’s office sent out last November on the city obtaining surface rights. Michael Dutre followed up with the mayor’s office and they have sent out an additional communication to follow up with CHPE. Jamil Khan described there is ‘money on the table’ for communities affected by this massive clean-energy undertaking. There is a Disadvantaged Community Fund ($40m) and an Environmental Impact Fund ($117m) that the City could benefit from. Donald Jessome, President and CEO of Transmission Developers, Inc. (TDI) who has worked with Jamil Khan and James Gallagher previously in NYC would likely be open to working with the Saratoga Springs. The next meeting is currently slated for April 19th at 9am. Meeting Adjourned.