Climate Smart Task Force

Minutes Climate Smart Task Force of Saratoga Springs May 17th, 2023 In Attendance: Chair Laura Faulk, Rayna Caldwell, James Gallagher, Dianna Goodwin, Anita Morzillo, Ben Foster, Dan Barusch, Jamil Khan City Staff in Attendance: Heather Crocker, Jen Dunn, Michael Dutre, Brooke VanBuskirk Absent: Marilyn Rivers, Deirdre Ladd Public Comment: There was no public comment. Approval of April Meeting Minutes: The minutes were accepted as read and approved. LED Streetlight Project: Brooke VanBuskirk recalled at the meeting with staff and National Grid that the city needs an extension on the streetlight purchase deadline and to outline the light maintenance plan. DPW is currently working with the city electrician to see if we can maintain the system ourselves or if that work will be contracted out. Heather Crocker pointed out there is a risk and safety as well as insurance element to this project that needs further review. Jim Gallagher agreed and cited liability as well as public safety when dealing with taking over utilities assets. Jen Dunn offered that New York Power Authority (NYPA) could perform the maintenance and it would save the city money. The city could decide to extend a contract with NYPA if the program works well. Dan Barusch mentioned that Lake George went through a similar decision on whether to buy lights and maintain themselves or using NYPA which is much less expensive than National Grid. Ultimately, Lake George ended up retrofitting their fixtures. Rayna Caldwell suggested that Climate Smart create a work plan on who will do what and by when in the interest of efficiency. Champlain Hudson Power Express Community Benefit: Jim Gallagher outlined that the city reached out to Transmission Developers Inc. (TDI) on obtaining surface rights fall of 2022. Summers Law responded and is now facilitating a three-way meeting between the city, CHPE and Canadian Pacific Railway. The city would like the project team to go through how Saratoga will be effected by the transmission lines. Jen Dunn said CHPE sent a large quantity of project information and background documents to the mayor’s office. Jim Gallagher volunteered to look over those materials. Jen Dunn feels it may be helpful to have a pre-meeting to strategize and confirm exactly what the city wants of CHPE. If the city wants a pedestrian bridge or bike path for example, the associated costs are necessary to have on hand. It would be beneficial to loop in County Supervisor, Matt Veitch on the upcoming meeting. She also expressed concerns on the project being in close proximity to the Spring Run trail and our primary water source. Anita Morzillo is interested in participating in the pre-meeting. Jim Gallagher reminded Climate Smart that CHPE has a sizeable fund for distressed communities impacted by the project but some maps he has seen indicates Saratoga has no such communities while other maps do. Anita Morzillo has seen Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Climate Justice Maps that show parts of South Broadway as well as downtown are disadvantaged. Climate Action Plan RFP: Chair Faulk thanked Climate Smart for their work on the CAP RFP which is now live. Heather Crocker asked to be added to the Basecamp shared workspace to collaborate with the Climate Smart. Michael Dutre will reach out to IT to assist. Community Transportation Emissions Reduction/Complete Streets: PLEASE FILL IN IF POSSIBLE, I’M NOT SURE WE WENT OVER THIS TOPIC. Climate Pollution Reduction Grant – Letter of Support: Chair Faulk informed Climate Smart that the Capital District Regional Planning Commission (CDRPC) has asked for a letter of support on a Climate Pollution Reduction grant they are pursuing. There will be a related competitive implementation grant in the future that the city may have interested in. Delta Development CFA Grant Priority Feedback: Chair Faulk recommended that Delta work with DPW on some of the major water projects and funding such as the Loughberry Dam and Water Infrastructure Improvement (WIIA) funds. Michael Dutre posted the CFA grants to Basecamp for Climate Smart to view. Tara Donadio of CDRPC forwarded a Carbon Neutral Economic Fund from NYSERDA to Chair Faulk. Jen Dunn and Michael Dutre will evaluate. Meeting Adjourned.