Climate Smart Task Force

Minutes Climate Smart Task Force of Saratoga Springs January 17, 2024 I. In Attendance: Chair Laura Faulk, Dan Barusch, Jennifer Ferriss, Ben Foster, Jamil Khan, Tara Donadio (CDRPC), Jacob Gardner (NY Rural Water Association), Chris Youssef (Building Efficiency Expert) City Staff in Attendance: Beige Berryman, Brooke VanBuskirk, Michael Dutre Absent: Rayna Caldwell, Deirdre Ladd, Jim Gallagher II. Public Comment: No members of the public were present to comment but Chair Faulk took the opportunity to introduce Chris Youssef to the group as a Climate Smart volunteer specializing in building efficiency. III. Approval of November and December Minutes: The minutes were accepted as approved. Michael Dutre will post them online. IV. Climate Action Plan: Beige Berryman let the committee know the project kick-off meeting has been rescheduled for the first week in February. Michael Dutre set up a ‘Basecamp’ shared workspace through the City IT department for consultant collaboration. Documents such as the Complete Streets Plan, Comprehensive Plan, UDO and others are posted for their review. Michael Dutre reported that his National Grid contact is supplying energy benchmarking data for last year. Ben Foster suggested that the City should ask for an updated work plan schedule during the kick off meeting so the consultants and City understand what is expected and when. V. NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities 3.0: Climate Smart Communities Certification – Bronze (800 points) Chair Faulk reported that she submitted the City’s Bronze CSC certification action to NYSERDA. Benchmarking – Advanced Reporting (300 points) Benchmarking – CEC Study Qualification Michael Dutre confirmed he has access to the City’s EPA Energy Star Portfolio Manager to use for Building Energy Benchmarking. Tara Donadio offered to help input the data. After the City updates benchmarking for 2022 and 2023, the City will be eligible for 300 CEC points and a free NYSERDA energy audit for one building. CDG Subscription (300 points) Tara Donadio said the City should be getting power purchase agreement (PPA) credits from the Weibel Solar Farm through National Grid and that Bethlehem is currently having trouble with this process. Chair Faulk suggested that we work with National Grid to ensure that the credits are being applied appropriately. Any buildings not receiving credits from Weibel should be eligible to subscribe to community solar projects. LED Street Lights – Cobra Head (700 points), Decorative (200 points) Tara Donadio said that the City will be eligible for these points when at least 50% of streetlights have been converted to LED. Michael Dutre reported that the City is on track for complete conversation of streetlights by June. Energy Code Enforcement Training (300 points) Tara Donadio reported that CDRPC is holding a training on March 20. Beige Berryman will pass along the recommendation to code enforcement to have someone attend. NY Green Bank Project Closing (400 points) Chair Faulk will provide Finance with information about this action. Ben Foster offered to help with outreach including to the Saratoga County IDA. Electric Landscaping Equipment (200 points) Tara Donadio reported that to qualify for this action, there has to be a cumulative total of 5 tons CO2e offset annually. Chair Faulk will send this information to DPW. The lookback date for qualifying equipment purchases is December 13, 2023. Municipal Fleets Inventory (200 points) Tara Donadio reported that this inventory is intended to be a full inventory that includes DPW and DPS vehicles and that this action also provides points for the CSC program. Chair Faulk reminded the committee that DPW provided an inventory last summer that could be updated and used for this action. Brooke VanBuskirk will provide an updated inventory. Michael Dutre will find out who in DPS could provide a fleet inventory. CEC Community Campaigns Tara Donadio helped the Task Force better understand CEC Community Campaigns and possible partners. She confirmed that the lead organization on a campaign can be a non-profit with the City as a partner and that the City would still receive any resulting CEC grants. Chair Faulk reported that Sustainable Saratoga could be the lead organization on campaigns. She also said that there is an opportunity for the CSTF to table at the upcoming Saratoga Sustainability Fair on April 13 at Skidmore College where there will also be an EV Car Show.  Ben Foster suggested that the Rotary Home and Lifestyle Show scheduled for March at the City Center would be another good tabling opportunity. Jennifer Ferris volunteered to get information on the cost of having a table at the show. Jennifer also volunteered to share information on any campaigns the City wants to run at sustainability events held at the library such as Repair Café. Beige Berryman and Chair Faulk will follow up with Finance on whether or not the City has any funding for outreach such as tabling fees. The table below includes additional details about the CEC campaigns discussion. VI. Waste Management: Chair Faulk reminded the group that she has a few potential dates for the Bethlehem Composting Facility tour for those who are interested in attending. VII. Social Media and Press Releases: Chair Faulk pointed out that there is no communications coordinator at the City so the Task Force will have to do their own public relations. Michael Dutre reported that the City planning department is working on a newsletter which could be an avenue to publicize Climate Smart’s work. Next Meeting: February 21st, 9am