HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-26-18 BCP Meeting MinutesBOZEMAN CLIMATE PARTNERS
MEETING MINUTES
JULY 26, 2018
A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Bozeman Climate Partners Working Group was called to order at 2:00 PM on July 26,
2018 in the Madison Room of City Hall.
PRESENT
Dan Perata, Jerrod Bley, Natalie Meyer, Jay Sinnott, Terry Cunningham, Heather Higinbotham, Joan Montagne,
Caitlin Green, Barbara Oldershaw, Susan Bilo
B. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
S. Bilo requested adding the Bozeman Public Safety Center to the agenda.
C. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
D. MINUTES
J. Sinnott moved to approve the minutes from 5/24/18, J. Montagne seconded the motion, and the motion passed.
OLD BUSINESS
1. CLIMATE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT & RESILIENCY STRATEGY
a. A staff and stakeholder workshop is planned on August 2 & 3. The National Institute of Standards and
Technology Community Resilience Program and the Brendle Group will help lead the workshop with
roughly 40 members of city staff and specific organizations such as MSU and NorthWestern Energy. The
workshop will outline our project goals and review anticipated climate impacts in southwest Montana.
Staff anticipates that the climate vulnerability assessment for city infrastructure will be completed during
this two-day workshop.
b. A new group called the Southwest Montana Community Organizations Active in Disasters formed
recently. It is an extensive group of community non-profits, such as HRDC, Red Cross, and Habitat for
Humanity. Their goal is to create a network of community resources to be at the ready when a disaster
occurs. City staff will participate to become more familiar with the community organizations that may
have knowledge or resources relevant to our climate vulnerability assessment and resiliency work.
2. HEARTLAND EV PRIMER AND CITY FLEET PLUG-IN HYBRIDS
Through the US Urban Sustainability Director’s Network, the City of Bozeman participated in a report titled
“Pathways to EV: Preparing for the proliferation of electric vehicles”. The report provides background on the state
of the EV industry, projected charging infrastructure corridors, regulatory considerations, and community
communications strategies around EVs. The report was not yet complete, but included some Bozeman specific
information, such as the price of charging per kWh and greenhouse gas emissions compared to internal
combustion vehicles. The report will be shared with the group when it is complete.
The City purchased their first used plug-in hybrid vehicle, a Chevy Volt for City Shops. A plug-in hybrid will also be
purchased for City Hall where it will be charged on the west side of the building.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Energy Efficiency Handouts
As the City transitions away from the Bozeman Energy Smackdown, H. Higinbotham is working on residential
energy efficiency resources. The first will include a brief, visually appealing top 10 list of low-cost strategies for the
home. The visually appealing handout will be useful for tabling and outreach. A more in depth checklist
representing increasing levels of investment will also be created for those interested in going beyond the basics. H.
Higinbotham asked for input on the draft list. In response to the list, D. Perata inquired about the availability of
energy auditors in the area. Staff acknowledged that there is not an extensive network in Montana. S. Bilo
recommended that city staff focus on community based social marketing targeting older neighborhoods. Fort
Collins offers turn-key residential efficiency upgrades based on three set package options. Bulk purchasing of
equipment and appliances, similar to a Solarize campaign, should also be considered. B. Oldershaw suggested the
list should start with the no-cost behavior actions.
Commissioner Cunningham highlighted two Commission actions related to water conservation on Monday night.
The Commission approved a contract for drought-tolerant landscape design for city medians. The Commission also
approved the return of impact fees to MSU for water savings of 14 million gallons per year. The savings were the
result of low-flow showerheads in the dorms, low-flow toilets, cooling system improvements, and irrigation
efficiency.
2. Bozeman Public Safety Center
Based on information shared by staff over email, S. Bilo suggested that it would be powerful to communicate the
anticipated reduced operations and maintenance savings resulting from a high performance building. It is a
powerful educational opportunity. J. Sinnott suggested that similar to the Bozeman High School, the community
will expect a LEED or another green certification for the Safety Center.
Commissioner Cunningham discussed the community education strategy. Police and staff are planning 20-minute
presentations with the goal of expressing the need and explanation of the advantages of the proposed project. It
may be feasible to discuss energy cost savings in the fiscal responsibility section as something that will reduce the
tax burden.
F. NEXT MEETING – SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
G. ADJOURNMENT – 3:27 PM by Natalie Meyer. The next regular meeting will be at 2:00 PM on September 27,
2018. The August meeting will be cancelled due to a conflict with a meeting with NorthWestern Energy related to
our Solar Energy Innovation Network Grant.
.
Minutes submitted by: Natalie Meyer