HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-24-20 Public Comment - P. Simmons - Comments on Draft Climate PlanFrom:Pat Simmons
To:Agenda
Subject:Comments on Draft Climate Plan
Date:Saturday, October 24, 2020 11:33:01 AM
The City Commission has passed fairly bold climate goals in the past, including a
26% reduction from 2008 emissions, 100% net clean electricity by 2030, and carbon
neutrality by 2050, but the new Bozeman Draft Climate Plan fails to meet thosegoals or commit to what is needed to truly mitigate climate change.
You need to change building codes to require much more conservation methods.
Stop allowing old-fashioned contractors to building whatever they want and ownersare oblivious to this. We have the Montana Extension Service Weatherization Center
available to contractors, but you need teeth in the codes and more code enforcement
staff.
Ridiculous that the Bogart Pavillion building was never inspected. MSU has had an
inventory of every single building with monthly inspections in a rotating system, and a
detailed Deferred Maintenance list categorized into how urgent the need is, and a
request to the Legislature every session to get funding to improve. You should talk toEJ Hook, Facilities Services Director to get more information. We also have a
separate roof inventory tracking dates, types, etc. (I’m retired after 41 years, with a
major time in Facilities Services). You should also talk to Dan Stevenson about all the
energy saving methods used on campus and the thousands of dollars of savingsrealized.
You need to require multi-unit living structures to have water meters for each unit so
individuals can control their own destiny; and City water rates fine-tuned to individualliving units. I live in a 2009 duplex in a HOA and our entire complex of duplexes have
only 1 water meter per duplex and the water bill goes to the HOA and we pay monthly
dues, including water. This is ridiculous and so old fashioned. We have no idea who
is wasting water. It’s also dangerous because our neighbor in our building is a renterand the main water valve to the duplex is in their half of the crawl space, which are
separated by unit wall, so we can’t even shut off the water if there were an
emergency. There should be two pipes into living units, one for treated water for
indoors and one for untreated for lawn mowing. You have a low flush toilet programbut we never hear a word about it. I used the program for my previous house, but all
the contractors should be required to comply with new and remodels.
You should have a monthly article in the Chronicle and on social media that tellspeople tips for conservation of energy, water, landscaping. Only Chris Mehl and a
previous Police Chief ever consistently put out articles about what the City is doing on
a regular basis.
Thank you,
Patricia Simmons
357 Pine Creek Drive
Bozeman, MT 59718