HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-15-13 Bozeman Climate Partners Minutes
Bozeman Climate Partners
Communications Working Group
Meeting Minutes
May 15, 2013, 9:00am-10:30am, 121 N. Rouse Ave., Bozeman City Hall, Madison Room
Members Attending:
Nick Bentley, Kristen Walser, Kathy Powell, Cyndy Andrus (Commission Liaison), Paula Beswick
Natalie Meyer (Staff Liaison), Kingdon Gould
1) Call to Order -9:05
2) Changes to the Agenda-Meyer moved FYI/Discussion to accommodate Bentley and Beswick.
3) Approval of Minutes – Minutes from March 17th tabled until next meeting.
4) Public Comment – None
5) FYI/Discussion
a) Citizen’s Climate Lobby
i) Bentley and Walser presented on the start-up of the Bozeman Chapter of the Citizens
Climate Lobby. The group advocates for a carbon tax as a framework for change through
a fee and dividend structure. The goal is to enact policy that would put a fee on pollution
that is charged at the emissions source. The cost would trickle down through the
economy, thereby incentivizing a lower-carbon footprint lifestyle. The tax would be
redistributed to everyone by the IRS. Dividend is estimated at approximately
$160/person/year. Congress has the power to enact it, therefore there is a finite target.
ii) The Citizens Climate Lobby is trained to use non-partisan, non-confrontational rhetoric
to convey their message. Meetings are the 1st Tuesday after the 1st Saturday of each
month. Orientation is 6-7 and regular meeting begins at 7:00pm. They are collecting
signatures for a letter of support. People can also sign up for Google group.
b) Gallatin Earth Celebration & Compost Bin Sale
i) GEC a success with 2300lbs of waste and recyclables removed from our streets.
Compost Bin Sale also a success with 76 bins sold, which was close to sales target.
c) Website Banner
i) Brad Bunkers presented new options to help brand the Bozeman Climate Partners as a
city website on the top banner. New options presented included a black/white
watermark of the city seal in the upper right hand corner or a color watermark in the
upper right hand corner. Group members discussed that it was difficult to read the
lettering and there was no identification of Bozeman Sustainability. Group asked to
review previous options. Meyer said she would send out the six options we have
reviewed and ask the group to vote by email.
6) Green Drinks
a) Beswick reserved the Library community room and east grounds available if weather
allows the event to be held outside. Beswick pointed out this is the first day of school and
wonders if attendance will be down. Group discussed that presentations should be a max of
15 minutes. We should allow time for Library Foundation to present on their LEED building
and the One Book One Bozeman on Ted Turner. Author Todd Wilkinson will likely attend
the event. City will present on Sustainability programs. Andrus will be out of town. Taylor
may want to speak on behalf of the city.
b) Taylor and the Idle Free group would like to schedule a planning meeting on July 11th.
Meyer will send out an invitation to all those interested in coordinating the event. Beswick
volunteered to participate. Discussed need for a dedicated server at the event. Beswick will
obtain the permit from 5:30 to 9:00pm. Meyer has a budget for food at the event, but
Library Foundation may need to purchase any alcohol. Donations might also be possible.
Beswick has speaker system. Meyer will ask Bill Stoddard about numbers to anticipate.
7) Be a Partner
a) Meyer, Powell, & Gould shared highlights from meeting with Lewis & Clark County and City
of Missoula about partnering on a Green Business Program. Emily Post from Lewis & Clark
launched their Green Business Program last February with a $250k Climate Communities
grant. The program requires businesses to submit a mission statement that includes a
commitment to the environment, complete a NWE energy audit, and complete a waste audit
to certify. Certifying businesses are then eligible for a $1500 grant to invest in energy
efficiency or renewable energy. 12 businesses have certified. Energy efficiency projects
have ranged from $600 to $15,000.
b) Post is now submitting another grant application to the Funder’s Network to expand the
program to Bozeman, Missoula, and possibly Kalispell. Meyer submitted a letter of support.
Group concluded that we should meet quarterly to pursue development of the program,
regardless of whether they receive the grant.
c) Powell noted the potential for competition to motivate our respective communities.
Beswick commented that the program is good, but believes we need two-tiers for
businesses to certify in order to broaden our net and increase participation. Gould agreed
that we should get people signed up, show them the economic benefit of retrofit.
d) Questions that need to be addressed relate to branding of the program. Should we make it
unique to Bozeman or embrace the appearance of a state-wide program. Powell believes
that Post would be open to each city maintaining unique program elements.
e) Meyer would like to involve Yellowstone Business Partnership in the discussion since they
run the UnCommon Sense program for businesses.
f) Group discussed modifying Gould’s proposal to limit the proposed benefits to the lower-
tiered commitment.
g) Group would like to have a subcommittee meeting in late June to fine-tune the proposed
structure. Meyer suggested that subcommittee should be prepared with an “ideal” scenario
with multiple program tiers, but recognize that we might have limited capacity to
administer a large, complex program. We may need to find an intern to help support the
program, but we cannot use an EnergyCorps intern for this project due to program
guidelines. Meyer will send out a Doodle Poll for the dates of June 24, 25, 26th. Beswick,
Walser, Gould, and Powell would like to receive the invitation.
h) Shafer encouraged group to look at the Lewis & Clark County’s Tri-County Green Business
Program as a potential model or partner. This program requires a written environmental
statement policy, NorthWestern Energy Audit, and self-assessment of waste stream.
i) Group agreed that we need to form a sub-committee to focus on details. This group could
continue to meet while Meyer is on maternity leave. We would aim to roll-out the program
in the fall.
8) Energy Smackdown
a) Site is live. Please get signed up!
9) Next Regular Meeting: Wednesday, August 21st