HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-18-13 Bozeman Climate Partners Minutes
Bozeman Climate Partners
Communications Working Group
Meeting Minutes
September 18, 2013, 9:00am-10:30am, 121 N. Rouse Ave., Bozeman City Hall, Madison Room
Members Attending:
Kristen Walser, Kathy Powell, Cyndy Andrus (Commission Liaison), Jay Sinnott,
Natalie Meyer (Staff Liaison), Kingdon Gould
1) Call to Order -9:00
2) Changes to the Agenda-None
3) Approval of Minutes – Minutes from May 15th approved.
4) Public Comment
a) Powell brought apples to share.
b) Walser planning to exhibit at the MSU Science and Technology Fair on Saturday. Planning a
display that will help educate people on the changes in the jet stream caused by climate
change. Seeking volunteers to help develop the display and table at the event.
5) Green Drinks
a) Event was well-attended by enviro community, including Senator Tester. Received positive
feedback about city programs. Thanks to Paula and Elin for donating the beverages and
food!
6) Energy Smackdown & Weekly Workshops
a) 28 people signed up, nobody has submitted a story to win a monthly prize. Group says it is
not obvious how to win the monthly prizes and we need a handout sheet to help guide
through the registration process. Generally, website needs updates.
b) Meyer explained that Shafer would be leaving RC&D and exiting his contract to manage the
program. Meyer in the process of determining next steps.
c) Andrus suggested we get a story in the NWE newsletter. She would initiate discussion with
Heather Bellamy
d) Meyer would like to form a subcommittee to help oversee the outreach and process for the
Energy Smackdown and Weekly Workshops. Sinnott and Gould volunteered to assist.
7) Idle Free Bozeman
a) National Walk to School Day is October 2nd. Meyer is coordinating with Taylor Lonsdale
with SRTS on Idle Free outreach at the schools during this event.
b) Schools will include the bear flyer in the weekly Friday Folder.
c) Looking for volunteers to assist at each school on this day. Andrus volunteered to help at
Sacajawea.
d) Meyer needs to re-stock library with flyers.
8) Be a Partner
a) Powell and Gould presented on their 6/26/13 meeting to work on details for a Bozeman
Business Partners program. Detailed points in their meeting minutes. They reviewed goals,
resources available, key questions, and reviewed existing programs. They suggested a
format that would include 3-4 business categories (restaurants, industrial, office, etc) and
have two tiers for each category. The basic tier would involve filling out a checklist of CO2
reductions that the business has done or would commit to doing within 6 months. The
advanced tier would be the same plus an energy audit. Businesses would be recognized for
their actions according to the tier.
b) Powell and Gould believe the next step is to find out what resources can be committed to
the program before further refining the structure. Gould plans to further review the EcoStar
program. Powell plans to brainstorm more ideas for green business program activities.
c) Meyer gave this update: The Commission voted to provide additional funding for the
Climate Action Plan’s implementation. They would like to see a 0.5FTE or contracted
services. In addition, there may be an opportunity to re-appropriate the Big Sky Revolving
Loan Fund (for business energy efficiency) into a small grant program. Meyer believes these
two prospects would allow us to develop a much stronger business program. She asked for
the group to wait for her to further review these ideas with the Commission and City
Administration. She aims to have a decision made about the position by October 11th.
FYI/Discussion
d) Meyer needs to write the next newsletter. Please submit any story ideas you might have.
e) Sign up and use the Energy Smackdown website!
9) Next Regular Meeting: Wednesday, October 16, 2013