HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-18-13 Climate Partners Communications Working Group Minutes
Bozeman Climate Partners
Communications Working Group
Meeting Minutes
December 18, 2013, 9:00am-10:30am, 121 N. Rouse Ave., Bozeman City Hall, Madison Room
Members Attending:
Kristen Walser, Kathy Powell, Jay Sinnott, Cyndy Andrus (Commission Liaison)
Natalie Meyer (Staff Liaison)
1) Call to Order -9:00am
2) Changes to the Agenda-None
3) Public Comment –None
4) Approval of Minutes – Minutes from 11-20-13 tabled until next meeting
5) Non-Action Items
a) Bozeman Business Energy Program
i) Meyer reported that the program was unanimously approved by the Bozeman City
Commission on December 16th.
ii) The following amendments were made prior to the Commission meeting
(1) NorthWestern Energy suggested that we avoid references to “Business Partners”
because they have an existing program with that title.
(2) NWE suggested and provided a different case study.
(3) NWE asked that we do not used their preferred contractor list as a program
requirement; instead use the language “licensed, insured, and bonded contractors
(4) NWE offered a definition of business as one that is commercially metered. A
residential 4-plex or smaller is considered a residential account.
(5) NWE would like to collaborate closely on program marketing and to make sure the
application sequence is carefully laid out prior to program roll-ou.
(6) NWE also suggested that we make sure the incentive amount is based on the cost
after the NWE rebate, so that businesses do not receive more than they paid out for
a project.
iii) The Commission offered the following comments during the presentation:
(1) Eliminate language related to zoning requirements to define a business. Amendment
was made to eliminate this language.
(2) Three Commissioners asked about increasing the maximum incentive amount, but
they did not make an amendment.
iv) The committee reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of increasing the amount.
(1) $500-$1500: Easier to spread the benefits; will encourage smaller lighting project,
not larger energy investment; more participants engaged; attracts small businesses
over larger businesses
(2) $500-$5,000: Fewer project to track; encourages larger investment into energy
efficiency; Will draw greater publicity for each project; potentially greater carbon
for each project; May need to set up a competitive process that will be an
administrative burden; May force City to require Montana prevailing wages; May
draw attention of larger businesses when the intent is to attract smaller businesses.
v) Working Group suggested that we should consider a cap of $2,500 instead of $5,000, as
was suggested during the Commission meeting
vi) Working Group recommended that this list be reviewed with the Economic
Development Director and the City Attorney. A final report should be prepared for the
Commission to consider. They can then decide if they would like to see an amendment
to the program proposed.
b) Bozeman Business Energy Program
i) Next Steps
(1) Review incentive cap
(2) Hire person
(a) Job description complete, awaiting pay information before we can advertise. Pay
determines start-up marketing budget for program
(b) Drafting interview screening tool
(3) Fine-tune Business Energy Program details
(a) Once position is advertised, solicit feedback from working group on program
structure. Should not wait until person is hired to begin drafting application.
(b) Should begin to outline right away the benefits that businesses will receive for
their $50 membership fee
(c) Get people lined up that would join
(d) Identify tasks that can be completed by volunteers from working group
(e) Outline local publicity and marketing
(f) Work on program logo/sticker
(g) Meyer should check in after two weeks
(h) Find out which businesses Kingdon contacted about the program, copy Jeff.
ii) Energy Smackdown
(1) Contract with marketing group is still under review in the Legal Department
(2) Walser is proposing organizing some groups to help distribute the door hangers
iii) Investment Grade Audit
(1) Contract returned to Meyer last week, addressed changes, contract returned to
McKinstry for review
(2) Should go on the Commission agenda before the end of the year
iv) Newsletter
(1) Meyer will finish draft this week with goal of sending out after the first of the year.
v) 4-H Climate & Environmental Summit
(1) Meyer approached by Dr. Paul LaChappelle to submit a STEM grant application to
send 4 MT female high school students to the 4-H Climate & Environmental Summit
at Rutgers University. The students would then facilitate the development of a
permanent climate summit in Bozeman as part of the annual MT 4-H Congress held
at MSU. The first summit would be held during the summer of 2014.
(2) Meyer sponsored a Campus Sustainability Advisory Council funding request of
$2,000 for the effort. This was granted by CSAC. Still waiting to hear about STEM
grant.
vi) Sweet Pea Festival
(1) Meyer approached by Sweet Pea about improving recycling and going bottle water-
free at the next sweet pea event
(a) Vendors will lose a source of income if they do not sell bottled water.
(b) Group suggested they make a commemorative sweet pea water bottle to help
offset this loss
vii) FYI/Discussion
(1) Bozeman Climate Partners co-sponsoring a lecture by Dr. John Perlin, “Let It Shine!
The 6,000 Year Story of Solar Energy” at the Museum of the Rockies on January 8th,
6pm in the Hager Auditorium.