HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-18-14 Bozeman Climate Partners Communications Working Group Minutes
Bozeman Climate Partners Communications Working Group
Meeting Minutes
June 18, 2014, 9:00am-10:30am, 121 N. Rouse Ave., Bozeman City Hall, Madison Room
Members Attending:
Kristen Walser, Kathy Powell, Natalie Meyer (Staff Liaison),
Guests Attending: Lain Leoniak, Kyle Mehrens, Thaddeus Orosz, Heather Higinbotham 1) Call to Order -9:00am
2) Changes to the Agenda-Introductions
3) Public Comment – None
4) Approval of Minutes – 5/21/14 Minutes Postponed
5) Special Presentation a) City of Bozeman Storm Water Update with Kyle Mehrens
i) City system includes 3,000 inlets and 551 outfalls and the city is currently failing to meet MS4 permit requirements. Of the six minimal controls required, we are meeting half of one.
ii) We are required to sample twice a year. It is a five year permit cycle with the last issued in 2011. We currently have one violation, 23 recommendations and 16 program deficiencies. This is similar to other Montana cities.
iii) In 2009, the Commission made addressing storm water a Commission Goal. In 2011, we completed a sotrmwater program audit. In 2012, we developed a staff work plan and created a utility. In 2013-2014, we completed an inventory and condition assessment.
iv) The City has a used a spatial approach that has resulted in a map with 10,000 identified storm water assets.
v) Among the deficiencies identified, the west side of Bozeman has extensive detention ponds with passive storm water treatment that are not functioning properly and there is 93 miles of clay pipe that is crumbling. Mehrens is now inspecting new storm water drains.
vi) Most of the detention ponds have sedimentation buildup resulting from improper construction sediment control practices. While the HOAs are technically responsible for managing detention ponds, there is an argument that the City should have regulated construction practices. Public Works is recommending that the City split the costs of cleaning the detention ponds with the HOAs. Mehrens is currently finalizing a construction sediment building permit. He is confident builders know best practices, but better enforcement is needed.
vii) Public Works is presenting three alternatives to the Commission to determine the level of management, how we pay for it, and how the costs will be distributed. There are three levels proposed: Gold (adds $2.7M/year), Silver (adds $1.7M/year), and Bronze (adds $1.2M/year). Residents are currently charged $1.75/year and the fee is based on meter size. The proposal is to move to an assessment based on storm water runoff and intensity of development.
viii) The rate resolution will be finalized on January 1st.
ix) Working group members suggested additional educational resources for residents and businesses that would include the types of fertilizers that are recommended, when to fertilize, and how to spot spray for weeds.
x) Leoniak discussed some drought tolerant species for planting, including Springhill Sod, which is a bunchgrass blend available as sod grass. This is $0.40/square foot compared to traditional bluegrass that is around $0.18/square foot. Pine, juniper, sage, and lilacs are all species that do well in Bozeman with relatively little water.
6) Non-Action Items a) Bozeman Business Energy Program
i) Marketing & Program Update (Higinbotham)
(1) City received six marketing proposals and selected Classic Ink to develop the marketing for the Business Energy Program. Classic Ink will be developing the logo, website, short video, and program collateral.
(2) Considering coordinating with Public Works on their “Better Bozeman” initiative to allow for the program to expand into other areas of sustainability. ii) Energy Smackdown (1) Meyer & Higinbotham would like to re-launch this program in October in conjunction with the Business Energy Program. iii) McKinstry Investment Grade Audit (1) Meyer and staff identified the top priorities from the energy audit that can be accomplished in-house with already proposed FY15 budget resources and projects that could be accomplished with additional budget resources if we worked with McKinstry. (2) The largest proposed projects include the Parking Garage LED upgrade and Streetlight LED upgrade of 191 fixtures. (3) The Downtown TIF approved funding for the Parking Garage project for all four levels, rather than the basement and first floor only. (4) The Commission will make a decision at the June 23rd Commission meeting with final budget adoption. iv) FYI/Discussion (1) Yellowstone Teton Clean Energy Coalition EV Working Group Update (a) Meyer and Sinnott participated in this workshop at the library.
(b) Group outlined the obstacles to widespread EV adoption, primarily related to inftrastructure. (c) Among the action items, there was a recommendation for YTCEC to provide fleet managers and community leaders with informational resources on EVs, specifically dispelling myths. (2) 4-H Congress Climate Event, July 8-10th (a) Dr. Titely Public lecture on July 8th at MoR. (b) Walser and Meyer coordinating Business & Politicans Luncheon for approximately 35 community leaders on July 10th with Dr. Titley. They are still looking to add more influential business leaders. The group provided suggestions such as Martel Construction, Oracle, Simms, SWMBIA, Knife River, DOT, and the Dean of the College of Business. v) Next Regular Meeting Wednesday, July 16th. vi) Meeting adjourned at 10:30.