HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-22-14 Bozeman Climate Partners Communications Working Group Minutes
Bozeman Climate Partners Communications Working Group
Meeting Minutes
July 22, 2014, 3:30 (Rescheduled), 121 N. Rouse Ave., Bozeman City Hall, Madison Room
Members Attending:
Jay Sinnott, Kathy Powell, Natalie Meyer (Staff Liaison),
Cyndy Andrus (Commission Liaison)
Guests Attending: Joan Montagne
1) Call to Order -3:30
2) Changes to the Agenda-Meyer added Montana Renewable Energy Association Legislative to Non-Action Items
3) Public Comment –None
4) Approval of Minutes – Delayed
5) Action Items a) NorthWestern Energy Hydropower Acquisition i) Powell suggested that Meyer check with Trout Unlimited for input on impact of dams to fish and river health. ii) Andrus expressed concern over unequal distribution of financial burden between rate payers and shareholders. iii) Sinnott says the hydro will replace base load and rebuild the utility after deregulation. He says that investors are accepting that climate change is a problem. iv) Andrus indicated that she would like to see the resolution on the City Commission agenda as an Action Item. v) The following motion was moved and seconded: “I move to recommend approval of Resolution 4541, expressing support for NorthWestern Energy’s efforts to buy hydro assets to serve its Montana customers.” vi) Motion passed unanimously.
6) Non-Action Items a) Bozeman Business Energy Program/Energy Smackdown i) Higinbotham & Meyer are working with Classic Ink on possible revised program name for the Business Energy Program. They plan to coordinate marketing strategies for the two programs. Names and concepts will be reviewed with the working group. ii) City is exploring other hosting options for the Energy Smackdown, but would like to re-launch the program in October. b) McKinstry Investment Grade Audit & Performance Contract
i) The Commission approved funding for all the proposed energy projects. The LED streetlighting project will be approved contingent upon financing. Andrus suggested that the terms of the loan should be provided to the Commission during FYI. The TIF Board approved funding for the parking garage LED retrofit for all four levels. There will be a series of energy projects completed in-house by staff and 18 completed by McKinstry. ii) Meyer is negotiating the terms of the contract with McKinstry. c) Police-Court Facility Design i) Meyer reports that she has been involved with the LEED planning meetings. Meyer is advocating to make the building as energy efficient as possible to drive down long-term operational costs. The team is also considering solar PV on either the covered parking area or on the rooftop up to 50kW. Currently the buildings will easily achieve LEED-Silver. The design team is reviewing the costs of LEED certification. ii) Montagne noted that the building will be highly visible along Rouse and it will be valuable to LEED certify this public building. d) MREA Legislative Priorities i) Meyer, Commissioner Taylor, Andrus, and Mehl attended several Montana Renewable Energy Association events on July 9th. Meyer reviewed the Association’s top 5 legislative priorities. Bozeman can assist by identifying businesses and farmers that may have encountered obstacles related to distributed energy interconnection. e) Green Fleet Assessment i) The Commission approved funding to complete an audit of City vehicles. Meyer has the option of contracting with the Yellowstone Teton Clean Energy Coalition to complete this work. She is searching for other organizations that provide similar services. She would like to have the work completed by October in time for the Capital Improvement Planning process.
7) FYI/Discussion a) David Titley visit re-cap i) The public lecture at the Museum of the Rockies was packed with around 50 people turned away at the door. There was subsequently good media coverage. ii) Meyer and Walser coordinated efforts to host a waste-free government/business luncheon with David Titley and 35 community leaders. This resulted in good discussion from across the political spectrum. iii) The climate change 4-H tours in association with the 4-H Congress were also a success. Each tour was full. Meyer participated in these events and recruited Lain Leoniak, Water Conservation Specialist to lead a tour at the new Water Treatment Plant. This resulted in some thoughtful discussion about irrigation strategies for farmers. b) Odyssey Day, Alternative Fuel/Vehicle events, October 16th/17th at MSU i) Meyer is coordinating with MSU and the Yellowstone Teton Clean Energy Coalition to host two days of educational events related to alternative fuels. They are considering
hosting a film on campus, organizing a alternative fuels car show on the Mall and a panel discussion with local and regional experts. c) Smart Schools Training i) Powell brought information about the upcoming NorthWestern Energy building operator training sessions. ii) This raised the point that our group should have a school liaison or board member. iii) Meyer should contact BSD Facilities Services to ask how many people have gone through training. d) Meeting adjourned at 5:00. e) Next meeting planned for August 20th at the regular time.