HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 22 15 BCP Meeting MinutesBOZEMAN CLIMATE PARTNERS
MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 22, 2015
1) CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Bozeman Climate Partners Working Group was called to order at 2:00 PM on October
22, 2015 in the Madison Room, City Hall by Natalie Meyer.
PRESENT
Natalie Meyer, Robin Crough, Heather Higinbotham, Kathy Powell, Jay Sinnott, Susan Bilo, Kristin Blackler, Joan
Montagne, Kristen Walser
2) CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Agenda approved as distributed.
3) PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment.
4) MINUTES
Minutes from 6.25.15, 7.23.15, 9.3.15 approved.
5) NON-ACTION ITEMS
A) UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE UPDATE – NEXT STEPS
Sustainability was well represented at Planning’s community outreach event. So the question becomes how can
we improve, and how can we do more and better? Consultants did not have a lot of examples from other
communities with successful sustainability integration into the UDC. Natalie asks the group to look for examples
from other cities that are doing it well.
• Current comments were very broad, there are not many specifics yet
• Susan suggests a Sustainability / Climate Partners –specific meeting
• Natalie looked at sections of the UDC to look for opportunities to influence, specifically lighting
WHAT DO WE WANT TO SEE ADDRESSED?
1. Solar Access
• Street orientation / access to light – make sure developers at least consider
• Look at Portland, OR as an example – successful because they started more than 20 years ago
2. Lot Sizes in City Limits
• It’s more sustainable to have smaller lots, but we need to find the balance since developments in
the County often require a minimum lot size
i. We don’t want to discourage or push developers out of the City with too stringent lot
sizes
• J. Sinnott: would like to see more mixed zoning
• Possibility of “cottage developments” – smaller units with shared space
i. Typically 1,000-1,500 sq/ft w/ a shared yard, as well as other elements/units of a
traditional development
ii. Look at example from Victor, ID
1. Cottage units sold out first, as they were more affordable and there was a
strong desire for more community-oriented units
iii. Natalie determined that specific examples of where this has been done well will be
crucial to success in incorporating this idea.
• Question: What actually is the minimum lot size for the City?
• Pushback against minimum lot sizes comes from a number of places, including access to utilities,
emergency services (especially fire) access, and access to general infrastructure.
3. Building Code
• The Building Code (and therefore energy efficiency) is adopted by the state, not in the UDC
rewrite.
• “Stretch Code” – Heather Higinbotham looking at this as a pilot project done by the Energy Code
Collaborative.
i. As long as it is not mandatory, you can offer incentives for energy efficient building,
including but not limited to fast-track permitting, impact fee reductions, parkland
dedication, etc.
ii. Currently gauging interest in communities in hopes to create a standard across all
communities, specifically around energy efficiency in buildings.
iii. Incentives would be distinctly different from any current incentives, but could be
related, if they are based on LEED certification (as an example).
iv. Goal is to reach and incentivize builders that may not necessarily plan on incorporating
energy efficiency.
B) JUSTICE CENTER BUILDING LETTER
Thank you to Susan and all who contributed in writing the letter to the Commissioners. It was helpful that Natalie
and Chuck were able to speak with the Net Zero Police Stations group from Salt Lake City.
• No word yet from the Commissioners about the receipt of the letter.
• Deputy Mayor Taylor remains committed to energy modeling and solar energy.
• Natalie continues to talk to Chuck (who is the on the L&J Committee) about what Sustainability would like
to see, and stays informed.
• K. Walser: one approach would be to ask clarifying questions to guide in a sustainability direction.
C) SUSTAINABILITY TECHNICAL HANDOUT DRAFTS
Water Conservation approved the language, the Mountain Horizons Solar Subdivision representative from
Whitehall rep has approved the wording. It is intentionally not graphic-heavy in order to match other City of
Bozeman materials. Also intentionally based on the Community Plan, not the Climate Action Plan.
• Please provide input on the handout by NEXT FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30TH to Natalie.
• K. Powell: Suggestion that some developers look at it for their perspective. Should also specify beyond just
lightbulbs.
• H. Higinbotham: Provide resources available for product information.
D) ADVISORY BOARD
Jay, Kathy, Heather, and Natalie met a few weeks ago to speak about the scope and role of the potential new
group.
• Natalie would like to develop a process that includes more than just this group in deciding the future role.
o K. Powell: Depends on who the facilitator might be.
o H. Higinbotham: Greater buy-in with more external contributions.
o J. Sinnott: Number of options on what the group would be called, because of more subjects
beyond just climate action.
• H. Higinbotham met w/ Chase Jones in Missoula (Natalie’s counterpart) to discuss Missoula’s model. The
group started with the City and then became a standalone 501(c)(3). They are funded by both the City of
Missoula and foundation funding. They have found that the community is more receptive to them as a
non-City entity.
o Advisory to the City Commission
o Specific role is to implement the Climate Action Plan (the City-side only focuses on the municipal
aspects)
o Park City, UT also uses a similar model
o This idea was discussed years ago as well
• Discussion of an internal City sustainability group, but Natalie discussed the use of a similar group in the
past, which did not necessarily find it to be the best use of everyone’s time. The 1-on-1 or small groups
that Natalie currently collaborates with are more effective.
• Natalie would like to have a half-day, facilitator-led event to help decide future role and scope
o Facilitator should be someone with some distance to help provide a fresh perspective (and
should be free!)
Ralph Johnson (Natalie to pursue)
Deputy Mayor Taylor can provide other suggestions if not Ralph
o Invite this group, City of Bozeman key staff, Chris Naumann, MSU key staff, Paul Reichert
(Prospera), hospital key staff, conservation groups, School District, federal agency climate
working group
o First step is to identify timeline and get the facilitator
6) SUSTAINABILITY EVENTS
A) RECENT EVENTS
1) AWEA Conference: statewide wind energy conference. Montana still has a great deal of potential, but
fewer developers are lining up because of export limitations
2) Element Hotel LEED tour: when these hotels are LEED, operation costs are 8-9% less than their
counterparts
3) Harvesting Clean Energy Conference: poorly attended, but great topics including net metering, permitting,
electric cars in Montana
4) Yellowstone Teton Clean Cities Stakeholder Meeting in Jackson Hole, WY: City of Bozeman has the
opportunity for a grant
a. $5,000 for a charging station
b. Proterra – battery-operated long-range bus
i. UM just purchased two (DEQ assistance) for $750,000 a piece
ii. Expect prices to come down in coming years
iii. Can also purchase bus (for approximately $450,000) but lease the batteries
B) UPCOMING EVENTS
1) Roadtrip to Paris Climate Summit (Reminder for this evening)
2) VERGE Conference in San Jose, CA (Oct 26-29)
a. Natalie attending
ADDED ITEM: MSU BICYCLE MASTER PLAN – KRISTIN BLACKLER (MSU)
MSU is currently working on a Bicycle Master Plan. The ultimate goal is that all new projects at MSU must consider
the recommendations and vision of the Bicycle Master Plan.
• Alta Planning & Design the consultant
• Currently 75-80% complete
• Taking the vision, goals, and metrics publically in the next few weeks
• Kristin’s ultimate goal is to never build another parking garage on campus
• Plan’s first priority is sheltered bike parking
The Bicycle Master Plan will inform the upcoming MSU Transportation Master Plan, which will be in conjunction
with the City of Bozeman Transportation Master Plan.
ADDED ITEM: NORTHWESTERN ENERGY STAKEHOLDER MEETING
No update. However, the solar project Request for Information is moving forward.
7) ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 3:49 PM by Natalie Meyer. Because of the holiday season, the time and location of the
next meeting will be determined in the coming weeks.
Minutes submitted by: Robin Crough