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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnergy Board - Minutes - 10/14/2021 ENERGY BOARD REGULAR MEETING October 14, 2021 – 5:30 pm 222 Laporte Ave. – Colorado Room ROLL CALL Board Members Present: Jeremy Giovando (remote), Alan Braslau (remote), Steve Tenbrink, Dan Gould, Marge Moore (remote), John Fassler (remote) Board Members Absent: Bill Becker OTHERS PRESENT Staff Members Present: Christie Fredrickson, John Phelan, Theresa Connor, Cyril Vidergar (remote), Brad Smith (remote), Kirk Longstein (remote), Russ Hovland (remote), Kraig Bader (remote), Council Tricia Canonico (remote), Rhonda Gatzke Members of the Public: Rick Coen (remote), Nick Michell (remote) MEETING CALLED TO ORDER Vice Chairperson Moore called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm PUBLIC COMMENT None APPROVAL OF MINUTES In preparation for the meeting, board members submitted amendments via email for the September 9, 2021, minutes. The minutes were approved as amended. ANNOUNCEMENTS & AGENDA CHANGES Board member McFaddin resigned from the Energy Board on October 13, 2021. STAFF REPORTS (attachments available upon request) Executive Director’s Update Theresa Connor, Interim Utilities Executive Director Kraig Bader, Director, Electrical Engineering, Light & Power Due to material shortages and competition with significant subdivision construction, the deadline for completion of overhead to underground conversions was extended from January 2022 until the end of 2023. Material shortages are affecting everything from cable and wire to transformers, which impacts many jobs in Light & Power. Mr. Phelan asked if the shortages are affecting any new developments that are underway or slated to begin soon. Mr. Bader said those are the kinds of projects L&P is trying to prioritize, but there are some impacts to new construction. ENERGY BOARD REGULAR MEETING Board member Tenbrink wondered where the delay is primarily sourcing from, manufacturing, delays at the port, or transportation. Mr. Bader said all those factors are contributing to delays, but for the production lead time is the primary concern. Ms. Connor added that it’s not just electric materials that are experiencing delays, the Water Utility is seeing shortages of PVC pipe as well. Ms. Connor said the Executive Director’s position has been posted and they are actively advertising. PROPOSED 2021 BUILDING CODE UPDATES Russ Hovland, Interim Chief Building Official Brad Smith, Plans Examiner Kirk Longstein, Energy Service Project Manager (attachments available upon request) The International Code Council (ICC) generates a new International Building Code every three years through the ICC Code Development Process. City Staff is recommending City Council update the current 2018 codes to the 2021 I-Codes. Staff also recommends City Council adopt local amendments in addition to the 2021 I-Codes to remain consistent with City Plans and Policies (e.g., City Strategic Plan, Our Climate Future, Housing Strategic Plan, Water Efficiency Plan). The 2021 International Codes (I-Codes) represent the most up-to-date body of codes regulating building construction The purpose of the code is to safeguard public health, safety, and general welfare by regulating structural strength and stability, sanitation, light and ventilation, and energy conservation. Local Amendments are used to implement measures with strategic alignment to Citywide plans and policies above and beyond those in the I-Codes. Staff uses local amendments to align with the City’s goals. Alignment with Our Climate Future (OCF) includes creating space for efficient, emissions-free buildings, 100% Renewable electricity (an OCF Big Move), as well as deploying capabilities and strategies for renewable energy, grid responsive building, and Electric Vehicles (EVs). Alignment within the City’s Housing Plan includes everyone having access to healthy, stable housing they can afford (Housing Strategic Plan & OCF). If the staff recommendations are approved by City Council, it will help the community stay on track with the three-year code cycle, maintaining steady improvements. Adoption of I-codes and local amendments also equate to smaller incremental construction cost increases opposed to large increases if adoption only happens every six years. The Code Adoption Review Committee (composed of local stakeholders in the building and development community, as well as City and County officials), supports the nine base codes put forth by the ICC as-is (no changes needed for adoption). They also support changes in the new 2021 codes, including: Energy code changes such as improved insulation R-values and window U-values, increased equipment and lighting efficiencies are projected to increase energy efficiency by 9.4% for residential and 5.4% for commercial, adoption of solar ready code appendix for commercial and residential, as well as testing radon reduction system (if test result is above 4pCi/L then fan installation is required). Some current local amendments are now incorporated into the new 2021 codes as written, so as a result several local amendments have been removed as they are no longer necessary. New local amendments that are supported by the Code Review Committee: • Improvements to building envelope thermal performance such as duct testing • Electric readiness for space and water heating • Water conservation thru improved plumbing design & lower water usage in toilets & public faucets ENERGY BOARD REGULAR MEETING • Work without the required permit fine to change from $50 to $500 • Remove required vapor retarder in walls New local amendments that are not currently supported by the committee: • Electric vehicle parking spaces required in new multi-family and commercial buildings • Electric vehicle charging outlet required in new house garages • EV charging retrofit required for existing building if renovated more than 50% • Improved accessibility through visit-ability requirements in housing (not yet reviewed) Mr. Longstein clarified that staff is proposing EV-Ready (dedicated circuit with conduit pulled) for single- family homes. For commercial new construction, 5% of total parking spaces shall be EVSE-Installed (electric vehicle supply equipment) spaces, 15-20% (depending on use type) of total parking spaces shall be EV-Ready Spaces, and 15-40% (depending on use type) of total parking spaces shall be EV-Capable spaces. Existing Commercial Buildings that provide on-site parking and undergo a renovation or alteration in which the scope of work is more than 50% of the total building area, shall also provide at least one EVSE-installed space. Relative to the IECC, the cost impact to move from the 2018 to the 2021 code package (not including the City’s local amendments) is expected to rise approximately 1.6%. If the builder chooses to pass on this cost to the consumer, an average buyer in Fort Collins will see a cost increase of $16 per month (on a 30- year mortgage). Board member Braslau said the radon testing strategy is dodgy, the installation of a fan does not guarantee anything. Board member Fassler agreed, new construction radon systems should be a no- brainer, and they should always pass testing. Mr. Hovland said he would take that feedback to the committee. The board feels that 200 amps should the minimum requirement for new homes to provide the ability to support charging EVs. Additionally, the number of EV-ready and -capable parking spaces for multi-family developments should be increased. The City should also provide meaningful incentives for builders and developers who go above and beyond building codes, as well as a long-range view when it comes to Affordable Housing, the increased initial building costs for housing are not solely influenced by increased building codes While the Energy Board does not believe these code updates are extraordinary, they agree that it is a continued step in the right direction. In the future, the Board hope the Code Review Committee will not be as heavily influenced by representatives from the building and development community, as they have a significant self-interest in keeping the bar lower. Failing to be aggressive with efficiency and building code updates will hinder the community’s ability to reach the goals of the Our Climate Future plan. The Board also hopes that science and economics will play a greater role in updating code standards in the future. DRAFT 2022 WORK PLAN Board members reviewed and commented on their work plan for 2022. Mr. Phelan reminded the Board that they should keep the plan specific enough to cover a variety of topics they are interested in, but not so broad they inadvertently box themselves out of a topic. The Board did an overhaul of their workplan format for 2021 and largely felt like they were happy with it aside from a few small language updates which can be completed offline before they approve the plan at their November meeting. ENERGY BOARD REGULAR MEETING BOARD MEMBER REPORTS The Board expressed a desire for an innovative Executive Director, someone who can drive new solutions for energy transformation. Board member Braslau felt the job description is a bit watered down, which leaves only the selection and vetting process to search for a candidate motivated by innovation. Council member Canonico would love to hear what the Board would like to see in the City Manager recruitment. Many responded again with a desire to see innovation in community leadership, and someone who doesn’t only respond to the movement but someone who leads the charge. FUTURE AGENDA REVIEW The October 24 work session will be cancelled due to a lack of business to discuss. The November 11 regular meeting will be rescheduled to November 17 (Wednesday) in observance of the Veterans Day holiday. ADJOURNMENT The Energy Board adjourned at 7:40 pm.