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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnergy Board - Minutes - 04/04/2013Energy Board Meeting Minutes April 4, 2013 1 Fort Collins Utilities Energy Board Minutes Thursday, April 4, 2013 Energy Board Chairperson City Council Liaison Greg Behm, 226-6161 Lisa Poppaw, 223-4136 Energy Board Vice Chairperson Staff Liaison Peter O’Neill, 288-4562 Steve Catanach, 416-2622 Roll Call Board Present Vice Chairperson Peter O’Neill, Board Members Peggy Plate, Britt Kronkosky, Margaret Moore, Ross Cunniff, and Stacey Baumgarn Board Absent Barrett Rothe and Greg Behm Staff Present Steve Catanach, John Phelan, Lucinda Smith, and Harriet Davis Guests David Nocella, Laren Cyphers, Pranaya Sathe, Theo Stewart, and John Bleem Meeting Convened Vice Chairperson O’Neill called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Public Comment Laren Cyphers, a Colorado State University (CSU) student, introduced herself to the board. Ms. Cyphers is a journalism student and is attending the meeting as part of a writing assignment. David Nocella, a CSU student and intern with Congressman Jared Polis, is visiting the board again to give an update on the panel discussion concerning renewable energy development (Building Greener Communities). The event is scheduled for Friday, May 3, 2013 at CSU. Approval of March 7, 2013 Minutes Board Member Plate moved to approve the minutes of the March 7, 2013 meeting. Board Member Moore seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: Yeas: Cunniff, Kronkosky, Moore, O’Neill, and Plate. Nays: None. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. * Board Member Baumgarn abstained from voting due to his early departure at the March meeting. ** Board Member Cunniff will not participate in the rest of the board discussion due to his recent election to City Council. He has resigned from the board effective April 4, 2013. Identify Emerging Issues for City Council to Consider at May Retreat (Memo to Council) A draft memo was included in the packet. The board members discussed the concepts in the memo and also discussed possible revisions. Light and Power Operations Manager Steve Catanach, Energy Board Meeting Minutes April 4, 2013 2 Energy Services Manager John Phelan, and Environmental Sustainability Director Lucinda Smith also participated in the discussion. Highlights from the discussion:  A board member would like to add a suggestion concerning the efficiency of cable boxes.  A board member would like Woodward to be an example of industrial efficiency since they are planning to build their international headquarters in Fort Collins.  A board member would like to engage other energy providers in the discussions surrounding the Energy Policy.  The board members discussed franchise fees and Xcel Energy.  A board member asked for the purpose of the Council Retreat. Mr. Catanach stated the purpose is to set priorities for City staff and to build alignment on issues.  A board member would like City Council to look at distributed infrastructure.  A board member would like strong representation with Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) and more input on the Integrated Resource Plan.  A board member feels that reinforcing the goal of 10 percent renewables should be achieved sooner than later. Energy efficiency goals should be accelerated.  The board members and staff discussed how the various City plans (Climate Action Plan, Sustainability Strategic Plan, etc.) are interrelated. Vote on the motion: Yeas: Baumgarn, Kronkosky, Moore, O’Neill, and Plate. Nays: None. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. Energy Policy Revisions Discussion (Attachment available upon request). Mr. Phelan introduced the item. The board members and staff discussed how to structure the different concepts and ideas of the Energy Policy. Mr. Phelan listed four main goals of the current policy:  Reliability  Environment  Economics  Partnership Highlights from the discussion:  A board member asked if the Energy Board is allowed to change the scope of the Energy Policy and how much input they will have with the document. Mr. Catanach stated the board should focus on writing the Energy Policy, with an understanding that they need to be informed and aware of the other City policies.  The board members discussed the best ways to approach revising the policy and how influential they can be with the policy.  The board members discussed how to connect the Energy Policy and City Plan.  The board members discussed how to set timelines and goals within the policy. Board Member Moore moved that the Energy Board adopt the memo as revised during the meeting for City Council’s consideration at their May retreat. Board Member Kronkosky seconded the motion.