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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnergy Board - Minutes - 06/05/2014Energy Board Meeting Minutes June 5, 2014 1 Fort Collins Utilities Energy Board Minutes Thursday, June 5, 2014 Energy Board Chairperson City Council Liaison Greg Behm, 226-6161 Ross Cunniff, 420-7398 Energy Board Vice Chairperson Staff Liaison Peter O’Neill, 288-4562 Steve Catanach, 416-2622 Roll Call Board Present Chairperson Greg Behm, Vice Chairperson Peter O’Neill, Board Members Nick Michell, Margaret Moore, John Graham, Stacey Baumgarn, Michael Doss, Phil Friedman, and Peggy Plate Staff Present Lucinda Smith, John Phelan, Paul Sizemore, Cyril Vidergar, and Harriet Davis Guests Fred Kirsch, Asad Aziz, and John Bleem Meeting Convened Chairperson Behm called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. Public Comment None Approval of May 1, 2014 Minutes Board Member Moore moved to approve the minutes of the May 1, 2014 meeting with corrections as outlined below. Board Member Friedman seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: Yeas: Baumgarn, Behm, Friedman, Graham, Michell, Moore, O’Neill, and Plate. Nays: None. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. The May minutes will be revised with the following changes:  Changed “reconsider” to “rescind” in first paragraph under “Time of Use (TOU) Rates” on page 5.  Changed “reconsider” to “rescind” in motion on page 6. * Board Member Doss abstained due to his absence at the May 1 meeting. Staff Reports Energy Services Manager John Phelan gave an update on the recruitment process for the new Utilities Executive Director. Interviews are currently being conducted. A decision is expected next week regarding the decision. Also, installation has begun for the pilot demand response thermostats. The next generation of On-Bill Financing has been scheduled for City Council in late October. A board member asked for an update on the Community Solar Program. The Clean Energy Collective has been selected for the program. This is scheduled for the old pickle plant site at Energy Board Meeting Minutes June 5, 2014 2 Mulberry and Riverside. The Clean Energy Collective will coordinate construction and operation of the project. The project has been through the City’s initial conceptual planning review. There is also some funding available from Art in Public Places. A board member feels it would be nice to use a Colorado-based solar company. FC Moves Program Manager Paul Sizemore shared an update on the Max Bus Rapid Transit System. Service started on May 12, 2014. The system is averaging approximately 2,000-3,000 trips daily. It is currently free through the end of August. The City is also gearing up for Bike to Work Day. This is scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, 2014. Boards and Commissions Outreach (Police Chief Hutto) Police Chief John Hutto visited the board to introduce himself and offer the board members a chance to provide feedback. Chief Hutto shared his background. He previously served as Assistant Police Chief for the City of Austin, Texas. Fort Collins Police Services is a nationally recognized program. The department has approximately 200 officers and 100 support personnel. Highlights from the discussion:  A board member inquired about the number of officers on bike patrol. Chief Hutto stated approximately 25 officers are bike certified.  A board member inquired about converting existing vehicles to more fuel efficient vehicles. Chief Hutto stated he is interested in exploring alternate vehicles such as electric vehicles.  A board member stated she has been very pleased with the police response time regarding some vandalism in her neighborhood.  A board member expressed concern about the atmosphere in Old Town during the early hours of the morning. Chief Hutto stated the department conducts due diligence regarding sending the right type of officers to handle particular situations in this area.  A board member expressed concern about potential noise levels for future condos along the Max corridor. This is something for Police Services and City staff to consider as the area experiences more growth.  A board member inquired about the reason for changing the color scheme of the patrol cars to black and white. Chief Hutto stated this has become a national trend. Studies have shown individuals feel safer when the police are visible. He also stated this was the right opportunity for the change due to an aging fleet.  A board member stated he is a member of a Budgeting for Outcomes (BFO) team. The board member expressed concern about a picture on the City’s Strategic Plan that shows teenagers posing with a SWAT armored vehicle as though they are holding weapons. The board member is concerned about the context of this image. Chief Hutto stated this image was taken during the Teenage Police Academy. He is aware there may be some sensitivity regarding these types of images. Update on Climate Action Plan (CAP) Structure/Development (Attachment available upon request). Environmental Services Director Lucinda Smith shared an update on the Climate Action Plan. CAP Planning Objectives  Community-wide greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal of 20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2030  Presentation to City Council by the end of 2014 2013 Status Energy Board Meeting Minutes June 5, 2014 3  Ms. Smith presented a graph showing Fort Collins Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Sales and Use Tax, and Population from 2005 through 2013.  Ms. Smith noted an increase in natural gas use since 2012. This information was made available by Xcel Energy.  The board members and staff discussed the electricity portfolio and the impacts on the results. General Schedule  A Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC) has been formed. There are also plans to incorporate national technical experts.  Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) will also be involved.  This item is scheduled for City Council Work Sessions in August and October. Vision/Framework Ms. Smith presented the vision and framework under consideration. Community engagement is an important element. The plan will also look at the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) impact. Roles and Responsibilities Ms. Smith presented the roles and responsibilities of the Citizen Advisory Committee. This is a stakeholder group to ensure various perspectives are heard and that the draft CAP reflects the desires of the community. CAC  22-25 members  Art Bavoso will be the facilitator  High level - input, review, and comment  Meet periodically Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) Modeling Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) Ms. Smith presented the PRPA Modeling IGA. This has been presented to City Council. Mr. Phelan shared some additional information on this, including electricity modeling analyses of particular scenarios and outputs. Brendle Group Analysis/Metrics Ms. Smith presented information on the Brendle Group analysis and metrics. These include inputs, analysis, outputs, reports, and additional assessments. Next Steps  Discuss needs for technical experts (scheduled for Friday, June 6)  Advisory Committee (the first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 12)  Brendle (refine scope of work)  PRPA/Utilities Modeling Project Charter  Schedule Public Engagement Highlights from the discussion:  A board member inquired if there is interest from the other member cities regarding the study. PRPA Strategic Planning and Customer Service Director John Bleem stated the four member cities have agreed to this as part of the PRPA Strategic Plan. Energy Board Meeting Minutes June 5, 2014 4  A board member inquired about the length of the plan. Will it be a five-year plan? Ms. Smith stated the plan will have varying levels of details for varying horizons. She feels it would be more than a five-year plan.  A board member inquired if there is a requirement for renewing the plan. Ms. Smith feels the plan should specify the frequency of updates.  A board member inquired about a possible Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation to reduce carbon pollution. Mr. Bleem stated that if this is approved, it would be a state-wide plan and would apply to all Utilities. Process for Board Representation to Citizen Advisory Committee (Climate Action Plan) Chairperson Behm introduced the item. Board Member Moore has volunteered to serve on the committee. Board Member Baumgarn has volunteered to serve as the alternate. Ms. Smith is working on developing a schedule for the committee. The Citizen Advisory Committee will follow each monthly Energy Board meeting. Highlights from the discussion:  A board member inquired if Board Member Moore will represent her personal opinions or the opinions of the Energy Board. Ms. Smith stated this will be an important part of the communication presented to those serving on the committee. She foresees the committee members representing their own opinions.  Chairperson Behm requested that any materials and/or minutes from these committee meetings be distributed to the Energy Board members.  A board member previously served on a Citizen Advisory Committee. The board member felt the committee members generally represented the opinions of their respective boards.  A board member feels optimistic about the Citizen Advisory Committee. He is glad so many entities are included. Energy Policy Principles (Attachment available upon request). Vice Chairperson O’Neill introduced the item. He would like the board to discuss how they can proceed with the Energy Policy in conjunction with the Citizen Advisory Committee. He feels an important question to ask is if the Energy Policy is distinct from the Climate Action Plan. Several board members feel these are two distinct documents. Highlights from the discussion:  A board member feels the Energy Policy has been guided by the Climate Action Plan goals.  A board member feels the Energy Board’s work on the Energy Policy will help guide the Climate Action Plan.  A board member feels other boards such as the Transportation Board, Air Quality Advisory Board, Natural Resources Board, and the Economic Advisory Commission should discuss the Climate Action Plan as well.  A board member inquired about how transportation connects with the Climate Action Plan. Mr. Sizemore stated the Transportation Master Plan will be cohesive with the Climate Action Plan. Ms. Smith stated the Climate Action Plan will identify high-level strategies such as changes to Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT).  The board members would like to continue the discussion regarding the Energy Policy and suggested adding this to the Agenda Planning Calendar each month.  The board members discussed the categories of principles of the Energy Policy.  Mr. Phelan stated the Energy Policy will need to reflect the greenhouse gas goals set forth by City Council.