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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnergy Board - Minutes - 02/06/2014Energy Board Meeting Minutes February 6, 2014 1 Fort Collins Utilities Energy Board Minutes Thursday, February 6, 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, Board Members Stacey Baumgarn, Nick Michell, Peggy Plate, Margaret Moore, John Graham, Phil Friedman, and Michael Doss Board Absent Vice Chairperson Peter O’Neill Staff Present Steve Catanach, John Phelan, Lisa Rosintoski, Lucinda Smith, Paul Sizemore, Cyril Vidergar, Darin Atteberry, Ginny Sawyer, and Harriet Davis Guests Mike Pruznick, Eric Sutherland, Rick Coen, and John Bleem Meeting Convened Chairperson Behm called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. Public Comment Mike Pruznick expressed his concerns about the following:  Fort Collins Solar Program: He feels the City should eliminate the 120 percent limit rule and that the limit should be more technical-based.  Electric Car Exception: He feels the limit should be based on garage spots, independent of cars owned.  3 Kilowatt Rebate: He feels the rebate should be based on actual efficiency and that Utilities should encourage the maximum use of available solar.  Platte River Power Authority (PRPA): He feels as there is a move to renewable energy sources, there should be a focus on maintaining the lowest cost possible. Eric Sutherland expressed his concerns about the Advanced Meter Project and the costs associated with this program. He feels the project will not benefit the community. He also feels this project should be part of the discussion in regards to the recruitment of the new Utilities Executive Director. Approval of January 9, 2014 Minutes Board Member Baumgarn moved to approve the minutes of the January 9, 2014 meeting. Board Member Moore seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: Yeas: Baumgarn, Behm, Doss, Friedman, Graham, Michell, and Moore. Nays: None. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. Energy Board Meeting Minutes February 6, 2014 2 * Board Member Plate was not present for the vote. Staff Reports Light and Power Operations Manager Steve Catanach reported Utilities staff has been attending a series of Strategic Planning Workshops. Energy Services Manager John Phelan shared an update on the Solar Power Purchase Program. Applications have been received for Round 2. If requests exceed available funding, a lottery drawing will be held. Officer Elections Board Member Baumgarn moved to nominate Chairperson Behm to continue as Chairperson for 2014. In an earlier e-mail communication dated January 26, 2014, Vice Chairperson O’Neill nominated himself to continue as Vice Chairperson for 2014. Vote on the motion: Yeas: Baumgarn, Behm, Doss, Friedman, Graham, Michell, and Moore. Nays: None. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. ** Board Member Plate was not present for the vote. Recruitment Process for New Utilities Executive Director City Manager Darin Atteberry and Hiring Process Project Coordinator Ginny Sawyer attended the meeting to share the recruitment process for the position. Brian Janonis, the current Executive Director, is retiring in March. An executive recruitment firm has been hired to fill the position. There were 43 contacts for the position and 27 resumes were submitted. The recruitment firm recommended 15 applicants. This has been narrowed down to a list of 8 applicants. The recruitment firm is also filling the Deputy City Manager position. The current Deputy City Manager, Diane Jones, is also retiring in March. 150 applicants were received for this position. Mr. Atteberry shared his expectations for the Executive Director position:  Excellent communication skills;  Excellent technical competencies;  Executive leadership skills;  Executive advisory skills;  Someone that can maintain positive relationships with Boards and Commissions, City staff, the City Manager, the Executive Leadership Team, City Council, the business community, and the environmental community. The position posting was shared with the board members. Highlights from the discussion:  A board member expressed his thanks for Mr. Atteberry’s visit. The board member feels a flexible candidate is ideal since there are multiple energy-related changes coming over the next ten years. The board member feels the person should be open-minded and receptive to change. Also, a calm leadership is important. Energy Board Meeting Minutes February 6, 2014 3  A board member would like to see a strong leader in the position and someone that can engage the community, not only the Utility.  Mr. Atteberry noted that Mr. Janonis had a strong legacy at Utilities with the impact of Utilities for the 21st Century.  A board member feels the ideal candidate must understand the needs and circumstances of western water and the arid west. A person living in the west views water differently than someone living in the east. The person must have a strong understanding of water supply and water conservation.  A board member feels the ideal candidate must have a strong vision for the future. The board member referenced when PRPA was hiring for their General Manager position. The Energy Board also provided input for this position. The board member feels the ideal candidate should be a strong leader in regards to leading other member communities.  A board member feels the ideal candidate should have an understanding of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. Mr. Atteberry would like a member of the Energy Board to be involved on an interview panel. He is also seeking feedback from the Water Board. More details will be made available next week. *** Board Member Plate arrived at 6:05 p.m. Review Board Charter and Meeting Conduct (Attachment available upon request). Assistant City Attorney Cyril Vidergar attended the meeting to review the board charter and meeting conduct for the benefit of the new members and as a refresher for the existing members. This review included the following:  City Code, Chapter 2, Division 14 creating the Energy Board. The Energy Board was created in 2011 after the Electric Board was dissolved.  The City’s Boards and Commissions Manual was updated in April 2013. The board members should contact the City Clerk’s Office for a copy. This document can also be found on the City website: http://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/boards.php.  The board members have all received a copy of the Energy Board Member Manual. This document is provided by the Board Secretary.  The board members must complete the online training provided by the Clerk’s Office.  Energy Board Bylaws must be adopted per the code. The bylaws state the board must elect by simple majority a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson each year.  Board members hold 4 year terms with no more than 2 consecutive terms.  The meeting minutes must accurately reflect what occurred at the meeting.  The meetings shall occur in the order of the agenda; however, the chairperson may change the order of the agenda.  A work plan must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by November 30 each year.  The board can hold an Executive Session by two-thirds majority.  Public participation is part of the meeting; however, it is acceptable for the timing of public comment to be limited to ensure continuous flow of the meeting. Mr. Vidergar provided an overview of Robert’s Rules of Order:  Only one person can have the floor at a time.  Only one question can be considered at a time. Energy Board Meeting Minutes February 6, 2014 4  A quorum must be present for the board to take action on an item.  The minutes must accurately reflect motions and the discussions surrounding motions.  Any board member can ask for a motion to be vocalized again. Mr. Vidergar provided details on the role of the Chairperson/Vice Chairperson:  Determine if there is a quorum for the meeting  Recognize speakers  Maintain order  Work with Board Staff Liaison to coordinate and plan the meeting agendas Mr. Vidergar and the board members discussed the proper procedure regarding motions:  Board members can make friendly amendments to motions or withdraw motions.  Board members can move to postpone an issue. This item would be pended until the next regular meeting.  Board members can move for a point of order.  Board members can ask for a restatement of the motion if they need clarification on the motion.  There must be a motion and a second to adjourn the meeting. Highlights from the discussion:  A board member inquired if the board is obligated to respond to public comment. Mr. Vidergar stated there is no obligation for the board members to respond to public comment. The board members can thank the citizen for their comments and state they will take the comments under consideration. Proposed Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Goals Memo to Council/Energy Policy/Climate Action Plan (Attachments available upon request). Mr. Phelan and Environmental Services Director Lucinda Smith presented information on this item. Local Extreme Heat Report:  The graph showed three straight days 90 degrees or hotter in Fort Collins, with averages for 1961-1999 and 2000-2013. This increased from an average of two events per year to an average of six events per year.  The graph also showed projections for 2046-2065 and 2081-2100 for both lower future emissions and medium-high emissions. The graph showed an increase in the number of events per year. Increased Wildfire Risk:  Up to 6 degree warmer summers by 2040  Continued declines in snowpack  Declines in water availability and soil moisture Research to Date:  GHG goal alternatives evaluation (Brendle Group)  “Stepping Up” White Paper (Rocky Mountain Institute)  PRPA planning Energy Board Meeting Minutes February 6, 2014 5 Fort Collins GHG Alternatives:  Alternative A (Keep current goal: 80 percent below 2005 baseline by 2050)  Alternative B (Increase magnitude: 100 percent below 2005 baseline by 2050)  Alternative C (Accelerate timeframe: 80 percent below 2005 baseline by 2030) Can achieve 80 percent below 2005 by 2030 through:  Reduced building energy use 31 percent through efficiency  Carbon neutral electricity by 2030  Reduced transportation emissions by 48 percent Staff is seeking direction from Council on which alternative they should choose:  Support for upcoming climate action planning to consider two scenarios: accelerated goal for 2030 and carbon neutral by 2050, or current goal of 80 percent reduction by 2050  Feedback on which values/principles to emphasize in upcoming climate action planning  Feedback on next steps for the Climate Action Plan update Public Perspectives-2011 Fort Collins Air Quality Survey:  86 percent said governments should offer voluntary programs that enable citizens and businesses to reduce climate change  74 percent said governments should enact legislation and regulations intended to reduce climate change Next Steps  Technical/Economic Analysis  Public Engagement  Energy Policy Update (2014)  Climate Action Plan Update (2014) Highlights from the discussion:  A board member inquired if Council feels that any of the three scenarios will achieve the same goal. The board member feels Fort Collins’ contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is very small, and regardless of the scenario chosen, the impact will not solve the worldwide climate problem. The board member feels any effort to go beyond the current goal should not be about saving the planet, but should be about the other benefits such as leadership positioning and innovation opportunity.  A board member feels the plan has to be of value to the community. The plan cannot have a detrimental effect on the community.  A board member inquired if staff is asking Council for resources to study this further. Ms. Smith stated staff is asking Council to provide direction for the planning exercise.  A board member is concerned about costs and the impact to those individuals with a lower income. The board member feels there should be baseline costs for various scenarios.  A board member feels strategies should be updated. The strategies should be relevant and should enhance the values of the community.  A board member feels the cost of carbon must be emphasized.  A board member likes the idea of the three scenarios, but cannot assess the macro and micro economic impact until the studies are conducted. Energy Board Meeting Minutes February 6, 2014 6  A board member feels Council needs to look at the risk of action versus the risk of inaction. The board member also feels Fort Collins needs to be in a leadership role regarding renewable energy and efficiency.  A board member inquired about the timing of data. Ms. Smith stated the Brendle Group has been hired to conduct the data analysis. This includes looking at groups of strategies and different scenarios. Ms. Smith stated the actual analysis would need to be completed by late summer. As part of the discussion, PRPA Strategic Planning and Customer Service Director John Bleem shared the PRPA schedule. Stakeholder input is scheduled for the first quarter and an analysis would be conducted during the second quarter. A draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is scheduled to be released in September. This will also include a projected cost of carbon.  A board member would like to see the costs for an average homeowner to offset the potential rate increases.  A board member inquired if the board should submit the drafted memo to Council to recommend the City adopt more aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals. Ms. Smith stated she feels it is helpful for the board to provide their opinion.  A board member stated public policy has consequences for all community members. Some consequences are split among different demographics. The board member feels there are ways to address those who are economically impacted by the actions of the community. The board member feels there is always someone that will be negatively impacted by public policy. These impacts should be minimized or mitigated if possible. Discussion on the motion: Chairperson Behm shared some background information on the draft memo. The Chair and Vice Chair of four boards (Energy Board, Transportation Board, Natural Resources Advisory Board, and Air Quality Advisory Board) collectively drafted a memo to encourage the City to adopt more aggressive greenhouse gas goals. The draft memo included in the packet is a variation on this. The memo will represent the Energy Board’s advice to Council and is not based on a directive from staff. The board members discussed revising the memo. A board member would like to see a greenhouse gas reduction goal for 2030. He feels the 2050 goal is too abstract. A board member feels urgency about the issue of climate change, but wants more information before voting on the memo. A board member would like to amend the memo, but feels voting on the memo should be pended to the next regular meeting. The bold-faced statement was revised to remove the wording regarding “carbon-neutral status by 2050,” and the wording regarding “greenhouse gas reduction goals for 2020, 2030, and 2040.” Chairperson Behm moved that the Energy Board adopt the memo as written. Board Member Michell seconded the motion.