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HomeMy WebLinkAboutConservation Commission - 11/13/2007 APPROVED MINUTES CONSERVATION COMMISSION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2007 7:00 PM, CITY CENTER Prairie Room 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Eapen Chacko (Chair), Ray Daniels, Laura Jester, Sean Katof, Rita Krocak, Geneva MacMillan, Jan Mo sman STUDENT MEMBERS: Marie Loeffelholz, James (JP) Maslyn, Ann Wachutka STAFF: Leslie A. Stovring, Staff Liaison Angela Perschnick, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Commission Chair Chacko called the meeting to order at approximately 7:03 PM. Commissioners Katof and Mosman were absent (Mosman dropped by briefly prior to the meeting and left some materials with Chacko for one segment of the meeting). II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: MacMillan moved, seconded by Jester, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. October 9,2007 MOTION: Daniels moved, seconded by Krocak, to approve the agenda as printed. Motion carried 5-0. IV. REPORTS FROM STAFF A. 20-40-15 Program Update—Speaker Speakers from McKinstry Consulting (Greg, Paul, and Tom) came to speak about the status of their work on the 20-40-15 initiative (increase energy efficiency by 20% and increase fuel efficiency by 40% by 2015). They are currently in the first phase. The CREE (Commercial Real Estate Efficiency) program sponsored by Xcel is being explored as it could give the City some cost-sharing opportunities. They walked through an overview of the process as well as the progress to date. They also discussed the CREE program, some of the recommended improvements and how the program could be expanded out into the community at large. Conservation Commission Minutes November 13,2007 Page 2 The 2005 year will be the baseline for energy-savings measurements. McKinstry uses a "budget neutral" process, which means they propose implementing capital projects that will largely payback in efficiencies that save energy costs over a reasonable timeframe. Heat and lighting system modifications are part of the process. The Xcel program is for owner-occupied and leased space, and there is a 30% kicker for 3 years for any improvements implemented in or planned for 2008 (and implemented no later than 2009). McKinstry has done initial walk-throughs of the facilities, completed preliminary identification of conservation measures, and tonight the Project Development Agreement will be presented to the City Council meeting. Next they will complete a detailed engineering study, work on competitive pricing, and put together the final contract that would include guaranteed pricing/savings and a measurement guide. Items McKinstry is evaluating are: improving light quality while reducing energy consumption, upgrading and expanding the computerized control system to improve comfort levels and consume less energy and increasing the capacity of some emergency generators. They also plan to evaluate upgrading the dehumidifiers in the Community Center, and the use of geo-thermal heat in Fire Station #3 (by Community Center). Window replacements at the Senior Center will be evaluated also. They will look into hybrid vehicles also to increase fuel efficiency. The use of small wind turbines to offset electrical costs may also be incorporated at Fire Station #3. Commissioners responded positively to the innovation, efficiency and demonstration value of the geo-thermal pump and the wind turbine. Demonstration projects that can provide an opportunity for community outreach and connections with the school district (students can get involved with the projects as part of their classes) will be included where viable. McKinstry met with the tenants group last week (City Center occupants such as CH Robinson and the school district,). They shared this process with the school district and have plans to work with them more. They have had success in other communities with finding key stakeholders and partnering with them (large energy users), and they have been able to do more together than any one of them could do on their own. They want to make sure to look at everything that is economically feasible and also technologies that are on the horizon (such as small wind turbines). MacMillan asked about geothermal application at the Community Center, and Greg answered that this is not currently taking place or planned for the Community Center. McKinstry stated they want to take what the City is doing and magnify the impact throughout the community. The Xcel CREE program provides a good opportunity to get other stakeholders in the City involved who could also receive benefits. The CREE program expires at the end of 2008 (the 30% benefit). Projects have to be either implemented or under contract and in the queue by the end of 2008 with implementation no later than the end of 2009 to be eligible for the CREE program. Conservation Commission Minutes November 13,2007 Page 3 McKinstry is currently helping the University of Minnesota at Morris become carbon neutral, and these efforts can encourage other entities (businesses, etc.) to jump on board. They have identified the University's energy consumption, and they are well on their way to their goal of carbon neutrality. There will be a 75-80% reduction in emissions from 2006 once all the initiatives are in place. They are utilizing corn stalks for the University's primary fuel source. Daniels asked about the wind turbine currently at the University of Minnesota at Morris, and Paul said it was included in their energy consumption from 2006. Also a few more will be added before the energy initiative is completed there. Small wind turbines are fairly readily available, but large ones are very difficult to buy (there is a long waiting list unless a company with an existing order decides they need fewer or cancels their order; then they may be able to get one). There is also a community outreach and communication system that is part of the initiative, and part of the goal is to take what is being done to increase energy efficiency and to get credit for it. The data will be accessible for research at the University also, and they are hoping the public will be engaged by this process and get on board to modify their behavior also. Stovring suggested that McKinstry visit the Conservation Commission again for an update after their detailed engineering study (DES) is completed (this is expected in early January). Guaranteed pricing and savings will be available once the DES is completed. McKinstry will provide guidance to tell the Conservation Commission what the financial, political, and public relations implications could be from certain initiatives. It was clarified that the City Council needs to approve the money for the initiatives. Daniels asked about the increase in square footage to the Community Center, for example, would affect the 2005 baseline. The City will decide this and could choose to keep the 2005 baseline or build on an assumption of what emissions would have been with the new square footage. Ed Sorenson said we need for the City to show some successes and what they are doing before trying to get other stakeholders on board. One of the challenges is to change enthusiasm for change into demonstrating benefits and creating momentum for getting things done. The commission took a break from 7:45 until approximately 8 PM, when the group reconvened. B. Yard & Garden Expo/Chamber of Commerce Stovring met with Pat Mulqueeny and the people at Grace Church regarding the upcoming Yard & Garden Expo. She will hear back from them soon to find out how many free spaces the City/Commission can have. The Expo will be held on March 8, 2008 from 10am-4pm. The event is aimed at businesses and residents in Eden Prairie. Some ideas for kids' activities included those that would be led by representatives from the Minnesota Zoo and Art Smart, and these would be activities that could be held in a large open space upstairs at Grace Church during the Expo. The Expo is sponsored by the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, and it includes Conservation Commission Minutes November 13,2007 Page 4 mostly outdoors types of businesses, including businesses such as Gander Mountain, builders, landscaping companies, and similar businesses. The cost is $350 per booth. Chacko asked if the Commission would be planning the event at upcoming meetings, and Stovring confirmed that was the plan. An Event Coordinator was hired by the Chamber to help with some aspects of the overall planning also, and they are hoping for higher attendance this year than last year. Daniels said that Eden Prairie has not built up their clientele as much as other cities nearby have. Krocak asked if the commission could involve Pax Christi's environmental group in their efforts for the Expo. Chacko has spoken to and invited them to participate with the commission but has been unable to set something up yet. Stovring said they can plan to have 4-5 speakers in the rooms and asked Commission members to share ideas for possible speakers at the next meeting. Jester mentioned that she knows a speaker who went through the Al Gore training and would probably welcome an opportunity to speak at the Expo. McKinstry could give an update also (as another possible speaker). Chacko noted that Dave Tillman, an expert on grasses at the University of Minnesota, could be asked to speak at the Expo (or someone who works with him). Chacko later suggested that Allied or Waste Management could be asked to speak at the Expo also. C. Springy Workshop—Pond and Lake Care Stovring asked if the group wanted to combine the spring workshop regarding lakes and ponds with the Expo. Jester stated she would rather keep them separate. It was noted that the Expo would be a good place to advertise for the workshop, and a sign up sheet could be available there. Stovring suggested that copies of Rusty Schmidt's new book, Blue Thumb Guide to the Rain Gardens, could be handed out at the workshop and she will look into purchasing some copies. V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS A. Nobel Conference MacMillan attended the most recent Nobel Conference (#43) last month. This year's topic was "Heating Up, THE ENERGY DEBATE." The focus was on finding and harnessing energy resources. A summary of the conference was provided with the agenda for tonight's meeting, and MacMillan described highlights from the conference during the meeting. She also emphasized that people need to speak out on these types of issues to make a difference in their communities and the world. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Chance A Light Campaisn Update Conservation Commission Minutes November 13,2007 Page 5 There were no updates for the Change A Light Campaign. Daniels asked where the rebates are coming from. Chacko stated there are instant rebates at Menards and Ace available in October and possibly November too. B. Work Plan for 2008 Stovring asked for feedback on the 2008 Work Plan before it is presented to the City Council, and she clarified that changes can be made to the Work Plan as is appropriate throughout the year too. At the December 4 City Council meeting, Chacko will present updates on the Conservation Commission's initiatives, including highlights from the 2008 Work Plan, to the Council. Jester asked about the potential rebate and cost sharing programs, and she wanted to make sure these were included in the Work Plan. Stovring clarified that these programs are mentioned near the end of the Work Plan. Krocak asked if they should consider changing the Conservation Commission's charter statement to take out what the Parks & Recreation department is doing. Stovring considers the charter statement still appropriate as written since it lists items the Conservation Commission may do, not what they must or have to do. Jester does not see a need to change the charter, but she is open to considering it if others see a need to change it. Krocak thinks it would make sense to add "no input is needed at this time" to the statement in the Work Plan about these items. The group plans to look into green zoning codes as a group as part of the 2008 work plan. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Educational Material Ideas Daniels and MacMillan went to St. Paul and visited the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Minnesota Department of Commerce during MEA. They found a lot of good printed materials that could be good to distribute at upcoming events, and the Commission can order as many copies of them as they would like for future use. CDs were available from the Minnesota Department of Commerce also. They were also given six or seven names of people to contact who can do programs on shore restoration. Daniels suggested they could provide the materials to churches to give them out at events like the Expo. Stovring noted they could order resources through the Hennepin County web site also. MacMillan asked if the DNR would have a booth at the Yard & Garden Expo, and Stovring said she is not sure yet. Stovring is still waiting to find out how many free spots the City will have. The students said there is not much for environmental science available in the high school,but a lot of students would be interested if it were distributed. Conservation Commission Minutes November 13,2007 Page 6 Chacko briefly presented information from Jan Mosman, including a report from Crowling Power, which talks about issues like those addressed in the 20-40-15 initiative. VIII. INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS /HANDOUTS/COMMUNICATIONS IX. UPCOMING EVENTS A. Presentation at City Council—December 4, 2007 Chacko will present an update on behalf of the Conservation Commission at the December 41h City Council meeting. It was suggested that he incorporate some material from the minutes from the October Conservation Commission meeting into the presentation. The Council workshop is still to be held in January. It would have been in December but was moved to the 2nd meeting in January due to the time that needed to be spent on the budget. B. Yard & Garden Expo—March 8, 2008 X. NEXT MEETING A. December 11, 2007 X. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Krocak moved, seconded by Daniels, to adjourn. Motion carried 5-0. Chair Chacko adjourned the meeting at 9:02 PM.