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Approved Minutes - 2015-09-21 CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes September 21, 2015 Call to Order / Roll Call Co-chair Mary Ratcliff called the September 21, 2015 meeting of the Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB) to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Main Fire Station, 300 B Avenue, Lake Oswego, Oregon. Members Present: Co-Chair Mary Ratcliff, Richard Canaday, Paul Soper, Karl Friesen, Sasha Wallinger, Eliot Metzger, Councilor Jon Gustafson Members Excused/Absent Priya Judge, Gary Hanifan, Gabriel Key Staff: Jenny Slepian, Sustainability and Management Fellow Guest: Duke Castle, LOSN; Charlie Fisher, Environment Oregon Announcements from Board and Staff The group did quick introductions as this was the first meeting for the new members. Jenny Slepian gave a quick update on the Commute Challenge and progress on the Operations Center. There was a brief discussion on a proposal to combine NRAB with SAB. The Board agreed to add this to next month’s agenda and to look at the history of the two boards in the meantime, as SAB came from NRAB originally. Richard Canaday proposed that the Board look more closely at NRAB’s goals and have a joint meeting with them to explore the topic a little more. Approval of Minutes The Board unanimously approved the July 21, 2015 meeting minutes. Public Comment None. Regular Business A. Review Agenda Co-Chair Ratcliff reviewed the meeting agenda. B. City Council Update/City Council Goals Update Councilor Gustafson updated the board on the Enterprise Fleet Management decision to contract with Enterprise to handle fleet purchasing and maintenance for non-emergency vehicles. He expressed concern that the initial proposal would move the City to an all SUV fleet, replacing Priuses. At the Council hearing, there was enough support to send the vehicle choices back to staff and departments to find vehicles that meet goals of the Sustainability Action Plan for City Operations. He informed the Board that it is not too late to send comments to Council because staff is re-evaluating decisions. This is setting an example for recurring purchasing. Cost analysis was well done, but cost was negligible between hybrid versus non-hybrid options. No cost rationale to not do a hybrid. City of Lake Oswego Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes September 21, 2015 Page 2 of 3 Gustafson also updated the board on the on Operations Center design. Anthony Hooper will bring a menu of features to Council that may push the cost of the project past the $13 million cap and Council will be able to choose which features make sense to include based on a complete life cycle cost analysis. The Operations Center project is just at beginning of design process. Mary Ratcliff suggested that Paul Soper help review some of the life cycle costs associated projects. Jon Gustafson suggested getting the architect in for an SAB meeting. Karl Friesen pointed out that ETO will subsidize a design charrette, which was an appealing suggestion to the group. The Board recommended that Jenny Slepian provide this feedback to Anthony Hooper to urge the design team to hold a charrette. Councilor Gustafson also informed the Board that Charles Collins was appointed as the new City Council member to replace Karen Bowerman. C. Environment Oregon Solar Policy Program- Charlie Fisher Charlie Fisher is an Advocate with Environment Oregon, a statewide, grassroots environmental organization whose main priority right now is promoting the development of solar energy. Fisher stated that in Oregon, we get 0.2 percent of energy from solar. Typical system size on a roof is 3- 5kW- accounts for 1/5 of total electricity usage for an Oregon household. He presented to SAB to ask the City of Lake Oswego to take some action to promote solar. Local communities need to set an example for the state level. Fisher outlined three policy areas where the City can make a difference. The first policy recommendation is to set an installation goal, or target. Fisher stated that this would show that the city is prioritizing solar and also holds the City accountable for reaching this goal. This also sets the stage for the City to promote solar. Sasha Wallinger asked if tax credits are available, which Fisher replied are available at the state and federal level. The next step could be to organize a Solarize campaign. Mary Ratcliff provided some background to the Solarize LO and West Linn campaigns- they were successful but there wasn’t much funding for it after it was over. Fisher explained that if there was another Solarize campaign in Lake Oswego, the program would provide a discount on solar installations for signups during that period. The third policy area would be community outreach, focused on marketing the program both online and in person. Happy Valley has a current program worth looking at. Partnering with Northwest Solar Communities would reduce time and costs associated with getting solar. “Soft costs” are the best place to reduce permitting costs. Referred to NW Solar Communities website. Mary Ratcliff brought up community solar as an alternative, as 75% of homes in LO can’t have solar due to their orientation or trees. She asked for recommendations on places where there are opportunities for solar, like schools and large rooftops. There are studies going on right now on how community solar can happen, as utilities currently do not provide bill credits for community solar. Richard Canaday suggested having an education program that clearly explains the costs of installation. Eliot Metzger asked if there were any suggestions for others to bring with us as emerging allies to show that this is developing business. Mary Ratcliff mentioned the Sustainable Homes Tour in October 17, 1-4pm and that this would be a great place to advertise. Councilor Gustafson will work with the planning and building departments on reducing soft costs. He asked the Board to write a letter in favor of solar to the Council. Jon Gustafson and Jenny Slepian agreed to do some research and have a study session at the next SAB meeting. Richard Canaday moved to approve moving forward with the concepts and to have a study group at the next session. Sasha Wallinger seconded, with unanimous approval. City of Lake Oswego Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes September 21, 2015 Page 3 of 3 D. Ongoing City Projects for SAB Involvement Jenny Slepian gave a quick update on projects that SAB should keep on their radar. The High Performance Buildings Guidelines are being edited to reflect comments received from staff. Paul Soper and Karl Friesen offered to provide some input and feedback on the guidelines to help tailor them to the Lake Oswego context. Slepian also informed the Board that she is on the Stormwater Manual Policy Advisory Committee and will represent the sustainability perspective. She asked all Board members to review the manual on the website and provide feedback to her that she can provide to the PAC. E. 2015 Goals Update and Reports The Board had a quick conversation on updating goals for 2016. They need to be all done by January and approved by Council in February. Mary Ratcliff suggested carving out time in our remaining 2015 meetings to discuss this. F. 2015 Outreach Discussion and Review Mary Ratcliff updated that all summer projects are done, and the Board will discuss the commute challenge at the next meeting. She asked for some help volunteering at the Green Homes Tour. Mary also stated that we need to start getting contracts for movies. Looking at getting four movies. Sasha Wallinger suggested having the dates ready by October 17 to be able to hand out flyers at the home tour. Eliot Metzger suggested having a youth film making competition next year and Sasha suggested partnering with a college or NW Film Institute. Duke Castle mentioned that the Clackamas County sustainability awards will take place on October 23 in Council Chambers. Nine businesses will be given an award. A dozen more are starting the process. Mary presented on the LOSN celebration event on Nov. 4. Richard Canaday is giving classes at the ACC on climate change and sustainability. Getting more people at each meeting. Adjournment Co-chair Ratcliff adjourned the meeting at 8:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jenny Slepian Sustainability and Management Fellow