Draft Minutes Energy Conservation Strategies Commission February 18, 2008, 6:00 PM Florida Community Design Center 300 E. University Ave. February 18, 2008, 7:15 PM Grace Knight Conference Room 12 SE 1st Street, Gainesville, FL 32601 Members Present: Dwight Adams; Ed Brown; Fred Depenbrock, Chris Fillie; Pattie Glenn, Tom Lane, Warren Nielsen, Ruth Steiner, Eduardo Vargas, Penny Wheat Others Present: Arden Herrin, Bob Hoot, Sean McLendon 1) Hear Presentation on Light Rail in Ten Years from Rick Henn at Florida Community Design Center 2) Call to Order-Determination of Quorum Grace Knight The meeting was called to order at 7:20 PM. 3) Review and adoption of agenda A motion (Adams, second Fillie) to adopt the agenda was approved without objection. 4) Presentation from Ken Zeichner, on Alachua County EAR process Ken Zeichner gave a presentation on the EAR process and requested comments and suggestions from the ECSC. Chair Wheat recommended that the ECSC’s Energy Element that is in a draft form be the major contribution to EAR process and will attempt to provide this by the first part of April. The Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) provides an opportunity to evaluate the success of the County’s Comprehensive Plan in addressing major community issues and to identify recommendations for updating/revising the Plan based on the EAR, as required by Section 163.3191 of the Florida Statutes. There will be three major phases in the EAR process, culminating in adoption of the EAR by the September 1, 2009 due date established by the Florida Department of Community Affairs. These phases and the components of the Public Participation Process for each phase are identified below. PHASE I: Identification of Major Community Issues (January-June 2008) The first step in the EAR process is to identify the major issues as they relate to the Comprehensive Plan that will be the focus of the EAR leading to a Letter of Understanding with the Department of Community Affairs on the scope of the EAR. Components of public participation in this phase will include: • Publicity about the EAR process through press releases, broadcast media, public service announcements, county webpage including posting of information and draft material as it is developed with request for comment, brochures, storyboards, display ads, use of e-mail lists of groups and individuals compiled for planning projects, mailouts to organized groups and neighborhood associations; these elements will be used throughout the process • Input from County Advisory Committees concerned with Comprehensive Plan • Community meetings/workshops in different parts of the County • Meetings with organizations interested in planning issues • Online survey/questionnaire for citizens to identify major issues • Workshop with representatives of municipalities in the County, adjoining Counties, regional and state agencies on issues and data • Input will be sought both in the form of verbal and written comment • Joint Board of County Commissioners/Local Planning Agency meeting/workshop to consider input from sources listed above and staff recommendations, as well as additional verbal and written comment from public, and to finalize the list of issues to submit to Florida Department of Community Affairs as a basis for the Letter of Understanding on scope of the EAR PHASE II: Development of Recommendations For Update of Plan (June-Nov. 2008) The second phase is to develop recommendations for the update/revision of the Comprehensive Plan, based on data and analysis relative to the major issues identified in Phase I, changes in community circumstances relating to those issues and their social and economic impacts, and assessment of the relevant objectives and policies in the Plan and their effectiveness. Components of public participation in this phase will include: • Publicity as identified for Phase I • Input from County Advisory Committees concerned with Comprehensive Plan • Community meetings/workshops in different parts of the County • Meetings with organizations interested in planning issues • Input will be sought in the form of both verbal and written comment • Joint Board of County Commissioners/Local Planning Agency meetings/workshops to consider input from above-listed sources and staff recommendations, as well as additional verbal and written comment from public PHASE III: Workshops/Public Hearings on the EAR (January-August 2009) This phase will focus on the Evaluation and Report developed based on Phases I and II, leading to adoption of the Report. Components of public participation in this phase will include: • Publicity as identified for Phase I • Joint Board of County Commissioner/Local Planning Agency Meeting/Workshops on the draft EAR (January/February) • Public Hearing by Local Planning Agency on recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners (February/March) • Public Hearing by Board of County Commissioners on submittal to Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and other Agencies for review and comment (April) • Following receipt of comments from DCA and needed revisions, Public Hearing by Board of County Commissioners to Adopt EAR (August 2009) 5) Chair’s Report i) Referral -City of Gainesville: Mr. Richard Schackow & "Forest Creek" subdivision The Gainesville City Manager has challenged the ECSC to come forward with recommendation that both valued our mature tree canopy and provides solar access. Tom Lane provided a solar analysis to Mr. Schackow that enables him to remove the trees that were blocking the sun to the collectors. He sited State of Florida solar isolation laws that deal with this issue. An NPR story from California recently highlighted the problem of neighbors with conflicting solar and tree canopy needs. Chair Wheat will review this issue and formulate a response for the City Manager ii) Subcommittee Draft Report Outline The ECSC interns were introduced to the membership. The interns will serve as staff liaisons to the subcommittees and will assist in the drafting of the report outline such as the Alternative Energy Outline provided at this meeting. A motion (Brown, second Adams) that once the outlines are reviewed, amended and adopted by the subcommittees the members allowed a two week break from meetings was approved without objection. iii) ECSC Vice-Chair and Non-Residential Subcommittee Discussion Mark Spiller may not be able to continue as a member of the ECSC due to health concerns. A new Vice-Chair will be needed and at a future meeting the members should consider electing a new Vice-Chair. Related to this the Non-Residential Subcommittee topics may have to be distributed between functioning subcommittees. Stephen Mulkey has also, had to resign. A new representative from the University of Florida will be needed as well. iv) Update on the Governor’s Action Team on Energy & Climate Change Feb 1st Presentation from Thomas Peterson [PDF - 1.28 MB] - Executive Director of the Center for Climate Change Strategies v) Review GRU Biosolids Application vi) Review of Tabled Motion: Request that the ECSC recommend to the BoCC that it defer approval of GRU’s request to continue the land spreading of biosolids until the ECSC can issue its recommendations related to the GHG emissions and energy recovery potential of the biosolids. vii) Review and Discussion of 1/23/2008 Alternative Energy Subcommittee Motion: "Given the concern about an economic downturn and possible recession, the Alternative Energy subcommittee requests that the full commission authorize chair Penny Wheat to address the county commission at the earliest possible time to request an immediate implementation of the "Berkeley Model" to stimulate job growth and energy conservation in Alachua County." 6) Alternative Energy Subcommittee Draft Report Outline Alternative Energy Subcommittee Report Outline – 02.05.2008 _____________________________________________________________________ **=assignments: DA=Dwight Adams; FD=Fred Depenbrock; HK=Harry Kegelmann 1. Introduction Energy for buildings, industry & infrastructure (electricity) and transportation (fuel) Current levels of consumption (kWh, gallons of fuel) **FD Goal: a) reduce consumption through 1) Conservation 2) Energy efficiency b) increased use of Renewable/Alternative Energy Forms of alternative energy (hydro, biomass, solar, wind, geothermal (define, compare and contrast to ground source heat pump), hydrogen, methane, ocean current) – local feasibility Transition to sustainable energy supply Aggressive energy conservation program 2. Energy for Buildings, Industry and Infrastructure Detailed discussion of current energy consumption within Alachua County **FD List current utility companies and their rebate programs **FD Explanation of utility bill (service charge, electric charge, fuel adjustment) and why it might increase; portion which customers can affect **FD 2.1 Renewable Local Electricity Generation Current power generation & existing base **FD Use of Natural Gas (& lifecycle GHG emissions) Biomass (& lifecycle GHG emissions) Solar Electric (& lifecycle GHG emissions) Distributed Generation 2.2 Energy Conservation Solar thermal Energy efficient appliances Home insulation Behavior change ‘NegaWatts’ Ground source heat sink HVAC system; ground source heat pumps 3. Energy for Transportation Discuss current fuel consumption within Alachua County Discussion of projected shortage of oil (peak oil) and increased prices 3.1 Alternative Fuel Production **HK Biodiesel Ethanol Methane/Biogas Hydrogen 3.2 Alternative Transportation **HK Ridesharing Park and Ride Public transportation (bus and light rail, bicycle rental program) Biogas powered buses Hybrid vehicles Electric bikes Electric vehicles Neighborhood vehicles Supporting infrastructure 4. Economic, employment and political security: Job Opportunities/Economic Economic development and local employment Energy Independence Money saved (B. Franklin: a penny saved is a penny earned) Benefits 7) Vice-Chair Report None. 8) “10 ideas” submissions & discussion: Discussion of background information or resources needed for section reports Energy Conservation Strategies Committee – Energy Saving Ideas Residential Energy Conservation Building Ordinance February 2008 Background Residential buildings use a significant amount of energy. Older buildings tend to be less efficient and use more energy than newer buildings. ___% Gainesville residential homes were built before _____ and are not energy efficient. To help make these homes more energy efficient a Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance (RECO) would be helpful. This ordinance would set minimun standards for energy efficiecncy in Gainesville residences – single family and multi-family buildings. Three seems to be a lot of reasons why this type of ordinance won’t work. • Too many rental properties • Landlords won’t go for it • It will increase the rents for low-income people • You can’t do that in Florida • It’s too expensive • Too expensive to administer College towns across the country have these Residential Energy Conservation Ordinances. Below is a list of a few college towns that have RECOs and a list of links for more information on these RECOs: Burlington,Vermont Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (University of Vermont, Champlain College, Burlington College) http://www.burlingtonelectric.com/EnergyEfficiency/tos2.htm http://www.burlingtonelectric.com/EnergyEfficiency/tos3.htm http://www.burlingtonelectric.com/EnergyEfficiency/tos1.htm Wisconsin Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard - Time of Sale (1985) (Marquette University, University of Wisconsin, Lawrence University) http://commerce.wi.gov/SBdocs/SB-RentalWeatherizationBrochure7366.pdf Berkeley, CA Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance (UC Berkeley) http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/sustainable/residents/ResSidebar/RECO.html Boulder, Colorado Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance (University of Boulder) http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/files/Environmental%20Affairs/CAPAG/reco_re port_boulder.pdf The Florida Building Commission is to convene a work group to develop a model residential energy efficiency ordinance. http://chambersouth.com/index.php?src=news&refno=118&category=Press%20 Releases&PHPSESSID=28ad14a7793ecd47a15e5874059aa7fc San Francisco, California Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance (City College of San Francisco, San Francisco State University, UC Irvine, University of San Francisco) http://www.sfbaywindow.com/articles/1/4/146.html Davis, California (UC Davis) Ann Arbor, Michigan (University of Michigan) Solutions Initiate a study of the RECOs in these communities to identify best practices for these ordinances. Have a grad/PhD student(s) at UF perform the study at little or no cost to the county. A student studying sustainabilty may be an ideal candidate for this work. Another UF student may be able to develop a RECO for Alachua County that meets the unique characteristics of Alachua County. Have County and City staff work together to develop the RECO for AC and Gainesville. Resources Prepared by Ed Brown 9) Correspondence Received From: Skell, Rosemary A. [mailto:skellra@cityofgainesville.org] Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 12:18 PM To: Wheat, Penny Subject: RE: Referral -City of Gainesville: Mr. Richard Schackow & "Forest Creek" subdivision Ms. Penny: Per your request, please allow this e-mail to serve as confirmation that Russ Blackburn is in receipt of your e-mail. Additional information will follow at a later date Hope you are doing well. Have a wonderful day, Rose Rosemary Skell Administrative Assistant to the City Manager From: penny [mailto:penny@gru.net] Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2008 1:35 PM To: citymgr Cc: bocc@alachuacounty.us; Rhr@alachuacounty.us; David Wagner; Legal; energy@alachuacount.us Subject: Referral -City of Gainesville: Mr. Richard Schackow & "Forest Creek" subdivision Russ, Referral This message is a formal referral to you of Mr. Richard Schackow’s inquiries re: obstacles he said he has encountered in attempting to proceed with his Forest Creek development within Gainesville. Contact information is: rlschackow@aol.com Please let me know that you have received this message by responding to: energy@alachuacounty.us ... Background In its final report (August, 2008) to the Alachua County Commission, the Alachua County Energy Conservation Strategies Commission (ECSC) plans to include recommendations re: building and development issues involved with sustainable energy homes (and those with renewable energy systems.) The advisory committee recognizes that this is probably unfamiliar territory for local governments within Alachua County, and that some existing building requirements may thwart, or make very difficult, construction of net-zero energy homes or subdivisions. The ECSC hopes to ease a transition to the future by providing the County Commission with best practices from other communities, as well as suggestions for how to proceed locally. It is reasonable to expect that the County Commission would then share these findings with other local governments. ECSC meeting, February 4, 2008 At this past week’s ECSC meeting, Mr. Richard Schackow attended and shared his experiences (and some obstacles encountered) in developing “Forest Creek”, a sustainable energy subdivision located at NW 17th Street and NW 34th Avenue in Gainesville. Mr. Schackow stated that Forest Creek will be the first net-zero energy subdivision built in Gainesville. Mr. Schackow told the advisory committee that he is working closely with the US Department of Energy (US DOE) on this project, and that US DOE is responsible for testing and verifying the net-zero energy veracity of the homes built. US DOE, several television programs and others are apparently interested in filming the Forest Creek subdivision example, and would have already done so, except for some of the administrative obstacles Mr. Schackow has encountered in the Gainesville building process. After conversation, advisory committee members asked if I would bring Mr. Schackow’s concerns to your attention. Knowing that Mayor Hanrahan testified before Congress last summer about Gainesville’s support for energy conservation, ECSC members also recommended that Mr. Schackow personally meet with her. Request Since Mr. Schackow’s project may indeed be Gainesville’s “guinea pig” net-zero energy project (from which Gainesville and other local governments learn, in order to encourage development of such projects in the future), the ECSC will want to follow how Mr. Schackow’s issues are handled. It is likely the ECSC will want to include this in the final report as a local example of how best to proceed. Therefore, would it be possible for you to help the ECSC understand how you handle resolution of Mr. Schackow’s issues (process and results)? The ECSC thanks you in advance for your assistance in this matter. With kind regards, Penny Wheat Chair, Alachua County Energy Conservation Strategies Commission Cc: Alachua County Commission Randall Reid, Alachua County Manager David Wagner, Alachua County Attorney Marion Radson, City of Gainesville Attorney Alachua County ECSC (energy@alachuacounty.us) 10) Public Comments 11) ECSC Meeting Schedule (Mar 3, 17 and Apr 7 5:30 PM) 12) Subcommittee Meeting Dates · · Alternative Energy: Tuesdays 2:30 PM - Feb 19, 26 and Mar 4 Commercial Governmental Institutional Buildings: Tuesdays 3:30 PM - Feb 19, 26 and Mar 4 · Waste and Energy Implications: Tuesdays 4:00 PM - Feb 19, 26 and Mar 4 · Residential Buildings: Wednesdays 3PM -Feb 20, 27 and Mar 5 · Land Use and Transportation: Wednesdays 3:30PM - Feb 20, 27 and Mar 5 13) Motion to Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 9 PM