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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS CEC 2024-04-09Climate Smart/Clean Energy Community Task Force Minutes of the Meeting at 5:00 pm Tuesday April 9, 2024 Attendance: Task Force members: Marie McRae, Hunter Barlow, Jack Wright, Christina Dravis, Ray Burger, Joe Wilson, Anne Clark, John Kiefer, and Alice Green, Chair; Excused: Mckenna Crocker and Tom Sinclair. CCE Energy Coordinators Jerry Sheng (Climate Smart Communities) and Chris Skawski (Clean Energy Communities) Call to Order at 5:03 pm Approval of March Minutes: Joe moved and Marie seconded a motion to approve. Unanimous. Additions to the agenda: Discussion of Task Force comments on a proposal for next iteration of state- wide programs for Clean Energy work. Due April 15. Clean Energy Community Actions Review Clean Energy Actions Update – Chris Dryden has 10 documented heat pump installations, qualifying for a $10K grant and 600 CEC points for the successful Clean Heating/Cooling Community Campaign. The newspaper write-up and online form help identify local installations, and some other communities will be using the form. Chris said the town could submit the documentation now and keep working on documenting another 15 for the next level grant, an additional $15K. He’s been contacting contractors for the documentation, and it’s proving harder than expected, so it may not be possible to find another 15 installations. Ray volunteered to gather data from building permits to identify more installations in the town. Chris explained that the new grants cannot be applied to the DPW upgrade already underway, so the task force can begin thinking of other greenhouse gas reducing actions it might undertake with the grant. Alice reviewed the point count for the new $225K NYSERDA grant available for municipalities who achieve 7000 Clean Energy Points before September 30. Dryden currently has 5300. Actions to close the 1700 point gap: • Recertification as a Bronze Climate Smart Community: 800 points. (Application filed last week.) • Successful Community Campaign for 10 heat pump installations: 600 points (To be submitted) • An update to the town’s fleet inventory: 200 points (in progress) • Electric Landscaping Equipment purchase ($10K grant from Community Campaign): 200 points • Potential Total: 1800 points Dryden Comments on State Proposal for next iteration state energy programs after CEC ends after 2025. After discussion it was decided to submit comments including: The importance of the CEC program to Dryden in focusing and enabling GHG emission reducing actions The importance of our Coop Extension staff in facilitation the actions and helping with complicated documentation The need to keep building the state energy grid The need to incentivize training of energy technologists to do the energy transition work Bids and Claims for DPW Office Building Upgrade Project – Alice, John Only one bid was received for the estimated $70K insulation/window replacement project: $153K from Two Pro Construction. John and Craig Anderson, who prepared the RFP, felt this was more than the town should pay for this work. Options: Do nothing. Re-issue the RFP to a wider distribution list. Separate out the window replacement from the insulation project. See if DPW staff might do the window replacement. After discussion, the task force agreed to these steps: Alice and John will contact Rick Young to see what DPW might do Alice and John will check with NYSERDA project coordinator Gaby Luque to determine what would be acceptable under the grant. When a new scope of work is determined, Ray will publish a new RFP on the state-wide register Climate Smart Community Actions Review Recertification as Bronze Community - Application Submitted -Alice , Jerry Jerry said it looks like the application, submitted ahead of the April 5 review date, will be approved. Dryden submitted more than enough points, thanks to research and work by Dillon Shultz. Jerry said it often takes a couple of months for the DEC to get back to communities with the results of the certification review. Dryden Climate Change and Resilience Plan (CCARP) – Jerry, Alice Jerry said he has completed the draft and will mail it for Task Force feedback this week. After Task Force feedback has been received, incorporated, and approved at the May meeting, the next draft will go out to other town and village boards and other stakeholders for comments and feedback. After these are included and approved by the task force at the June meeting, it’s hoped the final version will be accepted by the Town Board at its July or August meeting. Jerry noted that the DEC has approved his contract to work on this through September. Repair Café Action -Marie Marie is researching the possibility of sponsoring a Repair Café in Dryden. Jerry provided a video for background guidance and suggested that the Re-Use Center staff might provide lists of possible volunteer repair providers as well as liability waver forms. Jack suggested connecting with another group that works on fabric repairs. Updates on other Town and Inter-municipal Efforts Village of Dryden CSC Task Force – Tom (excused) Town Board Report- Christina Christina reported on the Village of Dryden’s wish to join the task force. She said her colleagues seemed enthusiastic. Alice said she will send Christina a draft for a formal resolution to appoint Tom Sinclair and possibly other village residents to the task force. Conservation Board Report – Anne Anne said the CB is particularly interested in the pollinator pathways project, and has offered sources of seeds. Discussion continues on right- sizing drainage ditches. The plan to is to meet with DPW staff at some ditch sites to better understand the process. DHS Student Report- Hunter Hunter said the sustainability club wanted to make the garden in the school courtyard, but grounds maintainers are concerned about fire hazard. The students will meet them to discuss this (and possibly other sites on Friday. Anne suggested the concern might be over dry dead stalks that are necessarily left for the winter to harbor pollinators. She added that a more open space could be more effective attracting range of pollinators. Hunter said that he and Mckenna communicated the generous offer of funding for seeds and the club is excited to take advantage, as soon as the site issue is settled. Affordable Housing Task Force – Ray Ray said the Task Force is working with Karim Beers from CCE to find funding for weatherization assistance in for mobile homes. He also reported that Dillon Shults has taken another position, and the department is looking for another planner. TCOG Energy subcommittee meeting - Chris, Jerry Jerry and Chris hosted the meeting, reviewing the CSC and CEC programs. Jerry said he wanted to highlight the presentation by Gay Nicholson from Sustainable Finger Lakes, about the new incentive program for landlords and tenants to install heat pumps. The flier they provided will be sent for the May Dryden town newsletter. County Proposal for EV Charging Station Collaboration- Alice No news about the RFP for this project. Next meeting: Set for May 14, 2024. Adjournment at 6:26 pm Respectfully submitted: Alice Walsh Green