HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-EC-1982-07-15 ENERGY COMMISSION
CITY OF ITHACA. NEW YORK
REGULAR MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS JULY 15, 1982
PRESENT:
D.Dyll J. Fudala, H. Jones, R. Lacey, G. Messmer, B. Nichols, N. Potter, and
Staff Liaison J. Clynes.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by D. Dylla.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA:
Mr. Dylla added Buaget; one must be drawn up by August 1st.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Ms. Fudala noted that Mr. Jones was accidentally left off the attendance list for the
last meeting.
The minutes, as corrected, were unanimously approved.
NEW MEMBERS:
Mr. Dylla stated that Mr. Messmer has been officially appointed. An Ithaca High
School student has also been appointed. There is one opening left which the Mayor
is seeking to fill .
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mr.Dylla diad received a letter from Mayor Shaw stating that Roy Foley of the Power
Authority of the State of New York (PASNY) is to address the Commission as he is
addressing other cities around the state regarding the hydroelectric proposal . It
was decided to ask him to come to the September meeting and to invite interested
representatives of city government to that meeting; in particular, the Board of Pub-
lic Works/Department of Public Works since they would be dealing directly with the
impacts of the proposal . Ms. Fudala will write him asking how he will specifically
address the topic and informing him that the BPW will also be asked to be present.
OLD BUSINESS:
Target 'Apfftcations
Mr. Lacey dlstri uted copies of a letter, dated 7/13/82, to Southside Director
Arzeymah Raquib summarizing the Committee's energy saving ideas resulting from
the Committee's informal "audit" of the Soughside Community Center. The results
of this audit will be included with the others in the report being passed on to the
Mayor and Common Council . Discussion of additional buildings to prioritize resulted
in decision to focus next on City Hall and the Water Department Building. In answer
to a question about why Southside had seen the report before the Commission, Mr. Lacey
stated that a problem had come up when results of Committee audits of two other build-
ings had been on the radio before appropriate building/department heads were sent the
recommendations.
Accounting
Mr, Jones reported i.n the absence of Ms. Peterson. He read from a two-page report
drawn up Ms. Peterson which was distributed to Commission members. Regarding the
issue of street lighting in the report discussion revolved around whether a full
lighting evaluation should be done or selected evaluation of heavy lighting areas.
Mr. Messmer stated that he has compiled data for the Committee which he had forgotten
to bring but intends to forward to Ms. Peterson. Included in that are maps of street
lighting showing foot-candle illumination. He had also learned Board of Public Works
had passed a resolution in 1962 detailing lighting standards which were based on
Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) standards.
Mr. Nichols stated that his committee's next goal would be to get together with Mr.
Messmer and Mr. Barber to utilize Mr. Messmer's information.
In response to a question, Mr. Messmer explained that the Commons was left as a "white
way" to promote shopping. The illumination there is 5 ft. candles; it can be as high
as 10. The poles and fixtures there are owned by NYSEG; the conduit by the City. On
Elmira Road the City owns everything but the fixtures. He added that a study in Santa
Barbara, California concluded that of all forms of lighting, high pressure sodium comes
out the overall winner in efficiency and economics.
Mr. Dylla suggested that the Committee pursue the original proposal by Mr. Barber to
change mercury vapor lighting to high pressure sodium.
Regarding energy consumption data it was felt that figures on kilowatt, kilowatt-hour
and therm usage were needed in addition to cost figures provided earlier and that such
figures should encompass at least two years to give an indication of trends. Mr. Clynes
offered to support Mr. Dylla in carrying a request for 1980 and 1981 energy-use figures
to Messrs. Spano and Kinsella.
Incentives
Ms. Potter stated that she is planning to set up a meeting with the City's Personnel
Committee sometime after returning from vacation. She estimated that a budget of $1 ,000
would probably be needed to implement an incentives program. Nothing has been set up as
yet for educational workshops. She further noted that Elva Holman has suggested that
energy cost savings from different projects be added to the capital reserve fund. Mr.
Clynes responded that the concept could be kept in mind but that the actual process
would follow a more circuitous route.
Mr. Dylla reported that his talk at the Youth Bureau was well received. People came
up with a number of good energy saving iades including agreement with Target Committee
findings that major furnace work was needed. He added that that sort of educational
effort should be done on a broad scale.
Energy Task Force
Mr. Clynes distri uted copies of a memorandum dated June 18 which he had sent to
Budget and Administration detailing the proposed summer weatherization program util-
izing a two person crew, preferably BOCES students. A compromise has since been
worked out involving the utilization of a BOCES instructor and eight County Youth
Program employees. Work will start with the Tin Can, proceed to Southside, etc.
The capital reserve project monies will go for the project as described in Dylla's
three-page report last month.
Mr. Clynes further reported that the latest estimate of payback for installing storm
windows and other window treatments in City Hall at a cost of $27,000 has been low-
ered from 14 to 8.3 years.
Following some discussion Mr. Dylla moved that the Commission request that the six
items in the capital review project receive an extensive cost analysis and that the
report be given to the Commission at its September meeting. This was unanimously
supported.
Mr. Dylla further requested that the -Commission receive copies of quarterly progress
reports on these six projects submitted by the Department of Public Works to the
Board of Public Works. After some clarification of what the resolution meant, it
too was unanimously approved. These will be submitted to the BPW and DPW through
Mr. Kinsella.
The point was made that the Commission has no formal liaison with the DPW. Mr. Clynes
pointed out however that regular interaction does take place through the Energy Task
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Force of which both he and Mr. Dylla are members.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Budget
As mentioned, the Commission's proposed 1983 budget must be drawn up by August 1 .
Mr. Dylla and Ms. Fudala will refine the proposal which will consist essentially of
the $500 worth of items for this year, plus $1 ,000 for the Incentive Program. Ms,
Potter suggested that the budgetinclude some money for an outside audit. Those with
other suggestions were asked to get them to Dylla or Fudala SOON.
Energy Staff Person/Energy Plan
Referring to his 7/15 revised draft proposals, Mr. Dylla stated that he thought two
priority recommendations by the Commission should be asking the City to consider a
full or near full time staff position to coordinate city energy conservation efforts
and to develop a comprehensive energy plan. Regarding those, it was felt that the
staff position needed to be in place first so that such a plan could be developed
and the position call for technical ability to perform energy audits and such like
in addition to overview responsibilities. Such a positon could be newly created or
the displacement of existing staff responsibilities so that some one would be free
to devote all or most of his/her time to energy. There was consensus on these pro-
posals and they will be included in the Commission's presentation to Common Council
at its August 4 meeting at which all committee reports will be submitted. Mr. Dylla
will give the presentation; others are welcome to join him.
C&M Conversion
Mr. C ynes stated that the latest cost estimate for the conversion of the CBM Garage
to gas is $70,000.
Letter to Other Cities
Ms. Fudala will draft a letter to other cities asking them about their energy programs.
Mr. Dylla had a list of questions he wanted included; others with questions may submit
them to Ms. Fudala. Mr. Nichols can obtain specific addresses of appropriate people
in cities through the Office of Local Governments. Mr. Messmer stated that three
cities which should definitely be included are Elmira, Auburn and Geneva.
On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 9.12 p.m.
THERE WILL BE NO AUGUST MEETING,
THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 at 7:30 P.M. , COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
AN AGENDA WILL BE SENT OUT CLOSER TO THE MEETING TIME.
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