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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 -- 2 -- 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. 3 --