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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-EC-1982-11-18 t CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1982 CITY HALL 3rd FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM PRESENT: Ernest Bury, Doug Dylla, Lindy Elkins, Jeanne Fudala, Harold Jones, D. Randall Lacey, Gerard Messmer, Benjamin Nichols, Carolyn Peterson, and Staff Liaison John Clynes. GUESTS: Mark Kramer, Professor of Finance, Ithaca College, Robert Pfaff and Tom Giventer, Cor- nell Graduate Students and Ad Hoc Committee for Buffalo Street Trolley, and Kathy Simp- son, interested citizen, Fifth Ward. The meeting was called or order at 7:40 p.m. by Doug Dylla. CORRECTION/APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mr. Lacey was present at the October 21 , 1982 meeting; his name was omitted. Mr. Messmer's first name is GERARD not Gerald. Page 3, third sentence down should read, sodium FIXTURE, not meter. Page 3, Last title, Kerosene Lamp Controversy shouT d read, KEROSENE HEATER CONTROVERSY. The minutes were approved as amended. AGENDA: Mr. Dy las changed the agenda to add "Budget Report after "Correspondence ANNOUNCEMENTS: Jeanne Fudal a announced that she had received two reports--one on loan to the Energy Commission by Tom Marankowski of Cornell 's Ecology House entitled, Municipal Solar Utiity: A model for Carbondale, Illinois and a personal copy of the Final State Energy MasterPlan March 1982. The former wi a available for borrowing from John Clynes office; the latter can be obtained free by writing to State Energy Office in Albany. COMMUNICATIONS: Ms. Fuda a reported on replies to the Municipal Energy Questionnaire from Wichita, Kansas and Portland, Oregon. Both of which have aggressive energy conservation pro- grams including an energy office with several full time paid staff members. BUDGET: Doug Dylla reported on the Mayor's response to the Commission's budget reguests. A total of $600 was approved. Regarding the $1 ,000 request for employee incentives, the Mayor decided it should be funded from the Contingency Account. John Clynes read a communique from the Mayor addressing training monies for Bill Szabo and monies for consultants. An amount of $2,000.00 is included in A-1490-407 Public Works Administration "for training, . . . .for Szabo in part". Another $2,000.00 is in A-1440-407 Engineer for energy consultants ($1 ,000.00 of this was later put in the Energy Commission budget). Discussion ensued as to whether the Commission should ask to keep the $1 ,000 in its own budget. It was pointed out that the doubling of this money and the planned expend- itures noted in the Mayor's memo represented a significant increase in total monies available, Mr. Clynes suggested that the Commission state its concern that the money may be needed directly by the Commission at a future date. Mr. Nichols, seconded by J. Fudala, . moved that the Commission request that either additional money be put in 'its budget for future operations or that it be understood that the money in the DPW budget can be called back for its own use if needed. Approval of motion was unanimous. r PRESENTATION BY AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR A BUFFALO STREET TROLLEY: Committee members Robert Pfaff and Tom Giventer showed slides of funicular rail-guided transit system in the United States and other countries, and distributed a four-page report to assist in their explanation of how a funicular works, the possible routes for one in Ithaca, and the benefits to Ithaca of such a system. A large photo display was also utilized. The presentation covered different types of track systems, differing locomotion--all gravity or use of some fuel or electricity. Discussion ensued about how the system would work in Ithaca, the advantages and draw- backs of various routes and possible alternatives. The major proposals involve a line between downtown Ithaca and Collegetown via either Buffalo or State Street. Other pos- sibilities include Seneca Street instead of Buffalo Street, and systems linking downtown with South Hill and Ithaca College or West Hill . The State Street Route, linking Cornell and Collegetown with downtown, the site of the former trolley system which was in service between the 1880's and 1935, is the route the Ad Hoc Committee is now most seriously phsing. In response to questions, the speakers replied they had not yet spoken to Ithaca Transit. However, they had presented the proposal to Common Council and Collegetown groups and had received favorable response. Ben Nichols volunteered to act as a liaison for the Commission with the Ad Hoc Committee to keep the Commission up-to-date on the progress of the proposal . Carolyn Peterson topped off the discussion by reciting a limerick she had entered in a contest several years back. John Clynes distributed copies of a well-designed energy saving incentive poster done by Lindy Elkins. The poster is being placed around various City buildings. COMMITTEE REPORTS: TargetApplications Randall Lacey presented a list of additional candidates for capital projects and another one of no-cost-quick-fix items including both new and old suggestions. He stated that of the three capital improvement projects discussed at the October meeting, insulation of the Tin Can had been shown to have the quickest payback, two to three years. It was pointed out that if the proposal to close off half the building that had been mentioned in the Journal proved feasible, the payback period would be increased. There were also questions regarding how much longer the building would still be in use by the City; proposals to halt use of it have been made periodically over the past few years. Mr. Bury questioned whether insulation, especially the inclusion of walls in the plan should be the biggest priority in terms of cost-effectiveness, and asked if a serious audit had been done. Mr. Clynes responded that in addition to the Target Com- mittee's audit, one had also been conducted by the State Energy Office. Doug Dylla stated that Mr. Clynes had expressed the opinion that the Commission should endorse a specific project by December 1st so that specifications could be in place by January 1st in order to get the work underway in time to realize some savings in the 1982-83 heating season (this one). Randall Lacey, seconded by Harold Jones, moved that the Commission endorse insulation of the Tin Can as the first capital project with the contingency that this be done only if the building is to be in use for at least five years in order to ensure savings be- yond the break-even point. The motion passed: 7 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstention. Randall Lacey proposed that since opinion on this was not unanimous, Bill Szabo should be invited to come to the December meeting to explain the specifics of the work. Mr. Clynes stated that there is $125,000 in the budget for capital projects. Mr. Lacey asked if the Commission had officially supported Bill Szabo's role as staff energy person, for which the Mayor has committed 30-50% of Mr. Szabo's time. D. Dylla asked that an informal letter be written to Mayor Shaw with a copy to Don Kinsella sup- porting this. R. Lacey then asked if it would be appropriate as Szabo is to make a quarterly progress report to the Commission and/or DPw on the status of energy saving - 2 - improvements. There was general agreement on the desirability of this. Mr. Clynes stated that Elva Holman had received a letter from Charles Tuckerman pro- posing an expenditure of $1 ,200 for weatherizing at Central Fire Station and asking for the Commission's support. He recommended that the Commission address the energy saving value of the proposal leaving specific monetary expenditures to the discretion of the Budget and Administration Committee. Mr. Dylla requested and received consensus for a statement of support for the weatherization work. Accounting/PASNY/Lighting Caro y Peterson stated that she, County Planner Frank Liguori, John Clynes, and Doug Dylla had atteded the conference in Auburn to hear and discuss the options for reallot- ment of PASNY power. About 100 municipal representatives had been present. She noted that the hoped for clarification of the whole situation had not been forthcoming. There was still considerable confusion resulting from conflicting advice, "facts", and propos- als. There had, in fact, been two new proposals, one by Thomas Frey, former PASNY counsel , antic -another proposal by Batelle Labs. Mr. Frey offered a compromise between the Dyson statewide distribution and turning all the power over to the municipal electric systems (munis) suggesting that of the 1290 megawatts of PASNY power to be reallocated, 760 be distributed on an equitable (or 1 person 1 watt basis), 130 mw go to industry, 230 to the three upstate Investor-Owned Utilities (IOU's) and 200 be used as a specific incen- tive to create new jobs. This would be administrated by 'a statewide agency. Batelle proposed to do a study for the regional 26 upstate counties which would be affected by the reallocation for a fee of $125,000. Ms. Peterson had a copy of the proposal which she passed around. Ms. Peterson further reported that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has ruled in favor of the munis in their suit for more of the PASNY power and that PASNY had erred in not having set more aside in 1961 in the event of needs greater than anticipated at the time. PASNY has, however, appealed FERC's decision. Frank Liguori invited the Commission to send representatives to the next County Planning Board meeting at which Frank Slatterly of Groton will discuss the issue. Ms. Peterson and Mr. Dylla will attend. Ms. Peterson is also drawing up a list of questions for PASNY, the munis and the IOU's. She invited other Commission members to submit questions to her as well . Ben Nichols announced that Senator Dale Volker and Assemblyman Oliver Koppell will be holding public hearings on the Pasny redistribution question. Thus, even though twelve communities have already passed laws creating municipal "pass-through" agencies, there is no rush for Tompkins County or the City of Ithaca (preferably, however, the County) to act. Street Lighting Ernest Bury gave a report comparing mercury vapor, high pressure sodium (HPS) and low pressure sodium (LPS) lighting systems. He stated that LPS, beside being more energy efficient (drawing less lumens of power per watt output), has the additional advantage over the other two of maintaining the same lumens per watt overtime, whereas the light- ing quality of the others tend to deteriorate over time. LPS is thus less expensive over the life of the luminaires. However, Mr. Bury emphasized that in choosing a light- ing system, one needs to specify criteria, that is, whether to design for traffic flow or pedestrian security and safety. This is important because while mercury vapor and HPS are "point" sources, LPS tends to be distributive, about halfway between the first two and fluorescent lighting. He added that NYSEG has made a proposal to the City for conversion of exi.sting mercury vapor luminaires to HPS and questioned whether enough consideration had been given to changing over to LPS instead. He noted that the City Post Office used LPS in its parking area. Discussion ensued about doing a study of LPS in Ithaca. One problem is that the lights are not metered, thus there is no direct way to compare one group of lights of one sys- tem with another system. However, Gerard Messmer stated that several municipalities, including Elmira, have asked NYSEG to experiment with LPS. Mr. Bury stated that another problem he has with the NYSEG Ithaca proposal is the pro- - 3 - posed conversion of 400 watts of mercury vapor to 250 when 150 watts NPS would provide an equivalent li_ghti.ng level , Doug Dylla proposed to suggest to the City that it test LPS on some of the luminaires it owns. Mr. Messmer responded by saying that was putting the cart before the horse. The Commission should wait until it was formally approached. Doug Dylla agreed with that and suggested that Mr. Bury meet with Chuck Barber and come up with some cost/pay- back figures. Mr. Bury agreed to do this. Mr. Dylla also suggested the Commission ask for some specifications from Chuck Barber and Don Kinsella and asked for a motion on this. Mr. Nichols, seconded by Mr. Bury, so moved. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Messmer had brought an LPS fixture in response to questions brought up at earlier meetings to demonstrate the affect of LPS luminaires, People commented on the gray skin tones it produced. It was also noted that people in other cities where they were in more extensive use complained at first, but generally got used to them. Incentives Committee Doug Dylla reportea that an energy workshop had been held earlier that day conducted by Bruce John of Cornell Ag Engineering and now under contract with the State Energy Office. Thirteen had attended--two maintenance people from the County, five from the City, four DPW administrative personnel including Don Kinsella and Jack Dougherty and two people from the Commission. The workshop was excellent. It is hoped to have anouther for administrative personnel . Topics covered included energy billing, buying the most effective equipment, simple ways of controlling demand and increasing boiler efficiency. Interesting points included the fact that lighting can account for 40% of all office energy use, initial cost of lumin- aires is small compared with operation and maintenance, the best way to focus on energy policy is to have one person aggressively monitor BTU consumption and conduct energy audits, etc. One participant suggested that heat could be recovered from the compres- sors reclaimed from washing trucks at Streets and Facilities. At the workshop Don Kinsella suggested that employees get together once a month with supervisors to brainstorm energy saving ideas. There was no separate Task Force Report. However, John Clynes reported that the fuel management system was in place and operating to expectations; the official "opening" cermony would be the following Tuesday at noon; Commission members were invited. Lindy Elkins reported that she and Nancy Potter are still trying to get in touch with Personnel Administrator Joan Collins, Secretary's Report Jeanne Fudala reported that other official advisory organizations handle minutes by methods ranging from taping the meetings and having staff secretary type them up, as is the case with the Conservation Advisory Committee, to having paid staff members take and prepare the minutes as with other City and County groups. She reiterated that she did not want the responsibility of taking and writing minutes any more.because it practically precluded participation at the meetings and took too much of her -time that she would rather have for other work. Mr. Clynes offered to see what could be arranged with his secretary, who does the final typing on the minutes Ms. Fudala prepares. Mr. Messmer stated that one method of re- ducing the work load of whoever did take and write the minutes as well as save meeting time, was to have committee reports prepared beforehand. The lateness of the hour was noted. It was suggested that perhaps parliamentary pro- cedures should be followed more: closely. It was noted that this evening had included an unusually long presentation.. Possibly committee reports could be shortened when a major presentation was scheduled. The meeting was adjourned at 10:47 p.m. - 4 - NEXT MEETING: 7:30 p. m. Thursday, December 16, 1982 Council Chambers AGENDA: Approval of Minutes Announcements Correspondence Report by Bill Szabo Old Business Committee Reports Target Applications Accounting/PASNY/Lighting -- Report of Meeting/Discussion with Barber and Kinsella Incentives Energy Task Force Changes in Committee Reporting?