HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-EC-1983-01-20 CITY OF ITHACA. NEW YORK
ENERGY COMMISSION
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY. JANUARY 20, 1983
CITY HALL COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBER
PRESENT:
Doug Dylla, Benjamin Nichols, Ernest Bury, D. Randall Lacey, Nancy Potter,
Harold Jones, Gerard Messmer, Council Liaison Elva Holman and Staff Liaison
John C. Clynes, and Jeanne Fudala.
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p. m. by Doug Dylla.
CORRECTION/APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Old Business--second paragraph, " Mr. Nichols noted. . . " --it was not Mr. Nichols
but voice was not identified so Mr. Dylla decided to delete sentence from minutes.
Street Lighting, page 2, Bury Motion--consideration was given to Mr. Nichols' com-
ment that his recollection was that the Energy Commission had discussed and decided
on a recommendation that the City conduct a lighting experiment with LPS on some
other streets. It was decided that no formal action had been taken as Energy Com-
mission felt that it was already in progress. There was, however, a consensus that
LPS street lighting experiments should be pursued elsewhere in the City.
The minutes were approved as corrected.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mr. Clynes reported an Energy Workshop on boilers to be held January 25th in City
Hall Conference Room conducted by Bruce John with assistance of a New York State
representative.
Jeanne Fudala announced Housing Energy Committee was planning SOLAR DAY on May 7th
and that Ad Hoc Housing Energy Committee plans to hold its fifth annual Energy Fair
next October 1st. There is to be a Tompkins County Weatherization Day based on
Clean Up Days and also, a poster contest was being conducted in schools.
Ms. Fudala announced PROJECT SHARE, a new program starting February 1 , 1983 for the
elderly and handicapped who could not get help under any existing government program.
The project is funded by NYSEG stockholders and customer contributions from utility
bills with the program handled by local Red Cross.
An Insulation/Building Tour scheduled for February 2nd, 5:00-7:00, at 107 4th Street
and a Public Education Workshop to be held at night on February 15th (Tuesday) at
Co-op Extension was announced by Doug Dylla.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Jeanne Fudala reported that there had been no other replies from cities sent the
Municipal Energy Questionnaire. There had been a response from PASNY in answer to
request for update on hydropower study but not enough copies to distribute to mem-
bers present.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
brief interjection by Doug Dylla to the committess asked that they strive for a
clearer focus of short term goals as the committees seemed to be getting bogged down.
Consumption
Copies o 981-82 energy consumption and cost figures of various facilities were
distributed. Compiled by William Szabo, the data was tremendously informative with
a utilization index in a readable format stated Mr. Lacey.
Discussion followed and included reminder that William Szabo was now working full
time on energy for the present and certain projects should be identified for Szabo
to work on.
Elva Holman reported (with clarification by John Clynes) that the money for insul-
ating Tin Can was not turned down by Board of Public Works but that the project had
been put on hold until Council determines whether Tin Can will be the home for Youth
Bureau for next 20 years or if there will be another facility built. Also, Southside
project was approved by Board of Public Works.
Discussion followed on control of heating at Southside.
Doug Dylla asked the Energy Commission if they had any suggestions for assignments
for William Szabo to please contact him or Randy Lacey.
Doug Dylla asked for and received consensus of reendorsement of Tin Can project with
same previous conditions.
Incentives:
Nancy Potter added a reminder of the Boiler Workshop and that another Energy Con-
servation Workshop was planned for February 15th and notices would be sent out.
Ms. Potter reported on meeting with Joan Collins and Bernard Carpenter to consider
employee suggestions, different kinds of suggestions, and rewards for contest.
Discussion covered focus of Incentives Program, responsibility for building control ,
rewards options. Elva Holman suggested a building vs. building plan with a party
of some kind as a prize.
Mr. Bury asked is compensatory time off was allowable as he noted this was the
second meeting that he felt William Szabo should have attended. It was decided
the question of compensatory time off for Szabo for his attendance at Energy Com-
mission meetings would be pursued with Mr. Szabo.
Street Lighting
Mr. Bury reported that in regard to NYSEG proposal , he had contacted Ripley Light-
ing company, producers of conversion kits, and had been informed that there is a
150-W kit available. The Street Lighting Committee had hashed out the options.
Ripley does not recommend 150-W kit in 400 because of the reduction of light output;
200-W HPS luminaire is not part of NYSEG rate schedule; 200-W HPS light output is
slightly more than 400 mercury vapor; 250-W HPS provides 40% more light output. It
was also noted that Mayor Shaw advised that in matters of these issues the committee
should make recommendation to Council and Council can then address the legality of
reducing level of lighting.
It was suggested Public Service Commission would entertain motion to change NYSEG
Rate schedule.
Mr. Messmer stated response from NYSEG was that 200-W was not included in rate
schedule because with the overlap it was unnecessary.
Mr. Bury continued that New York Highway Engineer had informed him that New York
State is not in the business of lighting streets (Seneca and State Streets are state
highways) and any recommendations they look at must come from localities based on
energy conservation standards
Mr. Bury referred to April 16, 1982 memo for Chuck Barber proposing that the City
of Ithaca buy out street lighting and take over whole lighting system ($45 kit vs.
$41 yearly rental ). The savings of the NYSEG proposal look attractive for one year
but not for over 10 or 20 years. Mr. Bury recommended experiments be made with
250-W, 200-W, and 150-W and then let decision be made.
Mr. Clynes commented that the mayor intended the City cooperate with NYSEG proposal
for the present and certainly in the future to pursue other options.
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Mr. Dylla stated he felt the Energy Commission was in favor of keeping lighting
level on street. z00-W not stocked by NYSEG and not in their rate scheaule ano
although committee would like to go with 200-W, it would go with 250-W rather than
lose experiment altogether.
Discussion followed covering letter from Mayor Shaw, the feasibility of using kits,
cost confusion, City rental of fixtures, design of experiment, and future experiments.
Mr. Messmer declared that in 1960 City of Ithaca adopted lighting standard recom-
mendations which eliminates 150-W. NYSEG does not have 200-W so City of Ithaca should
go with 250-W experiment.
Mr. Dylla asked Energy Commission for consensus to support the experiment as proposed
and to recommend 200-W to be used if available.
Mr. Nichols responded that the go-ahead part of the motion was OK but future experi-
ments should be considered and to push seriously for rate schedule change. Also, an
experiment with 150-W should be tried in some area with City authorization.
Motion by B. Nichols, seconded by H. Jones, that Energy Commission recommend that the
City of Ithaca proceed with experiment as proposed. Carried 7-1.
A second motion by B. Nichols, seconded by J. Fudala, that "with deliberate speed",
City of Ithaca proceed to implement additional street lighting experiments of other
wattages and other types of lighting. Carried 8-0.
Mr. Dylla noted that the rate schedule change was to be pursued by Mr. Bury.
Hydro ower
Mr. Nic o s reported that there had been a meeting with Honeywell consultant who
explained status of application of Falls Project--a good probability the City will
get license. The bulk of discussion with consultant was on application for permits
on Six Mile Creek. Consultants concerned with quick cost projections but were
looking at sites for first time. Commission is meeting again to hear report of
specific recommendations of consultants.
Fall Creek Report_--it may be a month or two before we hear on application; the
quality and timeliness of the City application were topics discussed. Mr. Nichols
stated that his emphasis is to push that aspect of use of energy from non-fossil
fuel.
PASNY
Mr. Dylla gave report for absent Carolyn Peterson. Ms. Peterson had attended County
Planning Board meeting. They discussed the County setting up a "paper' pass-through
utility. A NYSEG spokesman recommended they do so.
A Municipal Power Company representative had stated at that meeting, "any one that
gets 1 KW of hydropower will be sued by the municipal group."
Energy Task Force
Mr. Clynes reported on TYZ ALL window treatments in City Hall . The crew now up to
fourth floor. Crew favorable to the project but had run out of material/framing
strips. Resistance to plastic coverings had been minimal with some good comments
and some thank you's.
Elva Holman relayed comments on ventilation from some department heads. The air ex-
change is poor in air-tight building. Doug Dylla stated that the window treatment
is now highlighting problems of air handling system. Mr. Nichols reported that he
had received complaint of blurry vision through plastic.
It was noted that caulking is also needed throughout the building.
-- 3 --
• Mr. Dylla said those responsible for getting the window treatments in place so
expeditiously were to be congratulated -Jack Clynes, Bill Szabo, and crew.
Hall of Justice and Streets and Facilities Garage are next. Hopefully, Council will
endorse and recognize Energy Commission efforts.
Consulting Service representative coming next week to help establish feasibility of
gas conversion at Streets and Facilities Garage. If it proves out, the recommenda-
tion will go to Board of Public Works and then to Common Council for funding (after
Energy Commission review).
7's
fir. Clynes reported Board of Fire Commissioners have endorsed window treatment for
Central Fire Station (without payback analysis from vendor) and are looking for
recommendation from Energy Commission. Doug Dylla asked for consensus.
Discussion covered need for window treatment in Meeting Room, Ready Room, and Hall ,
but not Bunk Rooms. It was determined the building was very cold--much glass. Dif-
ficulty of attaining good payback, roof insulation (which would be a capital project),
aesthetic problem of TYZ-ALL without venetian blinds, and door problem already
solved were discussed.
Motion by J. Fudala, seconded by R. Lacey, that the Energy Commission not recom-
mend the higher-cost rigid acrylic window treatment but instead recommend TYZ-ALL.
Carried.
Elva Holman will take recommendation of B & A Committee to Council . Ms. Holman will
also contact the Superintendent of Public Works regarding boilers/controls for City
Hall and boilers/controls in general .
Seneca Street Gard e
Mr. Dylla referred those present to Conversion Tables which had been distributed to
Street Lighting Committee only.
Mr. Dylla had a proposal from Jack Brooks, City Electrician and Chuck Barber for
Seneca Street Garage that 228 mercury vapor lights be replaced with 73 two-tube
fluorescent lights (leaving 8 MV) at a $10,000 yearly savings.
Discussion covered conversion, allowance for ballast not included, error in calcu-
lation in favor of mercury, comparison of lights and costs, safety in the parking ga-
rage-with diminied lighting, also, Bury's alternate plan (8 MV/200-W HPS/exchange 4)
Mr. Dylla asked Mr. Bury to take plan to his committee and bring back written pro-
posal to Energy Commission for their endorsement at next meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mr. Bury pointed out the further lighting reduction in Council Chamber to 25% of
original lighting and that it was still adequate--a comment on NYSEG's guidelines
for origianl lighting level .
NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. Dyi a asked committees to brainstorm for some new projects and priorities and
to reach into some new areas since Common Council has set no limits on direction
of Energy Commission.
Funicular
Ms.+ Holman had some material on funicular in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania but the funicu-
lar display that had been in Council Chambers was gone.
,ADJOURNMENT
the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. NEXT MEETING FEBRUARY 17, 1983.
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