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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. -- 2 -- 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. -- 4 --