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Agendas and Minutes

Climate Policy Committee (View All)

Rescheduled Climate Policy Commission Meeting

Agenda
Friday, September 18, 2020

MINUTES FOR THE CLIMATE POLICY COMMISSION

Friday, September 18, 2020; Held Electronically
Meeting Video

1. Call to Order (item starts at 00:23 on video)

Chair Tonya Graham called the meeting to order 2:41 p.m. Commissioners Rick Barth, Chris Brown, Bob Kaplan, Ray Mallette, Gary Shaff, and Jeff Wyatt were present. Staff liaison Stu Green was also present. Commissioner Julian Bell was absent.

2. Consent Agenda (0:29)

2.1. August 13, 2020 Minutes

Kaplan/Mallette moved/seconded to pass the August 13, 2020 meeting minutes. Further discussion: none. All ayes. Motion passed unanimously.

3. Announcements (1:00)

3.1. Next Meeting: October 8, 2020

3.2. Commission Membership Change & Open Positions (1:06)

Graham announced the current vacancies. She will follow up with an interested high school student on applying and plans to reach out to Southern Oregon University (SOU) in regard to the university student vacancy.

3.3. Staff Update (1:58)

Green asked for someone to track action items and Mallette volunteered. Green gave an update on scheduled planning processes:

Water Master Plan is complete.
The Transportation System Plan (TSP) will resume in 2021.
The Airport Master Plan, Talent Ashland Phoenix Intertie (TAP), and Stormwater Master Plan are in progress.

Graham later stated that the Airport Master Plan incorporated the potential for a solar installation and the Climate Policy Commission (CPC) could work with the Airport Commission for planning the installation.

Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission (APRC) will create a Pool Master Plan; which will require APRC approval in addition to Council approval.

Kaplan later mentioned that looking at the design for the new pool should be considered as the pool is the largest Natural Gas consumer among the City’s facilities. APRC will have an electric option from the designer. Brown spoke to looking at the pool’s cleaning system and impacts on climate and general health. With enough interest expressed in having an APRC representative, Green will reach out to APRC to talk at a future meeting.

No Comprehensive Plan elements are scheduled, but there are State mandated code updates that will be worked on by Community Development.

Graham later stated that the Council will go through a Strategic Planning process next year and should discuss updates to the Comprehensive Plan.

A Housing Needs Analysis is in progress. This is a technical document that will be attached to the Comprehensive Plan.

Green also updated the Commission on the following:

The Electric Utility Director, Tom McBartlett, was introduced and presented later in the meeting. An Avista representative is scheduled to present at the October meeting. Adam Hanks, Interim City Administrator, might also be present at that meeting in Green’s absence.

On-bill financing for climate retrofit loans was discussed with Finance staff.
The Transportation Commission made the following motion in regards to spending Clean Fuel Credits: “the City Council shall ensure clean fuel program revenues are exclusively reinvested in transportation projects which create additional clean fuels credits, increase electrification, and/or support the City’s Climate Energy Action Plan Transportation Goals”.

Graham asked when the Clean Fuel Credits would be presented to Council for a decision. Green stated the Credits would be presented as a budget amendment when the credits are monetized. Some discussion surrounded making a similar statement or motion regarding how the credits should be invested.

Difference in meaning of project terms, such as, goal, tactic, etc. is illustrated in an infographic and information on project scoping were linked at the bottom of the staff update memo.
The City has entered a mandatory Stage One Water Curtailment.

Shaff asked for more information on consumption of water users as stage one seemed a larger amount than most residential uses. Graham stated that the curtailment is the first step and includes those who might have additional people in their homes. Stage one and the voluntary conservation that others are doing would meet the water needed to conserve even if the cut off will not affect many.

The electric vehicle (EV) public charging upgrade is almost complete downtown.

Shaff asked what the status of heat pump water replacement program was. Green will ask the program designers and can connect with Shaff to discuss this further. Mallette wanted the Water Management and Conservation Plan on the plan list to be updated in 2023. Mallette also asked if the Electric Utility Master Plan would be a separate document or part of the Comprehensive Plan. Green stated that this could be discussed later as needed.

3.4. Other Announcements from Commissioners

There were no other announcements from Commissioners.

3.5. Reports from Representatives of Other Commissions

There were no reports from representatives of other Commissions.

4. Public Forum (24:34)

No public forum was submitted for this meeting.

5. Presentation (24:43)

5.1. Electric Utility Director Tom McBartlett

McBartlett gave a presentation on the Electric Utility (see attached). Discussion included:

Ashland’s electric mix compared to the rest of Oregon. McBartlett noted that Pacific Power does plan on retiring coal plants which will increase the use of cleaner sources of electricity.
The main focus of the City and Commission should be resiliency of electric grid and electrification.
The contract with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and limits on expanding local generation projects.
Creating an Electric Utility Master Plan in relation to the BPA contract. A data request for a rate study was done to ensure the Utility is covering its expenses and capital investment. The master plan could also include renewable projects like hydroelectric or solar even if they are not completed yet.
The ability to meet capacity as more electrification occurs. McBartlett stated that a model could be created to show what the need for an all-electric Ashland would be.
Microgrids implemented in City facilities and possible on-bill financing for solar customers to purchase microgrids.
How to engage with citizens in terms of keeping lights on and addressing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. CPC could take the lead on that planning and coordination after the master plan is complete.

6. Old Business

6.1. Council Annual Report Debrief (1:12:10)

Barth mentioned that the Subcommittees not being able to meet came up when presenting to Council. Graham cited staff capacity as a result to reductions and current emergencies as the reason for not having Subcommittees. Some discussion surrounded meeting one on one and if a shared document could be used in place.

Barth also asked when the next time CPC can go before Council about their interaction process with Council. Graham stated that the interaction process would have to wait for the new Council. For items with no major decisions November or December could be times to go to Council.

6.2. Focus Areas Definition (1:28:25)

Graham announced the focus areas and subsequent projects would have a lead project person who would be responsible for gathering information.

Kaplan referred to the August memo which focused on electrification and planning as areas to work on instead of using the previous Subcommittee categories. He stated that electrification can go beyond just the Built Environment category. Barth wanted to keep with the previous categories as that was the outline set last Fall. The electrification tasks presented in 6.4.2.1. could be split further to under the Utilities and Built Environment categories. Kaplan and Barth will revisit the electrification items and split them into Utilities and Built Environment focus areas.

6.3. Focus Areas Progress

6.3.1.Utilities

6.3.1.1. Executive Order 20-04 Progress Tracking (1:47:02)

Wyatt gave an update on the Executive Order progress for the Oregon Building Code Division, the Oregon Department of Energy, and the Public Utilities Commission (see attached). Graham stated that some code changes at the State level could eliminate the need for CPC to request these changes at the City level. CPC could request that Council send support letters to the State agencies for these code changes. Wyatt will keep tracking the Executive Order progress and bring back items when developments and progress is made including any changes to building codes.

6.3.1.2 Schedule of Comprehensive Plan Elements Update (2:05:55)

This item was discussed earlier under the staff update.

6.3.1.3 Comprehensive and Master Plan Processes (2:06:10)

Mallette stated that a presentation on TAP will be given at the October 5 Council meeting. He is hoping to see the final draft and have the Commission approve a review before this item goes back to Council for approval.

6.3.1.4 SOCAN Survey Report

Due to a lack of time, this item will be moved to the next meeting.

6.3.2. Built Environment

6.3.2.1 Electrifying Ashland

Due to a lack of time, this item will be moved to the next meeting.

6.3.2.2 PV Ready Requirements Update

Due to a lack of time, this item will be moved to the next meeting.

6.3.3. Administration & Planning

6.3.3.1 CEAP Update

6.3.3.2 Agenda & Packet Deadline

6.3.3.3 Shared online document and other subcommittee alternatives

Due to a lack of time, all of these items were moved to the next meeting.

7. New Business

7.1. Election of Chair and Vice Chair (2:07:16)

Shaff nominated Bell and Kaplan nominated Barth for Chair. Barth agreed and Shaff had previously spoken with Bell who accepted the nomination. After a roll call vote, Barth was elected as the Chair with six votes for Barth and one vote for Bell. Vice Chair elections will be at the next meeting.

8. Wrap Up (2:17:00)

8.1. Future agenda items

AVISTA Presentation (October)
Council Interaction Process (October)

Graham reviewed the items from this meeting which will continue on to the next. Green reminded the Commission that packet materials will be due the Tuesday before the packet goes out; September 29 for October meeting.

Mallette reviewed the following action items:

Adam Hanks to confirm if Avista will present at the next CPC meeting.
Green will confirm how clean fuel revenues can be used for electrification in lieu of the Transportation Commission motion.
Green will check if City money is still available for hot water tank conversions to electric power.
Green will add the Water Management and Conservation Plan to the list of Master Plans.
Mallette will review the TAP Master Plan when available next week for any Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP) additions before the October 5 Council Study Session.
Commission will determine when to meet with APRC regarding the pool energy use and sources.
Commission will be updated on timeline for Electric Utility Master Plan and possible inclusion to Comprehensive Plan outlining future demand and energy sources to accommodate the BPA contract negotiations.
Barth, Green, and Kaplan will assign the electrification tasks to the CPC focus groups.
Staff will clarify discussion on how Subcommittees can continue.

Chair Graham adjourned the meeting at 5:01 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Elizabeth Taylor