City Council Ordinance Committee – Thursday December 3, 2020

Via Zoom

 

MINUTES

 

Members Present: Councilor Mason (Chair), Councilor Hanson

 

Staff Present: Kim Sturtevant (Assistant City Attorney), Tim Devlin (Assistant City Attorney), Lisa Jones (City Attorney’s Office), Bill Ward (Director, Department of Permitting and Inspections) Jennifer Green (Burlington Electric Department), Darren Springer, (Director, Burlington Electric Department), Chris Burns (Burlington Electric Department)

 

Others in Attendance: Julie Macuga, Siddhesh Mukerji, Nigel Hicks-Tibbles

 

Meeting called to order at 5:34 PM.

 

  1. Agenda

1.01 Motion to adopt/amend agenda

 

Motion to adopt agenda as written.

 

Motion by Councilor Hanson, Seconded by Councilor Mason.

Final Resolution: Motion Passes

Yes: Councilor Hanson, Councilor Mason

 

  1. Public Forum
    1. Public Forum

 

Julie Macuga—excited for changes, hope all out ban, new buildings in Burlington can afford it.  Money going to Canada.  $139 million paid for by Vt. Gas users.  Energy being produced in Canada that we are paying a ludicrous amount of money on.   Infrastructure will become obsolete.  Don’t make mistakes of 1990’s. Want to support but feels can be stronger.

 

Siddhesh Mukerji—UVM professor, going to reiterate points Julie brought out.  These are issues close to my heart and my students.

 

Closed public forum at 5:42 PM.

 

  1. Minutes
    1. Approval of Minutes of 11/19/20

 

Motion to approve minutes by Councilor Hanson, seconded by Councilor Mason. 

Final Resolution: Motion Passes

Yes: Councilor Hanson, Councilor Mason

 

  1. Committee Discussion/Possible Action

4.01 Decarbonization and Electrification of Buildings

 

Councilor Mason introduced the item, explaining it was continued from a prior conversation.  

 

Darren Springer gave an overview of the work on the proposal describing a 2 prong approach: 1) opportunity with an ordinance, building code, change that could come through committee and then back to City Council; and 2) a charter change.  Building code changes including heating systems.  Merit to new buildings to have renewable—at least 85% building heating load.  Understanding in Burlington 60-65% of emissions of the building.  Generally neutral manner, heat pumps, duct heat pump systems; variety of heat pump systems that would potentially meet that definition—variety of options to potentially meet that end result.  Put forth many options.  If couldn’t meet put forth narrow exemptions, a number of options.  In addition to ordinance and charter, BED working on enhanced incentive package for buildings that want to go 100% renewable during this period of time. Help move market in near term.  Conscious that charter change may take a period of time so want to make sure not lose time, that is why we are doing ordinance and incentive now and then can come back.

 

Councilor Mason noted they’re in a unique place, typically doesn’t come before Ordinance—understand that can go to Council 7th and then go to Charter then special mtg. Dec. 17.  If passed then put forth before the voters in March.  More important task to get it to full Council.  Concern with material policy changes at this point as this is more consistent with what we have been talking about. 

 

Councilor Hanson asked if it applied to all buildings, residential and commercial—not just new. Darren Springer indicated that it did. Councilor Hanson replied that it was exciting and asked if they needed to make more language around what that looks like or okay.  Darren Springer replied that he was deferring to the City Attorney’s Office for legal questions.  He noted that the focus was on new buildings, but language for any.   Kim Sturtevant agreed and noted that there was still time in the process to focus on any language questions.  Councilor Hanson noted his excitement for the proposal.

 

Councilor Mason indicated that they would move forward with the carbon ordinance and that it would be helpful to hear turn-around time next meeting. 

 

Councilor Hanson questioned for the ordinance provision whether Vt. Gas renewable program would be considered renewable.  Darren Springer responded they are trying to stay technology neutral as long as you can ensure that there can be a long term contract.   

 

Councilor Hanson moved to sponsor the resolution, Charter Change re Regulation of Thermal Energy Systems in Residential and Commercial Buildings, and that it be brought back to the full City Council.  Seconded by Councilor Mason.

 

Final Resolution: Motion Passes

Yes: Councilor Hanson, Councilor Mason

 

  1. Any Other Business

 

Next mtgs.—tentatively keep Dec. 10 at 5:30 pm.

 

  1. Adjournment

 

Motion to Adjourn by Councilor Hanson, seconded by Councilor Mason.

Final Resolution: Motion Passes

Yes: Councilor Mason, Councilor Hanson

 

The meeting was adjourned at 6:07 pm.