Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutGreenleaf Commission 2019-07-24 th MINUTES OF THE 14 REGULAR MEETING OF GREENLEAF COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABILITY th On Wednesday, July 24, 2019, the above meeting for the Greenleaf Commission on Sustainability of the City of Livonia was held in the West Conference Room of the Livonia Department of Public Works,12973 Farmington Road, Building 12, Livonia. Chairperson James Baringhaus opened the meeting at 7:03 p.m. Members present: James Baringhaus Katherine Bone Elizabeth Calhoun Terry Cullum John Grzebik Nicole Mehelich Members absent: Michael Shesterkin Also present: Jacob Rushlow, Superintendent of DPW Victoria Krause, Secretary I at DPW Jake Griggs, Blue Stem Energy Solutions (Conference call) 1. Blue Stem Energy Solutions - Webinar. The Greenleaf Commission on Sustainability attended a webinar with Jake Griggs on conference call from Blue Stem Energy Solutions. Their focus is on bringing renewable energy at low costs. Blue Stem Energy Solutions will come into the City and preform a free technology agnostic to determine if wind, solar, or natural gas would be the best renewable energy source for the City. The City would then decide if they wanted to move forward and work with Blue Stem Energy Solutions on the plan created. If the City chose not to move forward, they would be given the plan at no cost. Mr. Griggs informed the Commission that the City would be in the driver’s seat: they decide where to go and where to look. Chairman Baringhaus asked Jacob Rushlow, Superintendent of DPW, if the City of Livonia uses renewable energy. Mr. Rushlow responded that there is not renewable energy being used to his knowledge, but the City is using some alternative fuel. Mr. Griggs stated that this is a data driven program and Blue Stem Energy Solutions would deliver a comprehensive menu of options. From the information he had on the City of Livonia, he predicted that the best renewable energy source for Livonia would be solar. He then proceeded to provide an example of a municipality that added a solar array to their water treatment facility and offset twenty-five percent of their electricity. Blue Stem Energy Solutions is in talks with several cities in Michigan, such as Flint and Bay City, although nothing has gone forward. Mr. Griggs also informed the Commission that once Blue Stem Solutions completes Greenleaf Commission on Sustainability th 14 Regular Meeting of July 24, 2019 Page 2 the installation of a renewable energy source for a City then they open the program to other places in the City to work with Blue Stem to add renewable energy sources. Commissioner Cullum asked if the power generated goes to the grid. Mr. Griggs responded that they work in conjunction with the power company, they do not put back. Chairman Baringhaus asked Mr. Griggs if Cities implement this into their current masterplan. Mr. Griggs responded that they absolutely do. The Chairman then asked Mr. Rushlow if the City of Livonia had a masterplan. Mr. Rushlow informed the Commission that there was an energy audit done in 2009 but there is not a masterplan. Mr. Griggs also recommended the City research grants or funding they may be qualified for, put together a list of viable sites, discuss if there will be future renovations where renewable energy could be utilized, or area that would be problematic. As Blue Stem owns and operates all the project, they team with a City and collects all the necessary information. Once they enter into an agreement they proceed through the following steps: analyze, customize, develop, financing, procurement, install, operate. Blue Stem begins with creating a plan. First, they look at the technical aspect, the appropriate type and size of renewable energy. Next, they look at the political aspect: local, state, and federal to make sure that they are meeting local ordinances and that they are in compliance. The third step is to create a contract. Commissioner Mehelich asked how long it takes a City to break even on their investment, when could the City of Livonia expect to see a return on their investment. Mr. Griggs responded that it is very dependent on the City and he wouldn’t be able to say at this point without more information. The Commissioner then asked if it is Blue Stem that maintains the renewable energy materials. Mr. Griggs replied that it is a hybrid approach. Everything inside the system is Blue Stem and a manufacturer handles everything outside, with the City not being responsible on either side. Chairman Baringhaus asked Mr. Rushlow if he saw a fit in for Blue Stem in the City of Livonia. Mr. Rushlow stated that it was something they could investigate further with the warning that a new program is often difficult to get approved. The Chairman then asked him what the next steps would be. Mr. Rushlow said the program would need to be looked into further with the Commission’s recommendation and Chairman Baringhaus offering to connect Mr. Rushlow and Mr. Griggs. Commissioner Grzebik asked Mr. Griggs if they have ever just started with one building and then expanded later. Mr. Griggs replied that they had and that is the ideal situation. It is actually something that Blue Stem is currently doing for a City. Commissioner Mehlich requested a confirmation that there is no cost until the City gives the go ahead on the project. Mr. Griggs responded positively and confirmed that there is no cost until the City starts receiving electricity upon which they will be billed by Blue Stem. Commissioner Cullum questioned if there was a renewable energy program through say DTE. Chairman Baringhaus responded that they do energy funds and Consumer’s Energy does solar gardens. Mr. Rushlow explained that the challenge with these is that they cost money. Commissioner Mehelich asked if the City oversees the schools. The Chairman informed her that they are completely separate. The Commissioner mention pulling in the schools too as they have flat roofs and could add solar farms. Commissioner Bone suggested that this could be added into the eco-school program with grants. Mr. Rushlow stated that the easiest plan is with a new building because they could run into retrofitting with existing buildings. He also reminded the Commission that it was important to look at the return on investment (ROI) because if it is greater than five years, it is almost impossible for a municipality to approve the program. Greenleaf Commission on Sustainability th 14 Regular Meeting of July 24, 2019 Page 3 Commissioner Cullum deferred to Mr. Rushlow on discussing the project with Blue Stem and informing the Commission on if they should move forward with a recommendation or if there are too many red flags to proceed. #5-19 RESOLVED, that the Greenleaf Commission on Sustainability does hereby make a motion for Mr. Rushlow to speak with Blue Stem Energy Source to gather further information in order to make a recommendation to the Commission. A roll call vote was taken on the foregoing resolution with the following result: AYES: Baringhaus, Bone, Calhoun, Cullum, Grzebik, and Mehelich. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Shesterkin 2. Simple Recycling Recommendation Update. Mr. Rushlow informed the Commission that Simple Recycling was presented to the Council at the Monday night study session. He provided accolades to the Commission for gathering information on the program. He told them that Sonny Wilkins, the VP of Municipal Relations for Simple Recycling, was there to answer any questions. Mr. Rushlow shared that there was some apprehension for a new program and the fact that it was a four-year contract. They wanted to drop it to two-years, but Mr. Wilkins stated that they could not do that as they wouldn’t be able to recoup cost in just two years. City Council made a motion to move this topic to the regular meeting on August 12, 2019, for a vote under old business. Commissioner Mehelich stated that she looked at All Things Livonia on Facebook and there were mainly all positive comments. Commissioner Grezbik thanked the Chairman and other Commissioners for putting this together. He then asked what would happen if the City was utilizing Simple Recycling and there was a mess what would be done, how would they alleviate this. Mr. Rushlow replied that Simple Recycling would still pick up if items have come loose. Commissioner Grezbik asked if there was any mess left behind if Greener for Life, GFL, would pick it up. Mr. Rushlow informed him that GFL would not pick things up but that there was a number to call for Simple Recycling to make them aware that something was not picked up and they would send a truck back out. The Chairman notified the Commission that there is a clause in the contract for non-conforming/not working where the City can pull out of the program. Mr. Rushlow stated that Mr. Wilkins is on board to get started before back to school as that is a big time for them. Chairman Baringhaus requested that the Commissioners be at the meeting on th the 12 and to bring people. 3. Alden Village/Ford Transmission Plant Background Information. Chairman Baringhaus gave background on the contamination at the plant located at Plymouth and Levan. During renovation in 2015 they found the presence of vinyl chloride in the ground. At the time, Ford informed the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) which is now the Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE). The concern is with the ground water runoff, fumes, and basement seepage. This is an issue that is mainly being dealt with between EGLE and Ford, although the City is monitoring the situation. Mr. Rushlow confirmed that the City is in fact not partaking in this but are monitoring and attending meetings. Commissioner Greenleaf Commission on Sustainability th 14 Regular Meeting of July 24, 2019 Page 4 Calhoun asked if the City would make a statement that they need to do something. Mr. Rushlow responded that he was not sure but that it would be an issue for the Law Department. Commissioner Cullum informed the Commission that they are moving some of the homeowners out of their homes temporarily to apply a membrane to the house. He stated that they need to be looking at the long-term health effects from the contamination. The Chairman stated that the contamination is in the ground water and not the drinking water. Commissioner Cullum asked if there was a plan to remediate the ground water and the Chairman replied that he did not know of any. Commissioner Cullum informed the Commission that the primary concern is vapor intrusions and there have been many wells drilled to monitor the contamination levels. He stated that Ford is stepping up and the issue is being addressed jointly by Ford and EGLE. Mr. Rushlow shared with the Commission that the City looked into hiring a third-party consultant to look at reports, but it is extremely hard to find one that is not connected in some way to Ford. Commission Cullum offered assistance on a voluntary basis as he has some background in this area. 4. New Business. City Events Chairman Baringhaus thanked Commissioner Calhoun for her participation at Passport to Safety. The Chairman asked the Commission for volunteers for the Old Fashion Corn Roast th on September 15 from one to four. Letter of Support Commissioner Mehelich informed the Commission that the letter of support for Shawn Grose, his work with Hoover Elementary and the Eco-Schools was much appreciated from the School Board. Mr. Grose did present extending his roll to the district as an official position, but the board turned him down at this time. Chairman Baringhaus suggested bringing the schools together to share ideas. Commissioner Mehelich said that she could help with Eco-Action but that she couldn’t run it. Commissioner Cullum stated that this program is a legacy and extends beyond the schools. Commissioner Bone said that through this program the kids are intrinsically motivated. Building off Commissioner Cullum’s point, the Chairman felt it would need to go to the top which would be the Superintendent. Native Tree Species Chairman Baringhaus asked Commissioner Mehelich if she got a list of the recommended tree species. She replied that she did not. Commissioner Mehelich then informed the Commission that non-native species are invasive. She also suggested going over to Hoover Elementary if they would like to see an example of a using native species. She drove by there recently and even though they had not been watered this season, they still looked great. Greenleaf Commission on Sustainability th 14 Regular Meeting of July 24, 2019 Page 5 Thank You Notes Commissioner Grezbik requested to send a thank you note to Save Our Youth for allowing the Greenleaf Commission on Sustainability to have a table at their event. He also acknowledged them for always adding a request to have recycling containers at their requests. Chairman Baringhaus also suggest sending a thank you note to Paul Sgriccia for being a Commissioner until he moved out of the City of Livonia. Audience Communication None. 5. Approval of Minutes. On a motion by Mehelich, seconded by Cullum, the minutes of the May 15, 2019, meeting were approved. On a motion by Grzebik, seconded by Cullum, and unanimously adopted, the meeting of July 24, 2019, was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Next Meeting –September 18, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. West Conference Room, DPW Administration Office JAMES BARINGHAUS, CHAIRPERSON GREENLEAF COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABILITY