HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/07/1990URBAN AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
CITY OF APPLE VALLEY
MAY 7, 1990
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the City of Apple
Valley Council Chambers.
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Others Present•
2. APPROVAL OF E
Chairman John McKay, Members JoAnne Ellison,
Jeannine Churchill, Pamela Sohlberg, Sharon
Schwartz and Councilperson Barbara Savanick.
Shirley Doering.
Scott Hickok.
Susan Nathan and Dan McGinley.
AGENDA OF MAY 7, 1990
Approved as written.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF APRIL 2, 1990
MOTION: A motion was made by Member Sharon Schwartz, seconded by
Member Pamela Sohlberg, to approve the minutes with clarification from
Chairman John McKay regarding his position on demand electric during off-
peak times. The motion carried unanimously.
4. DISCUSSION ON GAS UTILITIES INVOLVEMENT WITH ENERGY GRANT PROGRAM
SPECIAL GUEST - SUSAN K. NATHAN
ADMINISTRATOR
ENERGY PROGRAMS
Associate Planner Scott Hickok introduced Susan Nathan, representative
of Minnegasco Energy Division. Sue opened with, "Why is Minnegasco
involved in this Energy Conservation Program?" FIRST. Minnegasco is
mandated by State because of their status as a public utility. SECONDLY
Minnegasco can benefit by providing information to those customers who
could benefit from energy conservation techniques. Sue expanded by saying
that these are objective audits that will not try and sway or persuade the
person to buy something. Minnegasco is not trying to sell anything through
Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes
May 7, 1990
Page 2
the program. A priority in this program is to preserve the long-term
natural resources and increase the value of the home through energy
conservation. Nathan went on to explain that this program is limited in
some areas to certain groups for certain programs. The State of Minnesota
determines whether a person that qualifies requires 50 percent of the
funds spent by public utilities must be targeted to low and moderate income
families. A simple evaluation of income - Minnegasco will provide $97,000
to subsidize the Apple Valley Energy Conservation Program. Minnegasco,
overall, plans to spend $1 million dollars for their Energy Conservation
Program in this area.
There are basically two audit programs offered by Minnegasco. FIRST
is their Residential Energy Audit. This is a Federal-mandated program and
will provide energy savings and years of payback. Years ago, the
Residential Energy Audits were offered, but the end product was a jumble of
numbers that the homeowner could not use or would not understand. TODAY a
report is completed by Minnegasco and designed to eliminate the confusion
and give homeowners a clear picture of what they can do to save energy.
Twenty to twenty-five dollars worth of materials, such as door
sweeps, etc. may be needed. The auditor will provide this material, As a
follow-up, 60 to 90 days later the Self Reliance Center will contact these
people to see if they have installed the material and if it has improved
their energy efficiency.
Sharon Schwartz asked if SRC will only do low income. homes?
Nathan responded that SRC will ask questions, such as how many people
are in the home?, what is the combined household income?, and is it higher
or l ower than a certain number? This will let them know whether or not
they fit the low income guidelines. The y will provide an energy audit for
all people that are interested in taking part. The low income audit is
free. AlI other audits are $10.00.
Sharon Schwartz asked whether or not someone could be above 185
Federal guidelines and still qualify?
Sue Nathan responded yes they could.
Barbara Savanick asked if there is a 30 years old home that needs
serious modifications - roof, attic insulation, etc. - how is that handled?
Sue Nathan responded that if they are low income people, they can be
referred to other agencies who will provide the modifications necessary to
bring their home into a comfortable, efficient condition. Sue continued by
stating that NSP has a furnace program and the Housing and Redevelopment
Authority has a furnace and weatherization program as well.
Barbara Savanick asked what if you find an emergency?
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May 7, 1990
Page 3
Minnegasco responded that they will notify the owner. The gas company
will stop the leak, but they will not fix it without the homeowner's
consent.
Sharon Schwartz asked what the Energy Auditor looks at and what about
insulation, windows, etc.?
The auditor will more than likely recommend gaskets, not new windows
and doors. Payback is an important consideration in conserving energy.
Sharon Schwartz -What do you mean by low cost or no cost material?
Sue Nathan stated that a standard audit will cost $80.00 or Minnegasco
will provide $80.00 for a standard audit. Of that, $50.00 is actually
audit costs, $20.00 - $25.00 is material, and $5.00 - $dA.00 is admini-
stration costs. The State Grant also provides subsidies that will help
finance an additional $40.00 per energy audit. Sue continued by saying
that some communities do not apply for the State Grant and have energy
conservation programs without it. Minnegasco provides an additional $10.00
per audit for those cities. Nathan again reiterated that this program is
to audit not to replace roof, storm windows, etc..
Sharon Schwartz asked what about storm doors and windows?
Sue Nathan responded that the Energy Auditors will be giving informa-
tion about agencies that will help correct problems as they are noted.
Sue Nathan explained the Project AIR Program and noted that each
household, that has a Project AIR, will be provided $420.00 in expertise
and materials to retrofit older homes. Project AIR consists of a blower
door that is hooked up on the entrance of the home. The fan is hooked to a
collaboration machine and computer. The mechanism pulls air out of the
house and this air will be replaced by air that is coming through cracks
and under-insulated areas. Nathan mentioned that there are standards for
what is a safe infiltration level. This can be dangerous as well and
suggestions are made to increase infiltration to a safe level. Where
infiltration is too great, the major air leaks will be sealed, other
elements such as rim-joist insulation, hot water pipes, etc. will be
insulated to increase efficiency. The air infiltration reduction will
increase the comfort level in the home and a follow-up evaluation will take
place to measure the performance of the test. Nathan explained some blower
door tests will require a full day, others may just require a half day.
Sharon Schwartz asked how does this work when the occupant is a
renter?
Nathan responded that this program is for renters and homeowners as
well.
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May 7, 1990
Page 4
Sharon Schwartz asked what we would do in the event that a renter
needs major improvements?
Nathan responded that as long as the homeowner agrees the improve-
ments can be made, the homeowner must also agree that the rent will not be
raised for two years if the improvements have been made to the property.
(This will assure that the renter can get energy conservation assistance
without endangering their monthly rental rate.)
JoAnne Ellison asked if a person can work out a deal, for a blower
door test, if they are not a low income person?
Nathan responded that at least 50 percent of these should be low to
moderate income.
Sharon Schwartz asked if this program will continue after two years?
Sue Nathan stated that some communities start slow, others really take
off, but that there is a possibility of extending the program if it is not
quite complete at the end of two years.
Chairman McKay asked how will the State money fit into this program?
Nathan explained that the State funds help to both educate the
community about the program and in this case, help subsidize part of the
actual audit costs.
Dan McGinley asked what about doing a joint venture with a business
like Target?
Sue Nathan stated that Minnegasco would love to do more advertising
and there might be a possibility that somebody lake Target would be inter-
ested in cooperating.
Dan McGinley stated that 3M has a product that is designed to caulk
and seal cracks and reduce infiltration.. He suggested that we talk to 3M
about this product and possibly include this in our program.
5. REVIEW GRANT APPLICATION
No Discussion.
6. DISCUSSION -OTHER ITEMS BY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Dan McGinley asked, if we as a city are interested in doing more about
the commercial vehicles backing situation?
Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes
May 7, 1990
Page 5
Sharon Schwartz stated that she understands there are backing concerns
in the metro area.
Hickok responded that a letter would be going out to haulers later in
the year. This letter would focus on safety and would be distributed as
haulers begin thinking about relicensing for 1991. Hickok also said that
an article would be placed in an upcoming quarterly newsletter.
John McKay asked if the City would be interested in buying Savin¢ The
Earth - A Citizen's Guide to Environmental Action Will Steger and Jon
Bowermaster?
McKay also asked for an update on the recycling program at the
September meeting. This should include consideration of recycling the
following:
Plastics
Batteries
Styrofoam
Phone Books
Junk Mail
Business Recycling
Apartment Recycling
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
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