Sustainability and Resiliency Committee Minutes - March 9, 2021
The kickoff meeting of the Sustainability and Resiliency Committee was held in the City Commission Chambers at Fargo City Hall at 3:00 o'clock p.m., Tuesday, March 9, 2021.
MEMBERS (voting):
John Strand (chair), Fargo City Commissioner
Tim Mahoney, Fargo Mayor
Bruce Grubb, Fargo City Administrator
Nicole Crutchfield, Fargo Director of Planning and Development
Brenda Derrig, City of Fargo Engineer
Ben Dow, City of Fargo Director of Public Works
Brock Morrison, City of Fargo Director of Facilities Management
Bruce Taralson, City of Fargo Inspections Director
Jennifer Sweatman, At-Large Member of the Public
Casey Steele, At-Large Member of the Public
Greta Gramig, At-Large Member of the Public
Ex-officio Members
Shawn Paschke, Xcel Energy Representative
Paul Matthys, Cass County Electric Cooperative Representative
Blake Mikesell, Fargo School District Representative
Dave Leker, Fargo Park District Representative
Chair John Strand called the meeting to order and welcomed the members. He said there are no bad ideas and no limits to the thinking and if members have something to share it is encouraged. It is expected each member will do their best, think out-of-the-box, ask questions and contribute, he said. This is an impressive group with a great skillset, he said and he reminded the group to keep it fun. Introductions were done around the table.
Present: John Strand, Tim Mahoney, Jennifer Sweatman, Greta Gramig, Casey Steele, Mark Williams (for Nicole Crutchfield), Brenda Derrig, Bruce Taralson, Brock Morrison, Bruce Grubb, Paul Matthys, Blake Mikesell and Dave Leker.
Absent: Shawn Paschke, Nicole Crutchfield, Ben Dow.
Renewable Energy and Conservation Committee Background:
Mr. Grubb outlined the contents of the 3-ring binder provided to each member. Former Commissioner Mike Williams helped create a Renewable Energy and Conservation Committee (RECC) in 2005, which fell dormant over time, he said, and now this group has formed as the Sustainability and Resiliency Committee (SRC). About a year ago, he said, Commissioner Strand hosted a well-attended Climate Change Town Hall and he encouraged members to read the compilation of the comments from the public included in the packet.
White-Paper on City Efforts at Climate Resiliency, Renewable Energy, Emissions Reductions, Energy Efficiency and Environmental Stewardship:
Mr. Grubb summarized the City’s efforts:
Climate Resiliency
• FM Area Diversion Project - a huge local flood protection project.
• Red River Valley Water Supply Project - a long-term drought resiliency plan.
• Drought Management Plan - a short-term drought resiliency measure.
Renewable Energy
• Traffic Signal Conversion to LED - incredible reduction in energy requirements
• High Pressure Sodium Street Light Conversion to LED - 50% energy reduction
Energy Efficiency
• Water treatment expansion - recently competed
• Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion:
o High efficient pumps and motors.
o White membrane roof.
o Rain water harvesting system.
o LED lighting and controls.
o Insulation exceeding code requirements.
o High efficiency glass throughout.
SCADA control system software to track energy use and trends.
• Variable Frequency Drive Conversions - allow to control speed of motors.
• Energy Load Shedding - allows reduced energy rate, both electricity and natural gas.
• International Energy Conservation Code – adopted.
• Energy Load Profile Study - looking at energy use baseline.
Environmental Stewardship
• Wastewater Reuse - environmentally friendly reclamation for process water.
• Rainwater Harvesting and Reuse - at Transit garage and treatment plant.
• Main Library Green Rooflets.
• The Fargo Project - World Garden Commons at Rabanus Park.
• Landfill Yard Waste Composting – to keep compostable organics out of landfill.
o Tried a food waste composting project from Microsoft food service; however, found it not suitable for the yard waste process due to far different rate of decomposition.
• Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling – used extensively
• Curbside Recycling for residential, single-family
• Drop Site Recycling for multi-family residences and businesses
• Special Recycling Programs for phone books, Christmas lights, etc.
• Sump Pump Program - to keep sump pump discharge out of sanitary sewer
• GO2030 Comprehensive Plan - managed by Planning Department,
• Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) and in 2019 Downtown InFocus Strategic Plan was adopted
Comments/Discussion – Q&A
• Has the City looked into commercial industrial recycling programs?
o A certain amount is done; however, the private sector does a lot of the commercial/industrial waste collection so it is challenging, particularly for apartment buildings.
• What percentage of total emissions are captured at the landfill?
o More is captured than escapes.
• Does the School District have systems in place looking at energy efficiencies?
o Yes, looking at further efficiencies such as windows, LEDs, new buildings, recycling, etc.
• What is gained by City doing LEDs?
o The Library conversion from fluorescent has a 3-year payback, better light, less maintenance and overall better quality.
• How is the School District’s long-range facilities plan coming along?
o A 10-year plan is a roadmap, yet difficult to stick with considering unknowns so now they are 2 to 2 ½ years behind. The 10-year plan may be taken down to a three to five-year plan.
• Does the Park District have a maintenance/facilities plan?
o They are working to put such a plan together. The improvements they are most aware of are being done and they are looking at long-range planning and deferred maintenance.
• What do students expect from government as far as alternate technologies?
o Students may have unrealistic expectations on how quickly large-scale changes can happen. Students are particularly passionate about climate change, food waste and reducing carbon footprints.
• Has food waste composting, such as was tried with Microsoft, been revisited?
o Materials such as utensils are biodegradable; however, food waste composting did not fit in with the yard waste composting. It could be done if a solution is found for that material.
• Has residential pick-up of compostable materials such as food scraps been considered?
o Perhaps this group will come up with ideas. Automated collection for garbage has been somewhat perfected and a separate container could be used; however, the difficulty is that there needs to be a destination for the waste.
Chair Strand said while there are questions on what can be done locally, another component is what others are doing and how can that be emulated and replicated and what are the benefits.
Members of the group each described their meaning of the words sustainability and resiliency.
Chair Strand said that part of the job of the SRC will be to look at challenges, what there is to work with and the access of opportunity. It is not just energy, food or shelter, he said, it is all those collectively and individuals need to benefit from the location where they live. He encouraged the group to think out of the box, think big and to see ahead.
Future Presentation Possibilities
Chair Strand said there are some presentations that will be requested in the future, Xcel Energy, Cass County Electric Cooperative, C.L.E.A.N., organizational groups, individuals and businesses that are very involved in aspects of sustainability and resiliency. He asked the group what ideas they may have for future agendas going forward.
Mr. Grubb he would like the group to establish the City’s carbon baseline.
Ms. Gramig suggested finding out more about NDSU’s powerplant, its emissions and their future plans.
Mr. Matthys suggested carbon capture would be a good project.
Mayor Mahoney said clarification to the public on energy conservation programs offered by Xcel, Cass County Electric, etc. would be beneficial.
Mr. Taralson said it would be nice to know what grant programs are available.
Ms. Sweatman suggested a presentation on the social aspects of sustainability.
Mr. Taralson said to perhaps add a public input opportunity to future meetings.
Discussion on Committee Workplan/Priorities/Initiatives
Chair Strand said he is open to creating some community engagement processes, perhaps focused task forces or targeted groups for specific tasks.
Discussion on Potential Subgroups/Subcommittees:
Chair Strand said in just a few years this world will be different and he encouraged committee members to pay attention to what is coming. There are community members such as the Cass Clay Food Commission, pollinators and others whose topics could intersect with those of this committee, he stated.
In response to a question from Chair Strand asking if focused workgroups would be the approach or what would be effective, Ms. Steele said that would depend on how many topics are being tackled. She said smaller groups can be more effective and focused.
Mr. Grubb said an email will be sent out to committee members prior to the next meeting asking if there are items they would like to see on the agenda.
Chair Strand said it will be fun to learn and see what can be accomplished.
Next Meeting:
April 13, 2021 at 3:00 p.m.
The time at adjournment was 4:31 o’clock p.m.