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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 12 16 Minutes  Minutes    Tuesday,  January  12,  2016    6:15  PM   Robert  Gilliam  Municipal  Complex,  City  Hall   Second  Floor  South  Conference  Room   150  Dexter  Ct.,  Elgin,  IL  60120     A. Call  to  order  (chairperson)     B. Roll  Call  (staff  liaison)   C. Chairperson  Knoerr  and  Commissioners  Aageson,  Hajek,  Hernandez,  Jacobs,  Keare,  Masterson,   and  Segel  are  all  present.       D. Approval  of  previous  meeting’s  minutes   The  November  2015  meeting  minutes  were  approved.     E. Communications   Welcome  newly  appointed  Commissioner  Scott  Hajek     F. Discussion  Items   Chairperson  Knoerr  stated  that  she  will  read  a  section  of  Roberts  Rules  of  Order  at  the  beginning   of  each  meeting  for  the  next  few  months  to  help  serve  as  a  refresher.  Today,  she  read  Part  1-­‐   How  business  is  conducted.       G. Old  Business   1. Solar  ordinance   Continued  discussion  on  potential  modifications  to  the  City  of  Elgin’s  current  solar   ordinance.       Commissioner  Jacobs  updated  the  commission  that  the  federal  tax  rebates  have  been   extended  for  installation  of  solar  in  residential  and  commercial  facilities  for  another  4   years.  The  rebate  will  be  for  30%  until  2020,  after  which  it  will  go  down  to  20%  and  then   another  year  following,  to  10%.  The  State  of  Illinois  is  still  without  a  budget,  and  thus  has   no  ability  to  provide  any  rebates.  Commissioner  Masterson  said  at  the  Wanxiang  open   house,  ComEd  suggested  a  smart  grid  would  come  to  Elgin  prior  to  2018,  potentially  in   2016.  Commissioner  Jacobs  mentioned  that  the  first  residential  solar  permit  has  been   issued  in  Elgin.  He  stopped  by  the  Community  Development  office  and  asked  the  cost  of  a   permit,  and  was  told  it  depends,  but  typically  is  $140-­‐150.  People  have  the  option  of   selling  power  back  to  ComEd.  If  one  does  not  sell  kilowatts  back  to  ComEd,  it  is  necessary   to  have  a  converter  and  storage  unit,  which  would  cost  an  additional  $6,000-­‐7,000.  Liaison   inquired  as  to  the  residential  permit  holder’s  total  cost  for  solar.  Commissioner  Jacobs   informed  that  the  resident  installed  15  panels  with  an  initial  investment  was  $17,800  total.   She  received  a    $5336  tax  incentive,  $5000  solar  equipment  incentive,  leaving  $7,300  as   the  cumulative  total.  The  Code  Department  informed  Commissioner  Jacobs  that  solar   panels’  estimated  weight  is  64  pounds  per  square  foot.  He  has  found  in  research  panels  to   weigh  closer  to  4  pounds  each.  Commissioner  Jacob’s  goal  throughout  the  solar  ordinance   whole  process  is  to  generate  more  panels  being  installed  within  the  city  of  Elgin.  He  fears   those  with  old  homes  trying  to  get  solar  could  lead  to  more  roadblocks.  It’s  important  to     learn  more  about  newly  built  homes,  with  good  structural  integrity,  and  the  potential  to   make  the  permit  process  easier  on  those  homeowners.  Commissioner  Jacob’s  other   concern  is  how  we  reach  out  to  homeowners.  There  is  a  “residential  owners  guide  to   permits”  in  the  Community  Development  Department  that  could  and  should  include  solar.   The  commission  could  create  and  distribute  a  flyer  new  home  builders  to  tell  them  about   solar,  and  what  the  steps  are,  how  much  it  will  cost,  how  much  they  could  save.   Developers  and  project  manager  could  speak  with  the  Code  Department  and  have  them   look  at  building  plans  and  find  out  the  weight  limits  of  the  trust  on  the  home  prior  to   residential  homeowner  interest.  Commissioner  Keare  said  ECC’s  lab  has  a  solar  panel,  and   2-­‐4  pounds  per  square  foot  is  the  average  weight.  When  installing  new  panels  on  an  older   roof,  one  must  consider  push  points.  Commissioner  Aageson  suggested  we  need  to  solidify   what  questions  we  want  to  ask  Sarosh,  of  the  Community  Development  Department.  She   suggested  we  bring  in  a  few  experts  to  discuss  the  ordiance,  like  an  engineer  that  installs   solar.  Gary  suggested  Brent  from  Wanxiang  or  Chet  from  Freedom  Field  would  be  two   options.  She  suggested  Commissioner  Jacobs  come  up  with  five  points  of  interest.   Commissioner  Keare  spoke  to  Andy  Urbach  from  ECC,  and  he  would  be  happy  to  join  a   discussion  too.  Chairperson  Knoerr  said  we  need  a  copy  of  Geneseo’s  ordinance,  which   Wanxiang  suggested  has  been  very  successful.  The  ultimate  goal  is  to  create  a  brochure  to   market  solar  installation.  Melissa  said  our  research  and  questions  should  be  sent  out  in   advance  to  guests  being  brought  into  the  conversation.  Commissioner  Hajek  suggested   having  an  architect  would  be  a  better  person  to  invite  relative  to  discussion  on  weight   limits.  He  suggested  talking  to  Raoul  Johnston  in  building  and  finding  out  what  the  current   restrictions  are  in  the  building  code  to  allow  for  installation.  Chairperson  Knoerr  said   Judson  has  a  very  advanced  architectural  program  with  a  sustainable  component  and  she     will  make  some  phone  calls  or  reach  out  to  Aaron  for  contacts  there.  Bruce  Dalquist  is  an   architect  which  may  be  a  logical  person  to  reach  out  to,  and  Commissioner  Segel  will  call   him.  Ideally,  we  want  to  have  this  prepared  for  the  February  meeting.  Commissioner  Hajek   suggested  that  Sarosh  would  not  need  to  come  to  our  meeting  if  we  can  come  up  with  the   recommended  changes  with  these  folks.  Commissioner  Jacobs  agreed  to  write  up  changes   in  a  manner  that  shows  changes  directly  on  the  ordinance.  He  will  then  send  it  to  the   liaison  to  distribute  to  the  commission  any  additions/revisions.  After  that,  it  can  be  sent  to   suggested  experts.  Commissioner  Hajek    agreed  to  discuss  the  issues  with  Sarosh  and   Raoul  in  Community  Development.  Liaison  agreed  to  find  the  Geneseo  ordinance  to   distribute  to  the  commission.  Commissioner  Hernandez  mentioned  looking  into  grants   opportunities  with  the  Solar  Foundation.  Chairperson  Knoerr  suggested  asking  the  experts   for  ideas  on  getting  schools  or  Habitat  for  Humanity  to  be  interested  in  solar.     2. Partners  for  Places  grant  proposal   Continued  discussion  on  project  idea,  requirements,  and  timeline.     Commissioner  Masterson  mentioned  an  idea  of  installing  solar  panels  on  the  Gail  Borden   Public  Library  Rakow  Branch  building.  It’s  already  a  Gold  LEED  building.  Commissioner   Hajek  mentioned  that  we  need  to  get  a  copy  of  the  building  plans  to  determine  the   feasibility  of  such  a  project.  If  it  was  designed  for  LEED,  there  could  be  potential  for  land   use  around  the  building,  too.  Based  on  the  design,  panels  would  only  be  visible  on  the   residential  side,  and  not  from  the  road.  Commissioner  Masterson  motioned  the   commission  further  explore  a  partnership  with  Gail  Borden  Public  Library  district  to  help   them  install  solar  on  their  Rakow  branch  building.  All  were  in  favor.    The  following  are   necessary  to  move  forward:  Liaison  contact  the  Grand  Victoria  Foundation  to  see  if  match   funding  still  exists  &  if  Rachel  can  attend  our  next  meting;  Then  the  Commission  will   contact  library  board  to  see  if  there’s  interest  and  then  conduct  a  feasibility  study.  Liaison   will  send  commissioners  the  Partner  for  Places  FAQs  for  reference.  Commissioner  Segel   noted  that  30%  of  the  decision  for  the  Partners  for  Places  grant  is  based  on  the  STAR   Community  program.     H. Commissioner  comments/announcements   Liaison  to  announce  change  to  Kane  County  Recycling  events   Designation  of  commissioner  to  call  City  of  Geneseo  regarding  their  grants  and  solar  panel   installations   ECC  Sustainability  event  for  2016   Liaison  will  find  a  person  of  contact  for  the  event  and  ask  for  an  event  budget  and  detailed  plan   to  distribute  to  commission  prior  to  February  meeting.     Backyard  Chickens  Pilot  Program  presentation  at  Wednesday’s  Council  meeting   Liaison  announced  that  Senior  Management  Analyst,  Aaron  Cosentino,  will  be  presenting  a   report  at  Wednesday’s  (tomorrow’s)  Committee  of  the  Whole  meeting  at  6  p.m.  in  the  City   Council  Chambers  of  City  Hall.  Liaison  will  send  out  a  copy  of  the  presentation  to  all   commissioners  after  it  has  been  presented  to  council.     Commissioner  Masterson  announced  his  findings  on  the  Solar  Star  Foundation  and  suggested  we   can  help  out  local  schools.   The  next  Sustainability  Honor  Roll  presentation  is  this  April.  Thus,  the  Commission  would  be  best   to  vote  in  February,  so  that  award  can  be  ordered  in  time.  Liaison  will  send  out  the  Honor  Roll   nomination  template,  as  well  as  all  previous  nominee  write-­‐ups  to  all  commissioners  for   consideration  at  the  February  meeting.  Commissioners  can  bring  any  new  nominations  then.     I. Adjourn      The  City  of  Elgin  is  subject  to  the  requirements  of  the  Americans  with  Disabilities  Act  (ADA)  of  1990.  Individuals  with  disabilities  who  plan  to  attend   this  meeting  and  who  require  certain  accommodations  in  order  to  allow  them  to  observe  and/or  participate  in  this  meeting,  or  who  have  questions   regarding  the  accessibility  of  the  meeting  or  the  facilities,  are  requested  to  contact  ADA  coordinator,  at  (847)  931-­‐6076,  or  TTY/TDD  (847)  931-­‐5616   promptly  to  allow  the  City  of  Elgin  to  make  reasonable  accommodations  for  those  persons.