CC Minutes - 10/22/01 Work Session

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Mr. Rayor also commended the presentation and the information provided by staff. He said that the effort went toward achieving the City's sustainability goal. He complimented the City Manager and Facilities Management Division staff. Mr. Rayor termed the administrative order directing compliance with energy conservation measures "fantastic." Mr. Rayor noted he had attended the EWEB hearings for tiered rates, and the highest rates were being charged to the category that included street lights. He asked why that rate was so high. He also wondered if there was a chance to save energy related to street lights. He thought that EWEB would be interested in reducing that usage, which was an interest he shared. Mr. Johnson briefly noted the Public Works Department's streetlight change-out program, and indicated he would provide more information to the council. Mr. Kelly commended the work done by Facilities Management Division staff and said it was wonderful that the City could be a model for other energy users. He anticipated that the effort would be ongoing. Mr. Kelly suggested that the staff presentation be shared with others, including private sector companies. He was unsure if that meant classes, workshops, articles, or all those approaches. He noted a recent column in the Eugene Weekly regarding the University of Oregon's sustainability efforts, and suggested the City take a similar approach to sharing information about its energy management approach. He asked for staff's thoughts. Mr. Svendsen said that communities across the country were acting as clearing houses for information related to energy management for the private sector. Ms. ©sborn was charged with developing that element of the work program, and she was examining what had worked in other communities, such as Portland and Seattle. In response to Mr. Kelly's remarks, Ms. Nathanson suggested that the City communicate with the Lane Community College Business Center to see what it had done and how the work done by the City could be incorporated with the college's efforts. Ms. Nathanson also commended staff's work. She asked about the life expectancy of the equipment installed in the Atrium Building, and if the equipment would realize enough savings to recover its costs before it was replaced. Mr. Svendsen noted that some of the current equipment was more than 20 years old. He said individual components of the equipment were changed out over time, but the life of the more expensive, larger equipment was significantly longer than that of the individual components. Ms. Nathanson wanted to ensure that City lighting was both energy-efficient and easy for employees and citizens to work with. Ms. Kelly noted that the quality of flourescent lighting had improved dramatically over the last decade. Ms. Bettman thanked those who had the foresight to initiate the program. She said that it was saving a lot of money. Referring to the energy consumption savings target for new construction, Ms. Bettman determined from staff that was beyond what the minimum established by the Building Code. Ms. Bettman noted that the retrofit of the Hult Center and the Atrium Building resulted in a 23 percent reduction in total energy usage, so the City was already exceeding the 20 percent target in a retrofit project, even before adoption of more proactive policies; she questioned whether it was feasible to raise MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 22, 2001 Page 9 Work Session