WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.240 Okay. Welcome to the Friday, July 25th, 2025 meeting of the Sustainability Framework Advisory 00:00:13.240 --> 00:00:20.240 Committee. We have a full house today, so I'm very thankful for that. We're going to deal 00:00:20.240 --> 00:00:27.480 with items for individual consideration first, and the first item there is to consider approval 00:00:27.480 --> 00:00:40.600 of February 28th, 2025 minutes. Any discussion about the minutes? I would like to make one 00:00:40.600 --> 00:00:50.000 adjustment, and that is on the second page under the matrix section, where it says, "Are 00:00:50.000 --> 00:00:55.760 there any potential plans to execute our own risk assessment of the city's infrastructure?" 00:00:55.760 --> 00:01:05.400 I think we should add there is their own climate risk assessment, so that we specify what kind 00:01:05.400 --> 00:01:12.160 of risk assessment it's supposed to be. I think it's that way in the matrix as well. 00:01:12.160 --> 00:01:19.840 So if that change could be made, I'd appreciate it. Any other discussion? I have a motion 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:30.120 for approval. All in favor? Second. All in favor? Aye. Minutes are accepted. The next 00:01:30.120 --> 00:01:37.560 item, item B, is to receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction on 00:01:37.560 --> 00:01:57.080 the update regarding the Simply Sustainable Framework. And Elisa is going to present to 00:01:57.080 --> 00:02:08.440 us her presentation. Good afternoon, committee members. My name is Elisa Amador. I'm going 00:02:08.440 --> 00:02:14.400 to be talking to you guys about the Simply Sustainable Framework update. I'm the Senior 00:02:14.400 --> 00:02:19.080 Program Coordinator within the Environmental Services and Sustainability Department. So 00:02:19.080 --> 00:02:23.960 today's focus, we're going to review the draft that was in your backup, and receive 00:02:23.960 --> 00:02:31.560 feedback and talk about next steps. So the framework we're updating is the framework 00:02:31.560 --> 00:02:38.520 that was adopted in 2020, that came along with eight focus areas, 66 goals and strategies, 00:02:38.520 --> 00:02:45.440 and 36 metrics. So we are changing that a little bit, and you'll see that it's included 00:02:45.440 --> 00:02:54.080 in the backup that you have. So it will look a little different for moving forward. Since 00:02:54.080 --> 00:02:59.840 2020, we of course also have to consider the plans that were also adopted since then. So 00:02:59.840 --> 00:03:05.320 we want to, you know, not reinvent the wheel. We also know that some of these plans do have 00:03:05.320 --> 00:03:10.040 their own metrics and goals and strategies that we also want to take into account, and 00:03:10.040 --> 00:03:15.640 then we also want to marry them well into what we're bringing forth. So Urban Forest 00:03:15.640 --> 00:03:20.200 Master Plan, you know, you guys are familiar with some of these. Denton 2040 Mobility Plan, 00:03:20.200 --> 00:03:26.320 Parks Can, Conferences Always Management Strategy, Water, and of course you guys will be receiving 00:03:26.320 --> 00:03:34.760 a presentation on the cap of the Climate Action Plan later today. And the plan is forward. 00:03:34.760 --> 00:03:40.000 These plans also have some component of sustainability, and so we want them to align well with the 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:49.200 work we're doing. So in September 2023, that's when we reviewed two of the focus areas, which 00:03:49.200 --> 00:03:54.960 was education and communication and community involvement. Also resiliency and public health. 00:03:54.960 --> 00:04:00.360 During that discussion, it was brought to the attention that this is a great opportunity 00:04:00.360 --> 00:04:08.360 in the new update to be able to ingrain those two focus areas in all of the framework. And 00:04:08.360 --> 00:04:15.040 so what's remaining for us to review for and get feedback from are water, air quality, 00:04:15.040 --> 00:04:24.280 energy, land use, transportation, and material resource management focus areas. So just like 00:04:24.280 --> 00:04:27.840 we referenced a little bit before, you guys saw some of those plans. They have some kind 00:04:27.840 --> 00:04:33.600 of, some of them will have a sustainability component. We also have to take into consideration 00:04:33.600 --> 00:04:38.600 the Climate Action Plan after having it under our belt for about a year for implementation, 00:04:38.600 --> 00:04:43.600 and you guys will be receiving that presentation later on today. But we also have to be cognizant 00:04:43.600 --> 00:04:48.600 that we want to make sure that we're aligned on our communication strategies and outreach, 00:04:48.600 --> 00:04:54.600 because we have so many messages, and sometimes we want to make sure that they're aligned 00:04:54.600 --> 00:05:02.600 with city messaging, but also some of those plans that are also in place. So this framework 00:05:02.600 --> 00:05:09.600 update is a little different in that we are tying everything back to these two goals. 00:05:09.600 --> 00:05:15.600 So goal one is going to be the focus on municipal operations. So it's going to be reducing the 00:05:15.600 --> 00:05:20.600 environmental footprint of municipal operations, assets, and facilities. Goal two will be more 00:05:20.600 --> 00:05:25.600 focused on the community impact side. So that is reducing barriers, and so residents have 00:05:25.600 --> 00:05:32.600 the opportunity to make that switch or that shift towards a sustainable behavior change. 00:05:32.600 --> 00:05:40.600 And you'll see that the draft is a working document. With the draft, you know, we'll 00:05:40.600 --> 00:05:45.600 receive feedback from you guys today, but it will be our planning document for the next 00:05:45.600 --> 00:05:53.600 five years. So I pulled out some of the strategies that are included under goal one, which is 00:05:53.600 --> 00:05:58.600 the municipal side. So you guys can read along, but I just wanted to call out a couple that 00:05:58.600 --> 00:06:04.600 are included. So exploring the opportunities for property tax exemptions, for installing 00:06:04.600 --> 00:06:11.600 renewable energy systems to primary residents, how we can look at city code for the reclaimed 00:06:11.600 --> 00:06:17.600 water line once that comes online in the future, or the expansion of some of the reclaimed 00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:23.600 lines in the future. Solid Base has brought forward a presentation to go before in regards 00:06:23.600 --> 00:06:29.600 to landfill gas energy. So completing that project so we can harness the methane there 00:06:29.600 --> 00:06:36.600 for our energy. The next one talks about fossil fuel powered equipment. And so some of you 00:06:36.600 --> 00:06:41.600 guys may know that Parks has piloted some electric lawn equipment. So looking at opportunities 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:48.600 with different departments, seeing what they have and then seeing what we can spot out. 00:06:48.600 --> 00:06:54.600 Partnering with economic development, we work with them to promote the green business program, 00:06:54.600 --> 00:07:00.600 but also just they're able to seek businesses in working with installing alternative fueling 00:07:00.600 --> 00:07:08.600 stations. And that can be short-term electric opportunities or long-term hydrogen. And Parks 00:07:08.600 --> 00:07:14.600 and Rec, they already have certain projects going on with medians, and so this is kind 00:07:14.600 --> 00:07:19.600 of capturing that as well. It would be removing invasive species and replacing it with native 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:29.600 grasses. On the community side, so we of course want the community to be informed on the different 00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:34.600 opportunities where they can make that pivot or that shift. And we can do that through 00:07:34.600 --> 00:07:39.600 rebates, audits, workshops of course that they attend, and then providing different 00:07:39.600 --> 00:07:44.600 resources. There's also weatherization kits or conservation kits that we provide that 00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:52.600 they can take home and put on their use for water tripping and many other things. We also 00:07:52.600 --> 00:07:58.600 want to increase the number of conservation classes for water so we can reduce water consumption. 00:07:58.600 --> 00:08:04.600 Some of the big popular classes that we've had and hosted are rain barrel classes. We 00:08:04.600 --> 00:08:08.600 also do want to inform residents on how they can also be equipped by doing their own audits 00:08:08.600 --> 00:08:15.600 at home. So DIY energy audits or DIY water audits as well. So the next one hits a little 00:08:15.600 --> 00:08:21.600 on material resource management. So it is just exploring more opportunities to be able 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:26.600 to pilot diversion at University Moveouts. You guys have received a report before on the 00:08:26.600 --> 00:08:31.600 UNT textile initiative that we've done and then also the TWU textile initiative that 00:08:31.600 --> 00:08:36.600 we did this previous spring. And so just kind of catapulting off of that, what other opportunities 00:08:36.600 --> 00:08:43.600 we have with universities to be able to collaborate with them. We've kicked off the electric lawn 00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:48.600 equipment for residential, but maybe in the future we can also look at maybe a pilot for 00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:55.600 commercial water as well. And transportation makes up a good chunk of our missions and so 00:08:55.600 --> 00:08:59.600 we want to make sure that people are doing it also safely. I think Brand, you mentioned 00:08:59.600 --> 00:09:05.600 being interested in helmets, things like that. So being able to provide resources so that 00:09:05.600 --> 00:09:10.600 people are using active transportation, but that they're doing it safely. 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:17.600 Can I ask a quick question? On the previous page in the municipal operations strategies, 00:09:17.600 --> 00:09:26.600 you listed incentives for renewables. Yes. Exploring alternative incentives such as property 00:09:26.600 --> 00:09:34.600 tax exemptions or renewable energy systems, yes. For the city's benefit or for the residents' 00:09:34.600 --> 00:09:40.600 benefit? For the residents. Pardon? For the residents. So see what I'm confused is I see 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:46.600 that there, but I don't see anything about similar incentives under... On the community 00:09:46.600 --> 00:09:57.600 side. Yeah. Okay, I see. Well... I think we were thinking this is something that we need 00:09:57.600 --> 00:10:04.600 to work on internally on the municipal side to be able to implement that for the community 00:10:04.600 --> 00:10:10.600 side. So that's how... Yes, so there can be a community benefit, but that's some good 00:10:10.600 --> 00:10:19.600 feedback we can include. Yeah, I'd like to see it under the community and add battery 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:40.600 storage to it. Thank you. Okay, so going back to community side, Haywood is also working 00:10:40.600 --> 00:10:44.600 on completing a color-facing dashboard for the tree canopy. So that's one of the strategies 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:51.600 that we included for building. So next steps. We want most feedback. If you've reviewed 00:10:51.600 --> 00:11:00.600 the draft, what are some recommendations you guys have? Any questions? Any questions? 00:11:00.600 --> 00:11:06.600 Observations? I've got one. So on the community action strategy that says support energy efficiency 00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:13.600 and building of improvements in existing residential structures. So that sounds like it's encouraging 00:11:13.600 --> 00:11:19.600 homeowner improvements. Is there anything being done like at the building code level 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:26.600 for requirements for builders? Oh, I see. I think that we... And I didn't answer that. 00:11:26.600 --> 00:11:32.600 I'm sorry. I'm an only non-Catheter in a little bit. So yes, we are exploring Camp and Barnett 00:11:32.600 --> 00:11:36.600 sustainability manager. So we're working with our building inspection folks. They're looking 00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:40.600 at the newest international energy conservation code and those amendments that are approved 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:49.600 to adopt that. And maybe the 2024 version, I believe. They would be bringing that forward. 00:11:49.600 --> 00:12:01.600 But yes, we encourage that. Any other? No. If I'm remembering right, because this was 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:05.600 some time ago. I know we tried to update this framework roughly over four or five years 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:12.600 or so. In the lead up to the 2020 framework update, did we do any public facing outreach 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:20.600 in the development of that? So we had more feedback in the previous update and we feel 00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:24.600 like that provided a really good foundation. And so with that in mind, we wanted to bring 00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:32.600 it here so that you guys could provide the feedback for it. And then within your draft 00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:41.600 document, I noticed in the previous update, there was a lot kind of framing the visioning 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:46.600 and a little bit of the intent behind the document in almost like a preamble sense. 00:12:46.600 --> 00:12:51.600 And your update had some background information that was interesting and helpful. But I'm 00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:59.600 curious if there's possibly some supportive language we could include in the earlier section 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:04.600 of the document that could help if someone's looking at this to understand sort of the 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:10.600 motivations behind this and why we're leaning into this so hard. I see from the previous 00:13:10.600 --> 00:13:15.600 framework, there's like two or three pages regarding the summary of the document, the 00:13:15.600 --> 00:13:21.600 vision of the document, the principles supporting the document, and those little abbreviated 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:25.600 phrasings I think are really helpful for someone who's just approaching this. And if we're 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:30.600 really trying to lean into some of this momentum behind the climate action plan and some similar 00:13:30.600 --> 00:13:34.600 actions that the department's done, I think those types of supportive phrasing as a standalone 00:13:34.600 --> 00:13:39.600 document without understanding some of that history could be difficult for somebody first 00:13:39.600 --> 00:13:44.600 approaching this. So I think on the public face and side, it would be cool to see some 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:49.600 additional language around the motivations behind this update and what we hope to achieve 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:59.600 through this plan. Anyone else? Yeah. Just a question on the timeline. You may have said 00:13:59.600 --> 00:14:05.600 this, sorry, but when do you need this to be completed? We are going to tweet this back 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:10.600 and I know include some of the feedback that you guys have provided. I think we're going 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:19.600 to be also bringing it to you. And then afterward, bring it to you. Okay. So we have a couple 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:33.600 of months. Anybody else? I have a couple of points, if I may. Thanks for the presentation. 00:14:33.600 --> 00:14:46.600 On page four of the actual draft under goal one, we have reduced the environmental footprint 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:54.600 of municipal operations and evaluate and improve city facilities to ensure that they are resilient 00:14:54.600 --> 00:15:05.600 to hazards and vulnerabilities. Again, I think this calls for the creation of a climate risk 00:15:05.600 --> 00:15:11.600 and vulnerability plan. Otherwise, we're not going to know what we're going to be facing. 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:17.600 It's a way to look into the future and see what our biggest challenges are going to be. 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:26.600 And on the back of that, I know that in 2020, and perhaps you can help me or Kathryn can 00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:38.600 help with this, in 2020, a former staff person created an emissions reduction strategies 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:47.600 and greenhouse gas mitigation targeting, which was given to us on February 3rd, 2020. Get 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:56.600 the page here. Here we go. On page three of that presentation, there's actually listed 00:15:56.600 --> 00:16:03.600 a risk and vulnerability assessment, which was to be completed in August 2020. And I 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:10.600 was just curious as to whether or not that assessment was done and if it has been, if 00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:13.600 we can get copies of it. 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:27.600 So the assessment was partially completed. You may remember we had some challenges with 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:34.600 the company who was doing that assessment. So we have a preliminary report that we could 00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:40.600 forward to you. I believe we can share that. It wasn't fully completed, but we were able 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:46.600 to bring all the staff together to do what the goals of that were, but we can share what 00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:47.600 we did receive. 00:16:47.600 --> 00:17:01.600 Okay. Thank you. Great. Let me see if there's anything else here. I think, yeah, I think 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:11.600 this is really great. Yeah, very inclusive. Tell me the difference between this plan and 00:17:11.600 --> 00:17:19.600 the Simply Sustainable book plan. Or do you mean the Climb Action Plan? No, no, there's 00:17:19.600 --> 00:17:26.600 a, that document is called- Oh, the previous version. Yeah. Well, I think one of the big 00:17:26.600 --> 00:17:32.600 differences is that we want to tie them all back to these different goals. We also want 00:17:32.600 --> 00:17:39.600 to look at specific policies, which were stated in the previous 2020 framework, but how we 00:17:39.600 --> 00:17:48.600 can update them to align with these goals. Okay. So we still have the Simply Sustainable. 00:17:48.600 --> 00:17:54.600 This is the updated version of it. Yes, this is the update to the Simply Sustainable. Oh, 00:17:54.600 --> 00:18:00.600 okay. Yes, yes. That's what confused me. I apologize, yeah. Right. Okay. Thank you. I 00:18:00.600 --> 00:18:06.600 did have two other things. Sure. I agree with that. In the larger framing of this, I think 00:18:06.600 --> 00:18:10.600 it's really helpful that you brought this down into the community and municipal. That's 00:18:10.600 --> 00:18:14.600 in line with the way we've been framing some of where these actions actually hit. So I 00:18:14.600 --> 00:18:19.600 think this overview is really helpful to split how those actually interact with the actions. 00:18:19.600 --> 00:18:26.600 There were a couple items from the previous plan that I'm not seeing reflected in the 00:18:26.600 --> 00:18:31.600 update that I don't feel we made a ton of progress on. They're a little timely, so I 00:18:31.600 --> 00:18:36.600 figured it's worth mentioning. One being when we were developing the climate action plan, 00:18:36.600 --> 00:18:41.600 there was continual reference to the 2019 greenhouse gas inventory. Okay. And in the 00:18:41.600 --> 00:18:48.600 2020 framework update, discussed an annual update to our greenhouse gas inventory. Is 00:18:48.600 --> 00:18:52.600 that something that we're able to achieve through our current air quality monitoring 00:18:52.600 --> 00:18:57.600 program, or is that something that we might think about as a separate development for 00:18:57.600 --> 00:19:03.600 inventory, even semi-annually, or? I don't know if you had a comment on that. I don't 00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:08.600 know about semi-annually. No, I'm sorry. Every other year, annually, but I only recall the 00:19:08.600 --> 00:19:18.600 2019 update ever being referenced in documents. I want to say I'm going to move along with 00:19:18.600 --> 00:19:27.600 everyone. We're going to talk about the greenhouse gas inventory during the staff updates. Okay. 00:19:27.600 --> 00:19:34.600 So the 2019 inventory was completed in 2023. So we do the longer look back to make sure 00:19:34.600 --> 00:19:42.600 that the data is available. So we'll be working on an inventory looking probably at 2023 data 00:19:42.600 --> 00:19:49.600 starting soon. So it's different from the air quality monitoring. It's a completely 00:19:49.600 --> 00:19:55.600 different process. Right. I'm just curious if that could be included in this plan. I 00:19:55.600 --> 00:20:01.600 know it's related in other plans like our climate action plan, but given that's something 00:20:01.600 --> 00:20:06.600 we're really leaning into both in the 2020 update and in this update, I think having 00:20:06.600 --> 00:20:12.600 that item specifically as a target that we're looking at those metrics and we're trying 00:20:12.600 --> 00:20:17.600 to follow as a progress check, right? The actions that we're implementing are helpful 00:20:17.600 --> 00:20:26.600 or not. Second, this is a little timely as well. Given ongoing discussions from our municipal 00:20:26.600 --> 00:20:32.600 utility regarding energy generation, there were some specifics in the 2020 update that 00:20:32.600 --> 00:20:38.600 sought to put a little bit more of a definition around what being a 100% renewable city looked 00:20:38.600 --> 00:20:46.600 like. And there was a breakdown in that goal from the 2020 update that defined 100% renewable 00:20:46.600 --> 00:20:51.600 generation, for example, or there were other targets talking about having contracts in 00:20:51.600 --> 00:20:57.600 place to see through X, Y, and Z that were really specific. And I think having those 00:20:57.600 --> 00:21:03.600 definitions are helpful if these are plans that council are adopting that should be cohesive 00:21:03.600 --> 00:21:07.600 throughout city operations, right? And so if that's something that on the books we have 00:21:07.600 --> 00:21:12.600 in this document, I know it's referenced in the climate action plan. I know it's currently 00:21:12.600 --> 00:21:17.600 referenced in our renewable resource plan. I think that consistency or at least continuity 00:21:17.600 --> 00:21:24.600 between the plans is really helpful. We can by name put something down, right? But we can 00:21:24.600 --> 00:21:29.600 see also, even in our own municipal operations, we have one active gas plant and discussions 00:21:29.600 --> 00:21:33.600 of a second one already in public meetings. But I think that definition of what does it 00:21:33.600 --> 00:21:38.600 mean to be 100% renewable city is really helpful, at least in the way that we vision it in this 00:21:38.600 --> 00:21:43.600 document. And that would be for council to determine whether or not that's the definition 00:21:43.600 --> 00:21:48.600 they want to subscribe to. But I think putting words down that expand that, or at least that 00:21:48.600 --> 00:21:54.600 target specific goals can be helpful to guide some of that discussion. 00:21:54.600 --> 00:22:11.600 Any other comments? That's it. Thank you very much. Thank you. All right. Next on the agenda 00:22:11.600 --> 00:22:17.600 is receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction on the update regarding 00:22:17.600 --> 00:22:23.600 the Sense Energy Efficiency Incentive Program results for fiscal year 2023 and 2024. 00:22:23.600 --> 00:22:37.600 And Caitlin Davis is going to come up and present this. This is her first time to present 00:22:37.600 --> 00:22:50.600 this to y'all. So be nice. All right. Good afternoon. I have a question. What's your name? 00:22:50.600 --> 00:22:55.600 Yes. Good afternoon committee. My name is Caitlin Davis. I am one of the conservation 00:22:55.600 --> 00:22:59.600 program coordinators in the Environmental Services and Sustainability Division. Today I'm just 00:22:59.600 --> 00:23:04.600 going to give you a brief presentation over the Green Sense Energy Efficiency Incentive 00:23:04.600 --> 00:23:11.600 Program reductions for last fiscal year, fiscal year '23, '24. So just a brief outline of 00:23:11.600 --> 00:23:16.600 what I'm going to be talking to you guys about today. So first I'm going to give a background 00:23:16.600 --> 00:23:22.600 of the Green Sense Incentive Program, and I will talk about the fiscal year '23, '24 00:23:22.600 --> 00:23:27.600 kilowatt hour reductions from the Green Sense rebates. And then finally I'll touch on the 00:23:27.600 --> 00:23:34.600 greenhouse gas emissions reductions from the Green Sense rebates for the fiscal year '23, '24. 00:23:34.600 --> 00:23:40.600 So a brief background. The Green Sense Energy Efficiency Incentive Program began in 2009, 00:23:40.600 --> 00:23:47.600 and rebates were offered focused on incentivizing increased energy efficiency in our existing 00:23:47.600 --> 00:23:54.600 housing stock. And it was focused on the building envelope and building systems. So envelope 00:23:54.600 --> 00:24:00.600 is insulation and windows, and the building systems are HVAC, smart thermostats, things 00:24:00.600 --> 00:24:05.600 like that. And this program is coordinated by the Environmental Services and Sustainability 00:24:05.600 --> 00:24:11.600 Division, and it's funded through Benton Municipal Electric. And prior to last fiscal 00:24:11.600 --> 00:24:16.600 year's program updates, the program incentive levels have been in place and unchanged since 00:24:16.600 --> 00:24:26.600 fiscal year '28. So of the program changes for fiscal year '23, '24, there was an annual 00:24:26.600 --> 00:24:32.600 budget increase from $250,000 to $1 million, and incentive level increases were given to 00:24:32.600 --> 00:24:36.600 those current offerings that had the largest impact on reducing energy consumption and 00:24:36.600 --> 00:24:42.600 demand for our customers. And new program offerings included HVAC tune-up rebates, 00:24:42.600 --> 00:24:49.600 weatherization or conservation kits, and dedicated funding for our annual solar fan giveaway. 00:24:49.600 --> 00:24:55.600 And these last two items are specifically targeting renters, as the Green Sense rebates 00:24:55.600 --> 00:25:03.600 are typically for homeowners. And they still have a large impact on reducing energy consumption 00:25:03.600 --> 00:25:06.600 and demand for our customers, despite being small. 00:25:06.600 --> 00:25:12.600 Can I ask a quick question? I'm just curious, how extensive is the fan giveaway program? 00:25:12.600 --> 00:25:19.600 Do you have any numbers on? I guess that will be in the next presentation, right? Yeah, 00:25:19.600 --> 00:25:20.600 okay. 00:25:20.600 --> 00:25:21.600 Yeah, I don't have any current numbers. 00:25:21.600 --> 00:25:22.600 Okay, thanks. 00:25:22.600 --> 00:25:29.600 All right, so this graphic shows the total number of rebates by fiscal year. These numbers 00:25:29.600 --> 00:25:34.600 are only for the energy efficiency rebates. They do not include the electric vehicles 00:25:34.600 --> 00:25:39.600 and e-bikes, which have now since been moved to the framework fund. And we can see between 00:25:39.600 --> 00:25:48.600 2023 and 2024, fiscal year 2023 and fiscal year 2024, there was a 118% increase in the 00:25:48.600 --> 00:25:53.600 rebates awarded, which can be attributed to our funding increase, our changes in incentive 00:25:53.600 --> 00:25:59.600 levels, as well as increase in education about the rebates through social media, ads on utility 00:25:59.600 --> 00:26:05.600 bills and flyers, as well as our continued improvement of our online processing procedure 00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:10.600 through our online application form, in addition to the paper copy for those customers that 00:26:10.600 --> 00:26:18.600 prefer to use that. And this graphic right here shows the percentage of the installation 00:26:18.600 --> 00:26:24.600 cost to the customer covered by the green sense rebates by fiscal year. Prior to the 00:26:24.600 --> 00:26:30.600 fiscal year '24 program updates, the incentive levels remain the same, with the exception 00:26:30.600 --> 00:26:35.600 of fiscal year 2017, which had different funding levels. But you can see... 00:26:35.600 --> 00:26:37.600 I didn't mean to interrupt you. 00:26:37.600 --> 00:26:38.600 Okay. 00:26:38.600 --> 00:26:47.600 This decline in the graph we see up till FY24, this was due to the incentive levels, right? 00:26:47.600 --> 00:26:50.600 So a proportion of the cost of the installation. 00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:52.600 Yes, that is correct. 00:26:52.600 --> 00:26:59.600 So the decline, is that similar to increased cost in materials, or is that attributable 00:26:59.600 --> 00:27:01.600 to something else? 00:27:01.600 --> 00:27:06.600 Most likely it can be inferred to the increased cost of installation over time due to inflation 00:27:06.600 --> 00:27:08.600 and things like that. 00:27:08.600 --> 00:27:09.600 Okay, thank you. 00:27:09.600 --> 00:27:15.600 So yeah, so we can see that with the program changes in fiscal year '24, it has nearly 00:27:15.600 --> 00:27:26.600 tripled since fiscal year '23 to 10.68% of the cost covered by green sense. 00:27:26.600 --> 00:27:35.600 So on this slide, this is a graphic outlining the green sense cost per kilowatt hour reduced 00:27:35.600 --> 00:27:40.600 or energy consumption reduced by our most cost effective energy efficiency retrofits, 00:27:40.600 --> 00:27:46.600 and the ones that we currently have calculations for that we're confident in. 00:27:46.600 --> 00:27:50.600 It should be noted that these are relative comparisons. They are only for the first year 00:27:50.600 --> 00:27:54.600 of the equipment, rather than the life of the equipment, which can vary. 00:27:54.600 --> 00:28:00.600 You can see in the left-hand side, in the light blue, it shows the estimated cost per 00:28:00.600 --> 00:28:05.600 kilowatt hour, which was proposed when we came to the committee in 2023 to propose the 00:28:05.600 --> 00:28:11.600 fiscal year '24 changes, and on the right, in the dark blue, that shows the actual cost 00:28:11.600 --> 00:28:13.600 per kilowatt hour reduced. 00:28:13.600 --> 00:28:18.600 So for the HVAC, that actual cost per kilowatt hour reduced is a little bit lower, and with 00:28:18.600 --> 00:28:20.600 the installation, it's a little bit higher. 00:28:20.600 --> 00:28:26.600 This is what we do to the fact that installation, we did increase that rebate in fiscal year 00:28:26.600 --> 00:28:34.600 '24 to reach more customers and encourage them to improve their installation. 00:28:34.600 --> 00:28:40.600 And then here is a summary of our more popular rebates, starting from left to right. 00:28:40.600 --> 00:28:44.600 We show the number of rebates awarded by equipment type. 00:28:44.600 --> 00:28:49.600 So HVAC made up 37% of the total rebates awarded. 00:28:49.600 --> 00:28:54.600 Installation made up 6%, and Windows made up 8%. 00:28:54.600 --> 00:29:00.600 And it was the average cost accrued by the customer of the installation, and then the 00:29:00.600 --> 00:29:04.600 average rebate awarded to the customer, and then the percent of total cost. 00:29:04.600 --> 00:29:10.600 So you can see that installation, we have the 37%, so it covered a big chunk. 00:29:10.600 --> 00:29:13.600 It was a big help for our residents. 00:29:13.600 --> 00:29:19.600 So you have the breakdown between the HVAC and the installation for proposed cost coverage 00:29:19.600 --> 00:29:21.600 and actual cost. 00:29:21.600 --> 00:29:32.600 Do you have similar stats for these larger by-dollar categories on slide 8 that kind 00:29:32.600 --> 00:29:37.600 of helps us understand where we're getting a little bit more bang for a buck in the kilowatt 00:29:37.600 --> 00:29:39.600 hour reduction that we're going? 00:29:39.600 --> 00:29:41.600 Currently we don't. 00:29:41.600 --> 00:29:43.600 We are working on adding that. 00:29:43.600 --> 00:29:47.600 These are just the numbers that we are confident in right now. 00:29:47.600 --> 00:29:51.600 We use residential load calculations, and there's a learning curve for me on my part 00:29:51.600 --> 00:29:53.600 is doing that math. 00:29:53.600 --> 00:29:56.600 But we are working on calculating that out. 00:29:56.600 --> 00:30:01.600 I think given the volume that these take up within the program, having that kind of 00:30:01.600 --> 00:30:06.600 information would be really helpful to help advise on the rebate levels, especially if 00:30:06.600 --> 00:30:12.600 there's any additional information you might gather regarding actual installation costs, 00:30:12.600 --> 00:30:21.600 which seems to have been a little underestimated, and the impact per dollar as that attracts 00:30:21.600 --> 00:30:24.600 or deters people from applying for the rebate. 00:30:24.600 --> 00:30:36.600 I think those two pieces are really critical for us looking forward in this rebate level. 00:30:36.600 --> 00:30:43.600 This slide shows the total kilowatt hour reductions for HVAC and insulation. 00:30:43.600 --> 00:30:46.600 Again, these are big heavy hitters that are more cost effective, and the ones that we 00:30:46.600 --> 00:30:50.600 currently have calculations for. 00:30:50.600 --> 00:30:57.600 Then we also have the average annual savings in electricity bills from these retrofits. 00:30:57.600 --> 00:31:02.600 These are calculated using current D&E rates for both the summer and the winter. 00:31:02.600 --> 00:31:08.600 Then again, the green sense costs per kilowatt hour reduced. 00:31:08.600 --> 00:31:15.600 Finally, we have also calculated the greenhouse gas emissions reductions from the HVAC and 00:31:15.600 --> 00:31:17.600 insulation kilowatt hour reduced. 00:31:17.600 --> 00:31:25.600 There was a total of 776,388 kilowatt hours reduced from HVAC and insulation retrofits. 00:31:25.600 --> 00:31:34.600 This is equivalent to 444 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, which is the measure of 00:31:34.600 --> 00:31:39.600 global warming potential of greenhouse gases, multiple greenhouse gases. 00:31:39.600 --> 00:31:44.600 This is equivalent to the CO2 emissions from nearly 50,000 gallons of gasoline consumed 00:31:44.600 --> 00:31:50.600 by the average American, and the greenhouse gas emissions from 157 tons of waste in the 00:31:50.600 --> 00:31:51.600 landfill. 00:31:51.600 --> 00:31:58.600 These are all calculated using U.S. EPA greenhouse gas emissions reductions calculated. 00:31:58.600 --> 00:32:04.600 Next steps, continuing to follow budget discussions with city council, we are continuously working 00:32:04.600 --> 00:32:09.600 on improving our data tracking and reporting of green sense and tracking effectiveness 00:32:09.600 --> 00:32:14.600 of our new program allocations and continuing to update the program as needed. 00:32:14.600 --> 00:32:17.600 With that, I will take any questions. 00:32:17.600 --> 00:32:22.600 I have a question, thank you, great presentation. 00:32:22.600 --> 00:32:29.600 Can you just remind us, because earlier on you said we also have incentives for e-bikes, 00:32:29.600 --> 00:32:32.600 but that's in a different fund now. 00:32:32.600 --> 00:32:38.600 Can you kind of tell us what that fund is and when those split apart? 00:32:38.600 --> 00:32:39.600 Yes. 00:32:39.600 --> 00:32:45.600 So I don't know what year electric vehicles were added to the green sense program. 00:32:45.600 --> 00:32:52.600 Kat might be able to tell that, but the e-bike and e-bike rebates have been moved to a separate 00:32:52.600 --> 00:32:57.600 funding, the framework fund, that was this past, that was for this year. 00:32:57.600 --> 00:32:58.600 This was this year. 00:32:58.600 --> 00:32:59.600 Yes. 00:32:59.600 --> 00:33:03.600 And e-bikes were added to green sense in this winter '24. 00:33:03.600 --> 00:33:06.600 Does that answer your question? 00:33:06.600 --> 00:33:08.600 Yeah, thank you. 00:33:08.600 --> 00:33:12.600 Anyone else have any comments? 00:33:12.600 --> 00:33:14.600 Oh, you made it. 00:33:14.600 --> 00:33:15.600 Congratulations. 00:33:15.600 --> 00:33:16.600 Thank you very much. 00:33:16.600 --> 00:33:25.600 I just want to say that the success of this program is really remarkable, and I hope it 00:33:25.600 --> 00:33:26.600 will continue. 00:33:26.600 --> 00:33:36.600 Just looking at those numbers of the reduction estimates for greenhouse gases, it's truly 00:33:36.600 --> 00:33:41.600 something that's going to help us get to net zero by 2050, so thank you. 00:33:41.600 --> 00:33:44.600 Sorry. 00:33:44.600 --> 00:33:52.600 I understand this is like a rebate incentive program, and it's based on a little bit of 00:33:52.600 --> 00:33:54.600 wiggle room that we get with DME. 00:33:54.600 --> 00:34:02.600 I'm curious if there's been, we understand the number of kilowatt hours reduced, that's 00:34:02.600 --> 00:34:03.600 calculable, right? 00:34:03.600 --> 00:34:09.600 And we understand generally the rate at which DME pays for kilowatt hours produced. 00:34:09.600 --> 00:34:14.600 I wonder if there's a way you could map out the value of what this rebate is doing for 00:34:14.600 --> 00:34:19.600 the municipal utility as a savings measure, given that we're funding it at around a million. 00:34:19.600 --> 00:34:23.600 I'm curious, what does that actually map out to in terms of their budget for what we may 00:34:23.600 --> 00:34:24.600 be saving them in the bigger run? 00:34:24.600 --> 00:34:27.600 I think that could be really additive to this picture. 00:34:27.600 --> 00:34:28.600 Yeah. 00:34:28.600 --> 00:34:29.600 We'll look into that. 00:34:29.600 --> 00:34:30.600 That's a good question. 00:34:30.600 --> 00:34:31.600 Anything else? 00:34:31.600 --> 00:34:32.600 Thank you. 00:34:32.600 --> 00:34:33.600 Thank you. 00:34:33.600 --> 00:34:42.600 How many presentations have you given? 00:34:42.600 --> 00:35:11.160 We can't track that, I'm sorry, so our records aren't that far back. 00:35:11.160 --> 00:35:31.160 We have to break out the stone tablets and try to do some math. 00:35:31.160 --> 00:35:32.160 All right, so I'm just going to give you an update on where we are with the 2024-2025 00:35:32.160 --> 00:35:33.160 Greensense program. 00:35:33.160 --> 00:35:38.160 Just a reminder that we did home EV and e-bike off of Greensense, so these are just going 00:35:38.160 --> 00:35:41.160 to be strictly energy efficiency numbers that we're looking at. 00:35:41.160 --> 00:35:46.160 I want to talk a little bit about the outreach and awareness that we've increased this fiscal 00:35:46.160 --> 00:35:47.160 year for Greensense. 00:35:47.160 --> 00:35:48.160 Brainstorm about some other ideas about how to reach the community, and then talk about 00:35:48.160 --> 00:35:49.160 these steps. 00:35:49.160 --> 00:35:50.160 So, I'm going to give you a good background about it. 00:35:50.160 --> 00:35:51.160 Funded by DME and administered by Environmental Services and Sustainability. 00:35:51.160 --> 00:35:52.160 A million dollars of pre and pre-fiscal funding. 00:35:52.160 --> 00:36:08.160 And again, focusing only on energy efficiency. 00:36:08.160 --> 00:36:16.160 We haven't included the Q1, Q2 results that were in the agenda. 00:36:16.160 --> 00:36:25.160 Just to kind of show you where we were at that end of March time frame, and then where 00:36:25.160 --> 00:36:26.160 we are now. 00:36:26.160 --> 00:36:29.160 End of March was a little bit more concerning. 00:36:29.160 --> 00:36:34.160 Rebates were rolling in pretty slowly those first two quarters, and we gained a lot of 00:36:34.160 --> 00:36:37.160 ground in quarter three. 00:36:37.160 --> 00:36:44.160 We ramped up our outreach program, and we were seeing the rebates really come in. 00:36:44.160 --> 00:36:48.160 I'm happy with where we are with the dollar spend now. 00:36:48.160 --> 00:36:52.160 Like I said, I was a little concerned in March. 00:36:52.160 --> 00:37:01.160 So, compared to '23, '24, you can see the significant reductions on HVAC and windows. 00:37:01.160 --> 00:37:05.160 Insulation stepped up a little bit, probably because of the increased rebate. 00:37:05.160 --> 00:37:10.160 Insulation is one that I think you need a little bit more of an incentive to do. 00:37:10.160 --> 00:37:15.160 It's not telling that people, you know, my insulation is failing, I have to go get it 00:37:15.160 --> 00:37:16.160 fixed today. 00:37:16.160 --> 00:37:20.160 It's more of a, wait, now we know we should do something about that, so what is it going 00:37:20.160 --> 00:37:23.160 to take to get me to do something about that? 00:37:23.160 --> 00:37:29.160 And then, just to step up through quarter three, we saw more growth from Q2 to Q3 in 00:37:29.160 --> 00:37:32.160 '24, '25 than we did in '23, '24. 00:37:32.160 --> 00:37:39.160 So, I was happy to see that. 00:37:39.160 --> 00:37:46.160 The spend through June 30th is $600,000, and we've probably put out another $100,000 since 00:37:46.160 --> 00:37:47.160 then. 00:37:47.160 --> 00:37:50.160 So, I'm close to $700,000 right now is where we sit. 00:37:50.160 --> 00:37:56.160 A little bit low, lower than last year, but also we don't have the EV and e-bike in here, 00:37:56.160 --> 00:38:00.160 and that was about $140,000 of the spend last year. 00:38:00.160 --> 00:38:07.160 So, just be aware that it's only going to energy efficiency, and we are seeing increases. 00:38:07.160 --> 00:38:12.160 So, we stepped up the promotion about Greensense and our citizen connection through our social 00:38:12.160 --> 00:38:13.160 media. 00:38:13.160 --> 00:38:20.160 We offer incentives classes to let folks know what was available, how to apply for it, events. 00:38:20.160 --> 00:38:23.160 We're promoting them at every event that we go to. 00:38:23.160 --> 00:38:26.160 We send emails out to our installers. 00:38:26.160 --> 00:38:30.160 We've got a lot of installers working with the program that really stepped up over the 00:38:30.160 --> 00:38:32.160 last two years. 00:38:32.160 --> 00:38:35.160 New installers today, so that's good. 00:38:35.160 --> 00:38:40.160 We like seeing that and getting new installers in the program. 00:38:40.160 --> 00:38:45.160 And then we put flyers up around town, and some of coffee shops, our rec centers, libraries, 00:38:45.160 --> 00:38:51.160 just to increase that amount. 00:38:51.160 --> 00:38:55.160 When we were trying to think about what we could do to get more folks to participate, 00:38:55.160 --> 00:39:00.160 we were looking at postcards to high usage customers, advertising in the different product 00:39:00.160 --> 00:39:06.160 stores, stepping up rebates maybe, like have an additional $500 for a certain time period 00:39:06.160 --> 00:39:10.160 if you took advantage of the rebate during that time period. 00:39:10.160 --> 00:39:14.160 We're back on track with spending, but I do still want to get some feedback about any 00:39:14.160 --> 00:39:16.160 ideas that you all might have. 00:39:16.160 --> 00:39:22.160 So, time to kind of increase that, customers accessing that rebate. 00:39:22.160 --> 00:39:26.160 So, open for any ideas that you all have. 00:39:26.160 --> 00:39:31.160 And then, of course, next step we'll continue to monitor the Grants of the Program applications 00:39:31.160 --> 00:39:34.160 and extensions and report back to you all. 00:39:34.160 --> 00:39:39.160 And then implement any additional communication strategies. 00:39:39.160 --> 00:39:41.160 That's all I have for today. 00:39:41.160 --> 00:39:45.160 So, any questions on where we are? 00:39:45.160 --> 00:39:47.160 Thanks, Catherine. 00:39:47.160 --> 00:39:49.160 One comment and a question. 00:39:49.160 --> 00:39:52.160 The installer bit I think is really important. 00:39:52.160 --> 00:39:56.160 Our HVAC was about to conk out. 00:39:56.160 --> 00:40:00.160 And everybody we talked to was like, "Well, you know the City of Denton has this program." 00:40:00.160 --> 00:40:02.160 So, they knew about it. 00:40:02.160 --> 00:40:03.160 I thought that was really good. 00:40:03.160 --> 00:40:08.160 Because that's, I think a lot of people are going to hear about it if you're in that moment. 00:40:08.160 --> 00:40:12.160 Insulation, even that, though you might have somebody come and replace a filter and they 00:40:12.160 --> 00:40:15.160 might say your insulation is low and they might perform it. 00:40:15.160 --> 00:40:19.160 So, I think that's really good. 00:40:19.160 --> 00:40:26.160 My question was, sorry if we've talked about this before, but can you say a bit about, 00:40:26.160 --> 00:40:29.160 are these basically homeowners? 00:40:29.160 --> 00:40:34.160 What about property owners, like apartment buildings, you know? 00:40:34.160 --> 00:40:40.160 Like there's all different categories of people who could take advantage of this. 00:40:40.160 --> 00:40:43.160 I don't know, can you say how that looks? 00:40:43.160 --> 00:40:46.160 So, by and large it's homeowners. 00:40:46.160 --> 00:40:52.160 We do have a group of landlords that take advantage of the program. 00:40:52.160 --> 00:40:55.160 We see different property management companies. 00:40:55.160 --> 00:40:58.160 We'll get multiple from them throughout the year. 00:40:58.160 --> 00:41:04.160 Folks who have smaller apartment complexes, duplexes, we see a lot of that, 00:41:04.160 --> 00:41:08.160 like the 10 unit apartments, they'll take advantage of it. 00:41:08.160 --> 00:41:14.160 We've talked to some folks who are converting rental units from window units, 00:41:14.160 --> 00:41:18.160 maybe to a mini split and looking to take advantage of the rebate for that. 00:41:18.160 --> 00:41:21.160 So, we're getting a lot of higher efficiency heat pump. 00:41:21.160 --> 00:41:25.160 So, that's a good retrofit. 00:41:25.160 --> 00:41:31.160 We, not in the last couple of years, but we have done some larger multi-gallon properties. 00:41:31.160 --> 00:41:38.160 We just weren't seeing that investment this year so far. 00:41:38.160 --> 00:41:44.160 Talk at all to HOAs, I'm thinking like we did add the mini split this last year. 00:41:44.160 --> 00:41:46.160 I'm thinking like mobile home communities, for example, 00:41:46.160 --> 00:41:50.160 that's probably a really good market for that program specifically. 00:41:50.160 --> 00:41:57.160 Do we have contacts in those HOAs that could distribute and reach those networks that maybe are harder for us to target? 00:41:57.160 --> 00:42:03.160 We do, and we're working with the planning department on updating our HOA contact list. 00:42:03.160 --> 00:42:08.160 And we're actually having a new way to register to find out more about the city 00:42:08.160 --> 00:42:12.160 so that they can come in and request more information from us too. 00:42:12.160 --> 00:42:14.160 So, I think that'll help. 00:42:14.160 --> 00:42:17.160 You know, also, sorry, just piggybacking, there's, just thinking, 00:42:17.160 --> 00:42:22.160 there's also these like Facebook groups that are like neighborhood specific, you know? 00:42:22.160 --> 00:42:27.160 I don't know if you all are plugged into those, but the North Lakes neighborhood group, right? 00:42:27.160 --> 00:42:34.160 And that's where people will tend to post a lot of stuff about neighborhoods and buildings and that sort of thing. 00:42:34.160 --> 00:42:37.160 And we see some of our posts shared in those groups. 00:42:37.160 --> 00:42:40.160 We're not members of those groups, so we can't post in them. 00:42:40.160 --> 00:42:43.160 But we encourage folks to share about it. 00:42:43.160 --> 00:42:49.160 And I do see it shared on Denton Downtowners, some of the other Facebook groups. 00:42:49.160 --> 00:42:56.160 Is there any outreach you're aware of, like at the Big Box Home Depot and Lowe's? 00:42:56.160 --> 00:42:58.160 We don't have any flyers there. 00:42:58.160 --> 00:43:05.160 We've talked to them about flyers before and had a little bit of a pushback about leaving that there. 00:43:05.160 --> 00:43:06.160 We can revisit that. 00:43:06.160 --> 00:43:11.160 We do get a lot of rebates that are using Home Depot installers. 00:43:11.160 --> 00:43:14.160 So, I think that it's getting around there. 00:43:14.160 --> 00:43:18.160 And maybe somebody in the store is familiar with it. 00:43:18.160 --> 00:43:21.160 I like the idea, too, of the postcards to high usage customers. 00:43:21.160 --> 00:43:29.160 I guess the only thing is the high usage customers may not be as sensitive to their electricity bill. 00:43:29.160 --> 00:43:34.160 To me, if we can talk to the property owners, the apartment owners, 00:43:34.160 --> 00:43:43.160 and maybe incentivize that somehow for them to participate in it, because that could really help people who need it. 00:43:43.160 --> 00:43:54.160 We've had some big conversations with the staff and some partners to let them know about it, and then you give them one, two, then the manager. 00:43:54.160 --> 00:43:59.160 Has the Chamber of Commerce been involved at all in the dissemination of information? 00:43:59.160 --> 00:44:03.160 Not for the residential program. 00:44:03.160 --> 00:44:05.160 That's something we can look at. 00:44:05.160 --> 00:44:12.160 We're looking at visiting with some larger employers and seeing if we can do lunch and learns for their employees who live in Denton. 00:44:12.160 --> 00:44:19.160 Just to come inside maybe and give them a chance to learn more about programs that can benefit them. 00:44:19.160 --> 00:44:28.160 Also, it might be advantageous to actually have, rather than an advertisement in the record chronicle, 00:44:28.160 --> 00:44:31.160 to have somebody do a feature article on the program. 00:44:31.160 --> 00:44:33.160 Yeah, that would be great. 00:44:33.160 --> 00:44:38.160 In fact, you could probably write it in-house and just give it to them. 00:44:38.160 --> 00:44:43.160 I'm imagining it, yeah. 00:44:43.160 --> 00:44:45.160 Any other comments? 00:44:45.160 --> 00:44:50.160 Peggy did that whenever she had energy on it, so that was a great one. 00:44:50.160 --> 00:44:52.160 Any other comments? 00:44:52.160 --> 00:44:54.160 Okay, thanks Catherine. 00:45:08.160 --> 00:45:11.160 We're going to end it for the next one too. 00:45:11.160 --> 00:45:16.160 We're going to let Michael take a break from the climate. 00:45:16.160 --> 00:45:20.160 If y'all really want me, I'll kill you. 00:45:20.160 --> 00:45:31.160 It's been a joint effort for sure, so you might just need a lot of the climate for a lot of the things we're going to be wrapping. 00:45:31.160 --> 00:45:35.160 Okay, so we can just jump into the climate fan update. 00:45:35.160 --> 00:45:38.160 So this is a look back at 23-24. 00:45:38.160 --> 00:45:43.160 Remember the plan was adopted by Council in August of '24. 00:45:43.160 --> 00:45:49.160 So this is mainly looking at 23-24 metrics. 00:45:49.160 --> 00:45:55.160 So do you remember the climate action plan goals, the net zero emissions by 2050? 00:45:55.160 --> 00:46:04.160 We have the three primary goals with 16 actions, five transportation actions that represent 53% of the reductions that need to be made. 00:46:04.160 --> 00:46:11.160 Buildings, we had eight action plan use three, and those were 35 and 12% respectively. 00:46:11.160 --> 00:46:14.160 And then we created the dashboard scorecard. 00:46:14.160 --> 00:46:18.160 That was a pretty big effort. 00:46:18.160 --> 00:46:24.160 It aligns with our master plans that we were looking at whenever we were developing the cap. 00:46:24.160 --> 00:46:30.160 So there's 16 measures that are reported through the dashboard, and that's a combination of new and existing measures. 00:46:30.160 --> 00:46:35.160 So we're able to pull some of that data over from other departments that are reporting it through their master plans. 00:46:35.160 --> 00:46:41.160 And then some of them we just created with touch. 00:46:41.160 --> 00:46:45.160 So just some of the accomplishments for this agenda for 23-24. 00:46:45.160 --> 00:46:50.160 We have the 100% renewable for DNA customers, the $1 million investment in energy efficiency. 00:46:50.160 --> 00:46:54.160 That was the first year that we were so happy with how that program went. 00:46:54.160 --> 00:46:58.160 Solid waste, a solid overall diversion rate increased to 24%. 00:46:58.160 --> 00:47:03.160 Our social media engagement was up to 185%, or up 185%. 00:47:03.160 --> 00:47:12.160 And then we saw the rooftop solar increase 3.2 megawatts from April 23 through the end of fiscal '24. 00:47:12.160 --> 00:47:14.160 I have a quick question on that. 00:47:14.160 --> 00:47:22.160 Were those non-incentivized installations? 00:47:22.160 --> 00:47:30.160 April to September 23 could have still been incentivized if funding was available, I'm not certain. 00:47:30.160 --> 00:47:31.160 Okay. 00:47:31.160 --> 00:47:33.160 But they could have still. 00:47:33.160 --> 00:47:37.160 Okay, I'm just curious if the incentive period is still going. 00:47:37.160 --> 00:47:43.160 Yeah, there were a few months where they could have been eligible if funding was available. 00:47:43.160 --> 00:47:49.160 Is there any chance of at some point getting definite numbers on that? 00:47:49.160 --> 00:47:56.160 Affirmation of whether or not it was done through incentives or whether or not it was done through incentives. 00:47:56.160 --> 00:47:59.160 Yes, I can reach back out to DNA and see if they can break it out. 00:47:59.160 --> 00:48:00.160 Thank you. 00:48:00.160 --> 00:48:01.160 By the month it was approved. 00:48:01.160 --> 00:48:04.160 Thank you. 00:48:04.160 --> 00:48:07.160 So goal one, transportation. 00:48:07.160 --> 00:48:10.160 So the slide has a lot going on. 00:48:10.160 --> 00:48:12.160 We know. 00:48:12.160 --> 00:48:19.160 So it looks at the city of Denton, the registered EVs and the total number of vehicles in the city of Denton and each other percentage. 00:48:19.160 --> 00:48:35.160 So for the county, the city of Denton, we also have at the bottom there, we have the other cities in Denton County and the number of EVs and the percent of adoption that they have. 00:48:35.160 --> 00:48:38.160 It's just interesting to compare. 00:48:38.160 --> 00:48:43.160 We have the local state and federal incentives that existed at the time. 00:48:43.160 --> 00:48:46.160 This was created. 00:48:46.160 --> 00:48:56.160 The market assessment, which is we have 78 EVs and 37 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles available in the market now. 00:48:56.160 --> 00:49:07.160 So GM, Ford, and Ford, Honda, Acura, others all providing different incentives with the EVs, whether it's home charging, whether it's different lease rates. 00:49:07.160 --> 00:49:10.160 So there's a lot going on with the market for EVs. 00:49:10.160 --> 00:49:13.160 Yes. 00:49:13.160 --> 00:49:29.160 Are the cities doing different things for EV incentives or would you chalk these different percentages up solely to just different kinds of people who live in different kinds of cities because the same incentives are basically for everybody? 00:49:29.160 --> 00:49:38.160 The same incentives are basically there for everybody. I would say that I'm not aware of any of the other cities that have a city-sponsored repay. 00:49:38.160 --> 00:49:40.160 Interesting. 00:49:40.160 --> 00:49:45.160 And then on the right, we just have a map of the EV charging stations. 00:49:45.160 --> 00:49:52.160 If you overlay that with gasoline gas stations, it's pretty closely aligned along the major corridors. 00:49:52.160 --> 00:50:05.160 We just see some of the smaller gas stations, you know, sprinkled throughout the community that you may not notice on the EV side as much, but the corridors are pretty well covered with EV charging and then around 380, you'll see more. 00:50:05.160 --> 00:50:14.160 The shopping centers up there where you may be able to spend a little bit more time. 00:50:14.160 --> 00:50:24.160 So transportation on the municipal side, we added 11 electric vehicles for the city. We added six e-bikes for PD in the last year. 00:50:24.160 --> 00:50:32.160 Last this year, we had the first electric car range in which came in service April 25. 00:50:32.160 --> 00:50:37.160 EV options are available for almost all of our light duty fleet replacements. 00:50:37.160 --> 00:50:43.160 And then we have funding available to offset the incremental costs if the department needs it. 00:50:43.160 --> 00:50:55.160 We've had several departments shifted using EVs and not needing financial assistance from the framework. 00:50:55.160 --> 00:51:00.160 In addition to vehicles, we want to talk about improving the active transportation infrastructure. 00:51:00.160 --> 00:51:07.160 So we added 4.2 miles of trail, 23, 24, and repaired almost two miles of sidewalks. 00:51:07.160 --> 00:51:16.160 57% of residents are within that 10-minute walk to a park. And then we did 67 e-bikes per day. 00:51:16.160 --> 00:51:27.160 A point that was raised earlier today, was a question regarding the addition of trails and whether or not those were contributing to transportation incentives 00:51:27.160 --> 00:51:40.160 as a transportation infrastructure or whether it was recreation alone. So there's a park and there's a loop around it and that's a trail. Versus an actual connected, gets you to point A and point B transportation oriented trail. 00:51:40.160 --> 00:51:51.160 I'm curious in the way that we're reviewing and tracking some of that information if we can incorporate that active infrastructure as transportation separate from recreational trails. 00:51:51.160 --> 00:52:03.160 We can look at that because I know some of them do have a recreation, but it is also a connection. So yeah, we'll work with the parks and see how we can further filter that number. 00:52:03.160 --> 00:52:18.160 Got it. Thank you. Yeah, that's a good question. And then DCTA, and this is the total ridership, increased 9.37% in 23, 24, compared to our year. 00:52:18.160 --> 00:52:36.160 So building measures, you heard about GreenSense already, that the 769 energy efficiency related redates, the cool thing about that is that 94% of the redates went for the homes that are 2009 and older. 00:52:36.160 --> 00:52:46.160 And I don't know if y'all remember when we talked about building code and how many of our homes were 2009 or older, the 74% that could really benefit from energy improvements. 00:52:46.160 --> 00:52:57.160 Energy efficiency improvements because that was prior to many of the higher efficiency codes. So just that housing stock was less efficient, by the way, it was built time. 00:52:57.160 --> 00:53:10.160 So it's interesting to see that 94% went for that. It was a good number. Overall, electric utility usage across the community decreased 5% per customer. 00:53:10.160 --> 00:53:23.160 Even with our growth, we saw the 5% per customer decrease. So that was nice. Natural gas decreased 1% community wide and water decreased 7% community wide. 00:53:23.160 --> 00:53:45.160 Sorry, those were all per capita? Yes. Well, per customer, sorry. Per customer, but like water, you say 7% community wide. So, the whole city used 7% less water? 00:53:45.160 --> 00:54:03.160 Yes, but not the municipal accounts, the entire community. Interesting. And the same on natural gas across the entire community. 00:54:03.160 --> 00:54:16.160 On the municipal buildings, we've converted to LED lighting at 18 facilities. We've done more of it during this time around 2018. Upgraded HVAC control systems. 00:54:16.160 --> 00:54:32.160 Our electric usage decreased by 0.27% and our water increased 34%. And a lot of that can be attributed to the work that our parks department is doing to have more fish and irrigation systems. 00:54:32.160 --> 00:54:42.160 That's a huge decrease in water usage. Our city buildings, we have different tiers of buildings. So we have 63 that have staff building usage. 00:54:42.160 --> 00:54:58.160 And then 30 where you may have a couple members of staff in and out. And then we have intermittent at 111. So different higher use facilities get more energy efficiency work prioritized. 00:54:58.160 --> 00:55:02.160 Sorry, what's an example of an intermittent staff building? 00:55:02.160 --> 00:55:04.160 Maybe a work station. 00:55:04.160 --> 00:55:22.160 So, also 34% because that is huge. Does that show it's possible like citywide, now this is municipal, but could that number be replicated on a larger scale? 00:55:22.160 --> 00:55:31.160 Or is there something special about municipal operations that you can't really, other than you control all of that? 00:55:31.160 --> 00:55:54.160 Other than we control more of the municipal side, I think that there's room for that. Maybe not that high on the residential side, but if we had folks watering two days a week as our watering ordinance states, instead of four or five or seven, we can see that kind of increase. 00:55:54.160 --> 00:56:09.160 And it's not everybody, but there are those that water every day. Isn't it roughly 75% of our water goes to irrigation? 00:56:09.160 --> 00:56:38.160 So land use goals, just enhancing access to necessities, walkable communities. So we talked about the 57% within a 10-mile walk to a park. This was still a case study that we looked at where in 2016, we had, I can't remember how many acres of this, sorry, 150 acre area that had the 221 single-family homes, the 28 duplexes and no multi-family. 00:56:38.160 --> 00:56:56.160 And then by 2025, the same area, the same amount of acreage was now supporting 145 single-family, 86 duplexes and 683 multi-family. And we're looking at that because that's an area within the loop. 00:56:56.160 --> 00:57:25.160 We know that energy cost is a significant portion and the shared wall construction is 35 to 55% more efficient. So how can we develop within our loop or within our core service area and still increase that access to necessities, have more efficient housing, not change the complete look and feel of a neighborhood necessarily, but still grow in a more sustainable manner, more efficient manner. 00:57:25.160 --> 00:57:34.160 We have the renewable natural gas contract with the landfill that we talked about. 00:57:34.160 --> 00:57:59.160 And then this is just a still shot of our climate action plan dashboard. The colors indicate where we are in progress, if it's stalled, hasn't started yet. And then the one on the right is the energy efficiency upgrades. That's some of the green metrics. It's just a great way to visualize where we are in space and time with the climate action plan. 00:57:59.160 --> 00:58:05.160 That's it. Does anyone have any questions? 00:58:05.160 --> 00:58:16.160 Anybody? I just want to say great job on all of this. I read the news article on the scorecard. I thought that was really good. Well done. 00:58:16.160 --> 00:58:19.160 This is really nice to see. 00:58:19.160 --> 00:58:33.160 How does this, excuse this, this is really stupid, but how does, where does the greenhouse gas inventory fit into this? 00:58:33.160 --> 00:58:58.160 I mean, it's, you have, we know in municipal, according to the, to the inventory, the energy numbers are biggest in the municipal, and then transportation in the community with the greenhouse gas second. 00:58:58.160 --> 00:59:07.160 But are, say, are something like the deck's numbers taken into account with this document? Is that addressed? 00:59:07.160 --> 00:59:09.160 They're addressed in the greenhouse gas inventory. 00:59:09.160 --> 00:59:11.160 But not in this document? 00:59:11.160 --> 00:59:19.160 Well, the cap will refer back to the greenhouse gas inventory to see the progress that we're making. 00:59:19.160 --> 00:59:20.160 Okay. 00:59:20.160 --> 00:59:27.160 Yeah. So then we'll tie together. It'll inform where we are and what we need to look at. 00:59:27.160 --> 00:59:44.160 Yeah, I was just curious because I didn't, I didn't, I see the three primary goals, and I, I think I understand now, and I wondered initially why it wasn't, one of the goals was not just overall, overall energy reduction. 00:59:44.160 --> 00:59:47.160 Especially on the, on the municipal side. 00:59:47.160 --> 00:59:51.160 Anybody have anything else? 00:59:51.160 --> 00:59:53.160 Great. Progress is being made. 00:59:53.160 --> 00:59:57.160 Yes, sir. 00:59:57.160 --> 01:00:05.160 Yeah. Thank you. 01:00:05.160 --> 01:00:27.160 Okay. 01:00:27.160 --> 01:00:39.160 Thanks. 01:00:39.160 --> 01:00:46.160 Okay, we are now at staff reports. 01:00:46.160 --> 01:00:56.160 We have a water conservation update, a mid-year summary memo, a meeting follow-up, greenhouse gas inventory update, and the matrix. 01:00:56.160 --> 01:01:11.160 Yes, so if anyone has any questions, we have a great update on the waterwise incentive program and the water conservation outreach that we've really ramped up this year. 01:01:11.160 --> 01:01:18.160 The rain barrel classes are super popular. 01:01:18.160 --> 01:01:27.160 I would say that in our turquoise alternatives classes, those are the two highest and probably the ones that we hear, we get the most feedback about. 01:01:27.160 --> 01:01:49.160 Did you have, sorry, did you have an update on, because I remember we were talking about those irrigation components when we last brought up the, oh Lord, forgive me, is this under the sustainability fund or is this under the irrigation, assuming sustainability? 01:01:49.160 --> 01:01:52.160 Water is funding the incentives. 01:01:52.160 --> 01:01:54.160 They're not coming out of the sustainability fund. 01:01:54.160 --> 01:02:02.160 We've had approval to do it and we were not sure if water was going to do incentives, but they chose to fund those. 01:02:02.160 --> 01:02:03.160 Okay. 01:02:03.160 --> 01:02:08.160 So we're, similar to Grantsense, we're helping process those through using the water fund. 01:02:08.160 --> 01:02:09.160 Gotcha. 01:02:09.160 --> 01:02:10.160 Thank you. 01:02:10.160 --> 01:02:11.160 I was wondering how that split up. 01:02:11.160 --> 01:02:12.160 Yes. 01:02:12.160 --> 01:02:23.160 Since we had last talked about that and adding those components regarding the incentive program for irrigation equipment, do you know how much of that program has been used within this fiscal? 01:02:23.160 --> 01:02:25.160 I do not. 01:02:25.160 --> 01:02:27.160 We can bring that back at the next meeting. 01:02:27.160 --> 01:02:28.160 Okay. 01:02:28.160 --> 01:02:34.160 And then the turf buyback program, I was curious too, it was quite a sum that they were willing to put down for it. 01:02:34.160 --> 01:02:37.160 I was curious how that implemented so far this year. 01:02:37.160 --> 01:02:47.160 And again, I can have water bring that back if you would like? 01:02:47.160 --> 01:03:00.160 Okay. 01:03:00.160 --> 01:03:02.160 Can we get it on the water? 01:03:02.160 --> 01:03:04.160 Thank you, sir. 01:03:04.160 --> 01:03:06.160 That's okay. 01:03:06.160 --> 01:03:13.160 We just have our education outreach and social media update through the third quarter. 01:03:13.160 --> 01:03:21.160 We're trending higher this year than last with our outreach numbers and our engagement with folks. 01:03:21.160 --> 01:03:25.160 It's been a good year. 01:03:25.160 --> 01:03:32.160 I will say that some of these numbers do include, no, they're going to be right on the edge. 01:03:32.160 --> 01:03:36.160 They may include a couple of the band giveaways, which has been going very well. 01:03:36.160 --> 01:03:44.160 We have over 1,100 registrants for bands, and we have about 250-ish left to hand out. 01:03:44.160 --> 01:03:46.160 So we've gotten those out into a lot of folks' hands. 01:03:46.160 --> 01:03:48.160 We did it a little bit differently this year. 01:03:48.160 --> 01:03:56.160 Instead of one big Saturday event, we have done Friday at multiple areas throughout town for folks to come and pick up, 01:03:56.160 --> 01:04:12.160 and places where people are already attending events, so it's worked out really well. 01:04:12.160 --> 01:04:18.160 This memo was about the risk management, the climate risk and vulnerability assessment. 01:04:18.160 --> 01:04:23.160 So we did talk to our risk management team. 01:04:23.160 --> 01:04:29.160 We don't think that we're going to have anyone on contract already that can do that assessment, 01:04:29.160 --> 01:04:35.160 so that's something that we're going to work with them to explore how to move forward with that. 01:04:35.160 --> 01:04:41.160 >> Will that have to go before council? 01:04:41.160 --> 01:04:43.160 >> It's going to depend on the procurement process. 01:04:43.160 --> 01:04:44.160 >> Right. 01:04:44.160 --> 01:04:47.160 >> Yeah, and the cost, but possibly, very possible. 01:04:47.160 --> 01:04:54.160 >> Okay, thanks. 01:04:54.160 --> 01:04:58.160 >> Then we just have a little update on the greenhouse gas inventory. 01:04:58.160 --> 01:05:04.160 So we presented that 2019 inventory in October of '22 to the committee, 01:05:04.160 --> 01:05:10.160 and that's when we talked about shifting from annually to every two to three years. 01:05:10.160 --> 01:05:17.160 I think JT said two to three years and we committed to two, and then left. 01:05:17.160 --> 01:05:23.160 Not that we're still bitter about that, sorry. 01:05:23.160 --> 01:05:28.160 But Caitlin has, she's fitting up to date or up to speed with the software. 01:05:28.160 --> 01:05:34.160 We also had, equally, we've done our inventories since we started doing inventory to change the software. 01:05:34.160 --> 01:05:40.160 So we have a new version of the software. It appears to be so much more user-friendly, 01:05:40.160 --> 01:05:44.160 more plug and play, easier to have different scenarios. 01:05:44.160 --> 01:05:49.160 I think we're going to be able to do some different type of planning and timeline planning with the software, 01:05:49.160 --> 01:05:52.160 so we're really excited about it. 01:05:52.160 --> 01:05:55.160 I believe Caitlin finished the training this week. 01:05:55.160 --> 01:06:02.160 So we'll be working on a timeline and what that's going to look like to get that out the door. 01:06:02.160 --> 01:06:06.160 So, data collection and then completion of that. 01:06:06.160 --> 01:06:10.160 We're fortunate, Italy's migrated over all of our older inventories. 01:06:10.160 --> 01:06:17.160 They indicated at first they'd only do a few of them, and we were, I don't know, sufficiently pitiful and they moved them all. 01:06:17.160 --> 01:06:25.160 So, it'll be great. We'll have all of that background for planning and for looking at our scenarios. 01:06:25.160 --> 01:06:30.160 It sounds, the software sounds really great, so we're excited. 01:06:30.160 --> 01:06:32.160 And then we have the matrix. 01:06:32.160 --> 01:06:34.160 Anybody have a hint for the matrix? 01:06:34.160 --> 01:06:37.160 Brian, do you want to? 01:06:37.160 --> 01:06:43.160 We could get a date from Water regarding their Water Horizon Center program. 01:06:43.160 --> 01:06:45.160 Thank you so much for the staff report. 01:06:45.160 --> 01:06:51.160 There were additional questions in there regarding how those programs have gone over this year. 01:06:51.160 --> 01:06:57.160 I think it would be really helpful to review, especially if you kind of start looking forward to the budgets this next year. 01:06:57.160 --> 01:07:13.160 I'd like to see how the Turf Buyback program, the irrigation equipment incentive has gone and if there's program updates we can think about there. 01:07:13.160 --> 01:07:14.160 Okay. 01:07:14.160 --> 01:07:15.160 Yeah. 01:07:15.160 --> 01:07:24.160 Well, I may just be speaking for myself, but I was a little surprised to learn that there's talk of a new gas-fired power plant in the city of Denton. 01:07:24.160 --> 01:07:30.160 And that seems like something that should be on our radar. 01:07:30.160 --> 01:07:38.160 I was happy to see in the June article that the mayor said we're not doing anything about this yet and we need to have a robust public input process. 01:07:38.160 --> 01:07:40.160 I definitely second that. 01:07:40.160 --> 01:07:44.160 And I feel like we could play a part in that in some way. 01:07:44.160 --> 01:08:08.160 So I'd like to learn about that and have a chance to discuss it. 01:08:08.160 --> 01:08:14.160 Anybody else? I have a couple. 01:08:14.160 --> 01:08:42.160 I would like to request that DME give us presentations when they have completed their integrated resource plan and the city renewable energy policy, both of which have taken the place of the revision of the Denton renewable resource plan. 01:08:42.160 --> 01:08:52.160 And this ties in with Adam's request about things related to this new gas plan. 01:08:52.160 --> 01:09:21.160 I already mentioned the rewording of my request for the climate risk and vulnerability study, so that's cool. I thought that given the ongoing removal of federal incentives that we seriously look at a return to solar rebates and institute new rate rebates for battery storage. 01:09:21.160 --> 01:09:32.160 I think we should also look at type two car chargers as possibility for in some way helping with that. 01:09:32.160 --> 01:09:37.160 That might help in regards to EV usage for sure. 01:09:37.160 --> 01:09:41.160 Is the fiscal year beginning in October is it? Yes sir. Okay. 01:09:41.160 --> 01:09:48.160 So I'd like to have those discussions in a timely manner. 01:09:48.160 --> 01:09:56.160 I'm also curious about any discussions we can get regarding incentives for white roofs. 01:09:56.160 --> 01:10:18.160 For permeable sidewalks and driveways or just talking to city staff who are connected with doing things like paving idea. I know that the idea of the cool creek. I don't think that's the right name, but the concrete that reflects heat rather than absorbs it. 01:10:18.160 --> 01:10:34.160 If there's been any development with that, and I think that covers it for me. 01:10:34.160 --> 01:10:56.160 I was just going to make one more remark on that regard is that as I see it, the success of the climate action plan, and I know you agree with this, but I just want to put it out there, is dependent upon cooperation and communication amongst all sectors, all departments. 01:10:56.160 --> 01:11:10.160 And so I trust that to that end, we will be as inclusive as we can with our discussions and presentations from other staff members. Thank you. 01:11:10.160 --> 01:11:26.160 If I may, sorry. One additional item related actually to the climate modeling. I recall a presentation JT gave us when we were first discussing the greenhouse gas inventory and the early development of our climate action plan. 01:11:26.160 --> 01:11:49.160 Regarding, call it predictive environmental conditions, and he had discussed additional excessive heat days, he discussed additional flooding risk. A couple weeks ago, my neighborhood on a very normal rain event got about a foot underwater and water was in people's garages flooding people's cars debris all over the road on a normal rain event. 01:11:49.160 --> 01:12:04.160 So just in light of thinking about, as we implement climate action plan, as we talk about an additional greenhouse gas inventory update, I'm curious, that probably covers a little bit of the excessive heat days and things like that but on the flooding risk side. 01:12:04.160 --> 01:12:21.160 Of course we've seen recently in South Texas, when flooding planning doesn't happen. There's some consequences and if we're already seeing events where a casual rain event can flood people's homes and risk infrastructure and curious if we could hear, I don't know if this is water or watershed protection or who. 01:12:21.160 --> 01:12:40.160 What strategies or plans, the city's developing regarding our flooding risk. If these are components of these plans, they're not really pronounced and what we have on paper so far so I think getting some information from related departments would be really helpful as we consider these updates to these different programs. 01:12:40.160 --> 01:12:47.160 That could be actually part of the risk assessment. 01:12:47.160 --> 01:12:52.160 Anybody else? Thanks. 01:12:52.160 --> 01:12:56.160 Are you going to ask about the date? 01:12:56.160 --> 01:13:02.160 When we're doing our planning. 01:13:02.160 --> 01:13:06.160 Are those going to be available for the August meeting? Do we know? 01:13:06.160 --> 01:13:12.160 Just want to make sure we plan for that next one. 01:13:12.160 --> 01:13:18.160 All right, with that, it is now 2/13 and we will adjourn the meeting. Thanks.