2015-08-03 Committee on the Environment Minutes
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT
August 3, 2015
After determining that a quorum of the Committee on the Environment of the Denton City
Council was present, the Committee on the Environment thereafter convened into an Open
Meeting on Monday, August 3, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. in the City Council Work Session Room 215
E. McKinney, Denton, Texas.
Present: Council Member Dalton Gregory, Council Member Joey Hawkins and Council
Member Keely Briggs
Also Present: Howard Martin, Kenneth Banks, Katherine Barnett, Shirlene Sitton and Kim
Mankin
1. REGULAR MEETING:
A. Consider approval of the Committee on the Environment meeting minutes of May 4,
2015.
Approved as circulated
B. Receive a report; hold a discussion regarding Greenhouse Gas Inventory, and Draft Air
and Energy Action Plan.
Katherine Barnett gave the presentation for this item. Barnett passed out pages from the
Greenhouse Gas Inventory. This report presents the GHG emissions inventoried from
municipal operations as well as from activities of the community as a whole for the years
2002, 2006, and 2011. The community inventory includes emissions generated from
municipal operations. There will be another inventory based on the 2015 data in 2016.
There is a new software for all the GHG inventory.
From 2003--2011 the City
initiated expansion of its alternative fuel program including installation of an alternative fuel
station with E85 ethanol and biodiesel for fleet vehicles. In 2008 the landfill gas (methane)
to Energy Project was installed. In 2009 DME began purchase of 40 percent wind energy for
all customers. There is a decrease in emissions from 2002 to 2011 which includes a seven
percent population increase.
Next the Municipal GHGs by Source was reviewed for scope 1 and 2. This includes the
Transmission and Distribution losses for DME which are around 30-35 percent. This is
lower than the national average that we have no control over.
Approximately 51 percent of the inventory is landfill methane. The next largest would be
City buildings and facilities electricity.
Hawkins asked on T&D losses if this ultimately shows how efficient the City is. By
purchasing power we are losing some of it then asked for an explanation. Barnett answered
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August 3, 2015
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that number is the power the City purchases less the power that is sold. It is from a point
where it come to our grid and transmission lines, as it moves around some is lost. That is the
electrons that were purchased but not sold. DME (three to four percent) is lower than the
national average (six percent) on those losses. Hawkins asked about the 35 percent losses.
Barnett answered because the City has operational control over DME we have to account for
get to the community inventory it is a very small percentage. Banks added that is why it
looks like such a big number because we own and operate the electric utility and by the
protocol of the software and modeling approach they require those that have operational
control of their utilities to include that on the municipal side. Frisco does not own and
operate their own utility so their transmission and distribution losses would show up on the
community side not on the municipal side. The city takes the transmission and distribution
losses for the entire community and rolling them into just the municipal component.
Briggs asked if there is a more recent inventory, 2011 is the last. Barnett stated they are very
in-depth there will be another one using 2015 data and hope to get on a five year cycle. Data
should be available November 2016.
Barnett went on to state that from 2006 to 2011, the community achieved a 25 percent
reduction in GHG emission, despite a seven percent population increase. There was some
discussion regarding the graphs shown.
Some of the community actions that have been taken include in 2008 DME expanded its free
energy-audit program. Also in 2008 the landfill gas (methane) to energy project was
installed. In 2009 DME launched its GreenSense Energy Efficiency Rebate Program. And
in 2009 DME began purchasing 40 percent wind energy for all its customers. The progress is
11 percent reduction in community GHG emissions from 2006 to 2011.
Barnett then moved into the Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Action Plan. Between the
sustainability plan, greenhouse gas inventory and the City Strategic Plan staff has linked all
three together and tried to identify some areas that they would like to more closely track and
prioritize for air quality and greenhouse gas action. Part I would be the emission reduction
strategies for municipal operations. Part II would be emission reduction strategies for
community.
Emissions reduction strategies for Municipal Operations include:
Improve Energy Efficiency of Municipal Facilities and Operations.
Increase percent of renewable energy used in municipal facilities.
Continue to improve Fleet Efficiency.
Continue to decrease Landfill Emissions.
Implement Municipal Facility Waste Reduction/Education Program.
Implement Green Purchasing Program.
Briggs added that she purchased a Nissan, Leaf and the sales person stated they have a fleet
department that sells electric vehicles to cities.
Banks stated that the majority of the emissions come from the big equipment. One thing that
the Solid Waste Department has done is to try and increase the flexibility of their fleet to get
more natural gas powered vehicles.
Briggs asked staff to get information on where the city is on other vehicles with alternative
transportation options.
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August 3, 2015
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Barnett added that from 2014 to 2015 staff increased the number of fuel vehicles from 65 to
173, with almost 50 percent of the fuel consumed in municipal vehicles is considered an
alternative vehicle.
Gregory asked if the BioDiesel Plant has been activated. Barnett answered no. Sitton
answered they are working on it.
Barnett stated that the Green Building policy for municipal facilities was adopted last year.
Later staff will bring achievable target information back to this committee.
Community strategies conclude:
Continue to develop alternative transportation options within the City.
Continue to work with NCTCOG to plan for regional air quality improvements.
Continue to advance water and energy efficiency in the community through: Building Codes,
Rebates, Audits, and Education.
Increase renewable energy (RE) access to residents.
Develop Green Business Recognition program.
Gregory asked how the outreach is going with the two universities regarding conservation
and sustainability. Barnett answered UNT has reorganized the sustainability department and
staff is waiting to see who the contact will be. As soon as that person is appointed our staff
C. Receive a report hold a discussion regarding Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center Grant
Funding and initial damage assessment.
Katherine Barnett gave the presentation on this item. On June 24 the City was granted the
final approval for the nature explore classroom grant from National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation and Wells Fargo. That grant was just over $40,000 and will match them to
construct the classroom which will be on Hartlee field close to the new trail head.
Construction is currently in the planning stages, anticipated to start late August or September
and be completed by the end of December. The final product will be open for use by
rd
schools, educational groups and the public, specifically pre-school to about 3 grade (ADA
compliant). As many trees as possible will be left for shading.
Briggs asked if it will be built environmentally friendly. Barnett answered it will be a
playground only, outdoor classroom. There was a concept plan sketch shown. It is about 50
100 yards off of the road.
Barnett then talked about flood damage at the Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center. There
were many pictures shown of the damage and there was discussion.
workdays coming up for master naturalist and other volunteers. There will be a call with
FEMA to discuss possibility of assistance with repairs. A bright note is that privet does not
appear to thrive under water for extended periods of time.
Gregory asked about the Master Naturalist and their volunteer efforts. Barnett answered that
they have four work days with usually eight to ten workers. Gregory then asked how people
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August 3, 2015
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know they can volunteer out there, Barnett answered they do call outs for volunteers on
Facebook. There is a fraternity that will come out and help as soon as school starts up.
Briggs stated that the grant is $40,000 and with the match it would be $80,000. Has the
$40,000 already been accounted. Barnett answered it is from the 2007 bond package and are
leveraging matching funds for other grants. It has been accounted for.
D. ACM Update
Mosquito Surveillance and Response Plan
E. Discussion of the Matrix representing items for discussion for future Committee on the
Environment meetings.
Fall items to include:
Update on ambiguous enclosure standards dumpsters
Update on ISWM
Election of Chair at October Meeting
Bee Proposal
F. Under Section 551.042 of the Texas Open Meetings Act, respond to inquiries from the
Committee on the Environment or the public with specific factual information or
recitation of policy, or accept a proposal to place the matter on the agenda for an
upcoming meeting.
AND
Under Section 551.0415 of the Texas Open Meetings Act, provide reports about items of
community interest regarding which no action will be taken, to include: expressions of
thanks, congratulations, or condolence; information regarding holiday schedules; an
honorary or salutary recognition of a public official, public employee, or other citizen; a
reminder about an upcoming event organized or sponsored by an entity other than the
governing body that was attended or is scheduled to be attended by a member of the
governing body or an official or employee of the municipality; or an announcement
involving an imminent threat to the public health and safety of people in the municipality
that has arisen after the posting of the agenda. It was decided to take the items out of
order due to guest that wanted to speak on behalf of new business.
No meeting in September, next meeting October 5.
G. The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 2:51 p.m.