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Home My WebLink About2016-05-23 CSC Regular Meeting Agenda PacketCITY OF PALM DESERT � CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEEE AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016 — 3:00 P.M. ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Any person wishing to discuss any item not otherwise on the Agenda may address the Citizens' Sustainability Committee at this point by giving his/her name and address for the record. Remarks shall be limited to a maximum of five minutes unless additional time is authorized by the Committee. Because the Brown Act does not allow the Citizens' Sustainability Committee to take action on items not on the Agenda, members will not enter into discussion with speakers but briefly respond or instead refer the matter to staff for report and recommendation at a future Citizen's Sustainability Committee meeting. � This is also the time and place for any person who wishes to comment on Agenda items. It should be noted that at Citizen's Sustainability Committee discretion, these comments may be deferred until such time on the agenda as the item is discussed. Remarks shall be limited to a maximum of five minutes unless additional time is authorized by the Citizens' Sustainability Committee. Reports and documents relating to each of the following items listed on the agenda, including those received following posting/distribution, are on file in the Office of the Department of Community Development and are available for public inspection during normal business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260, telephone (760) 346-0611, Extension 484. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR ALL MATTERS LISTED ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE ROLL CALL VOTE. THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THESE ITEMS UNLESS MEMBERS OF THE CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE OR AUDIENCE REQUEST ITEMS BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION AND ACTION UNDER SECTION V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER, OF THE AGENDA. A. MINUTES of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee meeting of November 16, 2015. �' Rec: Approve as presented. Action: POSTED AGENDA CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE � V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER VI. NEW BUSINESS A. UPDATE ON THE CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE. Rec: Update to be made at the meeting. Action: MAY 23, 2016 B. DISCUSSION ON THE CITY OF PALM DESERT'S SUSTAINBILITY ISSUES. Rec: Presentation to be made at the meeting. Action: C. PRESENTATION ON THE CITY OF PALM DESERT GENERAL PLAN UPDATE BY DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT RYAN STENDELL. Rec: Presentation to be made at the meeting. Action: �„ VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE VIII. OLD BUSINESS NONE IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Committee Members Comments X. ADJOURNMENT I hereby certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, that the foregoing agenda for the Citizens' Sustainability Committee was posted on the City Hall bulletin board not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting. Dated on this 18th day of May, 2016. � '�� i Monica O'Reilly, Recording Se tary P/ease contact the Planning Department, 73510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260, (760) 346-0611, for assistance with access to any of the agenda, materials, or participation at the meeting. 2 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee�2016Wgenda\5-23-16 a.docx CITY OF PALM DESERT CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMITTEEE PRELIMINARY MINUTES MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2015 — 2:00 P.M. ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 Preceding the meeting, Mayor Susan Marie Sustainability Committee for serving on the Comn with a gifit of appreciation, � I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Susan Rosenberg called the II. ROLL CALL Present: Member Gregory Gritters � Member Dennis Gui w Member David Vice Chair De tons Chair Susa �� enberg Also Present: ��y Jona�� C� 1� :. �,�ony Bagato, ��rk Greenwoo �, � � �� - �� a O'Reilly, R� Pa � � : �� Dan, Youth Rach � � • � � berg, Y� order Me Me thanked the Citizens' �resented the members 07 p.m. "�� Tommy Edwards m ' Courtney Lingle �er Ralph Raya mber Oxana Wolfson ` yor �' ember Dir ;. of Community Development �ector".,,:; ublic Works � ding ecretary = mmittee Member Committee Member Mr. Tony °` �, Acting Director of Community Development, announced that Member Oxa�` ' olfson resigned from the Citizens' Sustainability Committee so she could continue her education in Australia. Chair Rosenberg asked if there will be new members appointed to the Committee. Mr. Bagato replied that not at this time. He said he will check with the City Clerk on the appointment process. PRELIMINARY MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 16, 2015 Councilmember Sabby Jonathan said to contact him if they know of anyone that �'' would be interested in being on the Citizens' Sustainability Committee. He briefly explained the annual process. Member Gregory Gritters asked if they would have to be a Palm Desert resident. Councilmember Jonathan responded that the Citizens' Sustainability Committee does not have a residency requirement; however, residency is preferred. Member Gritters noted that he will ask Mr. Dave Koller sin ,� = e is now retired. III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. PRESENTATION A. PRESENTATION to the Citizens' Youth Committee, regarding the Li Ms. Rachel Seiberg, Youth C Committee had a sustaina" program. She said the party w sustainability and the prevalenc the event, and men ' d other Lincoln Element ,. . ool V. CONSENT A. MINUTES of DAR 0 ittee meeting of August 24, 2015. §4 ,' pon a motion ; emb ourhess, second by Member Gritters, and a 5-0 vote of the r s' Sustainabi om e(AYES: Gatons, Gritters, Guinaw, Mourhess, and Rosenb NOES: Non BSENT: Edwards, Lingle, Raya, and Wolfson; ABSTAIN: None), the ,: ent Calen was approved as presented. VI. CONSE � � �� :�IV,� �� .� � �� LD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. PRESENTATION to the Citizens' Sustainability Committee by Jeremy Hutman, Regional PACE Director, regarding the CaliforniaFIRST program. Mr. Bagato noted there was a staff report pertaining to this item, and explained that CaliforniaFIRST is another Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. He inability K mmittee by ��` � el Seiberg, �leme arty. °t ittee Memb " ted that on October 15 the Youth y for th � coln Elementary after school r IL Their 3- was to reinforce the ideas of �env tal is She displayed pictures of ts t��a i�°. in �� e upcoming months for the 2 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee12015\Minutes\11-16-15 min.docx PRELIMINARY MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 16, 2015 said that the other PACE programs that have been approved by the City is Ygrene and HERO, and introduced Mr. Jeremy Hutman. MR. JEREMY HUTMAN, Regional PACE Director, CaliforniaFIRST, thanked the Committee for allowing him to present the program. A PowerPoint presentation with oral interpretation was given by Mr. Hutman to explain the CaliforniaFIRST program. At the end of his presentation, he offered to answer any questions. Member David Mourhess asked if a non-profit entity owns the building is the property tax exempt. MR. HUTMAN responded that CaliforniaFIRST could � 501c3 on any type of non- profit. If the non-profit entity owns the property, IRST is able to finance directly to them, and they would be able to repa,�r .• ugh ' roperty tax bill. Member Mourhess inquired if solar the MR. HUTMAN replied yes. Member Mourhess asked who captures th MR. HUTMAN replied that th� owner credit could be applied to the p i n e- Member Mourhess '�.; ired what ��_��`� h at the end of 20� �N MR. HUT ��esponded�� community � the 30 property owne � d that hings t. ber Mo � s a � �,�� oachella Valle �� ato comme G> He does � MR. HUT� and they h mo s are elig federal income tax credit. the 30 percent tax credit. The �with no penalties. e� percent tax credit sunsets the �° y program would be another option in the nt credi � nds next year. He said the only way for ea h it is to find more ways to finance solar hat the adoption rate for the other two programs in the that later in the meeting he will give an update on the HERO iow the status of the Ygrene program. that CaliforniaFIRST is well established in southern California, contractors working with them. Member Mourhess asked if CaliforniaFIRST would establish a physical office in Palm Desert. MR. HUTMAN replied no; however, they would have a local representative and several managers in the area. Vice Chair Dean Gatons asked if CaliforniaFIRST is one of the PACE programs in the City of Palm Desert. 3 G:\Planning\Monica OReiIlylSustainability Committee�20151Minutes\11-16-15 min.docx PRELIMINARY MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 16, 2015 MR. HUTMAN answered that if the City passes a resolution to join the program, it would be one of several programs. Vice Chair Gatons stated that he is constantly receiving phone calls at his home regarding PACE programs. He is concerned, if another program is added, he would receive more calls. MR. HUTMAN communicated that is not only a local issue, it is a statewide issue. Mr. Bagato interjected that there are providers and contr .%�-s; the program is only the financing mechanism. , . MR. HUTMAN explained every contractor uses � � t type of financing. If a contractor is constantly calling, they would like to��= r abo �� He stated they would take action against contractors to protect the �� , umer. ,� Member Mourhess commented that it is � e PACE providers p�� . ing the phone numbers to the contractors; it is not � �`scope of �� eration. The �.�� ractors are getting the phone numbers; however, he -:� not �rom where. � MR. HUTMAN made clear th contractors; they only providE Mr. Bagato added that the City � Councilmember �� `�� comme' purchases. H ed if t ontrac versus a le� � areement �: solar MR. HUTMA � � ied } owr� `�`�` ncilmem �� ona� ��. �;ie financing m • 4�� tory �� '�� UTMAN said�� w_t do not pr�� or share phone lists with cities or E no hon .�s. � �� the �al credit is only available for y re prepared to offer a purchase agreement Im all of their solar systems are individually sked if a homeowner receives credit, is the pay down of it is optional. Memb itters i� ed if CaliforniaFIRST needs an endorsement from the City, but they o permission from the City to offer their loan program in Palm Desert. Mr. Bagato responded that CaliforniaFIRST does need to be approved by the City Council through a resolution to offer the PACE program. He noted that CaliforniaFIRST would be a third option made available to the public. HERO and Ygrene are the other programs approved and currently available in Palm Desert. Chair Rosenberg asked what happens when someone wants to sell their house. Have potential buyers pushed back because they would pay higher property taxes. 4 G:\PlanninglMonica OReilly\Sustainability Committee�2015\MinutesN 1-16-15 min.docx PRELIMINARY MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE Mr.� � '�� wher �. �� headquarters is located. MR. HUTMAN responded that it would be a negotiating point of sale. He said the �" assessment could be settled through escrow, or there are other options for property owners at the point of sale. Chair Rosenberg asked if removing the solar panels would be one of the options. MR. HUTMAN replied yes. He stated that CaliforniaFIRST has no prepayment penalties, and they would subordinate to make sure the sale of the home could happen. Member Mourhess asked what two or three ifferentiators between CaliforniaFIRST and the two other programs are. , MR. HUTMAN answered that they have I n wh nt to participate in CaliforniaFIRST, which has created a lar , mount of etition. Therefore, property owners could go to any lender to ' � e best rates. H mentioned that CaliforniaFIRST has a 25-year term. ;�� Member Mourhess asked if there are tra their quarters is located in Oakland, California; sence in thern California. MR. HUTMAN replied yes. xplained C' �� iaFIRST checks the contractor's background, contractors are how to aliforniaFIRST, and contractors are monitored by California : . � oted t�� • ey train contractors to not �, , � robocalL � � , �� _ Member Dennis MR. HUT� however, t ponded : a lara� NOVEMBER 16, 2015 r the co Me�;�uinaw �if � HUTNI�� '� � ns� aliforniaFlRS cal does not have a prepayment penalty. there is no prepayment penalty. He noted that �rs online available. AL BUTLER; ' Im Desert, California, commented that he works mainly with com ial solar. as excited that CaliforniaFIRST accesses more equity in the prope n the � O and Ygrene programs. He felt CaliforniaFIRST is good for the City I ert, and it complements the goals of the city to be a leader in sustainabili encouraged that the Citizens' Sustainability Committee recommend t he City Council to pass a resolution to accept CaliforniaFIRST so property owners in Palm Desert have one more choice. Chair Rosenberg asked who gets the money from the interest that people pay. MR. HUTMAN responded that it goes to the individual companies running the programs and providing the capital. 5 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee�2015\MinutesN 1-16-15 min.docx PRELIMINARY MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 16, 2015 Member Mourhess asked if a non-profit entity that owns a building and qualifies for financing, who signs the documents for the entity. MR. HUTMAN responded whoever is authorized to sign for the non-profit entity. He said he does not have all the details, but could provide Member Mourhess with the information. Councilmember Jonathan interjected that it is typically the board of the non-profit entity. With no further questions, Mr. Bagato stated staff re •� �.' ended approval for the adoption of the CaliforniaFIRST program in the City Desert. Member Guinaw moved to recommend to e Council to approve CaliforniaFIRST as the third PACE program provid properties ,. in the City of Palm Desert. Motion was seconded by Member Mou and carried b -0 vote (AYES: Gatons, Gritters, Guinaw, Mourhess, and Ro rg; NOES: None; A� T: Edwards, Lingle, Raya, and Wolfson; ABSTAIN: None). VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS fE� � OLD BUSINESS ief update on the HERO program. He pointed out 56 $1,082,968 funded projects, 8,188,942 kWh of energy �ns reduced, and 1,773,750 gallons of water saved in what the non-solar projects are. aid it could be new windows, new air conditioning systems, or cy improvement. Member Gritters noted that plants are not covered by the HERO program. They cover anything that would be permanent such as irrigation systems, controller systems, hardscape, and decomposed granite (DG). B. Committee Members Comments Mr. Bagato commented that a proposed meeting schedule for 2016 was provided to the Sustainability Committee. 6 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2015\Minutes\11-16-15 min.docx PRELIMINARY MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE on the Ci ' Smart Tea d they are �iden� icularly via soc media. Vice Chair Gatons asked if the Citizens' Sustainability Committee meeting time could be changed to 3:00 p.m. With the Citizens' Sustainability Committee concurrence, the Committee meetings were changed to 3:00 p.m. Vice Chair Gatons requested to be informed about future Sustainability Committee members. He asked if Sustainability Committee members are able to sit in on the interviews/meetings to provide suggestions. Councilmember Jonathan responded that the meetings blic; however, he does not know if the City Council solicits public input. � asked the Committee to encourage friends to serve on committees and co ; Vice Chair Gatons expressed that communi a and educ with programs are important. s Councilmember Jonathan mentioned focused on an outreach to the Palm C Member Guinaw asked if he Committee, does he direct the Councilmember Jonathan replie� Clerk to make sure tla��_follow the Member Gritte current dro , restrictions. X their turf, if the reco��ed t of a po� �te to Cou G'Q will NOVEMBER 16, 2015 candidate for the Sustainability Ymber Jonathan's office. the candidate to the City �omm d that ity evaluate their landscapes in light of the mandate nd the � tential future water costs and watering ated th ey are tel their customers to remove 35 percent of it t e t reduction on an annual basis. He also ity an �'chella Valley Water District (CVWD) are idelines they use when approving new landscape. He Ci k at landscaped areas to come up with a program that � hav ,, but as a City, meet the 36 percent reduction without He m ned that the City could use less water by letting the he summertime, and have Ryegrass in the wintertime. He - a Valley off season is summer; not winter. ested th � ould allow the . s going dorm� B agrass go state �t the Co� Mr. Mark�� been a lead � interjected that for many years the City of Palm Desert has r conservation. Member Gritters stated that landscape in the City should be looked at as a whole, and work to be in compliance with the state, CVWD, and Palm Desert's current regulations. However, he believes you could have nice looking grass in the wintertime, and still meet the requirements if you look at the City as a whole. Mr. Greenwood noted Palm Desert's current net savings is 30 percent. 7 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2015\Minutes\11-16-15 min.docx PRELIMINARY MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 16, 2015 Councilmember Jonathan mentioned that the City is replacing turf around City Hall "�` with drought tolerant landscape; however, it comes with challenges because it costs a lot of money. At this point, there was discussion regarding water billing, water calculations and water usage. Vice Chair Gatons asked if Desert Willow and parks use reclaimed water. Mr. Greenwood responded that they use reclaimed water a; sert Willow. Councilmember Jonathan reported that the City review the backyard beekeeping ordinance. He may want to weigh in on the draft ordinance. H look at other sustainability issues because living healthy. For example, backyard c'` : community gardens. Mr. Bagato mentioned changes to the S Council. He would email the updated plan, if there is anything they would ' to discuss on the Shade Tree Ordinance. , XI. ADJOURNMENT With Committee ;o , gave direction for staff to � ustainability Committee '��'tione ��, t the Committee may is an urb ��' �� t nd for eating and are a grow�r�:� ��end along with n were approv by the City � Committee to let staff know In addition, he is still working the meeting at 3:29 p.m. onica O'Reilly, Recording Secretary 8 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee�2015\Minutes111-16-15 min.docx