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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-08-29 CSC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMITTEEE MINUTES MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016 —3:00 P.M. ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Susan Rosenberg called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Member Tommy Edwards Member Gregory Gritters Member Dennis Guinaw Member Courtney Lingle Member Ralph Raya Vice Chair Dean Gatons Chair Susan Rosenberg Also Present: Sabby Jonathan, Council Member Justin McCarthy, Interim City Manager Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works Randy Chavez, Landscape Supervisor Deborah Glickman, Management Analyst Lisa Ream, Recycling Technician Monica O'Reilly, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee meeting of November 16, 2015. Rec: Approve as presented. MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE AUGUST 29, 2016 Upon a motion by Vice Chair Gatons, second by Member Raya, and a 6-0-1 vote of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented (AYES: Gatons, Gritters, Guinaw, Lingle, Raya, and Rosenberg; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: Edwards). V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VI. NEW BUSINESS A. PRESENTATION ON THE CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL FINANCE AUTHORITY (CMFA) PACE PROGRAM BY BENJAMIN DRUYON, COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (CVAG). Mr. Benjamin Druyon, CVAG, provided an update on the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program for the Coachella Valley, and named three current PACE program providers for the City of Palm Desert (Ygrene, HERO, and Calif orniaFIRST). Mr. Lee McCormick, CMFA, talked briefly about the CMFA and said they are requesting an approval from the Sustainability Committee to move forward with the program in Palm Desert. He asked the Committee if they had any questions. Ms. Deborah Glickman, Management Analyst, asked Mr. McCormick to talk about the types of projects that the CMFA funds. Mr. McCormick responded that CMFA fund commercial and residential projects. The program would finance or refinance energy efficiency improvements, water efficiency improvements, and other improvements. Member Gregory Gritters asked if country clubs are considered a non-profit organization. Mr. McCormick replied no. He said only commercial and residential property owners could use PACE financing to make energy efficient or renewable energy improvements. Member] Gritters asked what the terms of the PACE programs are compared to the other PACE programs. Mr. McCormick explained the repayment is collected as part of the property owner's taxes, and the CMFA has many finance structures. Councilmember Sabby Jonathan commented that some utilities are restructuring their solar energy programs, such that, some homeowners are not able to benefit as much or at all from some of the incentives. He questioned if there has been an impact on the demand or what would be the future impact. 2 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2016\Minutes\8-29-16 min.dou MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE AUGUST 29, 2016 Mr. McCormick said that they have not seen much of an impact yet. He stated that utility companies are moving towards a lesser charge for the power itself, but charging more for the infrastructure that could impact PACE down the road. Vice Chair Gatons mentioned he receives unsolicited sales calls daily regarding PACE programs. He said people do not understand the PACE programs, and they cannot follow the people that are calling them about the programs. Mr. Druyon asked Vice Chair Gatons if he is receiving sales calls. Vice Chair Gatons replied that they are salespersons/telemarketers. Mr. Druyon stated that CVAG is working on putting a stop to the telemarketers. He explained that they are third party vendors. The vendors are canvassing areas and providing wrong information. Vice Chair Gatons voiced his concern with the miscommunication that continues with the telemarketers. Mr. McCormick mentioned that PACE program agencies are doing some self- policing to address issues with the telemarketers. Chair Rosenberg agreed with Vice Chair Gatons concern. She had another concern of any liability that the City of Palm Desert could incur if the telemarketers recommend the PACE program and bad things happen because contractors are not explaining the program properly. Member Tommy Edwards commented that some homeowners' associations (HOA) are non-profits, and asked if they are considered commercial properties. Do they qualify for financing? Mr. McCormick replied that he has not come across an HOA using PACE for improvements. He did not have an answer at that moment, but would follow up with an answer. Ms. Glickman said that Mr. McCormick could send her the answer, and she would forward to the Sustainability Committee. Member Dennis Guinaw shared that he secured a PACE loan for a new air conditioner, and noted that his Southern California Edison bill has gone down approximately $100 a month. Chair Rosenberg asked if there are issues with people selling their properties that have a PACE loan. Mr. Druyon responded that the Obama Administration addressed that PACE liens are good. The administration is working with the Federal Housing Administration, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac so a PACE lien does not become an issue upon the sale or refinance of a property. 3 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2016\Minutes\8.29-16 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE AUGUST 29, 2016 Mr. McCormick added that it also becomes a negotiating point during the sale of a property to either keep the lien on the property or pay the lien off. Vice Chair Gatons moved to recommend to the City Council to approve the City of Palm Desert's participation in the CMFA PACE Program. Motion was seconded by Member Gritters and carried by a 7-0 vote (AYES: Edwards, Gatons, Gritters, Guinaw, Lingle, Raya, and Rosenberg; NOES: None). B. PRESENTATION ON THE PROPOSED MODEL LANDSCAPER CERTIFICATION ORDINANCE BY KATIE BARROWS, COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS. Ms. Glickman stated that CVAG is recommending that landscapers go through a certification process for water conservation, and introduced Ms. Katie Barrows, CVAG, who would present the proposed ordinance. Ms. Katie Barrows, presented that the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) approached CVAG to initiate a landscaper certification program that would allow landscapers to increase their knowledge and use of best practices in water conservation. She explained they would combine the water efficiency course with the existing Overseeding Certification Program. She stated that CVAG is recommending the Citizen's Sustainability Committee recommend to the City Council an adoption of an amendment to the existing Model Landscaper Overseeding Certification Ordinance to incorporate the course on water efficiency. She noted that the CVWD is working with the College of the Desert to offer the course online, and an educational outreach is planned to let everyone know about the program. She offered to answer any questions. Member Raya asked Ms. Barrows to define landscaper. Ms. Barrows replied that they are targeting the small landscaper businesses. She said most of the large country clubs and large landscaper businesses are aware of the water efficiency requirements. A landscaper is defined in the ordinance as a landscape-related business that must complete the course as a prerequisite for the issuance or renewal of a business license. Chair Rosenberg asked how many landscape-related businesses have business licenses in Palm Desert. It was said that there are a lot of businesses that have a business license. Chair Rosenberg inquired how the City verifies that a landscaper has completed the course. Mr. Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development, replied that the landscaper must provide a certificate when applying for a business license. Ms. Lisa Ream, Recycling Technician, asked if it is a one-time certificate or does the landscaper have to take a refresher course. 4 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2016\Minutes\8-29-16 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE AUGUST 29, 2016 Ms. Barrows responded that she did not know and would look into Ms. Ream's question. Member Edwards asked if there is a cost to take the course. Ms. Barrows replied that the course is free. Chair Rosenberg asked how they reach out to the HOAs. Ms. Barrows replied that they are going to rely on the water districts to provide the HOAs with the information, possibly through inserts with their water bill. Member Gritters mentioned that most HOA management companies are fairly sophisticated, as far as their landscape contracts. Most contract specifications require that the landscape bidders need the smart scalping certification. He noted that course certificates should be renewed. Councilmember Jonathan inquired if there are computers available for landscapers to use, and is the course available in Spanish. Ms. Barrows said that COD has computers available at the Westfield Shopping Center or they could also contact COD. All materials are available in English and Spanish. Councilmember Jonathan commented that the amendment to include a course on water efficiency is CVWD's responsibility; therefore, they should be quick at moving this program forward. He felt that CVWD should have also been present along with Ms. Barrows. Ms. Barrows responded that CVWD has mentioned they are taking full responsibility of this program. Chair Rosenberg noted there is a short quiz. She asked if there is a test they need to pass or does everyone pass. Ms. Barrows responded that there are some questions that need to be answered. However, she did not know exactly how they are scored. She said she would find out and forward the information to Ms. Glickman. Member Edwards commented that an edlcational outreach about the program is important. For the big landscape companlies that might have 20 employees, they should have at least two people that have taken the course. Chair Rosenberg pointed out that the proposed amendment states that at least one employee must complete a four-hour course within 12 months immediately preceding the application. Member Gritters moved to recommend to the City Council to approve an amendment to the Model Landscaper Certification Ordinance. Motion was seconded by Member Raya and 5 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Sustain ability Committee\2016\Minutes\8-29-16 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE AUGUST 29, 2016 carried by a 7-0 vote. (AYES: Edwards, Gatons, Gritters, Guinaw, Lingle, Raya, and Rosenberg; Noes: None). Ms. Barrows announced that the Desert Horticultural Society will have their 11tn Annual Desert Garden Community Day at UCR Palm Desert from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on October 15, 2016. Councilmember Jonathan asked if there are moderate changes to the draft ordinance, would the Committee want the changes to come back to the Sustainability Committee for review. Member Gritters responded that he does not feel it is necessary to bring back small modifications to the Committee. Last, he noted that the CVWD penalties reinforce education. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VIII. OLD BUSINESS None IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Committee Members Comments Vice Chair Gatons welcomed back Ms. Ream. He felt the City owes the community a follow up regarding single-use plastic bags. He voiced his concern with the confusion factor. He asked if people understand what was voted in by the City Council. He noted that single-use plastic bags would go to a statewide vote in November 2016. He noted that not all retail stores are following the ordinance, which is causing confusion; therefore, education is needed. Councilmember Jonathan responded that part of the challenge and confusion is that national retail stores do not want to deal with different city ordinances so they are charging everyone for a bag. However, people at the checkout counter in a Palm Desert think it is the City's ordinance, even though it is the store's corporate policy. Lastly, Vice Chair Gatons thanked Mr. Justin McCarthy for his time as the interim City Manager. Chair Rosenberg clarified that there is not another Sustainability Committee meeting scheduled at this point. Ms. Glickman replied that is correct. Vice Chair Gatons requested that they have an advance notice of any upcoming meetings. 6 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2016\Minutes\8-29-16 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE AUGUST 29, 2016 X. ADJOURNMENT With Committee concurrence, Chair Rosenberg adjourned the meeting at 3:53 p.m. Monica O'Reilly, Recording S etary 7 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2016\Minutes\8-29.16 min.docx