EEIC Minutes of March 25, 2009

[Diane Blevins]

 

 

Proceedings of the Board of Trustees

District No. 2, Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

 

March 25, 2009

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

The Energy and Environmental Innovation Committee of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana, and High School District, Yellowstone County, Montana, was duly held at The Lincoln Center, 415 North 30th Street, Billings, Montana, March 25, 2009, at 5:30 p.m.

 

Those present included Thomas Harper, Lew Anderson, Jeff Gruizenga, Trustee Joel Guthals, Rich Whitney, Ed Gulick, Ron Pecarina, and Sandra Graham.

 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE PUBLIC

 

There were no public comments.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 1, 2009

 

Jeff Gruizenga made the following motion with a second by Ed Gulick:

 

Motion to approve the October 1st meeting.

 

Those voting in favor were Jeff Gruizenga, Joel Guthals, Rich Whitney, Ed Gulick and Ron Pecarina. The motion passed unanimously.

 

ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

 

Lew Anderson reported on the first six months of the energy management program. His personal goal for the first year is to save $2,600,000 which would break even in the program. The utility bills for February were good and the bills for March are also expected to be good as the buildings were closed for one week during the spring break. However, heating units ran constantly during the cold spells. Mr. Anderson reviewed his handouts on the first six months of the energy conservation program. The figures on the cost summary graph were not weather adjusted. The cost avoidance summary on sites was weather adjusted. The savings since July 1, 2008 are at 9.22% cost avoidance at $183,981.28. Electricity rates increased 4.6%, gas rates 17%, and water rates increased 8%. He recognized staff for the success of the program as they bought into the program.

 

Joel Guthals stated they are making progress on electricity but gas consumption is high and the rates have increased. Mr. Anderson reported the easiest steps are completed but the harder ones are the next phase. Sewer rates have also increased but the rates were best on the previous year’s usage.

 

Mr. Anderson reported the Billings Public Schools will list among the top 10% in the nation for savings. Several buildings could be rated for the energy star program. Mr. Gruizenga felt it would be easy to go after the energy star program especially for Skyview High School.

 

Mr. Anderson stated the concept of team cleaning is also being considered but the custodial staff did not want to buy into that concept. This summer’s special education program will be moved out of the Career Center which will be shut down for the summer. A portion of Skyview High School will also be shut down for the summer which will improve the savings. A four-day work week would also save money but Mr. Anderson was not sure how the Superintendent’s stand would be. The third and fourth floor at the Lincoln Center will also be shut down for the summer. Shutting coolers down for the summer would save 10% on the life of the equipment.

 

Mr. Whitney stated the most important energy saver is the night time settings. The consensus of the committee was the program was going in a good direction.

 

Thomas Harper stated, when putting together the 2009 utility budget, he looked at a 15% increase in gas usage and 20% for electricity. He did not feel there would be further increases due to the energy management program. If the District stays on track, funds might be able to be moved from the utility budgeted funds.

 

Trustee Guthals felt a good time to give a report to the Board would be during the May 18th meeting. The report will go before the Budgeting for Results Committee first.

 

Trustee Guthals reported the Berkley Survey is complete and the information will be emailed to the committee members. There may be stimulus funds available to the District and a process will be needed to review and make recommendations to the Board when the amount is known. The recommendations would go before the Budgeting for Results Committee and then the full Board for approval. The members of the EEIC stated they wanted the opportunity to participate in the process. Mr. Harper stated they will be reviewing stimulus funds for bonds but they would have to figure out how to pay the bonds back. The District might not be able to utilize the bonds as it has a hard time getting a bond levy passed. Ed Gulick felt the District needed to have a prioritized list ready for the energy efficiency bill for schools and the Berkley Survey report could aid in that process.

 

As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Joel Guthals, Chair

 

 

Diane Blevins, Recorder