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2018-03-26 Special Mtg #13 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING, 03-26-2018, MTG#13 761 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING MTG# 13 MARCH 26, 2018 RES# 136-137 7:00 P.M. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT SUPERVISOR JOHN STROUGH COUNCILMAN ANTHONY METIVIER COUNCILWOMAN CATHERINE ATHERDEN COUNCILMAN GEORGE FERONE COUNCILWOMAN JENNIFER SWITZER Town Clerk Caroline Barber, present for resolution. Supervisor Strough called meeting to order and reviewed the following proposed resolution: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL OF NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY'S DESIGNATION AS A CLEAN ENERGY COMMUNITY, APPLICATION FOR CLEAN ENERGY COMMUNITIES'CLEAN ENERGY COMMUNITY GRANT, PARTICIPATION IN DESIGN AND ADMINISTRATION OF CLEAN ENERGY COMMUNITIES' SOLARIZE PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FUNDS AND AGREEMENT RESOLUTION NO.: 136,2018 INTRODUCED BY: Mrs. Catherine Atherden WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION SECONDED BY: Mr.Anthony Metivier WHEREAS, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) seeks clean energy that can power New York while protecting the environment and promotes energy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources and promotes efforts to developing a less polluting and more reliable and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers, and WHEREAS, NYSERDA's efforts aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, accelerate economic growth, and reduce energy bills, and WHEREAS, NYSERDA partners with stakeholders throughout New York including residents, business owners, developers, community leaders, local government officials, university researchers, utility representatives, investors, and entrepreneurs to advance innovative energy solutions in ways that improve New York's economy and environment, and WHEREAS, NYSERDA has developed a Clean Energy Communities program that is designed to build a more sustainable New York and that starts with building more sustainable communities because local governments affect energy choices in their communities, from government operations to homes, businesses, and community institutions, and SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING, 03-26-2018, MTG#13 762 WHEREAS, local governments in New York State can use the Clean Energy Communities program to implement clean energy actions, save energy costs, create jobs, and improve the environment, and WHEREAS, NYSERDA will help provide tools, resources, and technical assistance to participating communities, and WHEREAS, the Clean Energy Communities program will recognize and reward leadership for the completion of clean energy projects, and WHEREAS, by Resolution No.: 209, 2017, the Queensbury Town Board: 1) declared its intention to participate in NYSERDA's Clean Energy Communities program and unified permitting process, thereby increasing the Town of Queensbury's eligibility for various incentives and grants through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA); and 2) authorized submission of a grant application through the Streamlined Permitting Program to allow for the Town to receive a grant award up to $2,500 from NYSERDA for the adoption of the Unified Solar Permit Application, and WHEREAS, by Resolution No.: 230, 2017, the Town Board adopted and established its Energy Benchmarking Policy mandating public reporting of building energy benchmarking, and WHEREAS, by Resolution No.: 231, 2017, the Town Board authorized: 1) establishment of the Clean Energy Communities Capital Project and Clean Energy Communities Capital Project Fund 4219 in the amount of $10,000 to establish funding for expenses associated with this Capital Project and 2) formation of a Clean Energy Communities Committee and approved its membership, with Kathy Bozony as paid contractor as Chairperson, and WHEREAS, by Resolution No.: 307, 2017, the Town Board authorized acceptance of $2,500 in grant funding from NYSERDA for the adoption of the Unified Solar Permit Application, and WHEREAS, the Town, with the help of its Clean Energy Communities Committee has completed four (4) of the ten (10) High Impact Actions (Benchmarking, Clean Fleets, Unified Solar Permit, Energy Code Enforcement Training) and is now a designated Clean Energy Community and therefore eligible for a grant in the amount of$50,000, and WHEREAS, in order to receive this $50,000 (no in-kind match) grant, the Town needs to submit a proposal to NYSERDA by June 7, 2018 of what the Town intends to do with the grant. Going forth with this proposal, the Town Board will work with the Town's Clean Energy Communities Advisory Committee to adopt a plan that will meet NYSERDA's criteria for this grant, that being, Direct Energy Component with the following two criteria: 1) The project reduces Greenhouse Gases; and 2) The investment must be recouped within 20 years, and WHEREAS, the Town has completed the following High Impact Actions: Benchmarking, Clean Fleets, Unified Solar Permit, Energy Code Enforcement Training and now wishes to pursue the Clean Energy Communities' Solarize campaign, and SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING, 03-26-2018, MTG#13 763 WHEREAS, because the intent of the Solarize campaign is to increase the number of solar installations within their municipal jurisdiction through group purchasing, locally- organized community education and outreach, NYSERDA is willing to grant the hub municipality a $5,000 grant to help achieve this effort, such grant monies to be used for such things as media materials and efforts, etc. in its efforts to achieve their Solarize campaign, and WHEREAS, Solarize is a short term, local effort that brings together groups of potential solar customers through widespread outreach and education, and WHEREAS, this model helps customers choose a solar installation company that is offering competitive, transparent pricing, and WHEREAS, historically, Solarize campaigns lower the cost of solar by 10 to 20 percent, and WHEREAS, residents and businesses who sign up for solar installations by a specific deadline will be able to take advantage of group rates below market prices, and WHEREAS, NYSERDA provides technical assistance and other tools and resources to communities in support of Solarize campaigns, and WHEREAS, the Town Board supports and wishes to take the lead in the development of a Clean Energy Communities Program for the region and has entitled the effort "Southern Adirondacks for Solar," and WHEREAS, the Southern Adirondacks for Solar includes the Town of Queensbury as the hub and has been joined by other communities, such as the municipalities of Bolton, Hague, Horicon, Lake George (village and town), Glens Falls, and Warrensburg, and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby: 1. accepts the designation of the Town of Queensbury as a Clean Energy Community; 2. authorizes an application for the Clean Energy Communities' Clean Energy Community Grant; 3. authorizes the Clean Energy Communities Advisory Committee's participation in design and administration of the Clean Energy Communities' Solarize Program and Grant Application; and 4. authorizes and accepts the $5,000 in grant funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) as incentive payment for the Town's continuation of the Queensbury Solarize Campaign, and SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING, 03-26-2018, MTG#13 764 BE IT FURTHER, RESOLVED, that the Town of Queensbury supports, endorses, and is committed to participate in the Southern Adirondacks for Solar solarize campaign, and BE IT FURTHER, RESOLVED, that the Town of Queensbury stands ready to assist with community outreach and education in support of the Southern Adirondacks for Solar solarize campaign, and BE IT FURTHER, RESOLVED, that the Town Board further establishes appropriations and estimated revenues as follows: • Increase Appropriations in Account No.: 219-8030-4400 by $5,000; and • Increase Revenue in Account 219-0000-53910 by $5,000; and BE IT FURTHER, RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Budget Officer to amend the Town Budget, make any adjustments, budget amendments and transfers, and/or prepare any documentation necessary to establish such appropriations and estimated revenues and effectuate all terms of this Resolution, and BE IT FURTHER, RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor to sign any needed Grant Agreement in form acceptable to the Town Supervisor, Senior Planner and/or Town Counsel, and/or any other documentation, and further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor, Senior Planner, Town Counsel and/or Town Budget Officer to take such other and further action necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution. Duly adopted this 26th day of March, 2018, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Metivier, Mrs. Atherden, Mr. Ferone, Mrs. Switzer, Mr. Strough NOES: None ABSENT: None DISCUSSIONS: • Glens Falls Collaborative (Rich Cirino, President and Robin Barkenhagen, Vice President) • LGPC's Proposed Stormwater Regulations (PP) (Dave Wick, Executive Director and Ken Parker, Vice Chairman) SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING, 03-26-2018, MTG#13 765 • Parks & Recreation Department—Capital Expenditure Request (Steve Lovering, Director) • Property Transfer Law (Kathy Bozony, Queensbury Consultant) RESOLUTION ADJOURNING SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING RESOLUTION NO. 137, 2018 INTRODUCED BY: Mrs. Catherine Atherden WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION SECONDED BY: Mrs. Jennifer Switzer RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury hereby adjourns its Special Town Board Meeting. Duly adopted this 26th day of March, 2018, by the following vote: AYES: Mrs. Atherden, Mr. Ferone, Mrs. Switzer, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier NOES: None ABSENT: None Respectfully Submitted, Caroline H. Barber Town Clerk Town of Queensbury