Orange County NC Website
^ Focus for comparison is on use per square foot, due to changes aver time in unit casts far <br />energy <br />Wayne Fenton went over the Energy Use and Cost Report. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis commended Elaine Holmes for talking like a facilities manager. <br />He said that his opinion of the book is that this is something that the Energy Conservation <br />Manager needs at all times. He said that it is only overkill for the County Commissioners. He <br />would like to know generic information such as gasoline consumption and if it has gone up or <br />dawn, etc. He does not need all of the details. Regarding the draft policy, he said that it is <br />important that the Manager and at least one elected official be a part of the Energy <br />Management Work Group. He said that some things are non-negotiable, such as computer <br />equipment, which must be shut dawn. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that they also need to encourage financial incentives. He <br />said that overall this is a wonderful first stab and it is outstanding work. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked about the task force and its purview. Elaine Holmes said <br />that the energy task group would have purview over all three policies -building energy <br />conservation, vehicle fuel, and the upcoming water conservation policy. She said that the <br />Energy Conservation Manager's focus would be an buildings. The task force would be <br />oversight for all three policy areas. <br />Chair Carey said that this is a tremendous amount of work and he does not need to see <br />it every month, but once a year would be sufficient. He thinks that once they adapt the draft <br />policy, they might consider asking outside agencies that they fund to adopt energy policies also. <br />He recognizes that there is a big difference because the outside agencies do not own their own <br />buildings and do not have control, but they need to think about the costs associated with <br />operations. <br />Commissioner Foushee said that she has heard from employees about what their <br />workspaces will look and feel like. She wants to ensure that employees understand that these <br />policies are not designed for their discomfort. She made reference to page 9 and said that <br />there are provisions for situations where spaces are uncomfortable. The policy is more about <br />conservation and safety and not about being insensitive to employees. <br />Elaine Holmes said that they have emphasized this at the Employee Relations <br />Consortium and will continue to emphasize this. <br />Chair Jacobs made reference to the charts and suggested having space to write <br />changes in the buildings. <br />Chair Jacobs said that there needs to be a central phone number that members of the <br />public or staff can call to report something. He said that one of the underlying premises of this <br />effort is the environmental responsibility goal adopted in the consent agenda and many <br />departments have worked on this over the years. <br />Chair Jacobs said that he would like to add Cooperative Extension to the list of the task <br />force members. <br />Chair Jacobs made reference to page 9 and Use of Windows and said that he would like <br />it to say, "Windows are to be kept closed unless specifically authorized, as when the HVAC <br />system is disengaged." Also, under Incentives, he would like to add preferred parking as an <br />incentive to employees. <br />On page 11, he would like to have a list of what the priority retrofits aught to be. Also, he <br />would be happy to get this information on a CD as opposed to a book every year. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that the response that Elaine Holmes gave to <br />Commissioner Foushee about workplace areas is exactly the tone that the Energy Conservation <br />Manager needs to have. He would like for Elaine Holmes to work with this new employee. <br />