Agenda - 03-10-20; 8-a - Minutes

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14 1 Commissioner Marcoplos said homeowner associations are likely the greatest 2 impediment to these projects. 3 Commissioner Bedford referred to the solar rooftop portion, and asked if Duke Energy is 4 involved in the funding. 5 Brennan Bouma said there is currently a rooftop solar rebate, which is available to 6 residents, businesses, governments and non-profits. He said, in the last two years, there has 7 been money left over in the governments and non-profits section. He said for any one system 8 there is up to $75,000 incentive from Duke Energy, depending on the size of the array. 9 Commissioner Bedford asked if staff will know about this funding rebate prior to starting 10 a project. 11 Brennan Bouma said he needs to learn more about how the timing works, and those 12 bidding on the projects would be very familiar with that process. 13 Commissioner Bedford asked if rebates are guaranteed, or part of a lottery system for 14 the year. 15 Brennan Bouma said he believes it is first come first served, but as he mentioned, there 16 have been unused grant funds in recent years so the odds of being awarded grants funds are 17 likely. 18 Commissioner Bedford said it would be more efficient if County tax dollars could be 19 used in combination with grant funding. 20 Commissioner Bedford said she is very interested in the hydropower feasibility study, 21 and asked if staff would bring back information. She thanked staff for all its work, and looks 22 forward to further conversations. 23 Commissioner Price asked of staff could include information on who this would really 24 impact. 25 Brennan Bouma asked if Commissioner Price is interested in the impacts on power 26 output. 27 Commissioner Price said yes, when everything is in tip-top-shape, what are the benefits. 28 Brennan Bouma said that is one of the questions that would be answered in the 29 feasibility assessment. 30 31 A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Bedford for the 32 Board to approve funding for the recommended Climate Action Tax projects below for FY 19- 33 20: 34 Supplemental Weatherization for Low Income Households 1 $150,000 Countywide LED Campaign 2 $19,272 35 36 Commissioner Dorosin asked if funds can be reallocated if the schools are not prepared 37 to move forward this year. 38 Chair Rich said yes. 39 Commissioner Marcoplos said he has spoken before about a school in Union County 40 that has screens in the hallways displaying energy use readouts within 4 zones, and the zones 41 compete with each other for efficiency. He said this was an amazing educational opportunity 42 that he would like to discuss with the school districts as well. He said he will send information to 43 the Manager to forward to the schools prior to the upcoming meeting.