Minutes 02-04-2020 Business Meeting

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12 Commissioner Price said this is a hypothetical, and asked if there is a difference between leasing and purchasing with installments. She asked if staff is suggesting a lease to own process. Brennan Bouma said staff is more likely thinking about lease to own. He said he assisted Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) with leasing solar at 5 different locations, and this is a good model to work from. Commissioner Price said in the Board's packet it says each school district is supposed to work through a grant, and asked if this would be a grant from the County. Brennan Bouma said yes. Commissioner Price agreed with Commissioner Marcoplos' comments about serving more homes. Commissioner Price said she is concerned as to whether weatherization is what people really need. She said the needs may be much larger. Commissioner Price referred to the proposal criteria, which mentions racial equity, but this is really an issue of socioeconomic needs. She said she realizes there are a disproportionate number of people of color with greater socioeconomic needs, but she wants to be clear that Black does not equal poor. She said people of all races are living below the poverty line, and she asked if there will be a way to insure that minority populations take advantage of the program, thus insuring racial equity, because the program is based on income. Brennan Bouma said this is a good question, and he will consider it. Commissioner Price said it is difficult to market this as having racial equity as a first priority, when there is no guarantee of racial equity. She said it is difficult to trust that it will just happen. Commissioner Dorosin said it may be useful to get some information about the demographics that the current County programs are serving. Commissioner Price said one's race and ethnicity should not matter, and people in need should be served. Chair Rich said the direction for racial equity came from the Board of Commissioners and staff should not take responsibility for it. She said some fine-tuning is needed. Commissioner Dorosin said it could be changed to economic equity. Commissioner Bedford said she read the resolution adopted by the BOCC last June, which states, "according to a formula that weighs the social justice and racial equity impacts." She said Commissioner Price's point is very valid, and the Board must consider how the racial equity piece will be covered. Commissioner Dorosin said he appreciated the provision for monitoring of program effectiveness, at least in regards to the solar panels. He said the light bulb portion has a pledge to ask people how many light bulbs they change. He asked if before and after assessments will be made, in regards to utility savings, once the weatherization improvements are made. He said there is an educational component of this program, and having data about savings on hand will be important. Commissioner Dorosin clarified that the plan is to put the school recommendations on hold until there are subsequent meetings with the staff and the schools. Chair Rich said that is correct, and the schools asked for a little extra time to review the information. She said McDougal and East already have small solar panels. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the idea is to have roof top panels on two schools, one in each district. Brennan Bouma said that is the vision, but it could be spelled out in a recommendation if needed. He said he can talk with the schools about these details.