Minutes 10-19-2021 Virtual Business meeting

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11 Commissioner Fowler asked if reviewers gave feedback about the requests that were not recommended for funding related to that project. Chair Price said there were comments that some of the items should just be part of the design anyway. Commissioner Fowler said the county had to say no to some of the things because, all together, it is beyond what is affordable, and what the county builds goes into debt service. She said this does seem like a reasonable use to her, and Brennan Bouma has said this is about community ideas. She said it does bring out the idea that the County, schools, and other government entities cannot always afford extra things that would actually be beneficial for cliamte action. She said she is not opposed to funding things like this with this resource, and hopes the schools will think creatively in applying for this funding. Chair Price said the abstract mentions interest from private entities but in the end they did not apply. She asked if private entities identified a reason for this. Brennan Bouma said the private entity expressing interest was brought into the conversation by one of the community advocates pulling together the Neighborhood Energy Resiliency Project. He said the administration of a grant program was beyond the interest of the private entity. He said at that point, the neighborhood advocate contacted the NC sustainability association. Chair Price said it would be good to try to continue gathering those explanantions in case the funding is expanded to additonal groups in the future and the process can be made easier for them. She said other than that, she was impressed by the innovative ideas. She said it seems, without the eprogram, they may not have happened or would have taken longer to do. Commissioner Bedford said she appreciates the advisory boards who scored the projects and agrees with their recommendations. She said she is happy to go to 26 points as a solution to putting more emphasis on social justice aspect. She asked if solar was part of the original design for the 203 project. Steve Arndt said it has been under consideration throughout the design, but due to budgetary constraints was listed as an alternate if funding was available. He said he mentioned this grant to the Town of Carrboro, and recommended applying. Commissioner Bedford asked if the amount is enough to cover both the solar and green roof. Steve Arndt said he thinks this will be enough to fund both. Commissioner Bedford said hopefully the Town will get this amount and can apply again in two weeks for the next round of funding. Steve Arndt said yes, because the project will extend over time. Commissioner Bedford asked if the payback period for solar panels is known. Steve Arndt said payback period has continued to go down over the years, and is under a 10 year payback now. Commissioner Bedford said she wants to support these recommendations and if the County Manager wanted to bring a budget amendment to fully fund the ask from other capital funds she would be supportive. Steve Ardnt said okay. Commissioner Greene said this is a very thoughtful set of recommendations to a very excellent set of proposals, and she is glad the advisory boards score them because they bring important perspective. She said money is going towards projects that those who initally supported the tax wanted to see it do: projects that mitiage climate change, that would not otherwise be possible due to a lack of funding. She said she is happy to endorse the recommendations, and adding the additional point to the rubric.