City of Englewood, Colorado Sustainability Commission Meetings, 8 Aug 2023

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From YouTube: Sustainability Commission Meeting - August 8, 2023

Description

Agenda HTML: https://englewoodgov.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/166217?handle=08A6F6E731EC4D4B8980CCAF656E3DE0
Agenda PDF: https://englewoodgov.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/166216?handle=093A510E0D27486CBA8D43E71A1872AA

1. Chair Michael Chisholm approval of the agenda

2. Roll Call

3. Call to Order

4. Welcome Guests

5. Approval of Minutes

Minutes of the Sustainability Commission Meeting of July 11, 2023.

6. Upcoming Tasks and Events

Low-Income Energy Efficiency and Energy Programs: Panelists and Q&A (45 minutes)

Update on Englewood’s Low-Income Energy Efficiency Strategy / Plan (10 minutes)

Tree ordinance discussion (20 minutes)

7. Public Forum

This is an opportunity for the public to address the Commission regarding items not on the agenda. Commissioners may ask questions for clarification, but there will not be any dialogue. Presentations ...

8. Staff's Choice

9. Council Liaison's Choice

10. Commissioner's Choice

11. Adjourn

Agenda HTML: https://englewoodgov.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/166217?handle=08A6F6E731EC4D4B8980CCAF656E3DE0
Agenda PDF: https://englewoodgov.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/166216?handle=093A510E0D27486CBA8D43E71A1872AA

A

Matthew Schultz present.

B

Tiana Duncan present at Fitzgerald president.

C

Thank you uh like I said: we've got a lot on the agenda, so forgive me in advance. If I'm, pushy and I'm getting people moving uh Welcome to our guests, why don't our guests introduce themselves.

D

My name is Nancy fence and I work as the department administrator and community Community, Development and I had the distinct pleasure of running two of our Housing Programs. One is for Energy Efficiency and others for home, repairing business.

E

Great wonderful Nancy also is like Miss Englewood. She.

F

E

She's being so humble Nancy does so much I.

G

Share with you on the Urban Royal Authority is that right, that's right.

E

And then we should have two other guests joining us I'm, assuming they'll hop on here in a little bit, and there are the other panelists. So.

C

Okay, moving on approval minutes, uh everybody get a chance to look at the Medics. We have Corrections editions, deletions, edits.

C

I would entertain a motion if it's possible I.

A

Motion to accept the minutes for.

C

A second all, those in favor say aye aye opposed. Thank you. Okay, um okay, we're gonna, get right into it. I think we'll start with Nancy.

E

Yeah, this is actually perfect. Take.

D

It away so is n't here this evening. uh I am passionate about this program. It's been in existence for about 10 years and we've been able to assist well over a hundred homeowners, so the Inglewood Energy Efficiency program we call it affectionately. E3 is designed to improve the energy and water efficiency of owner-occupied homes within ingwood and I'm.

E

So sorry, will you share your screen so that it's recorded? Oh so the PowerPoint shows up up here, but you have to log into the meeting and then share screen there.

F

E

To do it right.

D

Apologies, of course,.

D

You can find the link I know you sent me a link. Didn't you.

E

I hope I did I. Think I did.

D

You don't there, it is Joy. Yes,.

E

My apologies and then, if you mute your computer else, it'll Echo at you, I've.

H

E

That very much.

D

Perfect yep you're good.

E

E

I

Okay, oh hello, everyone.

D

So the grant funding that we receive is through the Community Development block, grant funding from HUD, especially known as cdbg funding. The city applies each year for that funding and Arapahoe County determines the amount that we received. So cities, such as a war that have more than 50 000 citizens, are considered an entitlement company and they get direct funded.

D

The city of England does not have that many citizens, as you well know so we apply in Arapahoe County, is sort of what considered as our parent and then they disperse. So we may apply for, let's just say, 200 000 and we may only get a hundred thousand because they're dispersing the funding that they get from HUD to other uh in other cities such as Sheridan um other smaller type cities. So for our 2023 budget we applied we received about a hundred and fifteen thousand dollars which covers about 12 Grand. So.

I

The grant amounts.

D

Are eight thousand dollars for each homeowner that qualifies and then the homeowner is required to have a two thousand dollar match? Well, you know sometimes I'm working with a lot of seniors, a lot of really low income people and they don't have two thousand dollars.

D

So what we can do in that instance is we put what's called a declining lien on the property, so uh a date of trust and a promissory note are executed, the deities recorded for eight thousand dollars and it declines by two thousand dollars each year for four years at the end of 48 months, that lien is released. So as long as the homeowner's going to be in their home, you know for the full 48 months, there's no cost to that. If they, for whatever reason, have to move or there's a death.

D

Let's say it is a year four, then, whatever that amount is paid back out of the proceeds of the sale of the home. So it's truly a grant.

D

In the in the lane is for the two thousand dollar match just so we can help so eligibility for this program includes low to moderate income. Ingwood homeowners, uh rental properties are ineligible homeowner. We try to incur home ownership and Improvement so that residents can stay in their home and improve their homes and make them more a sustainable and energy efficient. So eligibility is verified by staff.

D

They have to provide proof that they own the home bank statements any income statements, and it follows the HUD uh income guidelines that are published every year once they're approved an energy audit is conducted at the home at no cost to the homeowner it's covered as part of the grant funding we received for administrative costs, and then they also have to have a lead-based paint test conducted on their homes if it was built prior to 1974.

D

and so for the energy audit they'll go through, they do what's called a blower door test and they'll see where the home is losing energy and then from there. The technician creates a report as to the items that they should consider in a list of highest priority down of what they should consider to improve on the home. Arapahoe County requires us to ensure the homeowners follow that priority list. So let's say Logan wants windows and they do the energy audit and it's like yeah.

D

That would be a nice city, but you know you need to increase the installation on your home, so we're going to require you to put in insulation first, because that's where you're going to get your best return for investment.

D

So here's a list of somewhat of the eligible improvements. We have installation energy, efficient, furnaces, we're now doing, uh because HUD has come along they're now allowing for heat pumps and water heaters, Windows, storm windows and doors and then any items that we are identified as eminent hazards. So, for example, I had a homeowner that needed to do at a cancellation and when the contractor got up there, like oh, no there's old, knob and tube, it's a fire hazard.

D

So we could take this money and also help upgrade the electrical wiring in that home so that they could then get to the end result.

D

So there's a little bit of flexibility, so non-eligible improvements are appliances. Years ago, when I first started this, we were able to do energy efficient front load, washing machines when those were new, because those were saved on water. We were able to do dishwashers. The HUD has gone back and said: no. We can't do that. They've narrowed their focus.

D

Some homes have asbestos removal, especially when you have old boilers, the octopus boilers down in the homes those can have asbestos. Unfortunately, with this program, we can't do asbestos removal. We can use another program to help with help homeowners with that we can't just do repairs like the uh I think of something my.

A

D

Crack in it, you know we can't just replace and repair that window pane we'd have to do all of that and the other things that are uneligible. If they're not listed in the energy audit, we unfortunately can't and I'm open for questions what I could use from this commission is spread. The word program exists.

D

We used to have a waiting list and we've done away with the waiting list, because we have another program, our homework here and Improvement programs that I can funnel people in through as well. So as I said, we've assisted about 100 homeowners within ingwood over the last 10 years, and the funding I've asked for increased funding for this following year for 2024, we'll see what HUD does so I'm available for any questions, and thank you again for having me, of course,.

C

I'm, assuming it's a one-time deal when a person applies and gets.

D

This that's an excellent, that's an excellent question. It is not I have had more I've had repeat homeowners, they can do let's furnace, especially with inflation costs. uh Furnaces now can be up over or close to eight thousand dollars, so they're only able to get one item on their list. So if their next list is, let's say what windows or whatever it might be, they can apply again. Okay, and if someone who, let's say Logan, if I'm going to call on you a lot but Logan Vulcan comes in and he hasn't used, the program he's.

F

Going to get okay, okay,.

D

I have not ran into that, though. We're.

C

uh Lately and you don't have any money left over at the end, I imagine every dollar gets. We.

D

Do our best to spend every dollar.

A

Clarification, so the energy audit basically drives us, yes, okay, so anything that comes into that audit under that audit and is there a priority within that audit those the homeowners make that priorities so.

D

When I tell my homeowners are so yes, let me check that out. If you don't mind the.

F

D

Does Drive the repairs as long as they're eligible under HUD, uh because I've had some come back and I can't think of what it is off the top of my head? Sorry, um a bathroom fan, let's say and I'm like we can't cover that. That's not tied to Energy Efficiency by Hud, um but yes, the energy on, and they probably were just now. I do tell my homeowners when they come in to apply let the technician who's coming to do.

D

The energy audit know what your priorities are right and they can do some adjusting I mean, um but they really are going to look at if installation is what's going to get you the best savings on your your energy bill, I'm going to say, yeah, okay, I'll, maybe move windows up, but you've got to do insulation first I mean they're, not hard and fast.

D

You go back to what's covered.

G

Of course- and um you said you're applying you, you can ask for a certain amount of money.

F

What comes back seems.

G

To be determined by the county, correct does proof of participation or expected participants help the Grant amount. If you were to say, we have X amount of participants.

D

G

D

And I have to file reports to the county on a quarterly basis showing I, don't they don't have to have their knees, but they have need to have their address. What improvements were done, the amount spent. So it's a two inch sword in that, depending on our HUD at the federal level and what their budget is and what gets approved that comes down.

D

So I could ask for a million dollars, but Hud's budget, maybe only half a million dollars, and so whatever the county gets from HUD, then they disperse yes down to the the cities, but yes showing what success the program has been. What improvements we've done! um That helps your case. It helps tremendously.

G

What local municipalities are a part of this? You said share that.

D

I know Sheridan Foxfield, uh there's a there's, a Consortium, it's a little tattoo big Littleton is part of it. No, you have to have fifty thousand so I think it's three for Greenwood Village, uh but they run into issues with eligibility income eligibility I follow them. They tend to be a higher income. Demographic.

J

Is kind of a product Target for this.

D

More, you know home ages,.

A

J

Yeah any other things so Clarity on the prioritization. Is it based on what would decrease energy cost the most or like overall energy usage in the both okay, and did they take an account like if you get better Roi for installing this big equipment, this would go higher up or.

D

J

F

They're going to.

I

Do is if they go.

D

In a person's their priority is a furnace because it's 30 years old they're going to come back and do that test and.

A

Say oh yeah, you're wasting.

I

D

Energy, because it's an Old Furnace, so your options are going to be, you've got to do a 90 or higher Energy Efficiency furnace or you can go the rub. The heat pump route, which is even more efficient, yeah.

C

People pay to have the audit done if they're not low,.

F

To medium income.

D

They can so um that is an excellent question. Yes, I think Excel Energy actually does audits.

F

D

Homeowners that you can pay for, and the company I use is a private company, they're, less expensive and than going through, Excel and plus they're more timely and you get it turned around within about a week.

D

Probably so what they do, there's a rebate on these Audits and they just take the rebate off the top, and then they just charge it's like 185 dollars so and it takes that burden off the home because we get into that too we're we're with the county. So if you're getting a 200 rebate, I've got to report that to the county, because it goes against the funds that they're receiving so but a company doing, which is completely legal in the county, is fully aware of that. Then it takes that off the homeowner.

D

They don't have to submit you know and provide that money back into the program. Okay, so use.

G

The application online, the application is, you want us to spread the words or tell us.

D

The most talk to your neighbors talk to anybody. You know have them email me: um okay and yes, under Community, Development and housing on the website. There are two links, one under housing, one for the Energy Efficiency program, one for the home repair and Improvement program and I'll just touch on that. Just briefly, so you know what the difference is: I can do Energy Efficiency under the home repair. We call atrip.

D

uh We try to use all our cdbg grant funding. First, the funding for atrip comes from a housing fund that has perpetuated from an old program that the city had. um So it comes out of those housing funds and those can do more things like Ada um safety issues. If you need a ramp, those are Ada things, but it also does I did I had a senior who's. Linoleum was all just tore up and it was a trip Hazard yep. So we try to be as lenient as possible with the guidelines.

D

C

Impressed it is anybody else. This is good.

F

Enough questions.

F

Like what is that, roughly.

D

I should have bought my sheet so for a one-person household, it's roughly sixty two thousand dollars gross everything's by gross income and um so kind of how I explain it to my homeowners is, if you have, let's just say, ten thousand dollars in the bank in your savings account, we don't count that ten thousand dollars what's counted as towards income is the interest that's earned on that. So A homeowner may have money in their savings to cover all these expenses, but they don't want to deplete your savings, which is perfectly fine.

D

That's why we're here so utilize, the Grant and keep your savings to you know, live and retire.

D

D

26 years- and this is my most favorite thing- I do for the city.

E

I love this program.

D

I just do I love, helping our homeowners, yeah I really do the stories I hear and I don't like them, but it's good for the environment too, and and well in that too.

K

D

Living on I got to just be real honest, sometimes when I see these in terms of what these folks have learned shocked anyway,.

H

Well, thank you for.

D

Doing it I'm available any questions. Email me I'm, happy to answer any I'm. Sorry, but I gotta shoot down to.

L

The place thank.

D

You I'm sorry, but thank you for all your work that you do. Thank you Nancy and I was on not on it, but I stacked. The original it used to be called clean, green and brown. Oh.

E

Wow then it went to KBB and all.

D

That's now, this is fair.

E

Well, you think they come join us anytime. If you want a ditch, Planning Commission.

E

Would have been nice last week.

J

E

Regina Hi Chelsea so great to have you both. We had Nancy go first, just because she had a hop to another meeting. So thank you so much for for being patient with us.

C

So please introduce yourself and take it away.

K

Who, who do you want to take it away? Maybe.

E

It would be great to have you both introduce yourself and what organization and your title and then we can for presentation, kick it off to Regina and then end with Chelsea. If that works, for you both.

K

Perfect so Chelsea you're on Deck.

I

All right, um hello, Regina by the way I feel like this is the first time we've ever officially seen each other in first or like I'm,.

D

I

For years, so bizarre, um hello, everyone, my name, is Chelsea Gaines I work with a non-profit local nonprofit called grid. Alternatives and um I am the Outreach manager for that program and yeah today, I'll be coming in talking about um I, don't know if we're following the order of today or is it if what's going on there but um yeah I'm, stepping in for rakayla who was supposed to be here today.

I

So please, forgive me and bye come in not really knowing what the right proper order of things are are going to be, but um yeah, uh and we have many programs which I won't get into right now, because I think it's just the intro but uh yeah I'll pass it over to Regina.

K

Well, hello back to you Chelsea, like I, said after all these years, finally putting a face with the name: um I'm Regina blasma I'm, with Arapahoe County weatherization. We are part of the Community Resources Department. Our division is weatherization, um I've been there for 16 years, um providing services for our income eligible clients and um I. That's pretty much the intro until you are ready to hear like what our program does so nice to be here. Thank you. Thank.

C

You well I think we're ready to hear. Please enlighten us.

E

Yeah Regina go ahead if you're ready, okay.

K

So now, I'm on the spot, okay I see how it goes. I can't wait. I was like oh thank you first, but now you're on the spot.

I

Nothing goes on view.

K

All right, it's all right, so um Arapahoe County weatherization and while we are Arapahoe County um all of the agencies Under the Umbrella of the Colorado energy office, which is who funds our program under the weatherization assistance program. Here in Colorado, we are all broken down into territories, so we actually provide services to Adams County residents as well. um Back in the day, we also did Broomfield county.

K

It just became a little much um and, as we all know, if you're familiar Arapahoe County is huge, so um we've restricted ourselves to Arapahoe in Adams, County um I think we picked up Adams County in 1982., so, um like I said, I've been here for 16 years, um I focus on the intake and outtake and Outreach process. I'm administrative support, all the way around from my field, guys to my office people to anybody else who calls me in the county um and needs administrative support. That's what I do um so.

K

What we do is we um much like Nancy mentioned if you're eligible, which I determine um then we schedule an energy audit of the home to identify the best ways to make it more Energy Efficiency, which also leads to Home Comfort, and we focus on health and safety and security issues, um and then we provide those measures in accordance with the Colorado Energy Office policies which are done by ranking.

K

um So I did hear a question or maybe a comment earlier, regarding whether or not customers can request things or or specify, and we certainly do want to listen to homeowners. We certainly do want to hear what their concerns are. Oftentimes, their concerns are outside of the scope of what my program is allowed to provide, but we recently have received a lot more funding. You know we have um House Bill 1105. We now have weatherization Readiness funds, which is something completely new to us.

K

um This just started in July as our program year has kicked off, um so that's actually kind of new and exciting because before if we walked into a crawl space that you know had moisture issues or there was a leak, it was simply sorry. We can't help you. We gotta walk away now we're able to go back and evaluate those things we're working with putting out rfps for different contractors for plumbing, for abatement um for even refrigerator repair.

K

If their refrigerator does not meet the usage requirements for efficiency trade, maybe we can help them get new refrigerant to make that one last, um so that's that's been a different vein for us. We weren't able to ever do that before, so we're able to serve a lot more people this year, um it's a little overwhelming a little daunting, because now we have this money and it's like. Oh all, these people that I otherwise would have been like I can't help you. Now we can um it's just a lot.

K

We're learning, but we've already been able to go back into a couple of homes and take care of some vermiculite issues that kept us from insulating the attic.

K

um We're working with a customer right now who we located some black mold um and it's um extensive enough where we can't work there, but we have a contractor that can go in and try and take care of that. So we can then go back and provide those energy saving and safety measures to make sure that you know we're doing the best we can give them in their home, because essentially it's a one-time service, the Colorado energy office has a rule.

K

It has to at least be 15 years before we can return to the same property. So we really are trying to do the best bang for our buck so that we can do everything we're there while we're there at that house, because 15 years is a long time things change. um You know who lives there.

K

If it's someone who becomes elderly or disabled, um we want to make sure that we're providing all of those services that we can while we're there during that period, because we realize it may be a long time before we can come back. um We also partner with several other programs like care.

K

um You know where EOC has grants for um different things that we normally wouldn't do so, maybe in the watt program, the weatherization assistance program under the Colorado energy office I can take care of your furnace and your water heater, but over here with care, we can take care of um windows in a sliding door.

K

um Those are most commonly things that that we're asked to do um so. We try to be a One-Stop shop. We want to make sure when we go we're identifying every measure that we can, because we know it's going to be a long time before we come back.

K

um We did about 308 homes this past year, so I'm, proud of that, um and we've identified more health and safety concerns than I've, probably seen in the last five years of being here.

K

um People that had headaches and people that were sick, just didn't know literally have no idea that their house is making them sick and it turns out to be um you know, a water heater that was flued down through the attic incorrectly, um a furnace that had high CO. But who knows how to identify that?

K

um So we've we've been able to do a lot more with the funding. That's come through we're still learning and we're still engaging in different contractors and services that we can provide. So it's kind of new again, even though we're on the same train we're making some different stops.

K

um So it's it's evolved quite a bit in the last the last eight years that I've been there, but that's kind of it in a nutshell and I'm the girl Friday at the office. If you call and ask who really runs it they'll tell you it's Regina, wink, um I, I kind of do everything. I work with my Auditors I'm, the first point of contact for most of our customers. If I can't help someone I recognize, my programs, like city of Inglewood um Aurora, has a minor home repair program.

K

So we do a lot of things there. Where, if you can come and take care of a major Plumbing problem, then we can come back and you know insulate the floors and the crawl space. So, there's a lot more building of relationships between other programs um that I haven't seen the way that it is in the last eight years and I'm I'm really happy for that and happy to offer that um so I I think that's that's kind of us in a nutshell.

K

um If you you have any questions or if there's something you think I, maybe missed yeah holler at me.

E

Thank you so much Regina I think we'll kick it over to Chelsea and then open for a general.

F

E

F

Cool. Thank you.

I

All righty um well I was told that we were supposed to do presentations so I have one. Would that be helpful to use or verbal conversations, cool I.

E

I think, if you have it feel free to use it. Okay,.

I

Sweet I just didn't want to do too much. You know.

I

Present or start presenting on my end and then I'll ask to um share my screen.

I

That's if I can find the present button. It.

E

Should be on the top to the left of your leave button.

I

Yes, I'm meeting on uh Google yeah, but anyway I'll just yeah I'll share and then hopefully you all can see it and if not, then um we won't use it.

F

I

And you all um see this.

E

Oh I see it on my end, I'm just going to pull it up on our end over here.

E

I

Okay, sweet um so yeah I'm, trying to figure out how to present, but I can't see that so for sake of time, I think! Oh, maybe this.

I

Nope, that's starting a meeting all right so long as you all can see great then um I'll start talking um so um yeah I am with good Alternatives and my name is Chelsea Gaines I am the Outreach manager and I've been with grid now going on um three years um grid?

I

How grid kind of started is we are a non-profit and our co-founders a long time ago saw that you know there was a transitioning that was happening to renewable energy, and this was back in 2001 um and it was pretty obvious who was being left out of that conversation and it was low to moderate income households, and um so they decided to create a non-profit where they were empowering LMI households to be able to be a part of the solar discussion and save on their energy bills and also add value to their home.

I

So that's just a little background about grid um our mission for grid um at Grid at grid and talk. Oh great Alternatives. We envision a rapid Equitable transition to a world power powered by renewable energy that benefits everyone, um and with that we particularly focus on LMI communities and underserved communities.

I

And I have some slides on energy burden, but I'm going to skip that, because I'm sure you all are all familiar with that, um but uh so great Key Programs that we have. We have many programs. um So we have a single family um solar program which uh we provide free, solar for income, qualified households.

I

um So that's a really cool program and we'll be talking about that. Mostly today um we have a Workforce Development program and this program we train people in the skill and trade of solar um and it's a paid. uh It's a six-week training and it's paid at I think it's 17.25 now um an hour as they're with us and they get their OSHA 10, certifications and knapsap certifications, which is their um the industry standard for that, and that training is able to launch them successfully into a solo career.

I

um If they're interested in that, and then we have our clean, Mobility Program as well, which is how we help navigate help households to transition from carbon or um from gas-led vehicles to um electric vehicles.

I

um So those are our three programs that I'll probably touch on here today, um with the focus and emphasis on our single family, solar program.

I

um So within our single family, solar program, we have two programs, um so one of them is our weatherization program. So um in that weatherization program we actually work with um Regina and the folks at um Arapahoe weatherization pretty closely with that, as well as energy resource center um and with this program. Anyone who qualifies for a web and has gone through a web service so weatherization, which was what Regina was talking about earlier um and their home is eligible for solar.

I

Then they get sent over to Grid or a similar organization to be able to provide solar for that household and again, that's 100, free, no cost to the um to the client or to the homeowner and that's funded by Colorado energy office um via Arapahoe, weatherization or energy resource center.

I

So that's a really cool program and then um grid also has our own in-house program, which is funded by cdbg dollars, which um was talked about earlier so um and that's Community, Development block grant dollars um and with that program we're able to partner closely with local municipalities to be able to help them hit their local energy goals um and carbon emission diversion goals that are pushed by Colorado and to really help support them in that, but, more importantly, to empower households to be able to take advantage of solar, free, solar, no cost Ever to them and with our program we're able to guarantee that we can offset up to 50 to 90 percent or more of their bill, which you will be able to know more.

I

Once we do the analysis and all that stuff um and yeah. Those are our two programs for um our single family, solar program and.

I

So with that I kind of made a slide on like what is the difference and I think the thing is really the the the thing is nothing. Nothing is really different outside of a couple programmatic um scope, things between um weatherization and our program, um but for the most part, uh whether it goes through weatherization, then to us um they're, maximizing the benefits of saving with solar and then also the savings that come with an energy audit on their home and electrification and all that stuff in ceiling of insulation.

I

And if they come to you grid first, we always always strongly encourage that our clients go through authorization, so Regina's familiar with be sending people who say yes as well as our other partners, because solar is great but solar and weatherization maximizes um insanely, an insane amount of and and for clients really. When it comes to savings, it can be the the difference between a couple hundred dollars.

I

um So it's it's pretty profound. um So that is our single family program.

I

um With I I know, there was a question earlier about what is the Ami guidelines um for the metro area, so I threw in this slide um just to kind of give an idea what it looks like per household, because um it's not just a one size fit all it's based off of household size.

I

um So the bottom number is that cap for the household size, um meaning if it's over 80 percent, typically for most government programs. um They we, unfortunately can't serve them. um But if it's beneath that price, then we can serve them um and for a one-person household it is 66. 000 and 300 is the average uh for annual household and for an average force for size, Family household, it's um ninety four thousand dollars.

I

Six hundred and fifty so um pretty pretty awesome um caps and with our clean Mobility Program um this program in particular, we have partnered with Excel to be able to um help educate uh their constituents on um rebate programs that are available to them.

I

So not only when we talk about electric vehicles, rebates on the local utility scale, but also on the state level, local level and federal level, um and with this program, depending on how people stack up the rebates, they can essentially save up to nineteen thousand dollars off of a new electrical vehicle, which is huge um and the cool thing about this program too.

I

This actually program was launched before all the cool initiatives that are coming down the pipeline with IRA and um the greenhouse renewable bills, and all that stuff, um Excel added um a rebate for used vehicles as well, so someone can purchase a used electric vehicle and still get a 3 000 rebate, as well as they'll be eligible for a home rewiring rebate if they are homeowners to be able to.

I

um Essentially, this rebate covers the cost of them installing an at-home charger so that they don't have to worry about. You know going to local chargers to charge their car. They can charge it at home.

I

um So that is that program, and then the last program that I'll talk about today is um which I touched on a little bit before is our Workforce Development program, which is the installation Basics training, um which is really empowering um people on the metropolitan area to be able to to enter into the renewable energy spheres, particularly through solar to one enter into a more lucrative field, enter into one of the num. The number one growing field um in the country right now, um as well as um just start something new.

I

um So with this program in particular, again, it is a six week program. That's paid at 17.25 an hour.

I

um They get their first aid uh certifications their napsip um training, which again, is that industry standard um certification that helps them in the fields.

I

They also get their OSHA 10 certification, um travel, stipends for gas, um weekly, resume support and soft skills support and then our solar showcase, which is where we um bring in our partners that are so like who are in the solar industry to come out um at the end of each training to be able to um interview uh clients on the spot or training them a spot, and that solar showcase looks different each cohort they get to decide what that what they want that to look like if it's a working resume type thing or if it's a sit down.

I

That's chat type thing, um but the point of it is getting our trainees in front of the people who will hire them and can't hire them. um And then this is grids impact Port report for 2022..

I

um We had over 7 000 hours of solar Workforce training through that installation, Basics training program, um and we took out over 11 000 um tons of carbon from the air based off of insulations, that we've installed in cars that we swapped from um gas to EV, and then we installed um 91 solar systems last year.

I

um That is everything for me um now. Leaving for questions and I'll leave this slide up, so you all can see where to um to lead people to you if they have more questions about the program, that's outside of our website.

G

Chelsea are y'all multi-state.

I

um So yes, we are, we are on the largest non-profit, solar installer, so we're actually International, um but we are the local office in Colorado. um So we also have offices in California, um Maryland and the DC area and then internationally in Nicaragua and Nepal.

G

C

Chelsea, what what's the demand I mean? Are people lined up for these programs and services, or do you have to go out and communicate and promote to get more takers? I mean this is sounds too good. To be true, I mean it's really good stuff here. Does the world know about it?.

I

Yeah so I think that is the issue or like the constant struggle that we have at grid. Is it's and I'm sure Regina? Has this as well? Is it's incredibly hard to sell something free um incredibly hard, because the reality of it is it's like I mean if I were to come in and ask you what we all probably heard growing up many many times as if anyone tells you it's free, it's a scam. There's a catch right and the reality of it is is that there is no catch right.

I

So I think what we do, because we are working with communities that do get targeted a lot with scams. We don't tell them to like put down their barriers right. We we work with them on actually that yeah that concern that you have. That is a valid concern. You should have that even after you work with us, um so we walk them through how it works it's free to them, but there is a cost Associated, it's just not they're, not paying it.

I

Someone else's a program that we've secured the funding with with or that we have a sponsor who appreciates the work that we do and they um donate to us directly or we work with local governments right so um yeah, but that is that is it. That is the hardest thing, is selling something free.

A

Chelsea, do you have someone with whom a person would who would if they got him to have all the program? Is there someone who's a uh sort of a point person, Ombudsman kind of person that walks them through this? How do they work through that system?.

I

um Yes, so we have uh four coordinators um on our team and they walk people through our programs that we have at grid.

I

um So we, when we have initial conversation with them, we're able to um talk about all of our programs and ask them which ones are of interest to them so that we can then customize their Journey with us at grid um and then, as always, we always um push them towards weatherization as well, because um most of the time clients are coming to us because they're trying to save as much as they can and the reality of it is, is when you partner again, we can.

I

We can single-handedly decrease their bills by you know from 50 all the way to totally wipe out their bill outside of that utility utility fee. That is on every bill.

I

um However, we partner them with um weatherization they're now actually building their solar bank right, where um there are times in the winter or even today, like it, was really cloudy sun's, not really hitting that module right. So they're not really producing anything, but if they have credit in their Bank they're able to still pull from the utility and then offset whatever they're pulling from the utility. With the credit in that bank and still save um so.

I

The maximization there's is almost crucial to um helping clients either decrease them significantly or get rid of their bill and totality.

C

I

J

C

It's a sustainability commission was to do you right. What would you have us? Do.

I

um I think the aspirin, the sustainability commission would be to help spread. The word um I think um we definitely have funding in Arapahoe, County and um strategically our office. We always try to reach out to local, to not only partner with the county that funds us right to be like hey, like let's do some co-branding, so that we can really kind of get ahead of that. This isn't real.

I

This is a scam type thing, um so I think also partnering with local cities too right with your constituents to really be like this is a vetted program. That's real! Please go for it! Utilize these dollars, so I think that will be um the ask there.

G

I wonder if we ever had a booth at the Inglewood block party yeah. If someone like Chelsea, you come so you know that makes sense to me right, become.

E

Partly ambition that way: yeah Regina, what about for you for the sustainability yeah.

K

I I, I, I, absolutely mirror um or Echo. What Chelsea is saying, I think um like I said, I've been here for a minute: I think um one of the hardest things that I face with Outreach is um yeah one it's hard to sell a free service. You would not believe how hard it is to sell a free service because their scams and and our elderly our senior citizens on fixed incomes, our disabled, Community from you know, citizens that did serve citizens that didn't serve.

K

um We have a huge population of both and I think that they are the vulnerable class and so there's a lot of Mis trust there and I understand it. I I deal with it every day. um So that's number one I think number two is and I I I'm, the tough guy in the office I.

K

I will go for mile I've gone into homes to fill out applications in person. um I've had people over the phone who you know are like um I've had a stroke. I, don't write very well. Can you help me with this application? I've had people just last week, I had a lady who said you know I'm, not very literate. You know I'm 73 years old me and my brothers were forced to quit.

K

High School in eighth grade um I, don't read and write very well, but if you can walk me through this, you know I can apply, which I've done I've sent my guys out to their house with highlighted areas. Can you sign your name, ma'am, okay, cool?

K

We can get you going so I think if I were to ask her anything, it would be Outreach to let people know that we're here and that we're vetted and that we're legit, because one of the things that I have a hard time with Outreach and I'm very picky about it. Because of that, is you go to these functions? You know I've done. Commerce, City or I did excuse me.

K

I haven't for the last four years, but I did Commerce City and we used to do this big presentation at Holly Park, um you know balloons, the water slide the whole Gizmo, but it ended up being kind of what I've labeled a dog and pony show people come with their bags. They want swag, they want magnets, they want pens. No one took an application off my table. People stopped to talk.

I

K

What I did, but nobody really engaged in grabbing this for themselves, because it still seems like something. That's like oh well, you know I just need to pay my rent I'm not worried about what insulation looks like so the connectivity is disconnected and I think the more that we get the word out about one.

K

We are legit we're vetted and we really do provide a good service and you don't have to pay for it, because we already recognize that you were in a high energy burden Constitution, and we want to try and minimize that um I I think that's probably the biggest challenge for me, um and so, if there was anything I would ask, it would be to say: hey weatherization, we're doing this. This has been successful in the past.

K

To let people know what services are there, you're invited woohoo I'm in um I, I, I I think just continued Word of Mouth, some of our best customers come from Neighbors who see our trucks and who then call and go. Hi I was talking to your furnace guy Larry and my furnace hasn't worked in two years. Do you think you can help me yep? Let's go um I I! Think communicatively. For me, that's the biggest piece that is helpful. We already have money and I, don't say that flippantly, but there's money there.

K

We got more money handed to us than we know what to do with it's like. Oh, we can do these things. We can do these things, but where are the people who know that we can do these things and that we will do these things and that they will not cost them? We're not going to put a lien on your house. You're not going to be, you know, kicked out of your home because we come and do improvements um and I just think.

K

We need to continue to stack the Trust on top of that um vetting. The programs and letting people know that no. This is legit if you call Regina weatherization she's legit, when someone calls me and says, hey I got a call from Chelsea they're scheduling a site assessment for solar. Is this you? Yes, it is so I I hope that makes sense without sounding negative. It's just it's kind of a desperation, but it's a desperation of wanting to partnership, to really make sure hey we're here and it's legit and we can help you well.

C

And I I don't want to steal all the Thunder, but others can chime in. But um what I'm hearing is we could help you through endorsement education and communication and if we could figure out ways to help endorse, educate and communicate within the city of Englewood.

C

That might be a good thing now we can't solve that tonight, but I think we can talk about this at other meetings and perhaps come up with strategies of how can we move this forward? I mean I would like it to be more than this was very interesting. God bless you goodbye, go forth and do your good work.

C

I would like us to be able to help in a meaningful way and, like I said it, it's going to take some thought on our part, but I for one would would be enthused about trying to make something happen in Englewood.

K

And I I would love that too, and I've I've had conversations with Mel before and there's a lot of old inventory in Inglewood um a lot of our houses. There are older inventory and require a lot more measures which in turn ends up being kind of a stopping point, because there's so many other issues that we have to get past before we can do weatherization, but like now we have Readiness funds. So now I can go in.

K

I can take care of noven tube wyvern for twenty thousand dollars in a house where I couldn't do that four years ago. But let's make sure that the communication is out there and the the knowledge is out there and the vetting is out there so that we can go hey. We can come into your house and do this and and then turn it around. Does that make sense, yeah.

C

That makes sense and I please anybody else: ask a question: I'm, managing the clock here, trying to get us here, I.

J

C

This is fascinating, I I don't mean to be.

G

Rude but it's been all night I Bell question for you: do we have links to the weatherization program on our engaged page and, if not, should.

E

We on our engage page- probably not, but on our website I, would have to check okay, but if not I can definitely have that. No.

K

Okay, well in mail, just to add in Arapahoe County, we just launched our online application. um It's now a year old, it's been very successful, um built it from the ground up with our it Department.

K

um So you may want to. We can talk later, but you may want to add that link because and a lot more efficient people are on tablets and smartphones, and- and so it's been really good- to get people to apply. Also.

I

We would love that link as well, so you don't have to give bombarded fire.

I

um And I think too, like the low bar asks for grid um right is more much more people when I I hope that's what I was trying to show by um putting the Ami guideline on there on here today on our presentation is that much more households qualify for our program than they think they automatically think that oh, it's free and it's government um I make too much, and because- and that's the cool thing about Ami- is that it's not a one set rule for every um city in our nation.

I

It's based off of the area. It's based off of um you, know local dollars, local household size um and all those things. So um because Denver is incredible. The metro area is incredibly expensive to live and that's getting more and more. You know getting more and more home every year.

I

um Our Ami guideline is is incredibly high right, so um I think um the ass would be for you all is, if you know of anyone, who's getting solar or even your constituents who are going solar to send them to grid first, because if they qualify great, if they don't now, they know this program and they can spread the word and they're eligible for a 200 referral, and that doesn't cap, because um you know we're serious about trying to um cut back on Greenhouse submissions and Empower communities to be healthier.

I

Cleaner air and um cheaper bills.

C

Thank you. You give us.

C

um I'm not going to let this guy on the vine we're we're going.

I

C

And thinking about it.

I

I know I know we'll.

C

Have ideas that we need to germinate and uh we'd love to help you so thank you. We may have to ask you to come back again or join in some of our efforts, but it sounds like you'd be more than willing to do that so yeah.

K

Thank you. Thank you so much for your time and thank you for the invitation. I really appreciate it.

I

C

The treasure chest yeah this.

E

Is a good flow into what the city or low income at the efficiency plan I'm just going to give a quick update.

H

E

Yes, um so this city has been working on our own low-income, Energy, Efficiency.

E

Oh um low-income, Energy, Efficiency kind of like strategy or plan um as you've heard from all these great organizations, there's a lot that we're missing so I've been doing a gap, analysis of our participation in other programs out there, and it is pretty startling we have really great participation in the entities program. All these other ones. That's free money doesn't cost an Englewood, a single dime, very low participation and people can get a lot out of.

E

um So that's what that Gap analysis has uncovered. We also um it's just obvious that we need an increase in collaboration with our non-profit Partners, who are truly experts in this space, but also have trust with these communities that we really want to impact.

E

Sometimes government is just a scary entity and it's not that great of a person to go into communities that don't trust it um so for our Outreach one of the ways that we're doing it is we have a survey going out to Folks at the neighborhood nights and we specifically pick parks that are located nearer in low-income median areas um and we get financial incentives for folks to take a survey on Energy Efficiency, we're doing it two times.

E

I've done it once so far um and 92 percent of the survey respondents from the first one said that I listed all these free energy programs grid was part of it and way more 92 percent. They said they had never heard of any of those programs and I even heard of the name.

E

um So we're going to do this again, which you all are welcome to come. If anyone wants to table or even just to go, we're gonna go on August 24th at neighborhood nights, um the same we're also doing a mobile home parks Outreach, specifically so the Colorado energy office. Has this really cool tool called lead?

E

It's the low low income, the tool I'll send it to like, um and it goes down by census area of what your demographics are for your most energy burdened communities and we found that our mobile home park communities are the highest, um and so how do we genuinely do Outreach to an area that the city has been lacking? Doing Outreach too?

E

So we're working on that right now um with Madeline hingphis, who some of you hopefully know is our neighborhood resource coordinator, the most amazing human, and also our our public information officer too, to see how can we best approach this this community? That's indeed so any questions there.

F

E

This draft plan.

F

E

Which I don't want to say when we don't want to put a timeline on it, because community outreach is super important and you don't want to put a deadline on those if the community needs more time they need more time. um But for the draft of this plan, when it is in draft form, the commission will get a review. It get a good feedback on it. So this is by no means the last time you're going to hear of it.

C

You know it seems to me that there's a lot of good things going on a county, the state, the city and here's a sustainability commission, and it's like: where do we connect? Where do we help there's of of 25 really good sustainability related things that are happening out there? What do we bite into well, you know and I, don't know the answer to that. But I think that's our challenge. We can't be everything to all people, but can we focus on something uh I mean Logan's idea.

C

If we're having block parties, I haven't been enthused about block parties because I don't want to hand out balloons, but if there's a block party where there's meaningful information and.

G

C

Relevant applications for programs I can get behind. That I mean that's, that's real, so I guess we turn to you to some extent. You know don't be shy about Justin.

F

E

Things- and this goes even Beyond- sustainability, commission, as since you owe our residents, we really hope that you are going to your friends and your neighbors in Englewood and talking about what you hear like that is community engagement into them itself. It's like having those questions whatever you all want to do.

E

Extra from that is always welcome and appreciated. If you all did want a table, you all know that the commission can table at any City Event. um You just need to give tony would appreciate like a two weeks head notice, just as she knows, but.

G

Always always welcome two.

E

Weeks isn't.

G

Bad, but when you think about the Inglewood newsletter, that has a lot more lead time. I would really like to see this commission get in a habit of having a feature.

F

G

Yeah, it's quarterly right. The quarterly.

E

Full page I would have to ask them even sustainability, stuff I get.

E

Yeah, like the newsletter, is absolutely a choice if.

G

I can leave you know one quarter, focus on weatherization, yeah or the E3 program or plug something before we plug tree ordinance, or this is just a different theme. Each quarter and we bake that into our monthly meetings of just a schedule like. What's.

C

Up coming out, if, if we could commandeer a quarter page I think we could put a lot in there, half would be nice whether it's, whether it's just a short explanation or a link. Weatherization here, are three links. Check them out. I mean that alone, I think would be helpful. You know, and it's endorsed by the sustainable brought to you by the sustainability commission, we're trying to spread the word. That's that's what they're asking for so I think we need to be thinking doing something in this direction are.

G

We getting into quarter three or I mean we already missed that deadline, probably but.

E

Oh I'm not sure I'll have to check then.

G

E

You want to see us, but it could be wrong on that.

G

You know keep that as like a standing. Yes, you know item in our agenda of thinking about communication, whether that's a social media post which you've been fantastic on pushing I've loved, seeing all of.

E

Them thank you related.

G

Posts coming out in the last six months.

E

Your Communications is so tired of me, though I.

G

E

G

All it's good content, but then you know: how can we build on that? You know so many. So many people have Instagram Facebook I, don't know what other mediums.

E

Are on they do use next door, which I know is really popular in English.

G

E

They post anything that's typically on their social medias, they'll post on that.

G

And then the prep I mean I, read the.

B

People I, don't know anyone else, though, what about like flyers for like the neighborhood nights and the block parties and stuff like about these programs, so.

E

For the neighborhood it's the one I went to, but that's a good point. If I'm not there, you know who's, dispersing them, I printed out stuff for um the Arapahoe, County weatherization, and then on the surveys. It had a list of all. The programs and I actually gave my business card out to people and we were. We have been emailing and having a conversation about it.

G

So, even just that one night was.

E

Really proof which is nice, the ten dollar Nations gift card, probably hell, but please take my survey. Here's ten dollars.

G

But I love the idea of something tangible to take home. That's you know. I can revisit on sitting on my table for a couple of days or something I don't know. I know, there's a cost to that.

E

We're like Bill inserts, you know everyone opens yeah. Could.

A

That be something it's kind of utilities. This should be a insert that can go in our utility notes.

E

Like hey, did your Bell give you heart palpitations.

A

uh I had a discussion with our city manager about this a couple of days ago, and he said he is pushing to try to get more information into the utilities, because it's the only way he reached these people. They don't have computers folks, but they don't. You know she's talking about well, you can do this and.

F

A

And I'm thinking I'm sorry, the neighbors that need this. The most are the ones who don't have the communications yeah.

B

An insert too that's hard to like scammer would that would be very impressive.

A

Legitimizes what they're doing, because it's coming from a trusted source and that's why I think we need to push on that.

L

It's just one thing that we do right because you mentioned Madeline pinkness, so I'm a neighborhood, lead and I really think it comes down to people that know their neighbors I mean when they were talking about it. Like.

F

I'm thinking about like.

L

All my neighbors and we have a good pulse on that and.

A

I

L

A neighborhood newsletter in my community, and so it probably goes out to about 25 homes- um and we just have like highlights on different things, but we just really have a good sense of the people around us. And so, if we hit the people that are like the neighborhood leads right. I think that might be a good means of communication and just getting the word out because.

K

F

L

Spread the word and just say, hey, if you know of anybody, I.

G

Love that organic communication um and I've sort of tried to bark up that tree a little bit and and then uh with Madeline um trying to get a list of the leads of each neighborhood group and just to let them know that we exist as it was. We were a new commission last year right um and I didn't get very far before we had a kid, but that's something I'd like to explore more because I love that idea. I.

L

We'll bring it up at the next.

G

Would it be helpful if well.

L

L

They're all saying: how can we, you know, communicate with each other, and so I asked for that and so I'm happy.

G

To push them love it plug there. Okay, how often do they once a month or quarterly quarterly.

L

So I think that's all.

G

G

uh uh Well, let me just read: they just read: it.

G

L

Love to attend if.

G

You could, by the date.

L

Yeah and they do they, invite anybody so.

G

I, don't know if we have it do we have this Duncan Park have one I'm getting off topic: yeah, oh she's, great! Okay, let's connect I'll, be quiet. That's right!.

C

And hey I'm feeling overwhelmed there's all these.

F

Great ideas we.

C

Should do this, we should do that. Well, why don't we do this? The.

E

Meeting's up for simmering and then when you can't sleep, that's when all the.

C

I'm in a segue, if I can, because we're talking about, relates to what I'm going to say, which is uh things, keep popping up and I I think uh hey I wanna, keep you all informed of things, I'm thinking and doing, and also uh as we move towards consensus, I hope we can Row in the same direction. So as an example, the tree ordinance, um I hope in the next meeting or two we can come up with a message to city council, which is our recommendations on Entry ordinance.

C

I asked Mel to send that blurb out to all of you, and that was a compilation of things that have been said and done, and uh it's a working document, I I, hope, you'll print it out and Mark it up or write in the columns or whatever. But I would ask you prior to the next meeting. Could you send Mel any thoughts, agreements, disagreements, additions, deletions and then I would like Mel to put that into a draft memo that we could look at at the next meeting, and then we could pick it up from there.

C

We we could hone it. We could modify it and then we'd be well on our ways to getting a message to city council. So thank you for everybody who has put some words on paper so far. uh Please do that and and I I hope. Mel gets.

L

C

Enough that she can edit streamline and put together what would be uh a professional communication sustainability commission to city council. So that's that's my homework assignment request to all of.

G

You so you'd like to have something for consideration for October. Yes, yes,.

A

A draft Yeah per se yeah, okay,.

C

So what would that be? If we came to a consensus next month, it would go.

F

C

That meeting correct, if you finalized it yeah if we finalized it and like I, said I- think we're pretty much in agreement. I mean I, don't want to get granular on this because we have to catch ourselves. It's not our job to write a code for the city, it's our job to give them Compass readings, and then they write the code right and they don't have to do everything we suggest, but I we have a duty to suggest so so that's it doesn't have to be perfect.

C

I think it has to be directional of what we said in.

E

The city: that's what Joe said too.

C

So so please do your homework and please do that. um Another thing that came up at the last meeting and I don't and I.

F

C

When Grassroots citizens bring things to our attention, I don't want to forget about it. So the concept was gee. There's a there's, a Code ordinance about weeds, there's lots of weeds in Englewood people were getting their weeds, cut, they're, getting notes on their door and they're worried about their pollinator Garden. Getting mowed down. Those are all valid concerns, and sometimes we get a little off the deep end in some of these things. But the request came through me, which is: could the sustainability commission make a recommendation to code enforcement regarding?

C

Can you talk about pollinator Gardens in your weed, ordinance and again, I don't want to get granular on it and I don't and we don't have to do anything, but what I would like to do? Rick and I sit on that code enforcement committee. I would like to give that committee a heads up that we're talking about this and we might have a recommendation for you so that they know what what's brewing.

C

A

That yeah I think seem logical. That makes a lot of sense. um We have had discussions about this at the meeting already the thought and the think is that these people, who are going out and do the inspections, are knowledgeable enough or educatable. I guess is a better way to describe it. They can be educated on what is and what is not a weed per se, and but I think that if we gave them specific directions because of our knowledge, based on what what to look for what?

A

What, when you walk up, what are you looking at okay and instead of it issuing the the you know the the citation you have that discussion with the homeowner you know and those types of things that's where we're kind of trying to get to on the committee so and.

C

So I mean we're almost through the summer anyways, but I do think, there's a logic of sustainability, talking about pollinator Gardens in Englewood, how it relates to enforcing weed ordinances. So if it's okay with this group I would ask, can Rick and I talk about this at the next code enforcement meeting? We won't decide Vote or promise anything to anybody, but I want to give them a heads up because it does dovetail into the conversation that's happening over there.

C

So if you're, okay with that, we will proceed and we may put that on the agenda next month. Just to give you an update and we'll probably get some feedback from code enforcement about. This is a good idea, a bad idea.

A

Or what have you and if there's anybody from the committee who wants to come and speak, that's right in the public forum to the group about this I. Think please, please.

C

Do those meetings are getting more interesting as well, and then the the third item I had out here.

J

Go ahead and clarify on that. So right now is the code, just just a blanket like so many inches six inch wheat, any designation for yeah.

A

There is discretion, they have a group of people who go out and do these. They basically grid the city off and it hit different areas and and it's not that they're immune to it. But you can head this off by a discussion in front of the citation and that's what we're trying to do.

C

So I'm sorry I didn't mean to I'm gonna charge ahead. So I think the conversation is healthy. I think it's good for committees to talk to committees and we are all Grassroots and they're Grassroots. So this is what literally we're talking about and then um the third thing not getting into the Weeds on this one. But what's an ad hoc committee, what what's a subcommittee?

C

We didn't have a great turnout for our discussion, uh Matthew and Rick, and Nella and I I can't remember, and- and uh we need to be clear in our minds of uh what what is an ad hoc committee. What is a subcommittee Mel pulled up the bylaws it's in here we can read it so, the next time something comes up. We I think we can quickly say. Oh, this is just ad hoc. One idea was: if we we could do an ad hoc meeting before a regular meeting.

C

So, for example, if we had a normal monthly meeting a half hour before the meeting, we could have an ad hoc like.

E

C

Hearing type meeting on a tree ordinance and that probably would have been the best way to do it. So please look at these. Please read these, and, and maybe zoom in on that section of subcommittees that, because we 've confused ourselves, I think that's.

E

My that's my fall. I also should have.

F

E

um The one thing I will say is that we didn't have anyone show up for the community at tree meeting. We had posted it on social media and everything and I told Mike that this is a common challenge. It's Community engagement across the board. It's not the topic, it's not the commission. It's just people unless you have like a financial incentive or food like.

F

E

Gonna like say you got some grub and people will show up it's hard to get people after work. I mean it's amazing that you all even volunteer your time after work. Honestly, um it's hard to get people to come out, and so sometimes having those meetings before your commission meeting at least then.

E

If no one comes or you don't have engagement you're already here, um sometimes you can even put it out being like hey, come to this hearing and then join our commission meeting right after like it just makes it sometimes flow a little better, but you guys always have free arrange to do whatever you want. You want to do an ad hoc if you want to do subcommittee always up to you guys, that's just my advice from doing community engagement.

A

Yeah, though, if we did something a half an hour ahead, let's say we would still need a quorum in order to have that correct.

E

Yes, okay, so here's where the subcommittee comes in sticky, so remember the last time we were like. Well, we just do a subcommittee and then everyone can come. No, you do a subcommittee, you have to have your members named and you can't have more than four because then that's not a subcommittee, then that's just like past the Quorum. So the way you all did it for the tree ad was accurate right. You want to make sure any commission member can come. So that would be the five um it just ended up. No one should well.

J

E

Of the community show, which was the the cafe, and sometimes that happens um but yeah. If you wanted to do the ad hoc before yes, you would just need a quorum of the five thinking like you need the Quorum of the five and then you're good.

G

Ad hoc just means unplanned plan because we've had successful subcommittee meetings. Yeah we've had the.

E

Energy memo, one that was a really good one.

G

Native plants forget the name of the one that we put together, but I guess I'm I'm frustrated by some of the rules around I I understand them, but it it's just it's just kind of complicates everything.

C

The entire hands.

G

It's it's yeah I feel like our hands are tied, um even when there's no voting matters we're just trying to talk um but I get it. So ad hoc sounds like the best plan to be to do it before a scheduled monthly meeting does. Is there something that needs to go out beforehand? Communication wise I mean.

E

Yeah and that's on me, um so if you guys ever need a ad hoc meeting include that I just need um I, believe it's five days to post ahead of time. A post where it is the meeting location cannot change, that's a big one um and then it just has to be accessible to the public. But.

C

G

C

G

Quorum at that meeting, but subcommittees do not. They just cannot be more than two members of this commission, but.

E

Minis between three to four, oh.

G

E

Didn't know two to four.

C

E

C

E

Can meet at any time that you want okay,.

B

So not enough people come for the ad hoc and you say: oh actually we're a sub committee. You.

C

Can't you can't listen now.

E

Why you can't do that is because subcommittees are allowed by, like the grace of the commission, to be like we're gonna, allow you three or four to have this conversation without the majority of us here. We understand it's going to be happening and that's fine yeah.

I

E

A lot of times with commission not a lot of times, they'll, take it back. Sometimes what happens with commission say like say you three really have like a secret agenda that you want to accomplish and you go off on your own and the whole commission doesn't know about it. That's what they're trying to keep from happening. So it truly is like residents coming together talking and discussing, but.

F

The subcommittee already.

E

Has The Graces of the whole group to have their own individual conversation a.

G

Subcommittee has been created and voted on yeah.

E

You have to vote on it.

G

The two to four is news to me: has that.

E

Changed the three so subcommittee, you can meet so you and Cara me yep anytime, a commission members can meet in twos so like if Tiana and Rick wanted to grab coffee and that's totally fine, you don't even need to vote or establish a subcommittee.

C

Could we charge Tiana and Rick to go, get a cup of coffee and collect your thoughts on communication strategy relating to weatherization and bring it to our next meeting.

I

C

We could do that yeah, that's what I think they'll do coffee or beer I, don't care.

E

He was always the same number, always always the same number, um yeah, okay,.

F

E

If it's not public, um like decision.

F

E

To like Depot Park is just volunteering to do: plans you're fine, um but if you're volunteering I don't know to energy code, so I'm not sure why you would do that. But that's yeah.

H

So, for like we created the you know, sustainable landscape subcommittee decided it's. You know two two to three I think the three of us. You know kind of volunteered.

F

To participate.

H

In that, but it was that no more than two members can be in a meeting at the same time, um because then it's like the open meetings, laws.

B

Rule or whatever.

H

So too, is that the same number yeah, it's the one reading it's two yeah, yes,.

C

Could uh could I charge it I mean we meet once a month if it's tomorrow afternoon and I get this great idea and I say well? Why don't uh Matthew and Tracy get together and talk about weatherization communication ideas? Can I just pick up the phone and call them or do I have to go through you? Do we have to have a meeting here to talk about that? How do you get that ball? Moving.

E

You can call one individual person.

J

E

You just are you talking like subcommittee-wise.

C

Yeah or yeah the.

E

Whole commission vote on it. Okay, it can't just be you even though you're the chair at the commission as a whole lot can.

B

You do that through email like.

F

B

Type back, yes, it is this fine with you.

G

I think it has to be on the record I.

E

Think it, uh let me check on that. First.

G

E

Committee I I want to say probably let me.

C

E

C

Assuming well, we've all been wrong so many times.

H

Let's say for the record: this committee does have a sustainable.

C

Great, like onward all right now vote on co-pays. Is this just yes,.

E

Okay, this, hopefully, will be back so for the new folks that join every year.

E

You host a household hazardous waste, an electron like my recycling event. It is very popular 99 of my calls are about this event, um but you all since the sustainability commission um keep Englewood beautiful, initially um created this event. You all have say, and what the co-pays are each year so for the past, I feel like forever. The co-pays have been twenty dollars. You guys can increase that decrease. That I will say if you decrease it. Twenty dollars is insanely good price.

E

If you look for getting rid of hazardous waste like insanely, insanely, good price and these co-pays go to helping the cities cover the overall cost of the removal which, if you saw these price tags, are just insane, um let's just find two cents, but it's totally up to you all if you want to keep or change them. So how much does it cover like percentage ones?

E

Last year, if I'm doing a rough guesstimate, because I haven't looked at the numbers in a while copay has helped pay for about like 12 000, and the total bill was almost like seventy thousand dollars, so it I mean it. It helps a ton, um but we're only asking people to pitch in that teeny tiny percentage of what they would pay and I guess another good example. So Jefferson County has a household hazardous waste center that their residents can drop stuff off on and even their residents pay 30 dollars.

E

So this is even less than that, but it's only available to.

G

People I would say one of five people come and have the actual, like cost ready, yeah like memorized, because the tier it's a tiered system. You see twenty dollars under for electronic equipment, twenty dollars for TVs and monitors, and then ten dollars for everything else. That's a little complicated I feel like just um make a flat rate, a flat rate. You know, but I want to make sure it remains Equitable um because it to Mel's one. It is extremely popular and it's a fun event to staff volunteer whenever that comes up plug.

G

But uh that's the only thing is, it seems, like people are a little confused on the most the time they're paying too much to be completely honest. When I do the math in my head and collect dirt materials or equipment, so I don't know if a flat rate would streamline that. um Well,.

C

I have to confess what I did. It is subjective.

C

G

Yeah, you know what you.

E

Got and don't tell me that.

C

You know so I think, keep it simple, stupid, yeah and or raise the rate, but keep it simple, because it's nice, if you're sharing 10 you know if you've got a sliding through each scale or you have to go to a chart. It's ridiculous.

E

So like a flat 20.

C

E

A

Me I would vote for a flat to one yeah.

G

A

A flat 20. I, remember keeping.

B

It how it is okay,.

C

It's okay with me: I mean I, don't know how you guys feel.

J

It's gonna Supply, bringing like 10 TVs 200.

C

Worth um no I, uh that's a good question. I thought it was like.

B

Like a cell phone cartridge,.

E

And so some people do just have that right, so I think it's rough to say a flat 20.

G

Some people can prepare like they've got here's 520, because I have I.

E

Will say this year we're going to have a credit card reader. Thank goodness, that'll make.

G

It because yeah just people will show up okay, I.

E

G

And you got some people would pull up and there's a line 50 long in the right, yeah.

C

It was too expensive, I've never heard anybody say twenty.

G

C

Never heard that.

F

C

I guess my thought is streamlined it and up it a little bit if you want but make it easy on that poor volunteer who's, just trying to get the line to move.

D

Up to you all right.

L

G

Don't want the situation where someone's bringing 10 TVs right? Well, that's.

B

Going to be 20, each anyways right like.

J

But if it was 20, Flash, flat, tvs and Page 20 bucks, oh.

E

Are you saying ten.

J

C

F

C

If you, you said twenty dollars per TV.

A

J

A

J

But then you got.

C

Ten for these 20 for that that big cabinet.

F

How many I was supposed to reading it initially like it's.

B

F

Worth 20 bucks for it so, but it is 20 bucks seems fair for a TV, so I actually support keeping it the way it is too okay, yeah I.

A

Would have to um do? Is there any disincentive to this program.

E

It's difficult figuring out the 2010.

C

G

Just want to raise the point, that's fine! That's the only thing. I've I've seen that sort of is a rub. It is on the day of are the is sort of the tiered and doing the math, but it's not.

A

You have people walk away with stuff in their hands because.

C

A

Not paying money, no.

E

C

Had people beat us I'll be back with my money in 20 minutes and.

F

C

They never. It was like one of those every year, but.

L

L

Getting rid of it.

C

And that's the other side of it. Thank God they're, bringing it in. So what have we done here? We.

J

Fleshed out some ideas, if you just break out like separate TVs and computer monitors, are there on sections twenty.

C

Dollars: okay, ten.

J

Dollars for the list, yeah I.

F

B

That each thing or ten dollars, total.

E

If you have like each each thing, I do agree with things. Sometimes it's um volunteer like discretion. If someone has like this teeny tiny electronic, like.

F

E

They have like five of them. It's like okay, ten dollars.

I

B

Yeah for weird anomaly,.

E

Stuff, like that, you can use discretion.

G

um And people that show up to these events I mean they're they're, bringing truck they have SUVs with quite a bit of stuff, I mean I, don't I, don't know if I've ever just taken an old Antiquated cell phone from somebody like right, it's usually substantive what they're dropping off like a monitor the cost does offset with the city.

A

They don't come empty-handed, I mean when I say unless they sleep with the way it is.

G

Great I know Mel. You had two big kind of posters last time for people who are driving in to see that was helpful. It was just really windy. I.

E

Know, oh my God. Okay.

G

E

Do you have to vote officially on it.

G

So we're keeping it.

C

All those in favor of keeping it the way it is. Is that what we're saying all those in favor say: aye, aye, aye opposed ocean pass. It's easy enough. Thank.

E

You so this is, we haven't, put it out because we're just trying to get the finalized contract from the contractors yeah, but the almost definite dates are September, 9th and September 16th.

E

um We typically from last year, Tim who's, the guy over at Littleton. We said we can pretty much um cover these days on our own. If you want to come and help absolutely you can, but no one should feel obliged to by any means or if you want to stop by and drop off some stuff I mean we're going to be there.

C

J

Think it's kind of cool to watch.

C

Yeah I mean there's a line of people a.

E

Lot of free tan, usually.

G

H

C

Go ahead, Carol.

H

So we got our maintenance due scheduled and the first one kicks off tomorrow. So thank you, everybody for voting and proving this and helping to get it done, and thanks to those who are participating in the maintenance days. So uh tomorrow kicks off training session um hour and a half of weeding Dana has warned me. The leads are pretty bad, so we will take all the hands we.

E

H

Get um and then I think and then in like two weeks or something, um but that is officially kicked off now is going to show up tomorrow with volunteer shirts and supplies for parks and what I'm sorry 5 30.

C

I would encourage anybody, even if you just stop by for 10 minutes, just look at the Garden and see it's worth checking out and it's interesting, because I I have a garden plot over there.

C

A lot of the flowers are now dying, hence, but you can see the waves like in.

I

C

Was just profuse color now things are withering, but there's also new growth coming in it's pretty cool to look at I I'm fascinated by it.

H

Yeah, it should be fun just a good event and um I don't know. Hopefully we can do it every year. Thanks.

G

For your work on that yeah.

C

Thank you for doing that. Cara yeah a lot of work. My pleasure.

F

C

uh September well I had one-eyed. Note, I I would love to continue talking about what we learned tonight of what could we possibly do to help these programs or help Englewood? So I, don't know exactly what that looks like on the agenda, but I don't want it to die on the vine I'd like us to maybe maybe people could bring their thoughts or suggestions of ideas of what could we do?

C

I think a lot of ideas pop up.

B

Can we can we ask like the presenters and stuff like past and future ones if they can send to like little flyers or posters that we can have like physically? If we talk to a neighbor in something and we're like yeah wait hold on? Let me give you this thing that I learned.

E

So much about yeah I can recharge them and I can print out a bunch of material and give it to everybody. That'd be great yeah.

A

Not recycled paper.

G

I would like to see a standing agenda item to discuss sustainability related Communications, I.

F

G

Yeah, let's do to stay out of the ball there, because I've feel like we find ourselves sort of, at least in terms of the Englewood newsletter sort of.

C

Behind the fall, so it's a good publication too I.

E

Mean it's well.

C

Made a lot of people read it. It's well done. Vanessa.

E

Will love to hear that.

C

Because that's.

E

C

I'm impressed, but if people knew there was always a sustainability corner or some section that says sustainability that might be good.

F

H

um Because I know I believe the fall magazine just came out, you can just everybody yeah.

H

Winner they're like working on stuff for the winter magazine now but I, don't remember what the students.

E

Tell me the deadlines and I just realized.

H

That um and I think I don't know, I brought this up last time or whatever, but um I really want to start talking about um programs for next spring um and sustainability, working with some of the um just the folks that I spoke to um you know, with a between Arapahoe County and um The Master Gardeners and the CU extension and whatnot, and there's the programs that they offer and I really want to get Englewood on the list for participating in some of the events that they do. So we can talk about that and.

C

That's good and.

F

E

C

Other ideas between now and then but.

E

C

Might need to spend some time on the tree ordinance discussion.

G

Well, that should be priority um and then uh I lost my thought sure it is check. Communication I want to see the communications calendar if that's possible just so we I'll print it out and bring it yeah yeah. Every meeting I can do that. Just so, I can keep us.

C

Careful we're going to make a subcommittee out of it.

H

G

Don't know anymore.

A

I I agree give me any concept really trying to cram yeah yeah and if we had actually standing subcommittees that were focused on you know the trees, the you know.

F

A

Train committee or something like that or the the assistance committee, then we've got work going on in the background and they bring that to the community and then we can discuss it and kind of ask questions of the people in that committee, but I I would strongly encourage that. We look at making moving forward with more.

H

Subcommittees I, like that, do you want that first September I actually have a proposal because we vote on creating a Communications subcommittee.

C

Today and we might even suggest some subcommitting committing such as weatherization green energy programs, energy Etc, so I agree, Rick I think there's.

I

C

To be done, much we're going to be at one meeting.

G

We can't well what would what would creating a communication subcommittee this evening? Look like what I mean within four members. You.

E

Need three to four.

G

E

Max you can't come over. Three is a minimum three minimum.

G

H

G

Yeah um I would be happy to be one of those three.

C

Thank you, Logan you're, welcome any other volunteers, who'd.

G

Like to join Logan, then.

C

We can flesh.

G

Out what that looks like and you know, I don't we all have deaf.

F

G

Jobs and things like that, but um I think it's just opening a line of communication with the city's communication team and being aware of their Communications deadlines, so that we can be pushing educational content out right.

F

Through their mediums.

G

And working with them so I'm happy to run point on that. If two others three others want to join me.

C

You probably already- or thank you saying this, but our commission couldn't have a community communication plan so in other words, you've got your external audiences and mediums and then, as a group we could say these are our communication priorities for the next 12 months. Yep I think one two three. We really want to communicate the heck out of this this and this, so that would go hand in hand.

G

With them, your follows: upcoming weatherization spring.

C

G

Right in the corner and talk Depot Park, we talk native landscaping and prepping your home Garden things like that. Biochargers.

C

Oh, by the way the garden's, beautiful I can say so myself.

I

C

If you walk in Rick tell them: oh, oh my.

A

God, it's different. It's different! It's different.

D

A

Side is getting more weeds to biocharge.

D

A

Biocharge site is right.

C

Right, it's so different fertile. The weeds are going crazy.

E

Okay, you all do have to vote on that. The kitty, just don't forget if you want.

G

To do it, no, we I think we do um I haven't it's been a while I would entertain a motion to like create a communication subcommittee for the sustainability commission.

C

Got a motion: do we have a second.

C

Thank you and then we have a second all those in favor say aye opposed day OSHA passes. We have a committee. Thank.

G

You Mel I'll, follow up with you on that point and then we can Circle in the four of us and we can start that conversation and see perfect. That's.

C

A

E

C

Think, okay, is there any other business or discussion that you all want to entertain if not meetings adjourned? Thank you again. Thank you.

G

A tight ship, another.

J

G

10 35 minutes Mike.

E

Was talking to Nancy he's like we're good at staying at an hour, I was like.

J