BUTTERFIELD-RIVIERA EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
DATE: October 23, 2012
PLACE: Rancho Cordova Library, 9845 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, California
MEETING TYPE: BRECA Steering Committee Meeting
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Lori Christensen
Kelly Cohen
Jim Morgan
Stan Mofjeld
Mary Ann Winters
1. Welcome from acting Chair Kelly Cohen
2. Presentation by Christie Rodriquez and Denise Watts: SMUD’s Better Buildings Program
Christie Rodriquez with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) introduced the Better Buildings Program. This program is financed by a grant from Federal Stimulus funds, and provides $1 million to invest in the Rosemont and La Riviera neighborhoods (note that the BRECA area is included as part of the La Riviera neighborhood). The goals are to improve the energy efficiency in 44 single family homes, 22 low income households, and 143 small commercial buildings. They have been working on this for a while, and have already done about 60% of the single family homes. She noted that one objective of this program is to test the approach of neighbor talking to neighbor about energy efficiency improvements. There will be a $50,000 community reward project if the goals are met.
Lynn Martinez, of ConSol consulting, talked about the process. It involves an energy use assessment that takes about four hours. There are three packages: good, better, and best. The homeowners decide which are appropriate for them. Rebates for work done are available up to $9,000. Financing is also available. Brower Mechanical is the chosen contractor for the work. Details of the good, better, and best packages were described.
The presenters responded to a number of questions from the BRECA members present. How much of the cost is covered by the rebates depends upon the home. The estimated energy savings was estimated from modeling homes. The grant pays for the energy assessment. Assessments can be done until March, or the money runs out. There is one other neighborhood, in the City of Sacramento, with the same program. The contact point for starting the process is Suzon Lucore with Brower Mechanical.
There was discussion among BRECA members about how to publicize the program. It was agreed that having another, larger meeting would not be practical this year. It was agreed to put an article in the upcoming BRECA Newsletter and a link on the BRECA website.
3. Minutes for August 24, 2012
Joe O’Connor suggested several additions to the draft minutes. Jim Morgan (Secretary) accepted the additions. Kelly Cohen made a motion to adopt the draft minutes as amended. Lori Christensen seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
4. Standing Reports
a. Treasurer’s Report
Kelly Cohen reported that the balance in the BRECA checking account is $4,328.51.
5. Old Business.
a. Gristmill Mini-Restoration
Kelly Cohen stated that she wanted to get approval for buying plants for the Gristmill mini-restoration project. Jim Morgan pointed out that the plan for the mini-restoration had not been presented to the Steering Committee. Kelly stated that the plan involved small numbers of about five plant species, which would cost around $100. Jim Morgan made a motion to approve a $100 expenditure for the plants. Stan Mofjeld seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
b. Newsletter
Jim Morgan stated that there is a window of opportunity after the election and before Thanksgiving for getting people to read the Newsletter. To meet that window, any additional articles will be needed quickly.
6. New Business.
a. From the Floor
Kelly Cohen stated that there is someone camping on the onramp from southbound Bradshaw to westbound Highway 50, and that it makes the neighborhood look bad. She suggested that we should develop a plan for Folsom Blvd. to try to prevent such occurrences. It was suggested that this item be added to a future agenda.
Joe O’Connor stated that California American (Cal Am) Water wished to film a public relations video about saving water and asking for nominations for the area. He further stated that he had contacted the Rosemont Community Association and they were not nominating any areas. No BRECA areas were nominated.
Joe also stated that the Cal Am rate case decision for 2013 pricing is expected by July 2013. The Phase 2 issues are under consideration behind closed doors by the Administrative Law Judge. Sacramento area issues may or may not be included. The Division of Ratepayer Advocates will let Joe know when the ruling is released, and there will be a 30 day comment period.
7. Meeting Adjourned
The next meeting will be a regular Steering Committee meeting on Tuesday, November 20, 2012, at the Rancho Cordova Library