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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStatus Report #3 I • City of Oak Park Heights 14168 Oak Park Blvd. N•Box 2007•Oak Park Heights,MN 55082•Phone(651)439-4439•Fax(651)439-0574 September 7,2010 MEMO TO: Ms.Abby Finis FROM: Eric Johnson,City Administrator RE: Status Report s—August 1"to August 31"- 2010& Invoices Dear Ms. Finis: Status Report#3 and Invoice#3 for-Program B43984 From Aug 1st to Aug 31st,2010,the City has continued to finalize the specific scope and specific • budgets necessary to complete the tasks as funded. City consultants Bonestroo Engineering and The Planning Company who will be largely responsible for the preparation of the final work products such as the Municipal Plan for Sustainability,City Ordinance Update as well as the Greenhouse Gas Inventory and the Energy Audits have commenced their work on these projects. Specifically: • The Planning Company held an in-depth discussion on the proposed workplan that will identify objectives for the Comprehensive plan and ordinance updates. City staff has assisted. • Bonestroo continues to collect data for the greenhouse gas inventory and energy audits. City staff has assisted. The City held its Energy Fair on August 3rd—see the enclosed report and plan to distribute remaining CFL bulbs. The attached invoice for work completed through July 2010 and invoices in August. Status Report#3and Invoice#2 for Proiect B43935 Time has been spent over the past month preparing and refining plans for the Solar/PV Park Lighting project. At this time the City is out for bids and which are due 9/13/10. Invoice attached. • Memorandum • To:Eric Johnson,City Administrator From:Jessica Anderson,City Administration Intern Date: August 13s`,2010 RE:Energy Fair Wrap Up The Oak Park Heights Energy Fair took place on August 314,2010 from 5-7pm.Our event was in conjunction with the National Night Out for the City.We had approximately 450 residents of all ages attend both events. We had 102 households that participate in the Compact Fluorescent Light bulb giveaway.Several households brought in an old incandescent bulb to exchange for an additional CFL bulb. At the fair we had nine tables for which residents would be able to visit regarding energy efficiency and conservation.The CFL Bulb Give-Away Table was where residents were able to come with proof of residency and receive their light bulb and CFL disposal plan. Oak Park Heights City Hall had a table which reflected the new energy conserving and efficient building and all of its features. Energy Trivia was another table,which residents were able to answer energy conservation and energy efficiency trivia questions for a small prize.The Minnesota Energy Challenge sent materials for a table display that residents were able to take.The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Energy Smart program participated with materials for residents and had a representative to speak to 110 them as they passed by.Displaying energy efficient products,local Andersen Windows Corporation participated with their knowledgeable sales staff.Bonestroo Engineering Firm is currently working on the energy efficient LED lights and solar panels that are being installed on the park shelter where the fair was being held,was at the fair displaying their solar pathway finder and information about their services.Energy conservation and efficiency information was passed out by representatives from local Xcel Energy. Stillwater Motors rounded off the event by bringing an energy efficient Chevrolet Equinox that gets 32 miles to the gallon. What worked? The fair went off with very few problems.The presenters all arrived on time.The presenters all were able to give residents information on energy efficiency and conservation.Residents received postcards with information on bulb exchange,which seemed to help some of the residents remember to bring an incandescent bulb to exchange for an additional.Posters were hanging for the event at local businesses around town. Water was donated for staff and volunteers working the event.The tent and banner allowed residents to easily identify the Energy Fair's location.We had tables delivered that were on day of the event,they worked out perfectly.Other than the warm summer temperature I did not hear any complaints or concerns in regard to the Energy Fair. What didn't work? • Buying the CFL bulbs locally saved on prices comparative to the warehouse stores I was able to find large quantities at.Doing this came with an alternative price.Although the store assured me it would take only 3-5 business days to receive the bulbs from the distribution center,it took nearly 10 business days longer than the original time line and two separate trips to the store to acquire all 2178 bulbs. The tent company did not have enough sand bags for the tent so they filled large 55 gallon containers to hold the tent into place.These containers used some of the square footage of the tent making it slightly smaller than anticipated. What would I change if doing this again? Overall I thought the event went well.I would order the light bulbs sooner and possibly from a different supplier to ensure they arrive in plenty of time of the event.I would look into a larger marketing campaign to get the word out about the bulbs.I would also look into a larger array of presenters,since several organizations either did not respond or were unable to attend the event. Final Thoughts I think that the fair was successful;we completed the goal of spreading knowledge about energy conservation and efficiency. Many residents walked away with energy efficient bulbs and other information on energy saving and conservation.There are several boxes • of bulbs left over however we will find another venue to distribute them to residents to ensure that more households become a little bit more energy efficient. • Memorandum • To:Eric Johnson From:Jessica Anderson Date:August 20,2010 RE:CFL Light Bulb Options We were able to give away 353 CFI bulbs as part of the event.Several families brought in old incandescent light bulbs to the event for exchange.Although an a success there are still 1818 CFL light bulbs in the possession of the City after the Energy Fair on August 3n1. There are several options for residents to obtain one or multiple CFI bulbs in a variety of ways in the pt p coming months: 1. An article will be placed in the next newsletter that explains the excess of bulbs and the qualifications of receiving said bulbs. a. Residents can bring p roof of residency to City Hall and receive their free light bulb.If a resident brings an incandescent bulb they can receive an additional bulb. 2. Fall Clean Up will happen September 25m,residents who participate will receive 2 bulbs and if they bring in an old incandescent they can receive two additional bulbs. 3. On Election Day residents may be able to receive a free CFL bulb for stopping at 40 their polling place.Participation in the election process is not required to receive a free bulb. •