WORK SESSION OF THE GREENBELT CITY COUNCIL held Monday, August 28, 2006, for the purpose of discussing the proposed Chevron energy performance contract.

Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. It was held in the Council Room of the Municipal Building.

PRESENT WERE: Mayor Judith Davis, Mayor pro tem Rodney Roberts and Councilmembers Konrad Herling and Leta Mach. Edward Putens arrived at 8:05 p.m.

STAFF PRESENT WERE: David Moran, Assistant City Manager and Carolyn Clemens, Assistant Director of Public Works; and Michael McLaughlin, City Manager.

ALSO PRESENT WERE: Brian Towne and Ken Hedrick of Chevron Energy Services; and Sheldon Goldberg.

Mr. Moran made a presentation to Council about the City working with Chevron Energy Services (CES) to upgrade the City’s energy efficiency. This initiative is commonly called energy performance contracting. CES was selected as a vendor for this work through the Council of Governments. The City initially expressed interest in this opportunity in 2000, and there is now a proposal for discussion.

Councilmembers raised a variety of questions about the program. It was noted the proposed energy management system would be expandable to future City facilities. It was also noted that the improvements should reduce workload impacts on staff, rather than increasing them. Mr. Herling asked for information about the environmental impact of these proposed changes and Mr. Hedrick said that could be provided. Mr. Roberts suggested incorporating these concepts into the renovation of the theater. Ms. Mach inquired whether the environmental controls in the plan were flexible enough to ensure facilities could deal with various usage times. She was assured they were. Mr. McLaughlin noted the City Charter prohibits the City from contracting for a 15-year period, so staff will be looking for options.

Councilmembers were generally comfortable with option 2, which included replacement of the pool pak and heat exchange units. Staff will bring back a proposal for Council action in a month or two.

Informational items: Mr. Roberts inquired about the status of the project at Greenbelt Crossing. Mr. Herling passed along a request for pruning a street tree at 6 Maplewood Court. Mayor Davis inquired if Councilmembers were supportive of the request to sign a pledge for the Purple Line, and they were. She distributed an article on Greenhills, Ohio, indicated there is interest in Greenbelt Homes, Inc., for a cell tower, noted a recent request for an addition at 4 Court Ridge was turned down, and pointed out that a yard line dispute at 3 Court Ridge may result in residents questioning how the City might use the land.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Michael McLaughlin
City Manager

City of Greenbelt, Maryland
City Offices, 25 Crescent Road, Greenbelt, MD 20770
Phone: 301-474-8000 FAX: 301-441-8248