Approved Minutes_02-18-20 — original pdf

Approved Minutes

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020 The Resource Management Commission convened a meeting on Tuesday, January 18th, 2020 at Town Lake Center, 721 Barton Springs Road, in Austin, Texas. Commissioners in Attendance: Kaiba White, Vice Chair (District 2); Jonathan Blackburn (District 8); Dana Harmon (District 9); Shane Johnson (District 4).); Rebecca Brenneman (District 10); Lisa Chavarria (Mayor); and Tom “Smitty” Smith (District 5). Commissioners Absent: James Babyak (District 6); Nakyshia Fralin (District 1); Leo Dielmann, Chair (District 7); There is one vacancy (District 3). Staff in Attendance: Hayley Cunningham and Larry Graham of Texas Gas Service; Jamie Mitchell of Austin Energy. CALL TO ORDER – Vice Chair White called the meeting to order at 6:50 p.m. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Paul Robbins discussed Green Buiding Standards Revisions. Mr. Robbins also offered to provide a twenty  minute presentation on this subject.  . Consent Items: APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve minutes of the January 21, 2020 meeting. The motion to approve minutes of the January 21, 2020 meeting was approved on Commissioner Smith’s motion, Commissioner Harmon’s second, on a 6-0 vote, with Commissioner Brenneman abstaining. Chair Dielmann and Commissioners Babyak, Fralin absent. NEW BUSINESS 2. Discussion with Texas Gas Service regarding rebates for new construction Larry Graham with Texas Gas Service  discussed natural gas use  in Austin, Texas Gas Service’s studies on  using alternative sources  such as methane from water treatment plants and consumer preferences  being met by builders homes. Mr. Graham also providied information on upcoming rate case of Texas  Natural Gas    Non-Consent STAFF REPORTS AND BRIEFINGS 3. Update on the City’s review of the Texas Gas Service Energy Efficiency/Conservation program. (Rondella Hawkins, Telecommunications & Regulatory Affairs Officer) Citizen Communication: Paul Robbins discussed the proposed rate structure for Texas Natural Gas.   Rondella Hawkins, the Telecommunicatins and Regulatory Affairs Officer for the City of Austin discussed  the upcoming schedule for the rate case.        Commisisoner Smith queried staff if the Resource Management Commission or the Electric Utility  Commission has purview over rates. Staff responded that they did not.  UPDATES FROM COMMISSIONERS, WORKING GROUP 4. Update from members of the EUC Resource Planning Working Group: Commissioners Dielmann and White   Commissioner White provided an update on the EUC Resource Planning Working Group plan, process,  and progress to date.   Commissioners discussed the role of Austin Energy programs in the resource planning process, the role  of storage and resource planning in future years.     5. Update from members of the Resource Management Commission Access to Solar Working Group (Commissioners Brenneman, Harmon and Johnson and Vice Chair White). Commissioner Harman provided an update to the commissioners.   OTHER BUSINESS 6. Revise the 2020 RMC Meeting schedule to cancel the March 10, 2020 Regular Meeting and set a Special Called Joint Meeting with the Electric Utility Commission for March 9, 2020 for briefing, discussion and possible action on the Resource Plan Commissioner Smith made a motion Motion to cancel March 10th, 2020 Regular meeting and to set Special Called Joint Meeting with Electric Utility Commission for March 9th for briefing, discussion and no action on Resource Plan and set separate meeting for Resource Management Commission immediately following Joint Meeting March 9th at 7:30 PM or (upon adjournment of the joint meeting) for possible action on Resource Plan. The motion was seconded by Commisioner White and passed by a vote of 6-0 with Chair Dielman, Commisioners Brenneman, Babyak, and Fralin absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 7. Discuss potential topics for future agendas.   ( White/Smith) Discussion and possible action on Texas Gas Service rate structure    (White/Harmon ) Access to Solar Working Group presentation on Working Group  recommendations and possible action.  (White/ Smith )Proposed Green Building Standards Revision presentation and possible action.  ADJOURN – Commissioner Echeveria moved to adjourn with Commissioner Harman seconding.  Meeting was adjourned at 8:59 PM