HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001/08/15 - Minutes - Special workshop August 15, 2001
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Special Workshop
A. CALLTO ORDER
A special workshop of the Rancho Cucamonga City Council was held on Wednesday, August 15, 2001 in
the Training Conference Room of the Civic Center, located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho
Cucamonga, California. Mayor William J. Alexander called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m..
Present were Councilmembers: Paul Biane, Grace Curatalo, Bob Dutton, Diane Williams (arrived at 3:38
p.m.), and Mayor William J. Alexander.
Also present were: Jack Lam, City Manager; Joe O'Neil, City Engineer; Shintu Bose, Deputy City
Engineer; Michelle Dawson, Management Analyst III; and Debra J. Adams, City Clerk.
B. ITEM OF BUSINESS
B1. PRESENTATION BY POWER DYNAMICS
SOLAR PANELS AT THE CITY YARD -- Joe O'Neil, City Engineer, stated they are working on getting
solar panels installed at the City Yard, but added they are very expensive. He stated Edison has a
program where you can get a rebate by installing the solar panels. He stated they are also hoping
someone in the industry would assist the City financially in order to be able to afford this. He mentioned
possibly the state could help with the cost. He stated they would continue investigating. He also added it
would take about an acre of solar panels to take care of the City Yard's needs. Mr. O'Neil also mentioned
that City Hall would require about 15 acres of solar panels.
THE CITY'S ENERGY EFFORTS -- Joe O'Neil, City Engineer, stated there are back-ups for the
elevators. He stated they are also turning the fountain down at mid-day in order to conserve energy. He
stated the lighting schedules at City Hall have been modified as well as the median lighting hours. He
stated the overhead lights at City Hall have been changed out to be more energy efficient. Mr. O'Neil
continued to talk about the LED back-up devices for the traffic signals and presented more information on
this program.
ENERGY INFORMATION PROGRAM -- Joe O'Neil, City Engineer, distributed information on the
Energy Information Program which is on file in the City Clerk's office. He stated they have put information
on cable and are also working with the Chamber of Commerce. He stated Reliant is no longer going to
build the power plant in Etiwanda because of the cost, but that in approximately four years they might
expand their current facility.
POWER DYNAMICS -- Pat Mills stated his responsibility is to find power sources for Power Dynamics.
He stated there is still not enough power to go around for everyone. He stated they need about one acre
of land for the size of project they are wanting to develop, which would require an 8" gas line. He stated it
would need to be near Edison lines.
Doug Smith, Vice President of Power Dynamics, talked about the company and distributed a color hand
out which is on file in the City Clerk's office. He stated they are watching what is going to happen
legislatively and will hopefully have an answer next week. He stated they would like to know what the
load is to cover the City facilities and then be able to provide a capacity to the City to meet its needs. He
stated any additional could then be sold off to industrial users or anyone else the City wanted to sell it to.
(Special Meeting) City Council Minutes
August 15, 2001
Page 2
Councilmember Biane inquired how power is transferred to other users.
Doug Smith, Power Dynamics, stated it depends on how the system is set up and that there are a couple
of ways to do this.
Mayor Atexander wondered why Edison or other energy providers aren't doing what Power Dynamics is
doing.
Councilmember Biane questioned what a kilowatt goes for.
Joe O'Neil, City Engineer, stated they are trying to show the City has alternatives.
Councilmember Biane asked if this would be enough to serve the City's whole grid.
Joe O'Neil, City Engineer, stated no.
Councilmember Dutton felt with something like this, at least the City would not be at the mercy of the
state some day.
Joe O'Neil, City Engineer, stated they would take all of the information and see what they can come up
with.
C. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
No communication was made from the public.
D. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Moved by Dutton, seconded by Williams to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously 5-0. The
meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
City Clerk
Approved: September 5, 2001