Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-10-11 10:15AM PUBLIC HEARINGBRAZOS COUNTY BRYAN,TEXAS PUBLIC HEARING BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT 101b OCt --I P 05` rpa,��!!',cGti�i. �1�1'f CEIE�K BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2016 AT 10:15 AM. IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 200 SOUTH TEXAS AVENUE, SUITE 106, BRYAN, TEXAS. THE COURT WILL HEAR COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSED BRAZOS COUNTY PROPERTY ASSESSED CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM (PACE). INTERESTED PARTIES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND SAID HEARING AND PRESENT THEIR CAUSE, IFANY, FOR ORAGAINST SAID PROGRAM. BRAZOS COUNTY'S RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO ESTABLISH BRAZOS COUNTY PACE PROGRAM AND THE ADOPTED REPORT REQUIRED BY TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 399.009 CAN BE FOUND ON THE COUNTY'S WEBSITE AT WWW.BRAZOSCOUNTYTX.GOV UNDER COUNTY NEWS. The Commissioners Courtroom of the County Administration Building, 200 S. Texas Ave., Suite 106, Bryan, Tends is wheelchair accessible. Handicap parking spaces are available. Any request for sign interpretive services must be made two working days before the meeting. To make arrangements, please call (979) 361-4102. vol. MINUTES OCTOBER 11, 2016 BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT PUBLIC HEARING The Commissioners' Court of Brazos County, Texas held a Public Hearing at the Brazos County Administration Building in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, October 11, 2016, with the following members of the Court present: Duane Peters, County Judge, Presiding; Lloyd Wassermann, Commissioner of Precinct 1; Sammy Catalena, Commissioner of Precinct 2; Kenny Mallard, Commissioner of Precinct 3; Irma Cauley, Commissioner of Precinct 4; Karen McQueen, County Clerk, Absent. Attached is a list of the citizens and officials in attendance. The purpose of the hearing is to hear commentary on the proposed Brazos County Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (PACE). The County Judge called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. and invited others to speak. Charlene Heydinger with Keeping PACE in Texas spoke about the program. The PACE program allows commercial, industrial and multifamily property owners to overcome the upfront costs for water and energy efficiency improvements by utilizing private sector financing. Ms. Heydinger said that the PACE program is completely voluntary and not paid by the taxpayers. She said that if Brazos County joins the program, it would be the 7th county out of 254 to participate in Texas. David Emmerich with PACE Equity spoke in support of the program. Mr. Emmerich said that as a lender and is excited to be able to provide funding. He said they are one of the largest lenders in Texas and there is no burden on the county. b�+ '9, Jon R. Spradley spoke in support of the PACE program. He said he has followed the program for 5 years from different aspects. Mr. Spradley said that PACE offers an opportunity for a energy efficient program with private funding. He said the energy use can be reduced by 20 % or more. Dan Lockhart who is in the business of energy efficiency in downtown Bryan also spoke in support of the PACE program. Mr. Lockhart stated that this program gives him the ability to help people without having to provide the funding. He said it will be good for customers as well as business owners. Steve Aldrich thanked the Court for another economic development tool. Mr. Aldrich especially thanked Commissioner Cauley and the Research Valley Partnership for their involvement with bringing this to the Court. Commissioner Mallard asked if this program was only for private industry and not for governmental entities. Commissioner Cauley answered yes, at this time. Civil Counsel Bill Ballard questioned the administration of the program and potential liability. Mr. Ballard said the the Brazos County currently is in contract with McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen, P.C., Attorneys at Law, for tax collection and they have expressed concern of liability. The Brazos County Tax Assessor -Collector has also expressed concern. Mr. Ballard said he would be meeting with the PACE representatives after the hearing and looking for assurance of no liability. Commissioner Mallard asked if the program has been successful in other counties. Charlene Heydinger said that the first county was Travis County in April 2015 and that it does take time to get the project going. She said they have already seen success in Austin with a church, a retirement home, and three malls. Ms. Heydinger said that the PACE program can help both small and large organizations. Commissioner Mallard asked how the program would be marketed to get the word out about it. Ms. Heydinger said that service provider training will be given. She said the engineers and contractors will be the best marketers by word of mouth. She said that they will also be reaching out to non -profits. She said that they grow as the program grows. Joe Langston spoke about the success with the PACE program and what how it could have helped with his business, FlberTown. Mr. Langston has been working with Mr. Lockhart on energy efficiency and said they have seen a large savings on their electric bill and they are only about 33 % finished with the project. He expects a good return on the investment. Mr. Langston said that the PACE program would have made the process faster and is a good opportunity for other businesses as well. Commissioner Cauley thanked RVP and all those that spoke about their experiences with the PACE program. Commissioner Cauley also thanked Charlene Heydinger and Vol. Pp. �%s hopes the Court can see the advantage and importance of this program. She would like to see the program services extended to include governmental entities. Commissioner Cauley said she believes this is a win win for our community. She also went on to say that they will be addressing all the concerns that have been expressed and thanked the following county departments: Budget, Legal, Tax Assessor -Collector and Auditor. With there being no one else wishing to speak, the County Judge adjourned the hearing. The Court received a letter in support of the PACE program and is attached to these minutes. The foregoing minutes of the Commissioners Court Public Hearing held October 11 2016, have been examined and are approved in open Court this the I may of 2016, in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas. Duane Peters County Judge �7'ftwe da� - S y Cat ena Commissi ner, Precinct 2 Attest: Karen McQueen County Clerk Lloyd Wassermann Commissioner, Precinct 1 J:� �� - Kenny Mall Commissioner, Precinct 3 BRAZOS COUNTY COMMIISSIO ' W S COURT / - DAY OF , 20 D. „, M/ M, Name Organization Pi.F.nQF .PRINT', (F'LF kSE PRINT) /J�1i,nn d fIrkP �I�. G�✓h'Zt�S n� t. L!k�.1(y,,To0 f- 1- l-6Pi ow kee-0/v per .n -Terms S7i'Y� c0/tici� i7 0i J7,j710 V01- ___ 22? 7L Psi• . BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT QDAY OF M. Name (PLEASE PR ,:T) 20 16 OrLyanization (PLEASE PRNT) Vol. cZZt..... .. Pp.