Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 12/19/2016

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would not need to be fully developed in order to move forward on this item but could simply be a part of this ordinance review. Board Member Valentine commented that if the City can handle the additional staff time, he would support incentive programs. City Planner Anderson acknowledged that an incentive program would take more overhead in terms of staff time, likely from himself and other departments as well. He agreed that this would be more a proactive program. Board Member Valentine stated that people tend to be more encouraged by proactive incentives rather than being forced to do something. Board Member Trossen asked if this would be limited to commercial properties. City Planner Anderson stated that this would not need to be solely for commercial properties, but would be limited to those connected to the City's water system. He stated that this attempt was to gauge whether or not the Board would be interested and explained that if there was interest he would then begin to gather information on various incentive programs used (program details, funding, and who is using the program). He stated that he would also run the idea of the incentive program past the Public Works Committee as well. City Planner Anderson confirmed the consensus of the Board to direct staff to research further details on an incentive program and prepare a draft ordinance amendment for the Board to review at the January meeting. Board Member Trossen asked if additional language could be added that would require an additional sensor/equipment that would assist in conservation. City Planner Anderson provided additional details on some of the sensors available. Chairperson Stodola commented that the item seems like overkill and that it would be expensive. City Planner Anderson explained that in a situation in the past a contractor had stated that the additional sensor was maybe a couple hundred dollars extra when the system is being newly installed. He noted that it would be more expensive to retrofit an existing system. Board Member Covart stated that she has an additional sensor with her irrigation system at her home and provided additional details. She noted that it was not much more expensive to get the additional sensor. City Planner Anderson stated that he would be glad to gather more information on the technology and the costs to bring back to the Board at a future meeting. He noted that perhaps he would be able to find someone in the irrigation field that could attend a meeting to provide additional details to the Board. 6. BOARD / STAFF INPUT Environmental Policy Board / December 19, 2016 Page 3 of 4