Thursday, March 28, 2024

Brewster council listens to Apollo energy savings contract proposal

Posted

BREWSTER – In their first regular meeting of the new year, council members voted to move forward with preliminary measures to enlist the services of Apollo Solutions Group from Kennewick to conduct energy savings consulting for the city.
Scott Lewis, a Business Development Account Manager for Apollo introduced a proposal to the council that would help the city recover and reduce some of its energy costs.
Apollo is one of the nation’s 20 largest mechanical contractors and its Solutions Group specializes in Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC).
Since a working agreement with Apollo requires authorization through the state, city attorney Chuck Zimmerman recommended the city take advantage of the time it will require for him to work out a contract so members can review and approve the final product.
Upon Zimmerman’s recommendation, council members voted to authorize mayor Art Smyth to enter into an agreement that doesn’t cost the city any money until council reviews and approves the agreement.
In other business, Finance Director and City Clerk Misty Ruiz reported that the city did well managing its finances last year considering the projects like the renovated water reservoir that were addressed in 2017. Ruiz reminded council members that the city is still awaiting reimbursement from the state as the Legislature grapples with passage of the Capital Facilities Budget.
On the bright side, Ruiz reported that a change in Okanogan PUD policy eliminated an automatic $250 monthly demand charge levied against the public pool for energy spikes.
Director of Public Works, Lee Webster brought up a few projects that will require city attention and dollars this year.
Webster said some water damage in the recreation center restrooms will require an estimated $20,000 to repair and an HVAC unit, one of four in the building’s basement, also needs repair. “We’re running on three and it costs us about $450 a month in increased utility bills,” Webster said.
Webster estimated a new HVAC will run $20,000-plus. “That thing needs a new roof and that’s going to be $50,000-plus, so you’re bumping up against $100,000 right there in just that one building,” Webster said of the recreation center.
Webster said the Anderson Airport upgrade, originally scheduled for a pre-Christmas completion date, has been extended until the end of this month after the contactor encountered some problems with installation of the runway lights.
The next regular meeting of the Brewster City Council is at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21.

brewster, council, energy savings

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here