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University City Green Practices Commission recommends pausing Trivers carbon assessment, urges competitive bids and Energy Star use
Summary
At a joint April 28 study session, the Green Practices Commission advised University City council to delay a paid carbon-assessment proposal from Trivers, recommending the city define goals, solicit multiple bids and use EPA's Energy Star Portfolio Manager as the primary database.
University City’s Green Practices Commission on April 28 told the City Council it recommends not moving forward at this time with a proposed carbon assessment from consultants Trivers and IMAG, citing cost, scope and potential conflicts of interest.
Commissioner Nicole Baumgarten said the Trivers proposal “has a high cost associated with it and many expensive add ons,” and added, “For something of this cost, it's standard practice to obtain a minimum of 3 bids, and the commission would like to recommend the council do this at this time.” The commission also urged the city to define clear goals for the assessment before selecting a contractor or scope.
The commission recommended using the Energy Star Portfolio Manager as the primary database rather than a consultant’s proprietary software. Baumgarten said Energy Star is free, would allow the city to “own and control the account,” and would let staff, future contractors or interns update the data. She added the commission is qualified to set up and populate the portfolio and noted the commission itself performed the previous greenhouse-gas assessment for the city.
Commissioners also raised a conflict-of-interest concern: Baumgarten said Trivers has previously worked on city buildings, and “if they are to measure and validate any of that information, it could present a conflict.” The commission recommended that any verification role be performed by a third party representing only the city and its residents.
City staff said the greenhouse-gas inventory is already on the city’s work plan and is scheduled to start in July, led by Deputy City Manager Brook Sharp. Staff told the council it had engaged Trivers to help draft potential scopes but that the commission’s recommendation to delay and develop scope with commission input was acceptable.
Council members asked procedural questions about timing and scope development. Councilmember McMahon suggested the commission work with staff to develop goals so the city and commission do not duplicate effort; the commission said it would help develop those goals. The council did not take formal action at the study session; staff and the commission were directed to continue coordinating on scope and procurement.
The commission asked that the council require at least three competitive bids for any paid assessment, prefer tools that keep city data under municipal control, and ensure any contractor performing validation has no prior work creating potential conflicts.
The study session moved on to other agenda items after the commission’s presentation; no vote or ordinance was taken on the Trivers proposal during the session.
