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Sustainability staff outlines EV charger fees, landfill solar timeline, tree giveaways and conservation programs
Summary
Farmers Branch sustainability staff updated the committee on multiple initiatives including a new EV charger fee, a landfill solar project schedule, active transportation planning, tree giveaways, LED retrofit grant pursuit, water-rebate swaps, and other programs.
City sustainability staff provided a multi-topic update to the Farmers Branch Sustainability Committee on Sept. 13 covering fees for EV chargers, the status of a landfill solar project, an active transportation plan, fall volunteer events and tree giveaways, grant applications for LED retrofits, and water-conservation rebate programs.
Alex (Sustainability staff) told the committee that the City Council had approved fees to use city-owned electric vehicle chargers: 20¢ per kilowatt-hour with a $5-per-hour overstay fee after a one-hour grace period. Alex said the fee took effect the day before the committee meeting.
Shane (Director, Sustainability) spoke about the landfill solar project: staff are working on permits and platting, with permits expected by the end of the year, construction likely to start in February, and the system projected to come online in fall 2024. Shane noted the project had attracted media attention and interviews with local TV outlets.
On mobility, Alex said the active transportation consultant has collected GIS data, traffic counts and performed fieldwork (including a 17-mile bike ride to map potential routes) and will present draft recommendations to the committee for feedback. Separately, Lauren (guest presenter) summarized the recently completed comprehensive plan presented to City Council on Aug. 1; the plan focuses on housing, economic development, mobility and future land use and calls out parks and green spaces as top community priorities.
Staff also previewed several public programs: a household hazardous waste collection event on Sept. 23 (9 a.m.–3 p.m.), a tree giveaway on Oct. 14 with online sign-ups opening Sept. 28 at noon, and a shredding event Oct. 14. Alex said the tree giveaway registration had historically produced quick demand and recommended outreach to reduce website congestion. The fall “lights out” migration campaign was under way for Sept. 6–Oct. 29.
On grants and rebates, staff said they are applying for an LED retrofit grant through the State Energy Conservation Office for exterior lighting at the recreation center and reported prior grants had funded LED lighting and EV chargers at city facilities. The city has replaced 53 toilets through a water-rebate program and planned to request $20,000 for the next fiscal year (split $10,000 for toilets and $10,000 for irrigation rebates).
Committee members asked about timing for the landfill solar open house and the active-transportation presentation; staff committed to follow up with dates. No formal committee action or vote on policy changes was taken during the staff update; the committee scheduled staff follow-ups and future agenda items including a park-department presentation at the next meeting.
Votes at the meeting (procedural): the committee approved the Aug. 9, 2023 meeting minutes; no other formal votes on policy items were recorded.
