Travis County Commissioners Court
Tuesday, September 7, 2010,
Item 1
Number 1 is a public hearing to receive comments regarding request for financial incentives for project helios, a solar energy initiative in northeast Travis County
>> move that the public hearing be opened,
>> -- second.
>> that passes by unanimous vote with Commissioner Gomez absent this morning.
we do expect her to join us this afternoon.
mr. Rhoades?
>> good afternoon or good morning, judge, Commissioners.
we have received a request from -- from what we have been calling project helios.
it is a company rre, Austin solar, for a tax rebate in -- for a solar farm installation in far northeast Travis County.
approximately 600 to a thousand acres with a more than 200 million-dollar investment over the next three to four years.
as a part of the development, the -- the rre, Austin solar, has -- has considered or will be considering locating its corporate or its u.s.
corporate headquarters in Travis County with the creation of approximately 20 full-time equivalent jobs.
and they are expected, if the rebate is approved, they are expected to begin full power generation within -- within the 2014 time frame.
just by way of background, we currently on the property in question, we currently are receiving approximately $700 per year in taxes.
from the agricultural exemption.
if the -- if the rebate is approved, they are requesting an 80% rebate over the next 20 years.
if the rebate is approved, we anticipate that the additional revenue generated from the development would generate between 60 and 80,000 additional tax dollars per year, for Travis County, over the life of the rebate.
>> I'm not sure that I understood that last sentence.
so an additional how much revenue?
>> an additional 60 to 80,000 per year, over the life of the rebate.
the 20 year period.
>> 60 to 80,000 in additional revenue.
>> yes, sir.
>> real property tax revenue?
>> yes, sir.
>> okay.
questions for mr. Rhoades?
>> yes, sir.
number one, I would like to staff for working so diligently on this particular project.
as you know, solar power been generating this type of energy -- in generating this type of energy is pretty
>> [indiscernible] as far as looking at ways to get away from fossil fuel.
as much as possible.
the community has been -- been willing to -- to listen diligently as this process has been moving forward.
you have community meetings out in the community and of course the black land prairie neighborhood association and of course the staff had that to have an overview of maybe what's going on.
which I think is a good thing to do.
it's taking whatever your concerns are, especially with something coming into your neighborhood, to have input from the community to see exactly what's going on.
so here we are today, before the Commissioners court, in that same initiative of trying to get folks involved in this particular -- endeavor.
of course, this is located in the -- in the far eastern part of northeast Travis County, which is a precinct 1, of course, as you know, that's -- that's over in the black land prairie area.
of course as you know, we have a lot of folks that have been involved in many issues in that area.
former Commissioner Davis
>> [indiscernible] and his wife marlin who has listen -- marilyn who whoa has been really a lead point, lead person in this particular endeavor has e-mailed me several times, we have corresponded several times in this particular issue.
we are here today to hear public comment on such situation.
but again, this is a first and of course it will be the first type in the -- and the largest type of -- of situation as far as the megawatts, 60 megawatts solar facility, panel facility, that this thing will actually will.
it will be the first in the state if the Commissioners court decide to do this.
so again it is a -- a source of clean energy, I think it's the wave of the future.
however it will be the first in Travis County and also this part of the country if this was to actually take place.
so again it is a big deal.
and of course we have folks here to participate and I would like to thank staff, rodney, you and your staff and -- and following the lead of a lot of questions that I asked, number one, make sure that the folks involved and of course this has happened, so this is the -- this is the point of the process whereby we are able to have input from the community in such an endeavor.
so I'm ready to hear from what the folks have to say, judge.
>> is there a representative here from helios?
would you like to give comments at this time?
>> yes.
>> would you sit to mr. Rhoades' left and we will need you to remain there when we call up citizens, just in case there are questions that we need you to answer for us.
if you give us your name, we would be happy to get your comments.
>> good morning, my name is anglos angelou, I'm the consultant for project helios or rre Austin solar.
we have been working on this project now since almost the beginning of the year.
I thank you for the consideration of this project.
I think you for considering the incentives, because these are unique projects that without end duesments from the public sector it cannot -- end duesments it could not possibly happen.
I think Travis County is leading the way in attracting it, along the way I think there will be other opportunities as well as we have been approached by other clients that will be considering perhaps the manufacturing of solar panels in this area.
it will create 20 job, it's will bring the corporate headquarters to this area and it will be a step in the right direction as far as green energy is concerned for central Texas.
I think Travis County stands to be a leader with this project, not only in this region, but throughout the state.
this is going to be the largest of its kind project in the u.s.
many much them have been announced, many of them have been announced, very few of them have been built.
my client has listen financing all of the work so far out of pocket.
they are intending to -- to use their own wherewithal to bring this project to fruition.
so I urge the court to vote in favor of those incentives as this is the only way that we can make this project happen in central Texas.
thank you so much.
>> any questions for mr. Anglos?
>> hold on, judge.
again, thank you, judge.
I appreciate you going after the -- out to the public when that was requested of y'all.
you had to hesitation to go out to community to explain the concept, pros and cons, about this particular project.
that's very well appreciated because sometimes things don't happen that way.
of course when you do things like that up front, in my opinion, it's just a -- a good corporate citizen type-ship award that I think should be mounted somewhere when folks do that kind of stuff.
I want to appreciate your participation with the community.
thank you.
>> Commissioner Davis, we have another meeting scheduled on the 15th of this month, a public notice should have gone out.
my client intends to do the right thing by the neighbors.
so we have on our own initiative asked for this meeting.
it's going to be held at 7:00 p.m.
at the swedish church in the neighborhood and we invite all -- all of the neighbors to be there so we can work together with them to make sure that -- that this project does not in any way -- you know, create disturbances for the area.
so we're willing to listen to their input and making sure that this project can be very smooth as far as the construction and take all of the neighbors' considerations.
>> okay.
you already have -- this is the same location that you had the first meeting.
>> correct.
>> so the same location for those that attended and willing to attend the same one, same location, that is correct.
>> yes.
>> okie-doke, thank you.
>> would the following individuals please come forward.
debbie lindeman, sheila kaitz, ronnie reeferseed.
give us your name, we would be happy to get your comments in that order.
as you complete your testimony, we will need your chair because I will call another speaker.
ms. Lindeman.
okay.
hello, my name is debbie lindeman, I'm here to support this project.
my family farm is being purchased as part of this project.
it has been in my family for 58 years, belonged to my parents and has been passed down to me.
it was not an easy decision to make -- to sell it.
but I researched the developer and the investors as well as the economical benefits of our community Travis County and the Austin area.
I found out that the investors are u.s.
citizens and that the project developer, rre, Austin solar is a newly established corporation in Texas.
iments discovered that the company has committed to be in a significant contributor to the local community by offering to install 100-kilowatt roof top solar systems to the elgin i.s.d., where I attended, my daughter and cousins.
the project also creates many new jobs for the area from construction workers to engineers and maintenance workers.
I found out that the -- that the environmental study done indicates there will be no environmental impact on the property or the neighboring properties.
after doing my research, I decided that -- that it was a good project to sell my land to.
I care about my neighbors and my community and I intend to purchase another piece of property in the area.
I am proud to say that I am helping Austin in these surrounding -- and these surrounding areas to be a little greener, thank you.
>> thank you, ms. Lindeman.
would charlie roundtree please come forward?
ms. Kaitz is next.
>> I'm here today to speak on behalf of the solar farm.
I philosophy Travis County and work in elgin.
I feel like as a nation that we are trying to go a little greener and I see this solar farm as our opportunity in the Austin area and Travis County to move in this direction.
I feel like many new jobs will be created by the solar farm and it is my understanding that the project will contribute many tax dollars to Travis County, Pflugerville and elgin i.s.d.
I don't see how anything negative could -- could come of the solar farm.
I believe that there's no environmental impact on the land itself.
from my understanding it won't damage any of the surrounding area or property, I hope that you will join me in support.
>> thank you.
>> thank you, ms. Kaitz.
mr. Reeferseed.
>> thank you, sir.
I would like to express my appreciation of our citizens here.
especially the first speaker who -- who is -- who is actively -- actively pursuing this and giving up her farmland for -- for this project.
and I think that we're on the right track.
one question that I have is -- is briefly mentioned about -- about -- about the -- about the panels, the source of the panels themselves and -- and I know that we have a lot of engineering talent here in Texas and I remember the university of Texas came out with a -- with a study of -- of even a better way to do it getting like 10 times as much power per panel by use knowledge mirrors or -- using mirrors or something.
I don't have all of the details.
my concern is are the panels going to be made here or are they going to be coming from china?
>> by requirements of the u.s.
government, because there are incentives for this type of projects that are coming from the u.s.
government as well.
the panels have to be manufactured in the u.s.
>> well, that's wonderful.
I'm all the more in favor of this.
it's a great idea.
we're -- step in the right direction.
just a reminder, it's a step away from being dependent on the oil cartels that rule our lives and cause problems and not to mention the environmental damage as evidenced by many accidents.
so thanks.
>> would vernon hodd, hodde?
please come forward.
and mr. Roundtree.
>> yes, good morning.
>> good morning, judge, Commissioners, my name is charlie roundtree, I reside at 13212 sanding road located on the southwest corner of the solar farm.
even though I posed the -- oppose the project my intent today is to hold my new neighbors accountable for what, when, how this project is started.
the question and answer sheet dated August 28th raises a few more questions which I had.
I would like to bring them up.
the pb collectors, which were selected after the original collectors, raise the aim beent air temperature up sounds like a good solution.
but 40,000 were used I was told would be used.
that seems to be that more land would be required to do so.
ambient temperature.
the blackland is also a highly erodable area.
during the rainy season it runs into the cotton wood creek.
silt from that particular piece of property sits kind of up on a hill is already silted over all of our waterway goes and tanks.
we would hope they would remedy that by cleaning out the waterway that exists or rerouting.
the security and lighting is the issue of ours that we hope that they will not use tall razor-like fencing around our property.
and the lighting is -- I know that it's useful, but we would hope that it would not destroy the serenity of the area.
also, I think one of the real issues is the trees and vegetation which they say that they will use.
we would like to see a greenbelt between us and the new project with us and the -- between us and even
>> [indiscernible] which makes a great barrier.
all good projects must be planned properly, it appears that we are only getting considerations.
the only thing that we have at this point is a matter of record from this court.
taxpayer money is needed to fund this project.
at this point.
and we do not have any guarantees that the considerations will be implemented.
we hope that this court will have the power to safeguard its constituents in and around this area.
thank you.
>> thank you, mr. Roundtree.
if you have that in writing, you may want to get it to a helios representative.
maybe let them respond to you.
>> very good.
>> okay.
>> thank you.
and you and -- are you mr. Cook or hodde.
>> cr cook please come forward, last call.
mr. Angelos is already there.
would dayton meley?
are you dayton.
>> cook.
dayton looks like mehli.
or dayton -- dayon, deleon?
okay.
are you here on the public hearing?
>> [inaudible - no mic] are you in favor of this project or not.
>> one of the owners.
>> [laughter]
>> do you want us to show you in support.
what's his name.
>>
>> [inaudible - no mic]
>> davon
>> [indiscernible]
>> okay.
went to medical school, right?
>> I think obviously he's in support of this project.
I don't know anything else would add any more value.
>> mitch jacobson, mr. Cook is next.
>> yes, judge, Commissioners, my name is lee cooke.
I want to thank you very much for the opportunity to speak with you briefly today.
at this public hearing.
this is the first time that I've had the opportunity to speak to the Commissioners.
I guess in my entire life.
but I would like to say just a couple of things as a student of the economic platform for -- for Austin and central Texas, for the last 60 years, and certainly being involved in -- in the -- in the economic expansion as well as diversification of Austin's economy, as the president of the chamber of commerce, in the '80s and also as Austin's mayor, I would like to say that -- that there comes a time when Austin makes very strategic decisions.
Travis County has been a partner in that for a long time.
in 1966, when i.b.m.
came here, it wasn't just the lighted manufacturing jobs.
it was the diversification of the creative class, the beginning of a process that has now led to quite a diversified economy, where -- whereby we are weathering that today better than most american communities.
in 1983, I'm not a great proponent, even though I was a benefactor of the economic activity in this community, when I got a job at Texas instruments in the 1970s and 1980s.
but not really being a strong advocate for tax abatement in general, we did, as a community, as a region, as a state, make a strategic decision when we recruited mcc in 1983.
in 1989, in precinct 1, when our economy was in the tank, I turned to the county, to the county judge, Commissioners court, manor school district and we recruited and yes we gave tax abatement to applied materials to put 2400 jobs in northeast Travis County.
and the diversification of what that led to, not only was an increased tax base for the manor school district and the new schools that you see in manor today, but a tremendous diversification of the economy.
today you are on the cusp of another strategic decision for the diversification and the expansion and a statement to the entire world, today the largest solar plant in the world is in spain, 42 megawatts.
in 2012, Travis County can say that the largest diverse sighed solar consideration to the ercod, Travis County, Austin, Pflugerville, is in Travis County.
I recommend that you support this.
>> thank you.
>> thank you, former mayor cook.
I also knew you as lee cooke.
that cl threw me off.
>> still speaks with a strong voice.
>> mr. Hodde is next.
mitch jacobson, valerie harkins, would you like to speak?
okay.
mr. Hodde.
>> I'm vernon hodde, I live on sandine road, which would be kind of right down west of what is projected.
the solar system there.
what is the impact, environmental impact and all of this stuff which mr. Roundtree was talking about, all of the -- all of the runoff and all of this into the creeks.
and our highways out yonder are just the pits right now.
how long is it going to take to get these highways back up to -- and our county roads out there, which we've called in years and years and we hadn't had nothing done out there.
and -- what's it going to do, how long is it going to take to bring all of this pickup to -- to your trucks and your -- everything coming in through there.
to rebuild all of this stuff before we put this solar system up?
what's the impact on the -- on the runoffs like that and the property that's surrounding it.
there's some questions there.
I've been out there for 15 years now.
and -- and, you know, it's -- I have seen growth around there.
but then we come up with this land development that was -- that was south of Austin that was supposed to have been new housing developments and all of that, and all of this fell through.
what's -- what's the impact now again?
what's it going to do to tax -- the property around it?
we are giving them these incentives, tax incentives to them and is that going to help the schools?
I just kind of -- you know, questions and before I make my decision, because I got the property right next to it, also.
this is something that -- that we need to -- we give these tax incentives and bring in people and, yeah, this and that and -- but what's it going to do to the schools?
like this -- I would like to say.
okay.
>> okay.
>> you asked a question --
>> do you have a card on you, mr. Angelou.
>> let's make sure mr. Hodde knows how to reach you with those questions.
>> I will be more than happy to meet afterwards and give you my card.
I would also encourage you to be at the public hearing that we intend to have on the 15th.
>> okay.
mr. Jacobson is next.
would morris priest come forward.
>> mr. Morning, I'm jacobson the director of clean energy incubator at the university of Texas.
I would urge you to support this project.
I have been working with this knees gentlemen the last nine months.
I would like to pick up on the topic that mayor cook had as well and look at this from an economic stimulus projector.
the clean air incubator has been in place at the mcc building since 2001.
the Austin technology incubator has been in business for the last 21 years.
non-profit, funded by the city and Austin energy and the state energy conservation office and we are there specifically to -- to have positive impact on the -- on the economy of central Texas.
we do this by helping companies grow.
raising funds for them.
finding talent for them and strategically understanding what they are trying to do.
this solar project in north Travis County is -- is very important in a lot of ways.
you have heard about the green aspect of this and of course that makes me very happy because that's what we do.
we're trying to make central Texas a greener place.
but also from an economic stimulus perspective, it's tremendously important as well.
I know the city of Austin and the surrounding area has been trying to get solar projects here as mr. Angelou talked about for years.
we haven't been able to do it.
the last one was a company called yingly which had chosen Austin and phoenix as their final cities that they were going to move to, a solar manufacturing facility.
they have pushed off that decision, that decision has not been made.
but there's been other solar companies that have thought about coming to Austin, but for one reason or another they have not done that.
this project would help -- would help the economies stimulate what we're trying to do in the green energy economy.
we have talked to these gentlemen about the companies that we incubate and using this solar project as a testing ground for smaller companies, to test their products on their property.
inverters and other things that need testing before they go to market.
this is a huge opportunity that we do with Austin energy right now.
this would be a huge opportunity and a step forward in this economy, in this green economy, to not only make it greener, but to also continue to stimulate the economy in central Texas.
so obviously I'm in support of this -- of this project.
thank you.
>> thank you very much.
ms. Harkins?
>> thank you.
>> the site coordinator on this project, as site coordinator, I have a privilege to work with
>> [inaudible - no mic] -- there are many companies
>> [microphone cutting out.
>> as leaders of Travis County I urge you to welcome and hold pride in being
>> [indiscernible] they aren't just another green energy developer.
green energy developers have a positive impact in and of themselves in the communities and this company in particular is raising the bar to step up and become active and supportive members of the communities in which they build.
this project in particular will house education and awareness available to children and adults alike in the community.
our children will grow up learning about green energy and solar in particular, where other communities largely across america do not have that opportunity today.
so I urge you to support this project in bringing together education and awareness in the communities.
>> thank you, mr. Priest.
>> judge, Commissioners, morris priest, speaking on my own behalf.
I oppose the financial incentives for this project.
I do think that projects such as this should be paying development impact fees, we see many communities in our surrounding area, whether it be Round Rock or Leander, they collect development impact fees.
we're giving tax writeoff, tax abatement or property tax 80% reduction in property tax.
we should been given property tax reductions to those that are surrounding this project.
we saw the same thing with txi with people -- with people knowing that their property values would be going down.
we should be giving the tax rebates to -- or tax breaks to those who are going to be harmed by the project.
we see that -- that the wear and tear it will do on our roads.
we see all of the many unintended consequences of txi with the environment.
this is -- we will with this project, with the erosion and so I think that -- that this is just another -- another fine example of failed leadership supporting such a -- such a ridiculous idea of giving energy initiative financial incentive because of the simple fact that they should be able to -- if there's such -- if they are such a great industry, great benefit and -- and such a profitable business, they should be able to absorb the miniscule money that this county is willing to give them.
I hope that you will oppose the project and oppose the tax incentives.
>> thank you, mr. Priest.
those are the ones who signed in on the sign in sheet.
if you are here on item no.
1, the public hearing, but did not sign in, please come forward as this is your last opportunity today.
mr. Pena?
>> good morning, judge, Commissioners, gus pena.
native east Austinite.
Commissioner Davis you know that I have family everywhere, a lot of people have family everywhere.
my family lives in east Austin quadrant, precinct 1, also precinct 4.
this item is very dear to my heart because in 1991 I had an opportunity to visit mexico and meet my father-in-law who at that time had the vision to speak about alternative energy.
solar energy.
he asked me, gus, what is -- what is your thoughts on these -- you know, I thought about it, I'm not as educated man as other people are.
but, you know, for somebody in mexico, I don't mean to disrespect any country, but for somebody in mexico who was not an engineer to come forth with a statement, solar energy, alternative energy, that says a lot.
>> [indiscernible] on top of the mountain, my family over there, engineers, doctors, et cetera, I had an opportunity to speak to a lot of people in the east Austin quadrant wherever people stopped me and said what about this issue?
solar energy, alternative energy.
I said look, I believe strongly as mayor cook told you guys, it's a good issue.
2012 is a good target date.
it's going to fall down by the wayside and we will think that we lost a golden opportunity.
Commissioner Davis your comments were right on target.
I know mr. Angelou not because he's a friend of mine, I come over here because he has been inclusive educating the community.
a lot of my family, friends in precinct 1 have attended the presentation, they found it very educational.
something sometimes governmental entities don't do to educate the community.
but in this issue, I think it's very important that as our country is going to, as our world is going to, alternative solar energy, we need to do something.
we're lacking in it right now.
I'm glad the city council is speaking about these issues, also.
but anyway I'm here to support the initiative item no.
1.
there's a movie came out in 1929, what price glory?
what price if we don't help them initiative go forward, save money.
you know?
I just wants to say to mayor lee cooke, he remembers me, I worked in his campaign, when he ran for mayor, I was one of his strongest supporters.
I want to say thank you for educating the community, angelos, the rest of the community, continue educating the people.
the people that I speak to, even immigrants from different parts of our country are excited about this project.
so therefore I support it.
I don't live in your precinct.
I support it.
but as a native east Austin night I hope this passes and you all will support it unanimously, thank you very much.
>> mr. Morning, I'm jose
>> [indiscernible] the director of clean energy at the Austin chamber of commerce.
I'm here to support project helios and their project that they are planning for northeast Travis County.
I work in economic development for the chamber, involved with trying to recruit all pieces of the renewable energy industry to central Texas, including Travis County.
we work very closely with some of the largest solar manufacturers in the world.
yingley solar was mentioned earlier.
there were owe over the top 10 solar manufacturers in the world, we're currently working with four of the largest.
all of these manufacturers would like to establish operations in central Texas, one of their biggest concerns is the current lack of a large, robust solar market.
projects such as this 6 on megawatt solar farm -- 60, would create a farm in central Texas, would be their key factor in locating a manufacturing center here.
this project alone could serve several solar manufacturers producing panels around the clock for several years.
this project would not just satisfy one manufacturer, it could satisfy several.
so the economic impact of that could be extra ordinary.
I would encourage to you support this project as it would do a great deal in helping us grow our solar industry.
thank you.
>> thank you, yes.
>> good morning.
my name is sherron brown, a sustainability consultant.
currently located in the san antonio area, but I have clients and have past and present jobs in the greater metropolitan Austin area.
I co-created the green jobs institute, collaborated with Austin community college to ensure that individuals are trained for a new green economy and green jobs.
the energy information administration and independent statistical agency within the department of energy found that globally the cumulative investment in wind turbines and solar photovoltaic panels from now until 2030 could be 2.1 trillion and 1.5 trillion respectively.
these technologies mean many additional dollars into the local economy, jobs for these true green clean energy technologies.
it is estimated from the department of energy that there will be tens of thousands of jobs for americans with proper training in green jobs, will make our homes and businesses more energy efficient, double our capacity to generate renewable electricity.
such a project as the project helios, right?
helios?
I wanted to say heloise.
same thing.
I was born the same day as solar panels, it's not a new technology, although I feel like I'm new.
and a renewable energy professionals, educated for the -- educator for the past 25 year, it is indeed my pleasure to support this project.
I ask you please to vote in favor of it.
thank you for acting locally and thinking globally for a green earth.
thank you.
>> thank you.
>> thank you.
those are the individuals who have come to give comments during the public hearing.
I move that the public hearing be closed.
>> second.
>> all in favor?
>> judge.
before --
>> I was going to call up the action item.
>> okay.
>> I will make my comment then.
let's close it.
>> that passes by unanimous vote.
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Last Modified:
Tuesday, September 7, 2010, 2010 12:30 PM
