Commissioners identified three priority goals for the year: full implementation of a Colorado pilot program, drafting a memo to council about a possible data-center moratorium or restrictions, and hosting at least one community-oriented event.
On the pilot program, members said a $2,000 initial budget has been allocated to begin a small pilot; staff reported two planning meetings with communications staff, a website build is underway, and a launch event is being planned in partnership with parks and recreation (a park presentation was suggested). Commissioners discussed marketing approaches including a quarter-page magazine spread, social media suggestions, and promotional items such as buttons and T-shirts.
Members also discussed energy- and building-related staffing and contracts: the commission noted a received contract from "Dr. Cog" to hire a building specialist, an energy-efficiency staff position will be cost-shared with Sheridan, and the city is budgeting up to $35,000 per year for a third-party contractor to conduct energy-code walkthroughs and relieve staff burden.
On data centers, commissioners agreed to research other municipalities' approaches and collect example ordinances before asking four council members to request a draft ordinance from the city attorney. The group set a target timeline (research before the next meeting, then a draft by June with an aim to have legislation by the end of summer) and volunteered to compile examples from cities where moratoriums or restrictions exist.
Members discussed multiple outreach priorities — community composting, pesticide/herbicide education, neighborhood engagement, and utility-bill or municipal mini-magazine placements — and agreed to keep goals as a standing agenda item for ongoing tracking and refinement.
Next steps: staff will continue logistics for the pilot launch and promotional materials; two commissioners volunteered to begin research on the data-center memo and draft a letter for planning; commissioners will revisit progress at next month's meeting.