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06-16-2010 ECC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER ENERGY CITY COMMISSION HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL ELK RIVER, MN WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2010 Members Present: Vance Zehringer, Tim Steinbeck, Bruce Sayler, Jeff Vassar, Denny Chuba, Susie Overholser, John Setala, Stephen Rohlf, Mayor Stephanie Klinzing, and Ron Touchette Members Absent: Scott Hagen Staff Present: Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator Nicola Blake-Bradley, Environmental Technician Others Present: Ryan Setterholm, Center Point Energy Rachel Leonard, Sherburne County Commissioner 1. Call Meeting to Order The regular meeting of the Energy City Commission was called to order by Chair Zehringer at 1:30 p.m. 2. Consider June 16. 2010 ECC Agenda Environmental Administrator Haug requested items #6 &7 be removed from the agenda and that two items be added under "other". EDA update and Community Pride Contest were added. Chair Zehringer added discussion of the Energy Expo. The July meeting will be held at the Elk River Landfill, Environmental Learning Center. Commissioner Steinbeck will not be able to attend. MOTION BY MAYOR KLINZING AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CHUBA TO APPROVE THE AGENDA WITH CHANGES. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. 3. Consider May 19, 2010 ECC Minutes Commissioners who attended the May meeting which were listed under absent asked for correction. Environmental Technician Blake-Bradley added that Commissioner Touchette sent a correction under the CBAC Update (not reflected in the draft minutes) which is more detailed. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SAYLER AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CHUBA TO APPROVE THE MINUTES WITH CHANGES. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. 4. Mission Statement and Goals Environmental Administrator Haug asked for comment on the final draft of the mission statement and goals. She commented that it's rather wordy, but that is because the Energy City Commission wants to do a lot. Chair Zehringer questioned whether the EDA (Economic Development Authority) has had a chance to comment. They have and it will be discussed under "other". The commission took several minutes to review the final draft. The document will go to the July 19~" City Council meeting at which point the City Council will also be deciding whether to continue the Energy City Commission. Commissioner Chuba questioned the wording under the final task regarding energy conservation Much discussion followed. Chair Zehringer discussed incorporating energy efficiency language into the last task. Commissioner Touchette commented that verbiage changes alter the document/task dramatically. Chair Zehringer added a word change from "segment" to "sector". Commissioner Steinbeck questioned the addendum. Commissioner Touchette explained. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER TOUCHETTE AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER SAYLER TO ACCEPT THE DRAFT WITH INCORPORATED CHANGES TO PRESENT TO THE CITY COUNCIL ON JULY 19 AT THEIR REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING. Environmental Administrator Haug encouraged all Energy City Commissioners to attend. 5. CBAC Update Commissioner Touchette stated that there is no new information, although a lot of reporters have been calling him. The City has supplied all the items requested. Transportation and access are key as well as support by the City and outside. Ramsey has a secondary grant to expand the parking ramp. Commissioner Leonard commented that a rumor had been spread that Monticello was discussed as an option. Commissioner Touchette stated that the site must either be Elk River or Ramsey because this is a national program. He added that the team making the decisions is doing it right to get a "prototype" for reproduction. Duluth and Rochester both have clinics, but they are retrofits This is the first "stand alone" facility. The City has submitted full architectural plans for the building. 8.Other Thermal Detector Device: Chair Zehringer passed around a thermal detector device for everyone to see which costs approximately $46. He commented this is an inexpensive way to simulate a blower door test. The device detects temperature variations of five or more degrees. Detectors be purchased for Project Conserve participants to check out from ERMU (Elk River Municipal Utilities) since 500 blower door tests may not be feasible even with 6 trained staff. The method of operation was discussed. Chair Zehringer explained that a background level is determined, then all house vents/fans are turned on to depressurize the house and draw in outside temps. He recommended using the detector on really hot or really cold days for ease of seeing the leaks. Economic Development Authority (EDA) Meeting: Commissioner Touchette stated that the EDA discussed the level of activity and involvement they would have with the Energy City Commission. He added that two things were clear from the discussion: 1) the EDA would like to utilize the Energy City Commission and 2) there needs to be a system of measurement for endeavors. Chair Zehringer discussed Project Conserve. Mayor Klinzing commented that this is another indicator that the City Council is becoming more supportive (council members sit on the EDA) of the Energy City Commission. She added that she doesn't foresee any issues on the 19~h 2 Further discussion regarding the meeting centered upon marketing ideas such as a "themed" development in the grave mining area or advertising Elk River as "energized". Economic Development Assistant, Annie Deckert will be working with Environmental Administrator Haug. Chair Zehringer commented that he is glad that Commissioner Touchette is leading the charge to move forward. Commissioner Touchette stated that it is important to continue the relationship with the City Council and be able to "tell a story" to get the word out. Environmental Administrator Haug and Chair Zehringer will be speaking at the EDAM (Economic Development Administrators of MN) conference in Brainerd. Chair Zehringer sent around the presentation for review. Business Recycling Assistance Program: Environmental Administrator Haug mentioned that there will be a Business Recycling Assistance Program Event on September 30th at Great River Energy's (GRE) conference room. Greening the Heartland Conference: Environmental Administrator Haug reported that the Greening the Heartland Conference went well. Mayor Klinzing said that there was a lot of buzz about the booth and approximately 1,000 people were there. The Energy City water bottles were an issue. They couldn't be handed out at the conference so the bottles may be able to be handed out at the 4th of July or during the Sherburne County Fair parade. Community Pride Contest: Reinventing MN is sponsoring a contest for a community wide pro~ect. The deadline is July 16th and the winners will be announced at the State Fair on August 29t .There is a $25 fee to apply. Project Conserve is a possible entry for Energy City. MOTION BY MAYOR KLINZING AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER TOUCHETTE TO APPLY FOR THE COMMUNITY PRIDE CONTEST. Discussion followed. The commissioners liked the idea. A comment was made that it would be good public relations if Energy City were named a winner since winners are announced at the State Fair. Mayor Klinzing commented that Elk River was named in Ladies' Home Journal in relation to the "Thousand Acts of Kindness". Approximately 1,400 acts of kindness were perpetrated in February. Energy Expo: Chair Zehringer stated that plans need to start for the next Energy Expo and suggested getting a subcommittee started. Feelings concerning the fast expo were discussed. The location, food, and timing worked well. A comment was made that there was a small shortage of room but the gym is available, if necessary, as well as hallways. The question of a keynote speaker was broached. Chair Zehringer commented that he thinks Don Shelby may be more available now that he's retiring. Commissioner Chuba suggested a panel. Other potential speakers include J. Drake Hamilton or someone from the Department of Commerce. Community Education will work with the Expo subcommittee again. The event will run from 10 - 3. An hour could be cut off if the speaker is earlier. Children's performances are at a bad time. Discussion followed regarding the number of people in attendance vs. at the speaker/exhibits and whether to close the exhibits for the keynote. 3 A subcommittee will include Commissioners Chuba, Setala, Zehringer, John Exner (Sherburne County), Ann Ostby (Community Education), Bob Freeh (Spectrum High School) and staff. Anyone is welcome to participate at any time. MN Greencorps: Environmental Technician Blake-Bradley announced that she will be putting in an application for 1 - 2 Greencorps people. The City applied for two people last year and was turned down but hopes to be able to have at least one person come to work in Elk River. The application is very detailed and applicants are scored on different areas depending upon the amount of experience a greencorps person could obtain. Project Conserve Phase II: Chair Zehringer commented that there are approximately 200 applicants for Project Conserve Phase II so far. The deadline is August 15t to sign up. He is hoping for approximately 700 households to participate due to expected drop out. A mailing has been done to all ERMU customers and Project Conserve pilot project participants have been recruiting friends and neighbors. Mayor Klinzing stated that she will be in this one and will continue with it even though she cannot receive anything. She added that she may recruit while doing campaign stops. Chair Zehringer stated that waste savings weren't calculated, but he noted that it is possible to save resources without going without amenities. 9. Schedule Next ECC Meeting and Identify Agenda Items The next meeting will be held July 21, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the Elk River Landfill Environmental Learning Center. It will be a special meeting so no "Other" items will be able to be discussed than what is on the agenda. Environmental Administrator Haug requested any items for the agenda to be sent a week early so that they can be added before the agenda is posted. Chair Zehringer stated that there will be a tour at the end of the meeting for those that are interested. He added that they are looking at an expansion of the facility because there is a lot of gas being "wasted" (enough for three more engines). The expansion could be through fuel cells or stirling engines if it's not done with the conventional engines in place now. 10. Adjournment MOTION BY MAYOR KLINZING AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STEINBECK TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. The meeting was adjourned at 2:31 p.m. Minutes prepared by 'eKr~lake-Bradley. i ti Tina Allard City Clgrk 0 Vance Zehrin Energy City ommissi Chair