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09-16-2009 ECCMINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER ENERGY CITY COMMISSION HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL ELK RIVER, MN WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2009 Members Present: Vance Zehringer, Denny Chuba, Scott Hagen, Jeff Vassar, ,Ron Touchette, Susie Overholser, Bruce Sayler, and Mayor Stephanie Klinzing, Members Absent: Stephen Rohlf, Martin Gagliardi, and John Setala Staff Present: Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator Nicola (Nicki) Blake-Bradley, Environmental Technician Others Present: Kelly Chase for Todd Berreman Randy Anderson, School District 728 The regular meeting of the Energy City Commission was called to order by Chair Zehringer at 1:32 p.m. Prior to beginning the agenda items, introductions were made and Mr. Anderson was welcomed to the meeting as the representative for the School District. 1. Consider September 16. 2009 ECC Agenda No additions or changes were requested regarding the agenda. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CHUBA AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER OVERHOLSER TO APPROVE THE AGENDA WITHOUT CHANGES. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. 2. Consider August 19, 2009 ECC Minutes No changes were requested regarding the minutes. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CHUBA AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER OVERHOLSER TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. 3. Proiect Conserve Update The next meetings will be held on September 24th and 26th at City Hall. The participants were surveyed (data will be supplied at a later meeting). All that have responded will continue with the program through another heating season since the data from the first one is not complete. Blower door tests were done much later than anticipated originally. Chair Zehringer explained that Project Conserve will be the format for ERMU's efforts at the mandated energy savings. The goal is to have 500 households involved in reduction efforts and to save approximately $1.2 million in energy costs. Environmental Administrator Haug stated that the City Council supports this program and has budgeted funds to continue with Project Conserve. . 2010 Energy Expo Update The date has been set for February 27, 2010 from 11 - 3 at the Elk River High School. Will Steger (keynote) speaking at 11 a.m. in Zabee Theater. Talk at the subcommittee level is that children's activities will be going on at the same time Will is speaking since his talk will likely Confuse many children. There may be demonstrators protesting the Expo, so the Police Department will be asked for assistance. The school has nothing else going on that day so the gym will be available if there are more vendors/exhibitors interested than will fit in the entry areas. The School will just have to be informed so they can lay the floor protector down ahead of time. Spectrum High School still wants to be part of the Expo. One student has already started on a film. Environmental Administrator Haug wants to involve Meadowvale School since the principal is a Project Conserve participant. Carnival games will be used, as well as the potential for watershed or groundwater models from the MPCA. A RAM rain barrel or compost bin sale may be part of the event with pick up scheduled for the Clean up Day/week in the Spring. 5. Elk River Landfill &RRT The Landfill staff met with the City Council on September 14~h and will come back for a final decision on September 21. It is difficult to project which way the decision will go. Commissioner Vassar stated that the meeting is a public hearing so he encouraged the Energy City Commission to go and give comment as individuals. Environmental Administrator Haug commented that four votes are needed for a comprehensive plan amendment. If the amendment passes, then the landfill will apply for a CUP (conditional use permit) and license through the City, County, and State. If the amendment does not go through, the projected closure is in 2012. Commissioner Vassar stated that Landfill staff are putting all their energy toward the amendment, but added that a transfer station might be discussed. Discussion of the landfill gas production followed. The expanded facility has been changed to a 6 engine plant rather than an 8 engine plant. Mayor Klinzing entered at 1:50 p.m. Regarding RRT: GRE has a letter of intent to purchase the Elk River facility. They need a guaranteed amount of 335 tons to purchase the facility. There have been considerable layoffs due to the reduced volume. GRE is looking at burning alternative fuels. They can burn 100 tons/day of tires (due to emissions controls), and biomass is the other potential alternative material. GRE could close if RRT closes. This is because GRE wouldn't retrofit the facility to burn coal. The District Heat concept would go away. If GRE stays open, with the District Heating concept in place, there would be a 20 year contract put in place. 6. Biofuels Chair Zehringer discussed the state of biofuels in the country through a power point presentation. His presentation focused upon the technology, policy, and issues regarding biofuels. His opinion is that there are good things happening and supplied hand outs to the commissioners supporting his statements. A company called Ever Cat is partnering with Sartec on biofuels from algae. There will be a grand opening on September 28~h and all commissioners are invited to attend. 2 Environmental Administrator Haug stated that two companies have approached Elk River regarding starting up in the City, so Energy City may see new development regarding this technology in the future. Wind Turbine Ordinance Staff reviewed the draft ordinance and recommended approval. The Energy City Commission was asked to provide comments and a recommendation to the City Council regarding the ordinance. Mayor Klinzing stated that the goal is to allow wind turbines in proper locations. The City does not want to be too restrictive, yet location is important. The City Council is fine with the ordinance so far. The following comments or questions were raised during the discussion: • Will there be conditions placed upon residents who desire wind turbines on their properties to ensure that neighbors agree to the placement? • Questions regarding definitions of turbine parts and heights or diameters were raised. A detailed definition page was recommended. • A recommendation was made that language needs to be consistent. • A question was raised regarding how the turbines would be measured... to the tower height or to the tip of the blade, for example. • A concern was raised that the ordinance may be too restrictive because turbines would not be allowed on smaller properties (such as 1 - 4.9 acres). Types of turbines were discussed for smaller properties (non-utility scale turbines). A suggestion was made to allow a 60' or less turbine tower on lots greater than one acre with a conditional use permit (CUP). Discussion followed regarding energy produced by a turbine and the grid system. Commissioner Chuba and Chair Zehringer will provide comments to Nicki by noon Thursday for the staff memo. Mr. Anderson recommended getting information from Northfield concerning their wind towers. 8. Other Mayor Klinzing discussed the situation regarding the CBOC (Community Based Outpatient Clinic). The deadline for proposals was September 15th and several local developers are putting in proposals. The County was unable to submit a proposal because the possible location was limited to being east of Proctor Avenue. The developer will talk with the ECC if it's to be built within Elk River. Mayor Klinzing would like it to be LEED certified and the first LEED certified Veteran's Clinic. A question was raised regarding whether the VA is willing to invest the funds necessary for LEED certification ($50,000 - $100,000). Mayor Klinzing was not sure. She added that the City is offering land and is open to getting it, but there is a LOT of competition for the clinic. Chair Zehringer asked what the ECC can do to help. Mayor Klinzing commented the ECC may need to "police" the construction if it does come here. Landfill abatement funds have been offered as an incentive as well. It could take months (if not years) to decide upon the location of the CBOC. This is an item that will be placed on the next agenda. Environmental Administrator Haug stated the kick off date for the Northstar Commuter rail will be November 14th from 10:30 - 2:00 p.m. Ms. Chase commented that she brought hot water heater cards for the Project Consefve participants and gave them to Environmental Administrator Haug. e. The next meeting will be held October 14th at City Hall in the Uppertown Conference Room. The expo subcommittee will meet at 12:30 p.m. in the Uppertown Conference Room prior to the meeting. 10. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 2:44 p.m. for afollow-up tour of Metal Craft's new building. Minutes prepared by Nicola lake-Bradley. 7 ~. ~_ / ~% L[- S,~ Tina Allard City Clerk f b Vance Zehrin r Energy Cit ommiss' n Chair 4