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04-20-2011 ECC MINMEETING MINUTES OF THE ELK RIVER ENERGY CITY COMMISSION HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL ELK RIVER, MN WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2011 Members Present: Bruce Sayler, Dennis Chuba, John Setala, Vance Zehringer, Tim Steinbeck, Scott Hagen, Ron Touchette, Stephen Rohlf, and Councilman Matt Westgaard Members Absent: Ryan Setterholm and Susie Overholser Staff Present: Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator Nicki Blake-Bradley, Environmental Technician Ross Pomeroy, GreenCorps, City of Elk River Annie Deckert, Marketing and Business Development Administrator Tim Simon, Finance Director Mark Thompson, Elk River Public Works Cathy Mehelich, Economic Development Director Others Present: Pam Anderson, 292 Design Group Scott Rudie, Nelson-Rudie & Associates Tim Rybak, Elk River Schools 1. Call Meeting to Order Chair Zehringer called the meeting to order at 1:34 p.m. 2. Consider Aaril 20, 2011 ECC Agenda The following items were added to the agenda: 9a. Letter of Support for Greencorps Intern MOTION TO APPROVE APRIL 20, 2011 AGENDA WITH ONE ADDITION BY COMMISSIONER SAYLER AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CHUBA. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. Consider March 16. 2011 Minutes Chair Zehringer commented that he had several changes under item number 6c (Energy Efficient Improvement Programs - YAC lighting projects). He requested the sentence "He continued that the metal halogen is the most current technology available and will provided higher energy efficiency." be changed to reflect "He continued that the metal halide is the most current technology available in this application." MOTION BY COMMSSIONER CHUBA AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER SETALA TO APPROVE THE MARCH 16, 2011 MINUTES WITH CHANGES. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. 4. rrv~na rwuny - rain ru ~uC~av~~ gnu ~c~u rtuu~e Pam Anderson and Scott Rudie were present to seek input from the Energy City Commission any discuss the master plan for the Public Works Facility. It is uncertain yet whether the plan will involve retrofitting and an addition to the existing building or whether an entirely new facility will be built (while keeping the cold storage building and the current Public Works building). A new facility would be built to the south side of the lot (if that is the final decision) due to wetland encroachment Page 2 Hneigp Cin~ Commission 'bfinures .~pril 3Q 301 ] in the other directions. The building is intended to provide offices for both Public Works and Parks Maintenance staff as well as the repair garage and garage spaces for Parks equipment storage. The current Public Works building is not large enough for all the offices and equipment and has a "hodge podge" of heating systems, making it less efficient. The various heating systems in place were discussed along with the pros and cons of each. Geothermal heating was discussed as well. Day-Lighting and other fixtures were discussed. Use of photovoltaics (solar) was considered. Discussion followed regarding economics versus retrofitting. CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs) versus LED (Light Emitting Diode) applications were discussed. Chair Zehringer demonstrated the difference between a T-5 fluorescent light and a similar LED light while discussing energy usage. Councilmember Westgaard questioned whether any commissioners have experience or knowledge of overhead doors versus bi-fold doors or roof space needs. Commissioner Chuba discussed barjoists and recommended the roof be engineered for solar panels. White roofs were discussed as well. Commissioner Sayler commented that Connexus has a number of bi-fold doors and invited the commission to visit. Commissioner Touchette requested a list of opportunities from Ms. Anderson and Mr. Rudie for discussion. Chair Zehringer would like an open dialog with the designers before the final decisions are made. 5. EDA's Proposed Energv Efficiency Loan Program Cathy Mehelich was present to discuss the Economic Development Authority's (EDA) proposed energy efficiency revolving loan program as detailed in the draft attached to the packet. The EDA has authorized the programs developed by staff. Grants have been applied for that would be loaned out on a rotation. The Utilities Commission has reviewed and offered comments. This program would be available to owners of buildings (not tenants) for industrial and commercial buildings only for up to $74,999 at 4% fixed rate for up to five years (special circumstances may allow a 10year re-payment). Discussion followed regarding review, type of construction (new vs. remodel) and risk assessment. Any further comments or questions should be directed to Ms. Mehelich or Rebecca Haug via a-mail. 6. Energv Expo Discussion Ross discussed the results memo that was supplied with the packet. A survey was passed out to the participants at the door. 51 % of the respondents lived outside Elk River and were new to the Expo. 78.7% were aware that Elk River is Energy City. Approximately 600 people attended. Unfortunately, Ron Schara was not a large draw. Chair Zehringer noted that cities like Coon Rapids are starting to hold events like the Energy Expo. On April 30th they will have Don Shelby speak. Ramsey and Brooklyn Park are also following suit. With other Cities taking up the charge, and based upon logistics, Chair Zehringer questioned whether the Energy Expo should continue. Ms. Haug commented that the ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) representatives had an overwhelmingly positive experience with the kids and families that attended. Discussion followed Page 3 Enugp Citv Commission'.~Iinutes April 20, 2011 regarding using the Parks and Recreation Program Guide and/or Constant Contact to get the word out to larger audiences. A suggestion was made to "keep it fresh" or a program will die out. Chair Zehringer commented that he is not a fan of partnering with the Business Expo because he feels the purpose of the Energy Expo would be diluted. Commissioner Sayler questioned whether there is a "drop-dead date". For a decision about whether to hold next year's event, Ms. Haug stated that it should be made soon. Chair Zehringer stated that the decision should be made at the next meeting. Commissioner Touchette suggested thinking about offering the Expo every other year. 7. Phase II 8~ Phase III Proiect Conserve Phase II is at the half way mark and 104 residences were audited. A total of 33,248 Kilowatt hours were saved for an average of 6% savings on electricity and 1,000 therms of natural gas for an average of 2.1 % savings in the first five months of the project. Water use increased over 5% overall but the percentage of people saving water was greater than those who increased water consumption. Project Conserve Phase II has some very dedicated participants. 10% of the participants have already saved over 20% on electricity, 9% have saved over 20% on water, and 9% have saved over 10% on natural gas (all in the first five months) for a total average savings of $110 each. Chair Zehringer expressed disappointment that the percentages were not higher but conceded the fact that Phase I did not look at results until the end of the project timeline. There is still time for participants to increase savings. A question was raised as to whether the data was corrected for heating and cooling degree days. The data was corrected for heating and cooling degree days. The final workshops will be held in September. Phase III is moving ahead and will target apartment dwellers and commercial buildings. A comment was made that the auditors are not currently trained for commercial energy audits at this time. 8. Ordinance Amendments Ms. Haug commented that there has been discussion in the past toward changing the structure of the ordinance due to having a smaller group. Changes centered on possibly changing term limits to stagger times as well as increasing detail on the purpose of the Energy City Commission. Commissioner Rohlf raised a question about requirements for being a commissioner. Ms. Haug stated that the verbiage states that it would be open to people who would be able to further the purpose of the Energy City Commission, which is defined in the ordinance as well. Commissioner Touchette praised the verbiage and added that he would like to keep the number of commissioners between 7 - 15 people. Commission Setala commented that with a larger group, it is harder to reach a quorum. Chair Zehringer commented that he supports verbiage "up to" with regard to the number of commissioners allowed. Page 4 Enexgv Ciq~ Commission '_~finuces ~pnl 2Q 2011 Ms. Haug added that the ordinance does not stipulate a time so the meeting time could be changed. Discussion followed concerning holding the meeting at 8:30 a.m. rather than in the evening. MOTION TO ADOPT THE REVISED ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS AS DISCUSSED AND WRITTEN BY COMMISSIONER SETALA AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER SAYLER. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. MOTION TO CHANGE THE TIME OF THE MEETING TO 8:30 A.M. WHILE KEEPING THE FREQUENCY THE SAME BY COMMISSIONER TOUCHETTE AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STEINBECK. MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL BUT COMMISSIONER CHUBA VOTING AYE (COMMISSIONER CHUBA VOTED NAY). Ms. Haug will send an updated a-mail that the next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on May 18, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. in the Uppertown Conference Room. Nuclear Energy Discussion Chair Zehringer stated that he presented to classes at St. Cloud State University as a proponent of nuclear energy. Because the Monticello Excel nuclear power plant is the same type of reactor as the Fukushima reactors in Japan, he suggested inviting a speaker from Xcel to address the issue of security at that plant. He followed by showing and discussing the power point presentation of his information to the Energy City Commission. Discussion of increasing prices followed. 9a. Letter of Suuport for GreenCorps Member Ms. Haug referred to the application for a GreenCorps member, which has been so well filled by S. Ross Pomeroy, and asked for support through a letter from the commission to request a second GreenCorps member to carry on the work with Project Conserve Phase III. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER STEINBECK AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER SAYLER TO HAVE CHAIR ZEHRINGER SIGN A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR A GREENCORP MEMBER IN THE 2011-2012 SESSION. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. 10. Schedule Next ECC Meeting IMav 181 and Identify Agenda Items The next meeting will be held May 18, 2011 at the Elk River City Hall in the Upper Town Conference Room at 8:30 a.m. Items for the agenda include: • Wind Turbine Ordinance Approval of April 20, 2010 Minutes 11. Adjournment Since there were no further topics for discussion, Chair Zehringer adjourned the meeting at 3:37 p. m. Minutes prepared by Nicki B e-Bradley ,~ ~- Page 5 Eneig}' City Commission Minutes April ?Q ?0] 1 Tina Allard City Clerk Vance Zehring Energy City ommiss n Chair