08-17-2011 ECC MINMEETING MINUTES OF THE ELK RIVER
ENERGY CITY COMMISSION
HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL
ELK RIVER, MN
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011
Members Present: Bruce Sayler, Ryan Setterholm, John Setala, Ron Touchette, Vance Zehringer,
Stephen Rohlf, and Scott Hagen
Members Absent: Dennis Chuba, Councilman Matt Westgaard, Tim Steinbeck,
Staff Present: Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator
Nicki Blake-Bradley, Environmental Technician
Ross Pomeroy, GreenCorps, City of Elk River
Annie Deckert, Economic Development Director
Others Present: Tim Rybak, ISD 728
1. Call Meeting to Order
Chair Zehringer called the meeting to order at 8:38 a.m.
2. Consider August 17, 2011 ECC Agenda
Ms. Haug requested the addition of one item under Other to discuss Branding.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER TOUCHETTE AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
SETTERHOLM TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION
CARRIED.
3. Consider June 15. 2011 Minutes
Chair Zehringer commented that he had several changes to the minutes. Under item number 4, he
requested that the wording of the sentence be changed from "Chair Zehringer introduced Terry
Pickens, Director of Xcel Energy Nuclear Regulatory Policy who was present to discuss security
measures in Rlace and changes being made as a result of the Fukushima Daiichi reactor issues
on March 11t in Japan." to "Chair Zehringer introduced Terry Pickens, Director of Xcel Energy
Nuclear Regulatory Policy who was present to discuss security measures in place and changes
being made at the Monticello Plant as a result of the Fukushima Daiichi reactor issues on March
11th in Japan. "
Under item number 7, "Some lights are being converted to LED in City Hall. The $45 lamp fixtures
receive an $18 rebate." was changed to "Some lights are being converted to LED in City Hall. The
$45 lamp fixtures will receive at least an $18 rebate." and the second sentence was deleted.
MOTION BY COMMSSIONER SAYLER AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER SETTERHOLM
TO APPROVE THE June 15, 2011 MINUTES WITH CHANGES. ALL VOTES IN FAVOR.
COMMISSIONER ROHLF ABSTAINED. MOTION CARRIED.
4. Discussion on Citv Council meeting
Chair Zehringer distributed a response to Don Heinzman's a-mail message to him concerning
Energy City for the commission's review. Discussion followed. Chair Zehringer will amend the
message to include suggestions offered by commissioners. Discussion followed regarding having
a discussion with the City Council on September 6th to explain how budget dollars are spent, the
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Enez~n~ Ciry Commission Mivures-
_1ue*ust 17, 30ll
connection with the City's new brand, and to primarily educate the council concerning the value of
Energy City. Commissioner Setterholm offered to "word smith" information provided by Chair
Zehringer and Ms. Haug into a concise document.
5. Energy Expo Discussion
The keynote speaker will be Mike Furtman, a photographer from MN, thanks to Commissioner
Setala for setting that up. The date will be March 10, 2012 at the high school. There will be a
medallion hunt this year. A QR code has been created for the Expo. Fees have been raised to
$125 for businesses and $30 for non-profits.
The EDA may not be sponsoring this year. Mr. Pomeroy suggested a "future generations" theme.
Discussion followed regarding the River's Edge group, the prize for the winner, and a potential
contest with students.
6. Project Conserve Phase II and III Update
Mr. Pomeroy discussed the memo update that was part of the packet. There are three months left
to Project Conserve Phase II. 120 households were surveyed. For Project Conserve Phase III,
River's Edge was approached and they have formed a partnership with Energy City. The seven
businesses will be joining Project Conserve as well as advertising it.
7. Website Update
Mr. Pomeroy discussed the memo update that was part of the packet. Discussion followed
regarding keeping the domain, since keeping the number one Google rating is extremely
important with regard to marketing.
8. Other
Branding: Ms. Haug handed out a memo about the City's branding project. Brief discussion
followed.
Chair Zehringer asked for a roll call of who will be able to attend the September 6th meeting with
the City Council. Commissioners Rohlf and Setala were tentative, while commissioners Zehringer,
Sayler, Setterholm, Touchette, and Steinbeck were firm.
A comment was made that Faribault Foods has probably done more to conserve electricity than
any other business in Elk River. They are adopting High Five standards.
Ms. Deckert shared information that several businesses in town will be closing including Hardees
on Hwy 10, M&I Bank, and Simonson's. Of positive note, Pizza Ranch will be opening in October.
9. Schedule Next ECC Meeting and Identify Agenda Items
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ROHLF AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER SAYLER TO
CANCEL THE SEPTEMBER MEETING DUE TO LACK OF QUORUM. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION
CARRIED.
The September meeting will be canceled due to the September 6 Branding and City Council
meeting. The next meeting will be held October 19, 2011 at the Elk River City Hall in the Upper
Town Conference Room at 8:30 a.m. Items for the agenda include:
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Energy City Commission Minutes
August 17, 2011
Approval of August 17, 2011 Minutes
• Energy Expo
• City Council Meeting Update
10. Adjournment
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER TOUCHETTE AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
SETTERHOLM TO ADJOURN. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
Chair Zehringer adjourned the meeting at 10:08 a.m.
Minutes prepared by N' iglake-Bradley
Tina Allard
City Clerk
Vance Zehring
Energy City ommiss' n Chair