Loading...
05-18-2011 ECC MINMEETING MINUTES OF THE ELK RIVER ENERGY CITY COMMISSION HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL ELK RIVER, MN WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2011 Members Present: Ron Touchette, Ryan Setterholm. John Setala, Vance Zehringer, Councilman Matt Westgaard, Stephen Rohlf and Dennis Chuba Members Absent: Bruce Sayler, Tim Steinbeck and Scott Hagen Staff Present: Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator Nicki Blake-Bradley, Environmental Technician Ross Pomeroy, GreenCorps, City of Elk River Annie Deckert, Economic Development Director Bob Ruprecht, Building Official Denny Anderson, Building Inspector Others Present: Adam Frieberg, ERMU Tim Rybak, Elk River School District 728 Richard Wagner, ERMU Michael Price, ERMU 1. Call Meeting to Order Chair Zehringer called the meeting to order at 8:33 a.m. He informed the commissioner that due to an unforeseen rule concern open meetings, the change in meeting time must be approved by the City Council so this meeting will be considered a special meeting. 2. Consider Mav 18. 2011 ECC Agenda Due to special meeting status, there can be no additions to the agenda. 3. Consider Mav 18. 2011 Minutes Chair Zehringer commented he had several changes to the minutes. Under item number 7, he requested that the word "studied" be changed to "audited" so that the sentence reads "Phase II is at the halfway mark and 104 residences were audited". Under item number 9, he requested that the minutes be changed to reflect the following: "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..." MOTION BY COMMSSIONER ROHLF AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER SETTERHOLM TO APPROVE THE APRIL 20, 2011 MINUTES WITH CHANGES. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. 4. Monticello Nuclear Power Plant Presentation Chair Zehringer stated that he contacted Xcel Energy for a speaker about the nuclear power plant and they had planned to send someone but the speaker has not arrived yet. He proposed moving on to the next agenda item. 5. Energv Expo Discussion Ross discussed his memo that was included in the packet and the various questions he posed. Commissioner Setterholm commented that the home and garden show was a conflict for many Page 2 Energy Gty Commission Minutes May 18, 2011 people. Ms. Haug discussed the dates of past expos and commented that a different time of year might help. Commissioner Chuba commented that Senator Klobuchar would be a good choice but noted that politicians (due to their sessions) are notorious for not making their speaking engagements. The question of why people are not coming back was discussed. Commissioner Touchette commented that there is a real need for educational home shows and felt that continuity might be lost if the Commission gives up on the Energy Expo. Ms. Haug commented that the partnership with ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) and Community Ed was good. She added that the keynote speaker needs to be a big draw and added her concern about losing momentum that has been gained. Councilmember Westgaard added his thoughts that the Expo should be done this year with a survey of everyone. He recommended that the Commission highlight what is new and different to avoid the "been there, done that" thoughts that residents may have. He also questioned whether it might be a good idea to partner with different cities to make it more regional. Commissioner Rohlf commented that Energy City was originally defined as the school district so it has always been regional. Commissioner Setterholm referred to the Energy City Commission's purpose of engaging discussion. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CHUBA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER TOUCHETTE TO CONTINUE THE ENERGY EXPO. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. Chair Zehringer took a moment to check on the speaker from Xcel Energy. He noted that there was a time mix up according to Pat Thompson. Mr. Thompson lined up Terry Pickens to speak to the commission and Mr. Pickens went to the Energy City website to see when the meetings are held. The time change has not been noted yet on the website. Mr. Pickens will attend the next meeting. Those building inspectors and ERMU energy auditors in attendance left the meeting at this time. 6. Phase II & Phase III Proiect Conserve The staff update memo put together by Ross was referenced for information regarding Phase II and III of Project Conserve. Chair Zehringer and Ms. Deckert will be meeting with apartment building owners tomorrow to discuss the program. In reaching out the commercial sector, the idea is to officially add what Mr. Zehringer does regarding his consulting work for Elk River Municipal Utilities. Ms. Haug commented that additional training is being considered for the energy auditors. They are all excited to learn more. Commissioner Chuba questioned how the Utilities makes money when they are encouraging reduction and conservation. Chair Zehringer discussed the CIP (Conservation Improvement Program) and supply versus demand theories. He noted that LP companies do not have to meet the conservation goals established for other state energy utilities. Commissioner Setterholm noted that most programs come out of California and discussed calculations. The goal is really to have residents use energy more efficiently. Page 3 Energy City Commission Minutes May is, zou 7. Energv Citv Business Education Event The third event in our series is scheduled for June 1 from 11:30 - 1:00 p.m. at the Elk River Library with a free lunch. Ms. Deckert passed out the flyer she drew up and commented that lunch time has been determined to be a better time (rather than early morning). She discussed the agenda. Utilities representatives, Vance Zehringer (ERMU), Ryan Setterholm (CenterPoint Energy) and Brian Burandt (Connexus) will be on a panel to discuss their respective rebate programs. Chair Zehringer questioned whether Wright-Hennepin should be invited. A comment was made that they would not qualify for financing. Ms. Haug stated that perhaps they could be invited to another event but it is too late for this one. Commissioner Setala recommended getting in touch with Sonja Bogart. Ms. Deckert discussed the financing program following a question about what it would cover. Commissioner Touchette recommended adding commercial property owners and commercial real estate people to the list of who should attend on the flyer. 8. Energv Citv High Five Program Ross discussed the Energy City High Five Program sent out to commissioners via a-mail. He also distributed a sample of the program which lists 35 eco-friendly actions businesses can take and be recognized for by the Energy City Commission. Ross acknowledged and thanked Great River Energy for making recommendations and helping proof the program draft. He requested that the Commissioners review and give him any comments by June 1St when it will be rolled out to the community at the Business Education Series Event. Ross added that the Energy City High Fives has three levels. The business which makes the most progress or has implemented the most actions will be named the High Five Business of the Year. Ms. Deckert added that this will be great tool when coupled with the microloan program through the Economic Development Authority. Ross did a great job on this project. Commissioner Touchette questioned whether it will be sent out again when it is final. Ross confirmed it will. 9. Website Update Discussion Ms. Haug referred to the staff update memo from Ross and commented that there is a desperate need for an upgrade to the website. The website has been updated in the past but not upgraded with new software. Currently, staff cannot do updates and the web master charges $85 per hour so staff has traditionally waited until there have been a number of changes to make rather than requesting one here or there to minimize costs. It would cost approximately $1200 to switch to Wordpress so that staff can make changes. Ms. Deckert offered to check into firms. Ross has been working on a new outline for the website. Commissioner Chuba suggested getting U-Tube capability. Councilmember Westgaard asked whether the $1200 would include a "facelift" for the website and asked about payback period. It would include the facelift, changeover and staff training. Commissioner Touchette raised a concern regarding the visioning and branding project going on regarding the City Council and Economic Development Authority. Ms. Deckert commented it may be beneficial to hold off until branding work is done. Ross commented that he would like to have all the Energy City High 5's on line. Annie commented on the City's website being a location to host the High 5's initially. Discussion followed regarding researching other options and staff "shopping around". Page 4 Energy Gty Connnission Minu[es May 18, 2011 MOTION BY COMMISSIONER TOUCHETTE FOR UP TO $1500 TO BE SPENT FOR STAFF TC UPGRADE THE WEBSITE INCORPORATING THE HIGH FIVE COMPONENTS AND THINGS FROM THE VISIONING AN DBRANDING AS THEY COME IN AT THEIR DISCRETION WITH THE FIRM THAT MAKES THE MOST SENSE TO MEET THE GOAL OF CONTINUITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND ABILITY TO ALLOW STAFF TO MAKE CHANGES AS REQUIRED. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SETALA. Discussion followed regarding the amount Commissioner Touchette stated in the motion. He clarified that his understanding is that the changes could cost more and wanted to give staff the latitude to spend slightly more as long as it is within the budget. Ms. Haug stated that there is enough in the budget and added that staff will make every effort to be as frugal as possible while attaining a good end product. Chair Zehringer then brought the motion to a vote. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 10. Schedule Next ELL MeetlnQ (JUne ,~- ana ~arnuiv M4cnua ~«~~~~ The next meeting will be held June 15, 2011 at the Elk River City Hall in the Upper Town Conference Room at 8:30 a.m. Items for the agenda include: • Approval of May 18, 2011 Minutes Website update Excel Energy Nuclear Plant Speaker • City Council Updates • Business Education Event Update 11. Adjournment Since there were no further topics for discussion, Chair Zehringer adjourned the meeting at 9:25 a.m. Minut prep y icki Blake-Bradley Tina Allard City Clerk s ance Ze nger Energy y Co fission Chair