5.3. ERMUSR 03-20-2012Elk River~~
Municipal Utilities
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
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PpW E0.ED To SERE
TO: FROM:
Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Tom Sagstetter -Conservation and Key
John Dietz -Chair Accounts Manager
Daryl Thompson -Vice Chair
Al Nadeau -Trustee
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: 53
Mazch 20`h, 2012
SUBJECT:
Holida Li htin Award Pro ram
BACKGROUND:
At the Februazy 14`h Commission Meeting the concept of a Holiday lighting contest was
discussed. The Commission recommended that Staff provide comments and points of discussion
on the feasibility of a Holiday lighting contest. There was some initial discussion about which
organizations would sponsor and coordinate the event.
Points of Consideration:
1) Would the contest be open to residents of Elk River or would it be open to all
customers served by Elk River Municipal Utilities Electric? ERMU also serves
customers in Otsego, Dayton, and Big Lake Twp. If ERMU sponsors the Award
Program all customers served by ERMU should be eligible. If awazd program is open to
only customers within the City of Elk River, the City or a City Department should co-
sponsor.
2) There aze concerns of the public perception of the Electric Utility endorsing a program
that could increase the use of electricity. By mazketing the program with an emphasis on
replacing and recycling old inefficient holiday lights with new efficient LED, the
perception of increased energy sales can be reduced. Another way to decrease the
perception would be to require timers on all lighting displays.
3) The program would be considered if it did not consume a significant amount of staff
time to develop and administer. The following is a list of comments and
recommendations:
a) What ERMU and/or City Staff personnel would be involved in setting the
program up?
b) Registration could be done innumerous ways, some examples are: online
registration, email the City or ERMU, phone, in-person at the City or ERMU,
as part of an LED lighting promotion with coupons?
c) ERMU Commissioners indicated they could serve as the award evaluation
committee.
d) Prizes could be awazded for a number of categories; best use of LED, most
creative design, best yard display, and grand prize for total display.
e) Prices could be provided in the form of Chamber bucks, Utility bill credit, gift
cazds from local businesses.
f) If the prizes were to come from the Utility there could be two options for
funding: the CIP budget could provide dollars as part of LED education and
promotion or the Electric budget could be used for bill credits.