04-17-2013 ECC MIN • MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
ENERGY CITIY COMMISSION
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013
Members Present: Chair Setala,Commissioners Dennis Chuba,Bruce Sayler,Ryan Setterholm,
Tim Steinbeck,Matt Westgaard,Tim Rybak,Tom Sagstetter and Scott
Hagen
Members Absent: Steve Rohlf
Staff Present: Environmental Administrator Rebecca Haug,Economic Development
Assistant Clay Wilfarht,Economic Development Director Brian Beeman,
Planner/Park Planner Chris Leeseberg,Cable Coordinator Jacob Pace
Others Present: Philipp Muessig,MPCA MN GreenStep Cities Coordinator
1. Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof,the meeting of the Elk River Energy City
Commission was called to order at 8:33 a.m. by Chair Setala.
2. Consider April 17.2013 Energy City Commission Agenda
410 MOVED BY COMMISSIONER SAYLER AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER STEINBECK TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION
CARRIED.
3. Consider March 20.2013 Minutes
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER CHUBA AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER SAYLER TO APPROVE THE MARCH 20,2013 MINUTES.
MOTION CARRIED.
4. General Business
4.1 Presentation by Chris Leeseberg,Park Planner/Planner
Mr.Leeseberg gave an overview of the city's new website with a focus on the Energy City
section and pertinent information for the commissioners.
4.2 Presentation by Philipp Muessig,MPCA MN GreenStep Cities Coordinator
Mr. Muessig discussed the history of the MN GreenStep Cities program and informed the
commission that 54 cities in MN are participants in the program which was launched in
2010. The program is similar to Tree City USA but looks at environmental sustainability.
The program encourages civic engagement and is built around 5 categories. There are 6
partners in the program:League of MN Cities (LMC), Clean Energy Resource Team
(CERTs),Great Plains Institute,Izaak Walton League,Urban Land Institute, and Division
of Energy Resources. Within the 5 categories,there are 28 best practices. Depending on the
• size of a community determines what category it fits into. Elk River is classified as an"A"
category city and has completed enough actions to be recognized as a"Step 3" city which is
the highest level at this time. Cities can participate in the Regional Indicators Initiative for •
$1,000/year. This program will track the city for four years and utilise the B3 Benchmarking
database to see how public buildings are performing.
4.3 Presentation by Clay Wilfarht,Economic Development Assistant
Mr. Wilfarht presented on this city's Microloan Fund Policy specifically on the Energy
Efficiency Improvement Loan section. He explained that it is low interest rate loan and P.S.
Dance Studio took advantage of the loan. There are challenges with determining what
constitutes energy efficiency and that the cost of the improvements can outweigh the interest
rate. A possible solution is to make a portion of the loan forgivable. This could be done by
using the Energy City High Five scale and forgiving portions of the loan based on the level
achieved. Commissioner Chuba asked about non-profits being eligible and Mr. Wilfarht
explained that if there is job creation and it is promoting the downtown,non-profits may be
eligible. Commissioner Setterholm asked where the money comes from and the maximum
term. Mr.Wilfarht explained that the money comes from the EDA balance through a levy
and the term is a minimum of 10 yr.up to 20 yr. Chair Setala asked how the energy
efficiency will be measured and how to make a distinction between standard energy
efficiency and high energy efficiency. Commissioner Sagstetter explained that rebates vary
depending on the efficiency and the rebates buy down the initial cost. Mr.Wilfarht stated
that the program is aligned with the rebates. Mr. Sagstetter questioned where the baseline
gets set and how much loan amount can be used for build out. Commissioner Setterholm
explained that in commercial/industrial businesses the main driver is payback. Mr.Wilfarht
asked in the ECC approves of tying the loan into the entire cost. Consensus of the
commissions stated it was appropriate.
4.4 Hockey Day MN 2014 •
Ms. Haug announced that Elk River will be the host of Hockey Day MN 2014 on January
18,2014 in the Handke Stadium. This event has a lot of media coverage and may be a good
opportunity for Energy City to have a demonstration and have an electric and natural gas
vehicle displayed. The event is promoted for the entire week. Commissioner Westgaard will
keep the ECC informed of how the ECC can participate in the event.
4.5 Subcommittee Updates
• Education Subcommittee
o The Education Subcommittee met on Tuesday,April 9 via conference call
between Ms. Haug and Commissioner Setterholm. During the call, discussion
focused on partnering with the schools and determining what opportunities are
available. Commissioner Rybak indicated that the subcommittee should meet
with the principles and discuss making Energy City tour a requirement for
students for science and technology. Commissioner Rybak explained that
bussing is a major factor in where schools go. Commissioner Rybak offered to
speak with Janna about setting up a meeting with all of the principles.
• Energy Design Subcommittee
o Mr. Sagstetter and Commissioner Chuba informed the ECC that the flier in the
packet is being revised to look similar to other handouts from the city.
• Demonstration Subcommittee
o The subcommittee is meeting immediately after the ECC meeting.
Commissioner Setterholm suggested looking at the Natural Gas fueling station
in South Minneapolis as a demonstration.
• Visionary Subcommittee •
• o Chair Setala discussed the subcommittee's plan of using the city of Vancouver's
"Greenest City Action Plan"to develop goals for the city and commission. The
Energy City Plan will be presented to the city council to receive feedback.
5. Other
New Economic Development Director—Brian Beeman
Mr.Wilfarht introduced the city's new Economic Development Director,Brian Beeman.
Mr.Beeman introduced himself and discussed his previous work experience.
Number of Meetings
Councilmember Westgaard asked Ms. Haug to ask the commission if the ECC meetings
should be reduced due to the number of subcommittee meetings. The consensus of the
ECC is that the subcommittee meetings are getting close to the point where they could be
every other month but the ECC meetings should remain monthly.
6. Schedule Next ECC Meeting and Identify Agenda Items
The next meeting will be held May 15,2013 at the Elk River City Hall in the Upper Town
Conference Room at 8:30 a.m. Items for the agenda include:
• Approval of the April 17,2013 Minutes
• Presentations by Connexus,Elk River Municipal Utilities and Centerpoint
Energy
• Subcommittee Updates
1111 7. Adjournment
There being no further business,Chair Setala adjourned the meeting of the Elk River Energy
City Commission at 10:33 a.m.
Minutes Prepared by Rebecca Haug.
r
ohn Setala, Chair
Tina Allard,City Clerk
•