02-15-2012 ECC MIN MEETING MINUTES OF THE ELK RIVER
ENERGY CITY COMMISSION
HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL
III ELK RIVER, MN
WEDNESDAY, February 15, 2012
Members Present: John Setala, Dennis Chuba, Ryan Setterholm, Scott Hagen, Matt Westgaard, Stephen Rohlf,
and Bruce Sayler
Members Absent: Vance Zehringer,Tim Steinbeck,Tim Rybak,
Staff Present: Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator
Nicki Blake-Bradley, Environmental Technician
Rachel King, Environmental Intern
Clay Wilfahrt, Economic Development Assistant
Others Present: Tom Sagstetter, Elk River Municipal Utilities
I. Call Meeting to Order
Vice-Chair Setala called the meeting to order at 8:40 a.m.
2. Consider February 15. 2012 ECC Agenda
A request was made to add two items under"other": Student for the Business and Energy Expo and a
geothermal question from Cornerstone Auto Resource (CAR).
• MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SAYLER AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CHUBA TO
APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Consider January 18. 2012 Minutes
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER SAYLER TO
APPROVE THE JANUARY 18, 2012 MINUTES WITH NO CHANGES.ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION
CARRIED.
4. SWOT ANALYSIS
Ms. Haug stated that she would like to place action steps to the SWOT. Discussion followed that there needs
to be clarity of purpose before moving forward. Discussion turned to terms such as "green" and "sustainable"
as well as promotion versus educational information and sustainable energy use.
Further discussion of the purpose of the Energy City Commission revolved around core skills and marketing.
Councilmember Westgaard suggested engaging marketers at the City such as the Economic Development
team. Mr. Wilfahrt commented that a 15—30 second description of what Energy City is needs to be developed
for all commissioners to use. General consensus is that the Energy City Commission is a resource for the City
and Council.
• Marketing ideas were discussed including changing the website (including demonstrations from meetings),
recommendations or education concerning payback periods,regulations or alternatives, and quarterly updates
to the Star News. Councilmember Westgaard suggested that the commission advise the council of barriers to
progress by ordinance.
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Energy City Commission Minutes
February 15,2012
Discussion also included analyzing products and services for residents. A caution was given to stay to facts and
scientific evidence and to let consumers choose. •
Topics for further discussion include:
• Identify and analyze resources;
• Identify focus;
• Update Council quarterly;
• Press releases to the media; and
• Guidelines to speakers (format requirements such as having contact information at the end of the
presentation for questions).
Councilmember Westgaard summarized his thoughts that Energy City needs a) Marketing (he suggested
partnering with EDA, Chamber of Commerce, and Builders'Association) and b) to determine how to be a
more effective resource for the residents,businesses, and local government.
Councilmember Westgaard left the meeting at 10:00 a.m.
Ms. Haug commented that she has a standard presentation regarding Energy City and will distribute that if
possible to the commission before the next meeting so that it can be discussed. Mr. Wilfahrt discussed putting
together a marketing plan similar to the EDA staff plan. •
The question of"Who are we?"was answered thus: The Energy City Commission is a resource to promote
and educate about energy efficiency.
5. Other
•
Ms. Haug discussed the staff report submitted with the packet and agenda. Discussion focused upon the
Business and Energy Expo details.A solar array will power a portion of the event. Commissioner Hagen has the
sponsorship of the array taken care of at this point.A student at Elk River High School hopes to find a sponsor
for a booth to demonstrate a biodiesel project he has been working on for the last couple of years. A suggestion
was made to give this student a letter of recommendation from the Commission, as well as an Energy City High
Five award and an invitation to present to the Commission (provided he can get out of school... unless he is
asked in the summertime).
Ms. Haug invited all the commissioners to attend the Energy City Business of the Year Event whereby Faribault
Foods is being recognized as the 2011 Business of the Year for its work toward sustainability. Four executives
will be present to receive the award.
Commissioner Rohlf asked that the geothermal question be tabled until the May meeting.
6. Schedule Next ECC Meeting and Identify Agenda Items
The next meeting will be held March , 2012 at the Elk River City Hall in the Upper Town Conference Room atIll
8:30 a.m.. Items for the agenda include:
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Energy City Commission Minutes
February 15,2012
• Approval of amended December 21, 2011 minutes (Commissioner Hagen's changes) and
• February 15, 2012 Minutes
• SWOT Analysis Continuation
• Develop guidelines for speakers
• Develop standard presentation on Energy City for Unified message
• Develop marketing plan for Energy City staff
Elections for officers will be held in March.
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:33 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Nicki Blake-Bradley
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Tina Allard
City Clerk
IR if. J,,, /., J ance Zehringe
Fr
nergy City •mmissio' Chair
III