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06-20-2012 ECC MIN • MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER ENERGY CITIY COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY,JUNE 20, 2012 Members Present: Chair Setala,Commissioners Dennis Chuba,Scott Hagen,Tim Rybak and Matt Westgaard. Members Absent: Tim Steinbeck,Bruce Sayler,Stephen Rohlf,Vance Zehringer,Ryan Setterholm Staff Present: Environmental Administrator Rebecca Haug,Assistant Director of Economic Development Clay Wilfahrt,Environmental Intern Rachael King;Building Official Bob Ruprecht;City Administrator Cal Portner and Tom Sagsetter,ERMU Also Present: Josh Wolf Due to lack of a quorum,the ECC meeting was not opened at this time. 4.1 Presentation by Josh Wolf Josh Wolf,student at Elk River High School,gave a presentation regarding his algae diesel • bio-fuel project. He discussed his experiments and findings and answered questions raised by those present. The Commission expressed their thanks to Josh for sharing his information with them. 4.2 EDA Presentation Clay Wilfahrt gave a PowerPoint presentation which explained what the Economic Development does. He noted that their focus is on a vision for the future of the City of Elk River. Clay discussed the current activities of the Economic Development division including:working with potential businesses,business retention, financial assistance, maximizing efficiency,the Northstar commuter rail,marketing/promotion of the brand, Nature's Edge Business Center development, the Main Street parking plaza,and upcoming CDI expansion. Mr.Wilfahrt stated that their most common questions relate to more sit-down restaurants, and relocation of the Target store to Otsego. Commissioner Chuba stated that the Arts Affiance is frustrated with their treatment by the city. He stated that the directors do not feel welcomed by the city. Mr.Wilfahrt stated that staff would be happy to sit down with them and discuss the matter. 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 9:27 a.m. by Chair Setala. • 2. Consider June 20,2012,Energy City Commission Agenda Energy City Commission Minutes Page 2 June 20,2012 MOVED BY COMMISSIONER HAGEN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RYBAK TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 3. Minutes of May 16. 2012 Energy City Meeting MOVED BY COMMISSIONER HAGEN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WESTGAARD TO APPROVE THE MAY 16,2012 ECC MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 4.3 Guest Speaker Invite&Demonstration Criteria Discussion Ms. Haug noted that the July ECC meeting is cancelled. Mr.Wilfahrt will contact Tescom regarding a speaker for the August meeting. Ms. Haug noted that Steve Rohlf is assigned to find a speaker for the September meeting. He is attempting to engage Tom Cruz to talk about hydropower. Ms.Haug stated that the criteria for speakers were provided to Josh Wolf in email format. The criteria include a 20—30 minute presentation,a 10-minute Q&A period,and no sales pitch. Josh was asked to sign a data release form for video-taping,which also needed to be signed by Josh's parents,since he is underage. Ms. Haug stated that the criteria for speakers will be placed on the ECC website. Ms.Haug stated that she has tried to contact Cymbet Corporation for a speaker, but has not been successful to date. Chair Setala explained that Cymbet has technology for capturing energy from movement to provide power sources for small units such as cell phones. Ms. Haug stated she will continue to try to contact them for the October meeting. Chair Setala asked for ideas for speakers for the November or December meetings. Commissioner Westgaard stated he would contact John Curtis of Hydro-Smart to see if he was interested in giving a presentation. Ms. Haug stated that if Hydro-Smart didn't work out, she would contact Spectrum High School. Commissioner Rybak will check at the high school to see if there were any other students with energy-related projects the Commission would be interested in hearing about. Ms. Haug will email the speaker criteria to the Commissioners. 4.4 Energy City Budget and Website Ms. Haug distributed the Energy City Budget dated May 24,2012. She provided clarification on these items which impact the budget: Project Conserve, the Energy Expo,and website. Ms. Haug explained that the staff website person now has time to update the website. She asked that the Commissioners submit a brief bio about their job and how their business fits in with Energy City. She stated that staff may be taking pictures of the Commission for the website, as well. She stated that staff will be working on less text,more pictures, and adding links. Ms. Haug stated that the website should be ready to look at some time in July. She noted that the Commissioners can discuss what needs to be added or taken off the website • at the August meeting. Energy City Commission Minutes Page 3 June 20,2012 • Mr.Wilfarht explained that they will be shifting navigation ease more toward the"lay person". Staff feels that much of the information on the website may be too technical for the average citizen and some of the links are outdated. Staff's goal is to make it more personable, friendly and accessible. Mr.Wilfarht stated that Jennifer Johnson will be working on the website in the next couple of weeks. Ms. Haug asked that the bios be sent to her within the week. Mr.Wilfarht asked that the Commissioners let staff know if they notice anything on the website that needs to be added or removed. He noted that videos of the presentations will be included. Ms. Haug noted that the tour page on the ECC website is very vague and needs to be updated. She stated that more information needs to be obtained from potential tour groups in order to better serve their goals and objectives. Ms. Haug noted that the City Council has approved Rachael King's to be hired as a temporary seasonal employee through December, 2012, so Rachael will be updating the application form for demonstration sites. Discussion followed regarding the need for new demonstration sites.Commissioner Hagen felt the focus should be on energy renewal,job creation and energy efficiency. Ms. Haug stated that she was contacted by the Department if State's International Visitor Leadership Program,Minnesota representative regarding tours. She was informed that Elk River has a good reputation in Washington D.C. for showcasing energy technologies. Commissioner Hagen asked if there has been any type of survey for feedback on past tours, and are those people coming back? He stated he would like to know what the groups are • telling us,and whether or not they enjoyed their tour. Ms. Haug responded that generally Vance Zehringer did the tours and she was not aware of any survey. She noted that she accompanied a group from Poland,and they were impressed that such a small community had so many partnerships with local businesses in energy. Commissioner Hagen stated he would like to know what we do that impresses them to come. He suggested including photos of tours on the website. Ms.Haug noted that there is a visitor's log at the power generating site at the landfill,and she could check whether or not the same people are coming back. Commissioner Hagen stated that the ECC should know why other countries want to come here and what they are interested in. Ms. Haug stated that that staff will accompany the tour group from Germany to first visit Great River Energy's facilities;then have lunch at Pizza Ranch; see the wind generator site, the landfill and the Haubenschild farm. Ms. Haug stated that the Commission has talked about having a subcommittee research more demonstration sites. Chair Setala stated that the Commission talked about having a writer for the website,but felt they should hold off on that idea for now. He suggested an intro and have"more" button for more technical information. Ms. Haug noted that the Mission statement will be on top of the webpage. 4.4 Project Conserve Phase IV Discussion Ms. Haug stated that they will be revamping Project Conserve and gearing it more towards low income. The energy audits are limited based on staff time. She explained that they will • no longer be having the workshops due to low attendance. She stated staff will focus more on providing information in monthly newsletters. Energy City Commission Minutes Page 4 June 20,2012 Commissioner Chuba questioned why the EDA is trying to attract data centers, since they • are larger users of power. Chair Setala stated that even though they are concerned about power,the Commission is interested in efficiency of power. Ms. Haug stated that in going through the department's archives,Rachael found a demonstration site criteria sheet that was created when they first started doing tours. She suggested that when a subcommittee is formed,they could go through the sheet and bring it up to date. 5. Other Business Ms. Haug noted that the Business Recycling Event is scheduled for August 22nd from 11:30 a.m.—1 p.m. The theme will be smart irrigation systems. Chair Setala asked if the city is looking at rain gardens. Ms. Haug stated yes,noting that there are several on city property. Chair Setala asked if rain gardens are something that residents can do themselves. Ms. Haug stated that she went over this topic with the residents at the last Project Conserve meeting. 6. August 17 Meeting Agenda Items (July 18 Meeting Cancelled) Items for the August 17 agenda include: • Approval of the June 20, 2012 Minutes • Feedback on website update • Presentation by Tescom representative • Updates to Website 41111 • Project Conserve Update 7. Adjournment There being no further business,Chair Setala adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City Council at 10:00 a.m. Minutes Prepared by Debbie Huebner. ohn Seta :, 'hair Or Tina Allard,City Clerk •