Loading...
08-15-2012 ECC MIN • MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER ENERGY CITIY COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012 Members Present: Chair Setterholm,Commissioners Dennis Chuba,John Setala,Matt Westgaard Members Absent: Scott Hagen,Stephen Rohlf,Tim Rybak,Bruce Sayler and Tim Steinbeck Staff Present Environmental Administrator Rebecca Haug,Intern Rachel King,Assistant Director of Economic Development Clay Wilfahrt,Tom Sagstetter of Elk River Municipal Utilities,Recording Secretary Debbie Huebner Due to lack of a quorum,the ECC meeting was not opened at this time. 4.1 Update on PS Dance Energy Efficient Microloan Ms. Haug stated that John Setala attended the EDA Finance Committee meeting to review the PS Dance micro loan. She explained that the grant is for energy efficient lighting. Mr. Sagstetter of ERMU explained that the energy efficient improvement consists of changing the lighting from T12's to T8's. He stated that there were not a lot of opportunities for other energy efficient improvements,due to the significant costs the applicant is incurring for the interior build-out. • Commissioner Zehringer questioned why the EDA would give an energy efficiency microloan just for going from T12's to T8's. Clay Wilfahrt explained that the language in the guidelines is open for interpretation,and could be changed to be more specific if the ECC desired. Further discussion followed regarding the purpose of the loan program. Commissioner Westgaard suggested a larger micro loan program could be made available. Ms. Haug stated that she has discussed expanding the program with ED Director Annie Deckert. Mr. Sagstetter stated that the loan application meets the qualifying criteria for the rebate from the utilities. He stated he also would have liked to see more in terms of energy efficiency applications,but this is just a small business. He noted that the applicant will be installing motion detector lighting. The suggestion was made to provide education on how to operate smart thermostats, motion detector lighting,and computer energy settings at future business events. 4.2 Energy Awareness Week Discussion Ms. Haug stated that Energy Awareness Week will tie in with ERMU's celebration of 10 years of operation at the Elk River Landfill for the methane gas power. She stated a proclamation resolution on Energy Awareness will be considered by the City Council on October 8th. Commissioner Setala suggested having an energy project placed in downtown • businesses that relates to the business. Energy City Commission Minutes Page 2 August 15,2012 Commissioner Westgaard asked if Energy City will still have a booth at the business expo. • Ms.Haug stated yes. Commissioner Chuba suggested a contest for designing a solar collector for a space heater. Commissioner Zehringer suggested a city-wide demonstration for alternative energy efficiency. Mr.Wilfahrt stated that Energy City could sponsor an event,and prizes could be awarded using brand implementation dollars. Mr.Wilfahrt stated he liked the idea of exhibiting at the businesses. Ms. Haug stated that a prize could be awarded to the business as well as the exhibitor. She noted that they still participate in the Twin Lakes Elementary School science fair. She explained the difficulty getting into the schools,but that she will be having a meeting with Spectrum School. Ms. Haug stated that for this year,Energy City will "piggy-back" on ERMU's 10th anniversary at the Landfill,and next year staff will be able to do additional planning for Energy Awareness Week. Further discussion followed regarding a contest and having exhibits in businesses;education for single-sort recycling;the establishment of"energy week"in October; and,advertising options for Energy City such as cable television Channel 12,Facebook,Twitter, the Current, and ads at the movie theater. 4.3 Demonstration Criteria Discussion Ms. Haug asked the Commissioners to think about what the criteria should be for a site to qualify as an energy demonstration site. She asked that comments be submitted for next month's packet. Commissioner Zehringer stated he would like to see a residential wind turbine • demonstration site. He stated there is one three miles south of Zimmerman on 239th Avenue;however,the owner stated that it is not working correctly. Discussion followed regarding the various types of groups and their interests. Commissioner Zehringer asked if staff is keeping track of who visits. Ms. Haug stated yes. She noted that Elk River is currently the only energy-related rural site in the U.S. that the U.S. State Department International Visitor Leadership Program has and staff has received good feedback from groups that have visited here. Commissioner Setala noted that there are two levels of sites—demonstration sites and informational sites. He stated that Commissioner Rohlfs LED site is a good project,but it is not in Elk River. Commissioner Chuba stated that he did feel this was a concern,since the business is headquartered in Elk River and has multiple locations. Commissioner Setala stated it would be good to get the information on how the business decided to put in LED. Ms. Haug stated that this information could be put on the Energy City website as a feature story. She noted that the Haubenschild's farm is not in Elk River city limits, either. Commissioner Setterholm asked how many sites there are. Ms. Haug stated there are 28 designated sites,with 24 of them being active. She noted that GRE has added an additional process that takes out aluminum at the refuse recovery site on 165th Avenue, and could be added as a demonstration site. Commissioner Westgaard asked how the sites are classified. Ms.Haug stated that they are divided into business and residential,and energy conserving and energy producing. • Energy City Commission Minutes Page 3 August 15,2012 • 4.4 Energy City Website Rachel King reviewed the changes to the website which includes new tabs and pictures of energy demonstration sites. She noted that she is still waiting for bios from Commissioners Westgaard,Chuba,Hagen and Zehringer. 4.5 Project Conserve Phase IV Discussion Ms. Haug stated that seven applications were received for Project Conserve Phase IV. She noted that the building department will not be available to do energy audits. Commissioner Westgaard explained that with the number of building permits being pulled,staff does not have time for the audits. He noted that there are four people at ERMU who are certified to do the audits. Ms. Haug stated that the newsletter will be geared toward transportation and shopping for school. Mr. Sagstetter stated that he sent out 220 applications. He stated he received a number of phone calls regarding high utility bills and energy efficiency. He noted that only 50 audits are planned for 2012-2013. Mr. Sagstetter stated that they are keeping the audit program alive on an"as needed"basis. He stated he was hopeful that they will be able to "grow" the program as the economy improves. 4.6 Energy City Business Education Event—Scheduled for August 22.2012 Ms. Haug noted that the city will host a Business Education Event on Wednesday,August 22,2012 from noon to 1:30pm. She stated that Angela Hauge of ERMU will give a presentation regarding water savings for commercial and industrial properties. Ms. Haug noted that the next event will address grease recycling by restaurants. • 5. Other Mr. Sagstetter noted that ERMU will be mailing a flyer in the next utility bill regarding fall planting of drought-resistant plants. A packet of mixed wildflower seeds will also be included in the mailing. Ms. Haug stated that the MPCA is asking cities to enforce the statutes by adopting resolutions to force businesses to bring refuse to RDF sites in order to get facilities up to operating capacity. There was some discussion regarding tour groups and demonstration sites. Ms. King suggested having an interactive map on the website to click on the various sites. Mr. Sagstetter suggested capturing buzz words so that the site pops up on the top of the list. Mr. Wilfahrt noted that he is able to access the number of hits on the site and word searches. Mr. Sagstetter asked that if anyone that knows of a new house being built,to ask if they are interested in their home being an energy efficiency demonstration site. Mr. Zehringer noted that Elk River Lutheran has been recycling everything that they possibly could in renovating the former First National Bank building. He stated that they were able to recycle$7,500 worth of materials. A question was raised whether or not the building was sprinklered. Commissioner Zehringer stated,no,and that the cost will be $75,000. 6. September 19.Meeting Agenda Items • The next meeting will be held September 19,2012 at the Elk River City Hall in the Upper Town Conference Room at 8:30 a.m. Items for the agenda include: Energy City Commission Minutes Page 4 August 15,2012 • Approval of the August 15,2012 Minutes III • Demonstration Site Criteria • Hydro Power—Commissioner Rohlf will contact • Budget update 7. Adjournment There being no further business,Chair Setterholm adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City Council at 10:08 a.m. Minutes Prepared by Debbie Huebner. R n Sett rholm,Vice-Chair �Z Tina Allard,City Clerk III III