03-15-2006 ECC MIN ® MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
ENERGY CITY COMMISSION
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
WEDNESDAY,MARCH 15,2006
Members Present Ed Stoutenburg IV,Arne Hendrickson,Jeff Gongoll,Ron Bratlie,and
Steve Rohlf
Members Absent Stephanie Klinzing,Susie Overholser,Sharon Kampa,Gary Connett,Bryan
Adams,Deb Walters,Vance Zehringer,and Rachel Leonard
Staff Present Bill Maertz,Heidi Steinmetz and Rebecca Haug
1. Consider March 15.2006 ECC Agenda
The agenda was approved as submitted with the addition of discussion on the Platinum level
of LEED Certification for the proposed new F.lk River Library,the North America
Association for Environmental Education Tour on October 11 and the open house for the
4th engine at the Elk River Landfill in July or August.
2. Consider February 22.2006 ECC Minutes
The February 22,2006 minutes approved as submitted.
2a. Elk River Library LEED Certification Update
Bill Maertz,Park and Recreation Director,gave the ECC an update about the City Council's
recommendation to go for the Platinum LEER Certification for the library. There is
currently only one other library in the U.S.with the platinum certification. The discussion of
what is required to make it the platinum level was discussed. The plan is to construct a
16,000 sq ft building with an approximate cost of$3.8 million. The plan is that the building
will be completed constructed in August or September 2007. KKE has been selected as the
architect for this project Commissioner Rohlf asked what would be done with the current
library. Bill told him that it may be kept for Park and Recreation activities or sold to a
church,or something else. Bill asked if anyone knows of any funding sources for the library
project Commissioner Rohlf indicated that there are federal tax credits for using
geothermal products in the building. Rebecca mentioned the County's SCORE grant and
the SWCD 319 grant. Heidi will check to see if DEED has any grants. Commissioner
Stoutenburg mentioned that the OEA may have money available. Commissioner
Hendrickson thought that with the special legislation that the City may receive funding from
the state. Commissioner Gongoll would like to see a section in the library devoted to
"Energy City"with a resource center. KKE will be present at the April ECC meeting to
further discuss the library project
3. Website
Heidi informed the ECC that Ron had sent a lot of information to her for case studies to be
put on the website and Vance is working on providing technical content Staff is concerned
about the May 15 deadline. Jody has saved the ECC money by suggesting that the host be
changed,which will now cost the ECC$10/month versus$30/month. Jody's first invoice
also came in at the low end of her bid for the first phase of the website redesign.
4. Energy City Designation •
Commissioner Klinzing is handling the designation process and has talked with Elk River
legislators. The process is moving forward.
5. Energy Issues Conference
The energy issues conference subcommittee met on Wednesday,March 8,2006.
They decided to schedule the conference for April 24-25,2007 to be held at Twin Lakes
Elementary School in Elk River. A tentative schedule for the conference had been mailed
out to the ECC. It was discussed that the first day AM speaker should not be a political
person but someone who is well known in the energy field,possibly the head of the U.S.
Department of Energy. It would be nice to get the governor to talk at the banquet.
6. Energy House III Update
This item was tabled.
7. Elk River Elementary School Update
Commissioner Bratlie informed the ECC that the school is moving along and will be
complete in December and qualify for LEER Certification,Gold LeveL
8. Business Expo
Staff reminded the ECC that the Business Expo has been scheduled for Sunday,March 26,
2006 from 10:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.
9. Other
NAAEE Conference—Staff was contacted about tours for the North American
Association of Environmental Educators Conference. The tours would be on October 11,
2006. The tentative schedule is to begin at Westwood Elementary School,proceed to the
Elk River Landfill and Environmental Learning Center and then end up at GRE and NRG.
Open House at the Environmental Learning Center to Celebrate the 4th Engine—
Commissioner Adams would like to have an open house for the 4th Engine in July or August
of 2006. It was suggested that the"Energy City"designation could be used to increase
attendance. Staff offered the idea of possibly asking the Governor to declare`Energy City"
day in the State of MN during a plaque ceremony.
10. Schedule Next ECC Agenda Items and Meeting
The next scheduled meeting will be held on Wednesday,April 19,2006 at L•OOpm. Items
to be discussed will be website,Library,Twin Lakes Elementary School update,Energy
House III update,4th Engine and the Energy Issues Conference.
•