05-16-2007 ECC MIN • MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
ENERGY CITY COMMISSION
HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL
ELK RIVER,MN
WEDNESDAY,MAY 16,2007
Members Present: Brian Burandt,Jeff Gongoll,Dennis Chuba,Rachel Leonard,Todd Berreman,Bryan
Adams,Greg Padden,Vance Zehringer,Maureen Griffiths for Deb Walters,Ed
Stoutenburg IV
Members Absent Steve Rohlf,Stephanie Klinzing,Susie Overholser,Sharon:Kampa,Arne Engstrom
Staff Present: Rebecca Haug,Nicki Blake-Bradley
Meeting was called to order at 1:32 p.m.by Chair Vance Zehringer
1. Consider May 16,2007 ECC Agenda
The agenda was changed to place the YMCA update as item#3 and the Green Roof discussion was
removed.Commissioner Gongoll requested an item under 6(a).
2. Consider March 21 and April 18.2007 EC Minutes
Minutes were approved as presented.
• MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ADAMS AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CHUBA TO
APPROVE THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED. IN FAVOR..MOTION CARRIED.
3. YMCA Update
Concerns were raised by Commissioners as to why the YMCA building will not be working toward
LEED certification: It was discussed that the YMCA does not want to pay for the Certification.
Commissioner Leonard commented that the Legacy Grant from the County to the City of Elk River
may be limited due to the YMCA not going for LEED certification.
Commissioner Berreman commented that Center Point Energy has a program for off-setting the costs
of working toward LEED certification.
Bill Maertz,Park and Recreation Director and the engineers would like a conference call with Chair
Zehringer and Rebecca. Commissioner Stoutenburg would like to attend the call as well.The call was
set for Thursday,morning.
4. Energy Expo Recap—vote on whether to continue in 2008
A memo from Rebecca Haug was discussed which covered the main points of the Energy Expo.There were
700 vs. 300 people in attendance.Everyone agreed that despite several glitches,the event went rather
smoothly(especially regarding it was the first event).Rebecca requested a motion of whether to continue
annually and commented that if one will be held in 2008,staff and subcommittee members need to start
planning now.
Commissioner Stoutenburg commented he'd like to see rotating facilities.Discussion followed on the
. potential location(RRT was offered by Commissioner Stoutenburg for 2008).
Energy City Commission Minutes Page 2
May 16,2007
Discussion regarding the school district's role in the 2008 followed. Commissioners were in agreement that •
the school district should be included if possible.
A question of the potential for combining the Energy Expo with Business Expo was discussed.General
feelings of the commissioners were that the Energy Expo should be a"stand alone"project.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GONGOLL AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOUTENBURG
TO PLAN FOR A 2008 EVENT WITHIN THE SAME GENERAL TIME FRAME(WITH THE DATE
AND PROGRAM LOCATION TO BE DETERMINED).ALL IN FAVOR.MOTION CARRIED.
April 6th was a date that was suggested,which happens to be the first Sunday in April,2008.
Chair Zehringer requested a motion regarding setting up a meeting wan me superintendent of schools to
discuss the district's involvement.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LEONARD AND SECOND BY CO I ONER PADDEN TO
SET UP A MEETING WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT TO DISCUSS FUTURE EVENTS AND THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT'S INVOLVEMENT.ALL IN FAVOR.MOTION CARRIED!,
5. Discussion of having meetings at different demons ion motes'
A question of whether it would be advantageous to have meetings at the different demonstration sites was
reviewed and discussed.New member,loved the idea.Rebecca stated that the meeting could convene at the
City Hall and then members could carpool to the various places
The agenda will have the location of the meeting hated in bold print at the top of the page.June's meeting
will be held at the Elk River Landfill,Methane to Em my Phut on June 20th. •
Chair Zehringer recd t Commissioner Padden set a date for the GRE meeting/tour. Commissioner
Padden agreed and updated die-- Energy City Commission that the Haubenschild Farm experienced a fire and
is not operational tight now.
Commissioner Burandt wed"that the Andover Landfill may be another optional demonstration site due to
sterling engines that were installed approximately six weeks ago. Chair Zehringer stated that he has a video on
sterling engines if anyone is interested in viewing it. Commissioner Burandt will look into setting up a
Meeting there,along a tout,-;
6. Discussion about possible speakers
Reber , `quested ideas from the commissioners regarding potential speakers.One idea discussed was
partn with other onizations.
Commissioner Gongoll",suggested a person that has a wave baffle system for generating electricity,who is in
the area and working on applying the technology to rivers. Commissioner Stoutenburg suggested Ellen
Telander from RAM. Commissioner Burandt suggested Tom Newman at the State(working with sterling
engines).
6(a). Commissioner Gongoll's FYI
Commissioner Gongoll stated that he feels that since the Energy Expo,Energy City has not been getting the
recognition that it needs and deserves.He suggested a marketing program. He informed the commission that
the new Chamber of Commerce sign will be 10'x 24'and will say'Welcome to Elk River"with the Energy
City logo on it.He has to go to MNDOT and the City for the sign approval first.
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Energy City Commission Minutes Page 3
May 16,2007
• Discussion of the status of Energy City Designation followed.Rebecca will call the legislators and determine
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the status,then send an e-mail message to the commission.
7. Schedule Next ECC Meeting and Identify Agenda Items
The next ECC meeting will be held June 20th at Elk River Landfill,Methane to Gas Plant and Environmental
Learning Center.
8. Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 3:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Nicki Blake-Bradley
Environmental Technician
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