08-15-2007 ECC MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
• ENERGY CITY COMMISSION
HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL
ELK RIVER,MN
WEDNESDAY,AUGUST 15,2007
Members Present: Rachel Leonard,Stephanie Klinzing,Todd Berreman,Bryan Adams,Maureen Griffiths,Ed
Stoutenburg IV,Brian Burandt,Jeff Gongoll,Dennis Chuba,Stephen Rohlf,
Members Absent: Vance Zehringer,Sharon Kampa,Susie Overholser,Deb Walters,Alternate Arne Engstrom, Greg
Padden
Staff Present: Rebecca Haug,Nicki Blake-Bradley
Others Present John Exner,Sherburne County Solid Waste Dept
Ellen Telander,Recycling Association of MIS(RAM)
Meeting was called to order at 1:06 p.m. by Vice Chair Ed enj4 g-T' .
1. Consider,August 15,2007 ECC Agenda
Ms.Haug requested the addition of one item regarding a meet &at Senator Jungbauer will host
under"Other".
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GONGOLL AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
BURANDT TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION
CARRIED.
2. Consider June=M1 P 107 EC nutes
Minutes were appro% s pre ted
MOTION BY COMMI ER A 3 , SECOND BY COMMISSIONER LEONARD
TO APPROVE THE II AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONERS ROHLF AND
GONGOLL ABSTAINED s OTHERS VOTED AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Presentation by Ellen Telander recycling Association of MN (RAM)
Ellen Telander was present to discuss the ways that recycling can affect global warming in a positive
way by reducing green house gas emissions. She gave a Power Point presentation on the"Recycle
MORE Minnesota"campaign designed to increase recycling state wide to 50%by 2011. Currently the
City of Elk River's recycling participation rate(city wide)is an average of 50%which is up from an
overall average of 48.4%in 2006 (Ms.Blake-Bradley did not have the exact recycling numbers of each
product recycled to share).
Ms.Telander also discussed the"Message in a Bottle"recycling pilot project in McCloud County,
which focuses on recycling away from home (main focus is at gas stations) and puts people with
disabilities to work for more than minimum wage jobs.
The commissioners questioned Ms.Telander on logistics of the Message in a Bottle campaign. She
stated that RAM will set up and manage the program if sponsor counties or cities are willing to supply
4110 the initial start up fees. Once the program is under way,it generates revenue to pay for itself.The costs
vary depending upon what equipment the vocational centers already have or need to purchase.A
Energy City Commission Minutes Page 2
August 15,2007
baler, forklift,bins and liners are the main expenditures initially. Gasoline and sorting costs are
4110
potential additional start up costs that would need to be covered initially.
The pilot project has shown that there is very little contamination in the message bottles due to the
shape of the hole and the coverings within the hole which must have a hard surface to penetrate.
People have driven up and deposited recyclables,then driven off without getting gasoline,and
"unlikely looking people have participated"per Ms.Telander. She has already obtained the
cooperation and support of Corporate Super America,although she must obtain regional contract
agreements.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GONGOLL AND SECOND B - `I SSIONER
KLINZING TO HAVE THE ENERGY CITY COMMISSION ® OMMEND TO THE CITY
COUNCIL TO STRONGLY SUPPORT THE PROGRAM. ,'-4° CARRIED.
4. Status of Energy City Designation
Under the omnibus bill,Elk River was referred to as "an"Energy City,not` e:'h; nergy City for the State.
Chances are that no other cities will pursue the process of being named"Ener: ,'as well,but if they do,
Elk River will have the option of contesting the use since the word marks "Energy , " e been registered
to Elk River.. Commissioner Rohlf stated this gives Elk River the opportunity to ma elf the State's
Energy City.
5. Three Year Plan Discussion
Ms.Haug stated that Commissioners a
` . pe•er,Rohlf,and Stoutenburg met with herself and the Community
Development Director,Scott Clark to • i ee year plan that she drafted. She discussed changes to
the plan including altering the focus of th- n-1441,441 .eriodically to keep it"fresh". Commissioner Rohlf
added that the overriding theme of the pla to m, - .. °` . e :ty a demonstration site
Discussion of CIP programs followed. Co tl. 'oner Adam;:°ommented that the CIP program is changing
at the state level. He added that they(ERMU) . „ having trouble finding meaningful projects to fund with the
amount of CIP dollars they need to spend. Theis an opportunity for the Energy City Commission to be
involved in advocating for meaningful projects
Ms. . • k1$ <-nted that she will give the City Council an update on the Energy Expo with the three year
•on.,,,,p44,1tember 10th at 6:30 p.m.
FQ
.mment was ma. °',. ding the potential for a no interest loan program using CIP funds for initial start
u.' .d:,tal.A suggestio made to add an item to the 2008 portion of the plan... to make visits to
to entice the`', . settle in Elk River.
A subco fi.- to con t site visits was formed consisting of Commissioners Rohlf,Gongoll,Stoutenburg,
Burandt,an. ;A in. ,-nyone else interested in being on the committee should contact Ms.Haug.
A hydro-electric g, of project is being considered by utilities. Discussion followed regarding hydro power
versus methane and regulations. Discussion also followed regarding the GRE microturbine,methanol,and
biodiesel.
6. Other
Senator Mike Jungbauer will be hosting a meeting this evening at 7:00 p.m.in Ramsey concerning the"Hot
Air" surrounding Global Warming and his feelings on the topic. City Councilman Motin will be attending and
would like an Energy City Commissioner(or more) to attend as well.All commissioners present felt the
notice was too short or had other commitments and could not attend.
Energy City Commission Minutes Page 3
August 15,2007
Vice Chair Stoutenburg stated that the Resource Recovery Technologies (RRT) Facility will be hosting a
Hauler Brat Feed on Friday,August 17th.He invited everyone to attend(and take a tour if interested).He
mentioned a"new"aluminum separator that has been added to the process which might be of interest.
John Exner gave a brief update to the commission regarding the amount of participation in the County's
HHW(household hazardous waste) collection events. Four collection events (six days total)were held
throughout the county with the final event being a three day event in the city of Elk River on August 7—9th.
A total of 1,346 households were served during the four events with 651 being served during the Elk River
event alone.Veolia Environmental Services worked the Elk River event.
7. Schedule next ECC Meeting and Identify Agenda Items
The next ECC meeting will be held September 19,2007 in the Uppertown Conference Room at City
Hall. A speaker will be scheduled on E-85—Clean Air Choice.The tour of the Andover Landfill Sterling
Engine site has been postponed until the PCA can determine a time. Commissioner Klinzing will not be able
to attend.
One item for the agenda will be an update on the F al Trademark process.If anyone has additional agenda
items for the next meeting,please let Ms.Haug
8. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 1:40 p.m.
440
Respectfully submitted by,
• Nicki Blake-Bradley
Environmental Techni.
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