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09-19-2007 ECC MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER ENERGY CITY COMMISSION HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL ELK RIVER,MN WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER 19,2007 Members Present: Commissioners Rachel Leonard,Stephanie Klinzing,Maureen Griffiths,Ed Stoutenburg IV,Brian Burandt, Dennis Chuba,Stephen Rohlf,Chair Vance Zehringer,Sharon Kampa,Susie Overholser and Alternate Arne Engstrom Members Absent: Deb Walters,Greg Padden and Todd Berreman Staff Present: Environmental Administrator Rebecca Haug and Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz Others Present: Christine Schwichtenberg,Minnesota GreenStar and Tim Gerlach,American Lung Association The regular meeting of the Energy City Commission(ECC)was called to order at 1:30 p.m.by Chair Vance Zehringer. 1. Consider September 19,2007 ECC Agendit The following items were suggested as additions fo the agenda: • • ECC Coordinator part-time position • Marketing update • Schedule an Energy Egpo Subcommittee,meeting • Elk River YMCA update • Energy City brochure update The agenda was approved as.amended. 2.,:Consider August 15,2007 ECC Minutes Chair Zehringer commented that discussion held at the last meeting regarding using Conservation Imprment Program (CIP) funds to establish an Energy City loan fund would not be possible under the current CIP policies. Commission Rohlf clarified that the discussion held at the last meeting was a brainstorming session and understands that the utilizing CIP dollars would require a legislative change. Environments'Administrator Rebecca Haug suggested that further research on this topic could be completed by the part-time Energy City Coordinator(once hired). Commissioner Rohlf asked for an update on the potential of Elk River participating in the Recycling Association of MN (RAM)'s"Message in a Bottle"recycling pilot project. Ms.Haug mentioned that she would have an update in October regarding the company's interest in the project. Commissioner Rohlf added that the new car wash would be a good demonstration site. The minutes were approved as presented. • Energy City Commission Minutes Page 2 September 19,2007 3. Presentation by Christine Schwichtenberg,Minnesota GreenStar • Ms.Schwichtenberg provided a PowerPoint presentation on Minnesota GreenStar,Certified Green Homes and Remodeling. The program is currently in pilot mode. The program will provide homeowners the opportunity to certify their homes on a local basis (Minnesota),which is an alternative to obtaining a LEED certification. 4. Presentation by Tim Gerlach,American Lung Association Mr. Gerlach provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the American Lung Association's support of E-85. He discussed many of the myths associated with E-85 and mentioned that Elk River gas stations were some of the first stations in the State of Minnesota to offer E-85. 5. September 10,2007 City Council Meeting Update Ms.Haug reported that a part-time Energy City Coordinator position WAS approved on a 3-2 vote by the City Council for 2008. She added that the Council did not discuss the Energy City Three Year Plan in detail. 6. Federal Trademark Update There was no new information to report. 7. Other The Commission discussed the following items: ECC Coordinator Part-Time Position Commissioner Klinzing suggested that the entire Commission be involved in the hiring process, whether that would include interviewing was not clarified. The Comission agreed if a highly qualified person cannot be found,they would recommend that the Council not fill the position at all. Chair Zehringer asked that the Commission start brainstorming names of potential applicants. Marketing Update Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz stated that a small Energy City ad will be placed in the Elk River Chamber of Commerce's 2008 map. The purpose is to promote Energy City awareness to Elk River residents. Schedule an Energy Expo Subcommittee meeting The meeting was scheduled for Thursday,September 27th at 9:00 a.m. at Elk River City Hall. Plc River YMCA update;.,, There is no new information to report. LEED Handout Chair Ze distribute a handout on LEED,which he feels explains the program well. h� Energy City Brochure Update Chair Zehringer stated that the Energy City brochure needs to be updated and asked the Commission to supply staff with any revisions. First"Green"Habitat Home in St. Cloud Commissioner Overholser mentioned that ECONAR will be donating their products for the first ever "Green"Habitat home in St. Cloud. 4110 Energy City Commission Minutes Page 3 September 19,2007 8. Schedule next ECC Meeting The next ECC meeting will be held October 17,2007 at 1:30 p.m.in the Uppertown Conference Room at • City Hall. The November 21,2007 meeting will begin at Connexus Energy in Ramsey and end at the Andover Landfill. 9. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted by, Heidi Steinmetz Assistant Director of Economic Development • 4110