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10-17-2007 ECC MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER ENERGY CITY COMMISSION HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL ELK RIVER,MN WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17,2007 Members Present Chair Vance Zehringer,Mayor Stephanie Klinzing,Maureen Griffiths,Brian Burandt, Dennis Chuba,Bryan Adams,Jeff Gongoll,Todd Berreman and Alternate Arne Engstrom Members Absent Commissioners Rachel Leonard,Ed Stoutenburg IV,Sharon Kampa,Susie Overholser,Deb Walters,Greg Padden, and Stephen Rohif Staff Present: Rebecca Haug,Environmental Adminis ; for Heidi Steinmetz,Assistant Director o. 'c Development Nicola(Nicks)Blake-Bradley,En• '. ental Technician Others Present: Mark Thomas,CEO of Indep= "• aural R�'.urces,Inc. (INRI) Harlan Initiative Members The regular meeting of the Energy City Commission (ECC)was calls . s„ at 1:30 p.m. by Chair Vance Zehringer. 1. Consider October 17,2007 ECC Agenda The following item p sted as additions to the agenda: x 9� • Mem pdate " y • Website dis .n • Energy Expo . s• 4 o update) • Federal Trademar. ate • Chamber of Comm- � • on Hwy 10 The agenda was approved as amen p . 2. Consider September 19,2007 ECC Minutes The minutes were approved as presented. 3. Mark Thomas, CEO of Independent Natural Resources Inc. (INRI) Mr.Mark Thomas was present to discuss his fascinating and innovative projects regarding energy and water called the SeaDog pump and Eagle.The SeaDog pump can produce the same amount of energy as the Hoover Dam in one square mile.Mr.Thomas discussed the efficiency and durability of his system in the shallow waters of the ocean and emphasized that fresh (potable)water is now being called"blue gold". Currently his pumps are being used for desalination plants in Texas,but have energy potential as well.When asked whether his inventions would work in Minnesota lakes and streams/rivers,Mr.Thomas commented that they would be options for the months of April- October or November(open water). 4. Lake Orono Dam Assessment Energy City Commission Minutes Page 2 October 17,2007 Commissioner Adams gave an update on the feasibility of placing hydropower back into the Lake Orono dam.Barr Engineering was contacted for the study.Commissioner Adams referenced the study,particularly page five in his discussion.He concluded that the hydropower dam would produce as much energy as the wind generator(which would be the same amount of energy that the Target Data Center will need for one month).The payback period would be approximately 40 years due to permit costs. Commissioner Adams feels it is not a feasible project due to the repayment period from permit costs.Discussion followed regarding removal of the initial hydropower units and whether that made a difference or would have made a difference in permit fees. Commissioner Adams stated that the permits were allowed to lapse,so if they had been kept up over the years,it wouldn't have been such a difficult procedure to reinstate them. 5. Water Conservation Commissioner Adams discussed two articles on water conservatio® 1!:,:t he supplied for the commission. Alternate Commissioner Engstrom commented that Europe h of t d wash water separated in European countries so that just the drinking water needs purl lt"ig tion rati,11, an all the water.Commissioner Adams stated that the City would need two distribution system that w e implemented in Elk River. Following discussion of the articles,Chair Zehringer suggested that water co tion be"moved up"in the Expo itinerary.This option will be discussed at the next expo subcommittee me 6. 2008 Energy Expo Update Environmental Administrator Haug supplied the commission with a memo regarding the items discussed by the subcommittee and gave further details.The new library will be the focal demonstration site,although tours will be going again(RRT,GRE, d the Methane Plant).Don Shelby(WCCO)has been contacted as a potential keynote speaker.Ed Begley J .; .they option,although his fees and airfare,lodging,etc.would be substantial. Other ideas for speakers z ".,, p,s- if these don't work out Exhibitors will be housed in the fire stario , ppr. . bitors will be able to fit in the large garage. A tent will be rented for the keynote with a �: d chairi.loY tent will be heated.Speakers will be limited to commissioners from utilities discussing the :ous ways ,.idents can benefit from rebate programs and reduce their energy consumption. rte. Children's programs will be provided through Tri. d the Toonies and CLIMB Theatre once again.The children's .rograms will be held in City Hall.Hyb id vehicle displays will be available through Elk River Ford and b Growers Association.A fire truck will also be available for the children to see. e Lion's Club h contacted for catering.The caterer will be asked to be present from 9 a.m.—4 p.m. at exhibitors, sp � ,performers,and volunteers will be able to eat before and after the expo. Spec chool will be ding a Science Fair.The projects will be displayed at the expo and the winner will be anno at the the Mayor.The Mayor will also present the winner of the coloring contest with their prize Exhibitors will p 10 per booth if they are a for-profit agency, or$25 per booth for non-profits(a fee has been instituted f. non-profits due to several not showing up last year). Commissioner Gongoll suggested that when tours of the library are given,it would be nice to have a visual representation of what it takes to be Gold TTED certified.Mayor Klinzing asked about discussion of the YMCA at the expo.Discussion amongst commissioners followed regarding"green"initiatives at the YMCA. Discussion of a display board regarding the YMCA,near the library's display was received positively. Mayor Klinzing discussed alternative transportation ideas and suggested more biking and hiking/walking trails to promote energy conservation. She commented upon rides held by politicians and celebrities (i.e. Jungbauer and Steger).Discussion followed regarding a bike route from Northstar to the City Hall campus, Energy City Commission Minutes Page 3 October 17,2007 . bike lanes on county roads,and offering bonuses to expo participants who use alternative methods of transportation to attend. Commissioner Chuba commented that alternative transportation is weather dependant.Alternative Commissioner Engstrom stated that all new county roads have wider shoulders that are paved to encourage alternatives (like bikes) but not actually designated as bike routes or trails.This line of thought will be discussed at the next subcommittee meeting. 7. Other The Commission discussed the following items: Membership update Attendance is notated.There have been a lot of excused absences.If there are three unexcused in a row,the commissioner could be removed from the ECC.Discussion of the need for a school board representative followed. Website discussion Chair Zehringer noted that some things need to . , ged wi regard to the website after going through the site and having some difficulty wi 11. 14,,.II articul s taff will endeavor to update the site by the next meeting.Any changes that partners fe411.4 ncle can be given to Heidi by Friday or the 24th. Commissioner Gongoll suggested lis:'' commission members by name. Federal Trademark update Nicki gave an update on the Federal Trademark application.The 11.04,,t,„fui.espondence stated that III there appears to be no issue with registering the marks federally,alth�r.°+ they require the words "Elk River"to be removed from Energy City.This is likely because any h"•demarks with the words "Elk"or "River"would be fla_• e. 4 .otential conflicts (very time consuming). Several changes ,,,,,f,,,--,- suc es . the Secretary's office which needed to be discussed by the commission ' , 4= the pos , ' 41 . ty of conducting on-line classes and technical assistance. Staff suggested that the 0- .,.'ssio ove forward with the Class 41 (educational) designation and hold off on the other suggestio u.. A the be implemented(if possible). Chamber of Commerce si• = wy 10 Commissioner Gongoll stated ne' 10'x 24'sign has been designed for Rik River with the Energy City logo on it He showed the Co . Rthe design. Goodbye to Heidi Chair Zehringer acknowledged Heidi's contributions to the Energy City Commission and informed everyone that her last day with the City is November 2nd. On behalf of the ECC,he wished her good luck in her new position at Mounds View.Heidi expressed her wishes to have been able to do more for the ECC and stated that she is very happy that a position for a dedicated part-time employee has been approved by the City Council. 8. Schedule next ECC Meeting The next ECC meeting will be held on November 21,2007 beginning at Connexus Energy in Ramsey and ending at the Andover Landfill (tour of the sterling engine plant). This will be a special meeting since it's 41110 being held off site so no changes to the agenda can occur at the meeting.Anyone with additions to the agenda should submit them to Rebecca as soon as possible. 9. Adjournment Energy City Commission Minutes Page 4 October 17,2007 The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m. • Respectfully submitted by, Nicola.Blake-Bradley Environmental Technician k . %mac 41110