12-19-2007 ECC MIN • MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
ENERGY CITY COMMISSION
HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL
ELK RIVER,MN
WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 19,2007
Members Present: Ed Stoutenburg IV,Sharon Kampa,Dennis Chuba,Mayor Stephanie Klinzing,Todd
Berreman,Brian Burandt,Bryan Adams, Susie Overholser,Arne Engstrom,Jeff
Gongoll
Members Absent: Maureen Griffiths,Deb Walters, Greg Padden,Stephen Rohlf,Commissioner Rachel
Leonard,Vance Zehringer
Staff Present: Rebecca Haug,Environmental Administrator
Nicola(Nicki)Blake-Bradley,Environmf :Technician
Lisa Kelleher,Permit Technician
The regular meeting of the Energy City Commission (ECC)was called to order at 1:33 p.m.by Vice Chair Ed
Stoutenburg IV.
1. Consider December 19,2007 ECC Agenda -=
Environmental Administrator Haug requested the addition of an"Otter items"section,to discuss one
• item regarding the Energy City Coordinator position. ..
MOTION BY COMtvJiNER ADAMS AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GONGOLL
TO APPROVE T!,'E AGENDA AS AMENDED. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Consider November1,2007wECC Minutes
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ENG T OIVI AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ADAMS
TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS PRESEN"I'ED.ALL IN FAVOR.MOTION CARRIED.
3. Energy Expo Update
Environmental Administrator,Rebecca Haug gave an update (which was reflected in the staff memo
in the packet).The Lion's Club will cater for the event, and a menu has now been determined. We
have a lead on who is going to provide the biodegradable food service items,and that decision should
be set soon. Volunteers,exhibitors and sponsors will receive expo bucks that can be used at the event.
A thank you was given to Commissioner Engstrom for the$11,600 sponsorship that Sherburne
County budgeted for this event.
Ms.Haug has been asked for ideas on what dollar amount to be allowed for both school projects. The
school staff is trying to determine an amount. If any commissioners have been active in a similar
event,please offer guidance from past experience.
So far,there are four exhibitors signed up and those are ECONAR,the Sierra Club,Ultimate
Exteriors and the Utilities plant. Mayor Klinzing is in the process of signing all the letters to the
possible donators and staff will be mailing those out ASAP.
Energy City Commission Minutes Page 2
December 19,2007
Environmental Administrator Haug discussed the tours that are available at the library from 10:0.0 to •
1:00 and will be given in 30 minute increments. There will also be tours of the RDF(refuse derived
fuel) plant and the methane to energy plant at the landfill available. Currently,we are unsure about
tours of GRE.
4. Other
Energy City Coordinator position:The Energy City Coordinator position was approved in the 2008
budget and Environmental Administrator Haug will be going to the City Council for approval on
January 7,2008 to begin the hiring process. The hope is to have someone place before Ms.Haug
goes on maternity leave. This position will be a part time position
Mayor Klinzing questioned how advertising for the position wo '� died.Ms.Haug stated that
she planned to contact Universities in the area to see if any gr ,iate Stitt would be interested in a
part-time position.Any other suggestions would be welcome Coznmtssiorr Berreman suggested
contacting MNTAP. ovw
Energy House III: Commissioner Chuba requested assistance from the Commissioe present to
brainstorm solutions regarding the sale of Energy House III.He discussed the challen �SNB.A
(Suburban Northwest Builders Association) faces with the declining real estate mark declining
membership in the Association,the "curb appeal"of the house,and costs of operation of the house.
SNBA holds the loan on the house though the Bank of Elk River.
Discussion followed regarding taxes an cti--rota buyers from environmental groups (including Ed
Bagley).The commissioners agreed to polder thepo ibthties and bring any potential solutions to the
SNBA.Mayor Khnzing commented that t1-4 was a .t pr. ect and it's a sad situation which has been
affecting others as well(i.e.The Bluffs) The Co4nissioriers wye asked to think about ideas and the
item will be discussed at the January meeting „fit
USAgain:Ms.Blake-Bradley informed the comnsion that the City Council approved placement of
clothing, textile,and shoe collection bins on City perty which will help to meet the waste reduction
goal established at the 2007 Energy Expo.This wilt be accomplished by removing textiles and shoes
from the stream and either re-using them (sold to thrift stores) or shredding them for recycling
into,vanety 64i materials.The bins are at five City locations: City Hall campus,Westbound
uor,the Ice Ares,the Senior Center,and Lions Park and Recreation Center. Clothing and textiles
�Q` are too worn,st or torn/shredded to be re-used are acceptable to be placed in the bins as
loran they are clean and dry.The bins are open to the public(from anywhere,not just the City of
Elk! )
ri-
USAgain wxf y two cent per pound to the City for whatever is placed in the bins to use as the City
determines is� essary'`Commissioner Gongoll commented that this could potentially be the
beginning of the �< ' ' g loan program (idea).Mayor Klinzing and Ms.Haug stated that the amount
of money is not effected to be very much.Ms.Blake-Bradley finished by stating that USAgain will
report back to the City concerning the amounts removed from the waste stream.
5. Schedule next ECC Meeting
The next ECC meeting will be held on January 16,2008 at 1:30 p.m.in the Uppertown Conference Room at
Elk River City Hall.Agenda items include an Energy Expo update,the Energy City Coordinator update,an d
discussion of Energy House III.Anyone with additions to the agenda is asked to submit them to Ms.Haug as
soon as possible.
Energy City Commission Minutes Page 3
December 19,2007
•
The next subcommittee meeting will be held on January 8,2007 at 9:00 a.m.in the Uppertown Conference
g 7 r3' PP •
Room at Elk River City Hall.
6. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 2:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Lisa Kelleher
Permit Technician
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