08-20-2008 ECC MIN III MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
ENERGY CITY COMMISSION
HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL
UPPERTOWN CONFERENCE ROOM
WEDNESDAY,AUGUST 20,2008
Members Present: Vance Zehringer, John Setala, Todd Berreman, Ed Stoutenburg IV,
Stephen Rohlf, Ron Touchette, and Maureen Griffiths for Deb Walters
Members Absent: Mayor Stephanie Klinzing, Bryan Adams,Denny Chuba, and Susie
Overholser
Staff Present: Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator
Nicola(Nicki) Blake-Bradley, Envir nmental Technician
Others Present: Dr. Mark Bezek,Elk River School District
The regular meeting of the Energy City Commission was c , ir,to order by Chair Zehringer at
1:35 p.m. and introductions were made for the new member, ,,Touchette and possible new
member Mark Bezek. 'n
• w
1. Approve August 20, 2008 ECC Agenda
Environmental Administrator Haug added one item to the agenda: an article regarding Del
Overholser, owner of F4ONAR. Chair Zehringer commented that he'd like to switch the GRE
���
virtual tour item wrt�q�e I 1 o flltaic Update.
,0; .
2. Consider June 18,
2008,ECC inutes
No changes were reque°c "f o, tl.ets. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
STOUTENBURG AND SEND BY101'illikIISSIONER BERREMAN TO ACCEPT THE
MINUTES AS PRESENTEA,L IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
f,
3. "Project Conserve Update R
The Project Conserve subcommittee met regarding the possibility of this initiative moving
forward. There are now 10 applicants for the program. Chair Zehringer would like to have 100
applicants to be able to narrow it down to 30 for the pilot project. Chair Zehringer described
the objectives of Project Conserve and the steps that have been taken so far. The original
thought of including only those applicants on City water in the program has become a
stumbling block because most interest expressed so far has been from people who have wells
and septic systems.
All the City Council members expressed interest, but none are on City water. There is an
opportunity to implement water meters for those applicants without City water.No water .
• usage history would be available,though. It would be beneficial to have all the council
members in the program to show the leadership of the City is committed to the goals.
Flyers regarding Project Conserve were included in a mailing regarding a Pilot Project for
Organics collection that was sent to Trout Brook Farms single family residences. The mailing
Energy City Commission Minutes Page 2
August 20,2008
generated interest and applicants. Information will be included in the September utility bills •
as well.
Environmental Administrator Haug will be bringing the topic of Project Conserve to the City
Council on September 15th for review. All commissioners are encouraged to attend to show
support for this program.
Due to budget barriers, effort will be concentrated on working with businesses and utilities.
Commissioner Berreman stated that the window treatment program has essentially closed, but
Centerpoint Energy should be able to provide low flow showerheads ,Chair Zehringer stated
that he'd like to see a company donate Kill-A-Watt meters. Envir,o" irree tal Administrator
Haug will be asking the City Council for funding on September 15. Since the ECC coordinator
position was tabled,there may be some funds available
Chair Zehringer stated that blower door tests take approximely 1.5 he and he'd likely
spend approximately 2.5 hours with residents (for a total of 4 hours per h ;l old). The total
approximate cost for water meters is $1,500 and $3,500 for Chair Zehringe ,�; e.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER STOU 1'ENBURG AND SECOND BY CO ISSIONER
ROHLF TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT OF BEING A CITY WATER CUSTOMER
IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROJECT CONSERVE PILOT PROJECT. ALL IN
FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. .
4. Energy House IV Discussion
Commissioner Chuba was not available at tie meetm or this)d.iscussion. The item will
remain on the agenda for the next meeting.
5. Amendement to Bylaws Discussion
Dr. Bezek was present for the School District aill try to see if anyone is interested in
participating on this commission. Mr. Bruce Saor from Connexus Energy has been
contacted �a4 b1e participant. Mr. Ron Touchette has been appointed as the EDA
(Econc Devs4 ;¢.. t Authority)representative. The SNBA(Suburban Northwest Builders
A cation)is still ave,so a member of the Association could be appointed. Commissioner
Rc f digested contact the Association to see if any builders are interested in the position.
3h
tEb '
6. Photovo `£ Tpdate
A 2KW pho' taic (PV .array will cost anywhere from$17,000 - $19,000 up front, but will
end up costing � xi ely $11,000 - $13,000 after all the rebates available. GRE will give
$2,000 per kilowa jltrto $4,000 max) and there is a Federal Tax credit of up to $2,000
available as well. cliair Zehringer stated that solarbuzz.com is a good site to visit for
information on photovoltaics. He also handed out information regarding other cities "sun
levels". Chair Zehringer summarized the information by stating that PV is almost as good here
as it is in the south. It's estimated there's a 7— 8 year payback period.
Thin film PV systems are only about 8% efficient. Commissioner Engstrom questioned •
whether legislators, special interest groups, or utilities may be driving costs lower.Discussion
followed regarding costs during the last energy crisis. There are no State tax credits for
programs now.
Energy City Commission Minutes Page 3
August 20,2008
7. GRE Virtual Tour
Chair Zehringer toured the new GRE headquarters in June. He highlighted the tour for the
Commission with a Power Point presentation. The windmill on the GRE site is 1/3 the size of
the utility scale generator in Elk River. It will produce approximately 390,000 Kilowatt hours
per year as compared to 950,000 Kilowatt hours per year at the Elk River windmill. They also
have a geothermal system with 36 miles of loops in the stormwater pond. A fixed photovoltaic
array, along with the wind power,will produce approximately 15% of the energy needs. To
achieve Platinum LEED certification,they only need 12% alternative energy source.
8. Other
Environmental Administrator Haug mentioned that Del Overholser was spotlighted in an
article in Twin Cities Business. She passed around copies for all those present.
Chair Zehringer questioned what to do to finance EgyCity and encourage businesses to
locate here. GRE has made a$20 million fund fo(a loan program. The loan would be interest
free for up to $1 million. Elk River Municipal.0 tithes (ERM T)may decide to participate.
9. Schedule Next ECC Meeting and Identify Agenda Wins
The next ECC meeting will be held at Elk River City Ha141Wednesday September 17,2008
at 1:30 p.m. in the Uppertown Conference Room. Commissi er Berreman will not be able to
attend. Agenda items will include standard agenda and minutea;2Energy Expo, Project
Conserve, Energy House IV Discussion, and the GRE loan prog, ii.
The Project Conserve �
S •� 'ttee meeting will be held on September 3, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.
in the Uppertown Co _eren
10. Adjournment" 4 ,
r
The meeting was add of r
Respectfuly submitted by: •
Nicki Blake-Bradley