4.11. SR 10-18-1999
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Item 4.11.
Memorandum
TO:
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
STEPHEN ROHLF, BUILDING AND
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR ~ -~~-
DATE: OCTOBER 18,1999
SUBJECT: NRG's 10TH ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION
NRG's Resource Recovery Facility, which produces refuse derived fuel, is celebrating its
lOth anniversary on November 15th of this year. The Elk River City Council is invited and
encouraged by staff to attend.
Attached to this memo is a preliminary outline of the objectives of the event and what it
will entail. NRG's message for the event, source reduction and remove improper
material from the waste stream, is certainly something the city will want to support.
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NRG is also a participating Energy City Company. Support from Energy City for this
event will be discussed by the Action Committee for Energy (ACE) at their October 13,
1999 meeting.
Staff recommends city support include as many Council members as possible at the event
on November 15th and staff assistance with operational and logistical matters. The city
also has a number of "Elk River Recycles" Frisbees that staff wants to use as prizes for
the school children involved with the event.
When the city approved the conditional use permit for the refuse derived fuel plant, NRG
promisedto work out any problems that may arise. There have been several significant
design issues that were found since they started operation and NRG has always been
more than cooperative in correcting them. NRG has been a responsible corporate citizen
and staff recommends the city support their anniversary celebration. Please let staff know
your feelings regarding city support of this event.
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13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330. TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
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OCT-08-1999 15:45
STROTHER COMMUNICATIONS
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NRG Resource Recovery Elk River Processing Facility
10th Anniversary Celebration
Monday, November 15,1999
Objectives
· Show the commitment ofNRG to "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" and "Source Reduction"
efforts through coordinated communications programs which seek to prevent toxic and
dangerous materials from entering the solid municipal waste stream
· Demonstrate the inextricable link. and consistent mutual dependence between source .
reduction and resource recovery
· Initiate a series of consumer-oriented specific source reduction projects starting with the
"Mercury Free Minnesota" thermometer exchange
· Promote the existence, availability and use of Household Hazardous Waste Facilities
(HHWFs) in Minnesota and raise public awareness of their services and features
· Develop innovative partnerships with industry, governmental and environmental groups
· Gain confidence, endorsement and public commitment to the "complete system" process of:
1. reduce, reuse and recycle
2. source reduction
3. resource recovery
Tactics
<l) Kick-off the Mercury Free Minnesota thermometer project with "Photo Opportunity" events
at all mIWFs in eleven NRG-serviced counties in late October / early November
- prepare media kits for advance publicity support of the Photo Ops
- ask County Commissioners, City officials and key players to be featured in the media
Photo Opportunities
- submit photos and stories to additional media following the Photo Ops
<l) Hold a 10th Anniversary event at the Elk River Resource Recovery Processing Facility on
"America Recycles Day" (Monday, November 15, 1999) from llam-2:00pm
- along with those County Commissioners, City officials and key players, invite business
partners and other audiences to the event
- display winning posters from the Elk River Independent School District #728 elementary
schools poster contest, and host 100 children from the schools at the event
- invite Lt. Governor Mae Schunk and other high-profile public officials
- provide NRG tours and tours ofUPA's Elk River refuse-derived fuel power plant
- further promote the thermometer exchange project at the event
- promote the Tri-County HHWF by having its mobile unit at the event
- partner with City of Elk River, which can provide many resources and event elements
- secure the participation of key groups: Recycling Association of Minnesota, Minnesota
Environmental Initiative and its Energy Alley / Energy City programs, Solid Waste
Management Coordinating Board, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Office of
Environmental Assistance, WasteWise program of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce,
and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SW ANA) Land of Lakes Chapter,
as well as local governmental units and associated programs including HHWFs
- (see "Event Elements" on next page)
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NRG Resource Recovery Elk River Processing Facility
1 dh Anniversary Celebration - Monday, November 15, 1999
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Event elements
Time~and place
. Event will start at 11 :OOam and end at 2:00pm on Monday, November 15, 1999 at the Elk
River Resource Recovery Processing Facility located 2 miles east of Elk River on Hwy. 10
(10700 165th Avenue NW, Elk River, MN 55330)
Event details
. heated tent will be set up near main entrance to accommodate guests
. buffet lunch and refreshments will be available for all guests the entire time
. guided plant tours will be available, including video and view of complete facilities
. busing and tours of the UP A Elk River refuse-derived fuel power plant will also be offered
. "Mercury Free Minnesota" thermometers will be given to all guests (except school children)
along with materials on the thermometer exchange project, and the Elk River facility will be
designated as an official site of the thermometer exchange program
. there will be light entertainment in the tent, and a short program will be held about 12:30pm
. photographer will be on hand for pictures; photos will be mailed to some guests after event
. all guests will be given other fun amenities from NRG
. decorations and displays will be set up by NRG
. NRG employees will act as hosts and tour guides
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Elk River elementary students
. posters will be provided by school in advance (by Friday, November 12)
. busing will be arranged through School District #728 but sponsored by NRG
. buses with students and chaperones will arrive about 11: lOam
. school group will be video and plant tour before lunch
. special box lunches will be served to school group about noon
. all students will be given "Elk River Recycles" frisbees and other amenities
. buses will leave about 12:45pm for UP A power plant tour, then back to school
Parmerpartidpation
. all partners will be invited to actively participate in the event, including the option to set up
displays, distribute materials, provide demonstrations and be a part of media kits
. Tri-County HHWF will be asked to bring its mobile unit to the event
. "America Recycles Day" will have recycling pledge cards and recycled home contest
City of Elk River parmership
. through its "Energy City" and "Energy Alley" programs Elk River will help liaison with
other environmental groups as well as the UP A power plant and Elk River school district
. the city has 500 "Elk River Recycles" frisbees made of recycled plastic
. City officials can assist in many operational and logistical matters
. City officials will partner in media and publicity efforts
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TOTAL P.03