08-16-2017 ECC MIN •
Elk
River Energy City Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Wednesday,August 16,2017
Members Present: Chair Tom Sagstetter,Commissioners Jason Hoskins,Harley
Hanson,Glenn Hauck,Jerry Olsen,Matt Herman and Asa
Vice Chair Denny Chuba and Trish Curtis
Kingsbury
Members Absent:
Staff Present: Amanda Bednar,Environmental Coordinator
1.
2.
Call Meeting to Order Meeting of the Elk River
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof,the meeting of the Elk River Energy City
Commission was called to order by Sagstetter at 8:33 a.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
• Sagstetter led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Consider Agenda
Sagstetter added 5.05 Oath of Office for new Commission member Kingsbury and
members Olsen and Hoskins.
Moved by Herman and seconded by Hoskins to approve the August 16, 2017
Energy City Commission agenda with the addition of item 5.05.
4. Consider Consent Agenda
Moved by Herman and seconded by Hoskins to approve the consent agenda.
5.05 Oath of Office completed for Jason Hoskins,Jerry Olsen and Asa Kingsbury
5.1 Introduction of new member and Climate Smart Municipalities Intern
CSM Intern Jonas Scholz from Germany introduced himself to the group. He has
been working with city staff on various topics including waste water treatment,
stormwater management,city planning and energy city. He will be presenting a final
report about his time here to the City Council this fall. He shared briefly about what
he has learned about American culture and local government. Other members briefly
• introduced themselves as well for new Commission member Kingsbury.
•
5.2 Climate Smart Municipalities update
Amanda Bednar gave a brief overview of the CSM delegation trip to Germany in
June along with 26 other delegates from Minnesota. The trip included visiting five
cities and learning about energy infrastructure,renewable energy options,and
changes to the industry and differences between Germany and the US in relation to
energy. Elk River will be implementing a few programs and educational
opportunities that were seen in Germany.The German delegation will visit
Minnesota this fall and the partnership will continue in 2018.
5.3 University of St.Thomas final report regarding Energy City branding
Students from UST completed a report regarding branding in Elk River and
knowledge related to the Energy City trademark. Their focus was how to help
residents understand the designation,what it means and why it's important to Elk
River. Their report found social media is very important especially for younger
generations and is a good way to share information. Star News continues to be
relevant and important for Elk River residents too.The group also discussed how
local government isn't always obviously relevant to some citizens.The importance of
going to schools was also discussed to get information to younger generations.The
importance of SustainER was stressed by members as well. There are some issues
• with utilizing both Powered by Nature and Energy City as catch phrases and the
report had strategies for pairing the two together. The Commission would like the
findings to be presented to City Council as it provides an outside perspective for the
city.The Commission supported the findings of the UST study including continuing
to use social media,allowing residents to serve on the ECC,meeting with City
Council annually and co-branding within the city.The report will be presented by
city staff to Council soon.
5.4 Electric Vehicle Charging Station Update
Sagstetter informed the Commission that the EV charger was installed on June 4 and
the ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on September 13. It is a level two charging
station and charging rates range from$1-$2.50 per hour. The event will bring
together ERMU partners including the Great Plants Institute,Fresh Energy and
electric vehicles in the area.The event will also allow residents to sign up for test
drives in electric vehicles.The new tag line"EV-ER Power Your Future"was
discussed by the group. New marketing and signage will accompany the event to
help promote EV options in Elk River. Fleet assessments continue for both ERMU
and the City to determine options for EVs moving forward. Staff has spoken with
the City of Saint Paul to get additional information as they have a large EV fleet.The
charging station is also listed on various public websites and staff is working to have
it added to additional sites for more publicity.
• 5.5 GreenStep SolSmart program
2
•
Staff asked for Commission direction regarding SolSmart,a program similar to
GreenStep Cities focused specifically on solar programs at the city level. The
Commission felt GreenSteps was a better overall sustainability program and did not
feel SolSmart was beneficial recognition/program at this time.
5.6 Solar Picnic Table
The UST Senior Design class completed the solar powered picnic table and the city
still needs funding for the construction of the table and installation of the system.
Possible partnerships were discussed and funding options. Staff and Commission
members will continue to work on this.
5.7 SustainER 2017-2018 plan and guidance for the group
The student group SustainER will begin meeting again in September and will be
working to recruit new members.The goal is to make the group more appealing and
attract interested students. The Commission suggested using the 10 Year Action Plan
as an outline for determining possible projects or fieldtrips for the group.The group
is hopeful that more students from ISD 728 will be interested this year. Possible
projects include finalizing iMatter and presenting to City Council,native plant,waste
and recycling,Arbor Day event and city park clean up event.The hope is for these
students to lead initiatives,be creative and get involved in their community.
• 6. Next Meeting Agenda Items (November 15,2018)
6.1 EV Information on charging and sign
6.2 Solar Picnic Table Update
6.3 SustainerER update
6.4 New member introduction Anne Anderson
6.5 Waste App Recycle Coach update
7. Announcements
7.1 The majority of the group will be attending the ERMU ribbon cutting ceremony
for the EV charging station. Staff will issue a Notice of Quorum.
8. Adjournment
There being no further business,motion by Herman to adjourn the meeting,
seconded by Hauck.
The meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m.
Minutes prepared by Amanda Bednar.
_/
• Tina ' I ard,City Clerk Tom Sa_.tetter, Chair
Energy City Commission
3