05-16-2018 ECC MIN • City of
ElMeeting of the Elk River
River Energy City Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Members Present: Chair Tom Sagstetter, Commissioners Trish Curtis, Henry Griner,
Harley Hanson,Glenn Hauck,Jason Hoskins and Jerry Olsen
Members Absent: Anne Anderson (called in via phone),Paula Bernard,Matt Herman
and Asa Kingsbury
Staff Present: Amanda Bednar,Environmental Coordinator and Colleen Eddy,
Economic Development Specialist
1. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof,the meeting of the Elk River Energy City
Commission was called to order by Sagstetter at 8:32 a.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
• Sagstetter led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Consider Agenda
No changes made, agenda approved.
4. Consider Minutes
Moved by Hoskins and seconded by Curtin to approve the minutes from the
February 21,2018 Energy City Commission meeting.
5.1 Commission member update, new member introductions and Council
updates
No updates from the group. Commissioner Anderson joined via phone call. This
was Commissioner Griner's first meeting.
5.2 Camp Ripley update from members who attended
Commissioners Curtis, Griner and Hauck attended the Climate Smart Municipalities
program at Camp Ripley in April 2018. There were 23 representatives at the event
from various cities including Duluth,Morris and White Bear Lake. The goal was for
cities to gain momentum,build collaborations and create a community related to
11111 energy efficiency and sustainability. Commissioner Curtis presented information to
the group about utilizing data to drive decisions by involving key stakeholders to
drive process and initiatives. The group also discussed funding sources including
grants,utilities and partnerships. The cities shared their experiences in how initiatives •
were originally started and how actions were completed. This included involving
numerous city departments like parks, streets,building and economic development.
Duluth has a unique system in that money that is saved from energy efficiencies or
upgrades is set aside in a"green fund"which is then used for additional sustainability
programs and purchases. By separating this money,they can use it for sustainability
and it isn't simply put back in to the general operations budget.Larry Herke,
Director of the Office of Enterprise Sustainability also shared information about
state programs. Sabine Engel from the University of Minnesota spoke about decision
making processes especially at the city level. The group felt the retreat was very
beneficial especially in learning more about what other cities have accomplished.
The Energy City Commission continued to discuss Elk River's role within this
cohort and what steps we could be taking to improve our goals specifically those
outlined in the 10 Year Action Plan. Some in the group felt the ECC is lacking
momentum to create real change and the ability to progress our goals. Funding has
been an issue in the past but the Duluth "green fund" could be a good option for
Elk River.The group discussed the potential of adding subcommittees and
increasing the frequency of meeting to build more momentum.There was also
discussion of making city departments more aware of their role within the goals for
the Energy City Commission.
Commissioner Curtis felt the group should seek clearer direction from the Elk River
City Council. The city code outlines powers and duties in addition to the 10 Year •
Action Plan which has specific goals. Although Elk River is designated Energy City,
there isn't always significant emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency when it
comes to larger projects,regulations and priorities within various city departments.
The group discussed scheduling a work session with City Council to present updates
to the Action Plan and asks them for clear direction about the desired outcomes and
goals of the group. Although the items are good goals, there is a lack of support
from Council or other city departments to complete the tasks.Although we are
branded as Energy City,they feel a lack of support for completing these items.The
hope is that better direction could provide some progress on the goals and larger
outcomes,along with a more clear vision for the future of this Commission.
Motion by Curtis, second by Hanson to work with the City Administrator to
schedule time to meet with City Council in the near future to discuss Action
Plan updates and direction and goals for the Energy City Commission.
Finally the group has prioritized the installation of the solar picnic table that was
created by the University of St.Thomas group. City staff will continue to work on
this and will look to the group of help with funding if there aren't adequate city
funds available.
5.3 Electric Vehicle updates and charger
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• The charging station at City Hall is almost complete and will be used to charge city
fleet vehicles including ERMU's Chevy Bolt. There have been some challenges in the
software at the DC Fast Charger in Elk River. The City's PHEV Outlander
continues to be used regularly by city staff. Commissioner Sagstetter attended
various EV events in the past month at the state legislator and Xcel Energy. City
staff has been participating with other GreenStep Cities working on EV readiness in
cities as well.
5.4 Clean Up Day update and future events
The annual event was a big success and moved vehicles through the facility much
quicker than in years past,making the wait time for residents significantly less. Lake
State Recycling provided recycling for appliances, electronics and scrap metal again
this year.
5.5 Energy Action Plan: Priorities and goals based on comments
The group went through edits to the 10 Year Action Plan based on feedback from
the group and discussion from the subcommittee. Some items were edited,updated
and prioritized. Sagstetter and Bednar will work through the plan to assign specific
staff members to each action item.
• 6. Next Meeting Agenda Items (August 15, 2018)
None
7. Announcements
None
8. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:32 a.m.
Minutes prepared by Amanda Bednar.
t/ �II
Tina Allard, City Clerk Tom Sagstetit , Chair
Energy City"Commission
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