4.1. EECSR 11-28-2018 City of
��T�� Meeting of the Elk River
Energy City Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Wednesday,August 15, 2018
Members Present: Chair Tom Sagstetter, Commissioners Paula Bernard,Trish Curtis,
Henry Griner, Harley Hanson and Matt Herman
Members Absent: Anne Anderson, Glenn Hauck,Jason Hoskins,Asa Kingsbury and
Jerry Olsen
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, moved by Curtis and seconded by Griner to approve.
4. Consider Minutes
Moved by Griner and seconded by Curtis to approve the minutes from the March
16,2018 Energy City Commission meeting.
5.1 Council update from June 4 meeting and August 13 budget meeting
A few members of the ECC attended a work session with City Council in June to
discuss the role of Energy City and specific goals for the future. Council's main focus
was the potential closing of GRE's RDF plant in Elk River. Council asked ECC to
look into this further and what options and hurdles there are associated with GRE
closing. The group spent time at this meeting discussing how best to present that
information to Council. Although trash and waste reduction is only a small part of
the ECC's goals,it is still an important part of sustailnability especially in Elk River.
The group discussed options for research including state and local regulations, roles
of the county, MPCA and city and similar case studies in Minnesota and other states.
They plan to look into how other communities deal with solid waste issues and
changes in ownership for waste processing plants. The plan is to gather additional
information and share this with Council in the near future. This will include
information about GreenStep Cities,jobs in Elk River, cost implications, 10 Year
Action Plan goals, city values and other relevant information. More info on this was
discussed during the GRE update as well (see below).
The construction of the solar picnic table was discussed during budgets at the
August 13 meeting with City Council. Energy City currently has some funding
budgeted for 2019 but that is not yet approved and there were concerns from
Council. ERMU is also looking into providing some funding in 2019. The ECC is
still tasked to look for alternative donations or sponsorships from local businesses
and partners.
5.2 Home rehab program and partnership with HRA/EDA
Colleen Eddy shared more about the IIRA Home Rehabilitation program in Elk
River that provides low interest financing for home renovation and improvement
projects in a targeted area in Elk River. The program has been active for three years
and is self-sustainability. This year we are looking to add energy efficiency measures
into the program and encourage residents to do so. This also includes utilizing
various rebates available from ERMU and CenterPoint Energy. City staff is also
planning to participate in some BR&E visits to promote various energy programs
and solid waste reduction practices for local businesses.
5.3 Other programs for 2019 and city department partnerships
This will be discussed more at the next meeting as time was short. City staff is
hoping to add more items from the 10 Year Action Plan into various city
departments. This includes working with building, planning, code enforcement,
economic development and others. There was also discussion of a possible
workshop for local contractors,builders, electricians and others to bring together
various departments and encourage aspects of sustainability.
5.4 Drive Electric Week in Elk River
Drive Electric Week will be second week of September and there will be a booth
promoting city and utility initiatives at the farmer's market on September 13`''. This
will allow us to promote the program for in-home charging stations and educate
residents on electric vehicles.
5.5 GRE Update
Commissioner Herman provided an update regarding the progress at GRE and
discussions with Sherburne, Anoka and Hennepin County to potentially purchase
and operate the site. Information was given to those counties about the current state
at GRE, financial information, scheduled maintenance and more. The Counties have
created a group to discuss this further and look into potential options. This site is the
last RDF plant in Minnesota that is privately owned with nine others publicly owned
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by counties throughout the state. The group discussed Elk River's role in this,which
has not been much thus far since solid waste administration is overseen by the
county and this plant would be purchased by various counties.
The ECC would like to provide information to Council as education as a follow up
from the June meeting and also based on the updates from GRE. This would include
information about the ECC's core values of energy efficiency, sustainability,waste
reduction,providing leadership as Energy City and a focus on Elk River's Powered
By Nature branding. Discussion about the drawbacks of purchasing the plant was
also explored and should be included in any information sharing. The group felt a
third party analysis would be beneficial and members are hopeful that is being
completed by the counties during their investigation into the future of the project.
5.6 Recycling rate changes
Staff shared the potential of increased recycling rates for Elk River residents given
the current market trends and trade restrictions from China. There is currently no
change from the ten year residential hauling contract but a meeting was held with
city haulers in early June.
5.7 Climate Smart Municipalities update & Eco Experience
CSM will be providing information at a booth at the State Fair regarding the
partnership with Germany and five Minnesota cities.
6. Next Meeting Agenda Items (November 28, 2018)
GRE update and information shared with Council
2019 projects with other city departments
7. Announcements
None
8. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:32 a.m.
Minutes prepared by Amanda Bednar.
Tina Allard, City Clerk Tom Sagstetter, Chair
Energy City Commission
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