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08-15-2018 ECC MIN ® City of Elk Meeting of the Elk River 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 sustainability 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 1111 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 HRA 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-sustaining.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 13t. 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 1111 last RDF plant in Minnesota that is privately owned with nine others publicly owned 2 11111 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 • 3 State of Minnesota County of Sherburne City of City of Elk River Elk River OATH OF OFFICE I,Aaron Brixius, do solemnly swear to support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Minnesota, and to discharge faithfully the duties of Energy City Commissioner of the City of Elk River,Minnesota,to the best of my judgment and ability, so help me God. Aaron Brixius • +in Subscribed and sworn to before me this ' day of /J O Ve w'V er ,2018. Person A ring Oa •