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08-28-2019 ECC MIN Meeting of the Elk River Energy City Commission Held at the Elk River City Hall Wednesday, August 28, 2019 Members Present: Chair Tom Sagstetter, Commissioners Aaron Brixius, Henry Griner, Harley Hanson, Jason Hoskins, Amy Lord and Alec Plaisted Members Absent: Paula Bernard, Garrett Christianson, Trish Curtis and Tim Steinbeck 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 8:30 a.m. 2. Pledge of Allegiance Sagstetter led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Consider Agenda The Oath of Office for Amy Lord was added. Motion to approve agenda, moved by Hoskins, seconded by Griner. 4. Consider Minutes Consider minutes from the May 15, 2019 meetings. Motion to approve agenda, moved by Griner and seconded by Brixius to approve. 5.1 New member introduction and member updates Brief introduction from all members for the guest speakers. 5.2 Vern and Lea Iverson: Global Climate Change Presentation Vern and Lea Iverson attended training from the Climate Reality Leaders focused on the Climate Crisis in Atlanta recently and wanted to share the information they learned with the Energy City Commission. Their presentation included data about the current climate crisis and also solutions. Their recommendation to the city is to consider 100% renewal energy by 2030 for all of Elk River. In Minnesota, only three cities have committed to this – Minneapolis, St. Paul and St. Louis Park. The focus of the presentation included the concept to thinking globally, act locally. They reiterated many times the Elk River has made many positive steps for climate protection. 2 Additional facts they presented included: - Minnesota has met our goal early for 25% renewable energy by 2022 - We are “spewing” tons of manmade global warming pollution into the atmosphere, keeping more heat in the atmosphere, holding in sun’s energy close to the earth - Greenhouse gas sources include coal plants, industrial processes, agriculture, transportation, landfills, etc. - The Industrial Revolution significantly changed things including increasing pollution - Eighteen of the 19 hottest climatic years have occurred since 2001 - In Minnesota that means warmer summer days possible in the future, globally it has resulted in more people dying due to heat waves and climate change related events - 93% of heat energy is stored in the oceans - Hydrological cycles are changing resulting in more evaporation, heavier rain events and additional hurricanes - Droughts conditions are also increasing causing climate refugees and more wild fires - Extreme weather catastrophes have increased from 1998-2018 - The true cost of adding carbon to the atmosphere was $635 billion over last two years due to extreme weather Solutions to these issues presented included: - Subsidies to increase production of renewable energy - Wind capacity increase in Minnesota - Increase technology for solar and battery storage - Individual changes such as electric vehicles, LED lighting, planting trees, reducing consumption of meat - Use your choices, votes and voices to speak truth to power because our world depends on it - Vern and Lea shared personal motivation including the future for their grandchildren as well The group spent some time discussing the presentation and their feedback for Vern and Lea. Many members wanted clarification on some of the specific facts presented. There was a lack of information about production of infrastructure for green energy like wind turbines and solar batteries, plus end of life disposal which continues to be an issue for many tech products. Larger corporations are able to make major changes to benefit the climate (like Apple or Amazon) but these changes are difficult to apply to small, local companies. Locally to Elk River, ordinance like tree preservation have good intentions but can be costly and detrimental to small businesses. Adding flexibility could be beneficial with the goal for overall benefit rather than site specific requirements. Discussion also included options for local funding for small businesses to help them meet requirements in a more meaningful way. 3 5.3 Project updates: Hometown Solar, Solar Picnic Table, Electric Bike Hometown solar: The solar panels were installed at City Hall and are functioning well, even producing a small credit on the city’s last utility bill! The educational kiosk is located at the library. Member Brixius suggested trimming some trees near the panels to ensure maximum production. Solar picnic table: City staff has been talking with Blue Horizon Energy who installed the Hometown Solar project in hopes that they would also work on the picnic table, more to come. Electric Bike: This was discussed during city budgeting talks although it is unlikely there will be funding available for purchase in 2020. The commission spent some time talking about the larger trail connection needs to encourage mobility by bike through the city. The layout of Elk River makes this challenging. 5.4 Action Plan Priorities and 2020 goal The commission spent some time discussing priorities based on the Action Plan for the coming months/year. Specifically discussed was the multi-purpose which is a major project in the city. Some members are planning to meet with the project supervisor later this fall or early spring to learn more about the project and ideally provide resources about sustainability related topics related to the scope of the project. The Commission is made up of many local business leaders who may be able to provide some beneficial input as well. Other items of continued discussion were end of life and recycling options for lighting specifically. Commissioner Hanson asked about the ERMU rebate programs and what information could be shared about energy savings in those programs. The goal is to use that information as education to the public about the benefits both financially and environmentally for those programs. This information could be shared via the city’s outlets. The group would like to see additional information sharing about these programs, other rebates, city incentives and other topics that fall under the broader Energy City umbrella. 5.5 Building Energy & Efficiency Summit (8/22) Tom and Amanda presented at a realtor conference and will again in October, partnering with economic development and utility programs that we can offer to businesses and residents. This also included promoting Energy City along with Elk River’s other programs.