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4.1 ECC DRAFT MINUTES 08-18-2021 Meeting of the Elk River Energy City Commission Held at the Elk River City Hall - Outdoors Wednesday, May 19, 2021 Members Present: Chair Tom Sagstetter, Commissioners Becky Herbert, Vern Iverson, Mike Kavanaugh, Casey Mahon, Alec Plaisted, Tim Steinbeck and Jennifer Wagner Members Absent: Commissioners Aaron Brixius, Trish Curtis and Travis Leigh Staff Present: Amanda Erickson, Environmental Coordinator 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 Chair Sagstetter at 8:00 a.m. 2. Pledge of Allegiance Chair Sagstetter led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Consider Agenda No changes were made to the agenda and it was approved, motion by Commissioner Steinbeck, second by Commissioner Plaisted. 4. Consider Minutes Consider minutes from the February 17, 2020 meeting. Minutes approved, motion by Commissioner Plaisted, second by Commissioner Iverson. 5.1 Member updates/introductions Chair Sagstetter provided an update about the sustainability survey that was discussed at the last meeting and is currently being drafted. The survey focuses on various sustainability initiatives and programs related to the city and utility. ERMU did a customer survey in the past, but the response was not as high as they would like and was dominated by complaints from customers. ERMU is applying to be recognized as a Smart Energy Provider and part of the application will include this survey. The plan is to share the survey via the various city and utility outlets virtually. The group discussed how to get a better response rate. A draft of the survey will be shared with the group for their feedback and edits. 2 Commission Mahon shared that he received the Clean Energy Choice certificate from ERMU at his home. More on this below. Chair Sagstetter shared that the solar picnic table slab is going to be poured as part of the Orono Park reconstruction project. Commission Iverson will assist with this as needed to ensure the slab is oriented corrected for the best solar production. Both city and ERMU staff will budget for the construction of the solar picnic table in 2022. Commissioner Steinbeck provided a brief update on the GRE facility in Elk River. Demolition and deconstruction are nearly complete, and they plan to replant the hillside with native plants soon once grading is complete. GRE will provide information about recycled and reused material in the deconstruction process when the work is complete. 5.2 Farmers Market programs Ms. Erickson discussed plans for the city’s Farmers Market this summer. The Energy City budget has funds available in 2021 for organics recycling and public outreach. This will be used to add organics recycling at the farmers market to help promote the program to residents. There will also be education about the benefits of reusable bags at the market this year. Participants who use a reusable bag can enter to win a prize each week at the market. The prize includes various reusable items and an organics collection container. The market will also feature plastic bag recycling on site. Ms. Erickson will follow up with commission members later this spring if there is an opportunity for them to volunteer at the market to educate residents about these programs and the Energy City Commission. 5.3 ERMU Clean Energy Choice ERMU sent certificates to all participants of their Clean Energy Choice program to recognize them and provide information about the benefits their choices make on the environment. Many of the commission members shared their excitement about getting the certificates and window clings. The group discussed how to get more commercial customers interested in the program, something that ERMU staff is also working on. 5.4 ECC Communications Plan Commissioner Mahon spent time thinking about his role with ECC after being appointed and about how he could encourage more communication and outreach about the Energy City Commission. He developed a plan and shared it with Chair Sagstetter and Ms. Erickson, who then also shared with Commission Wagner and city communication department. The goal of this plan is to encourage more communication about Energy City and sustainability activities. Commissioner Mahon asked the other members to review and provide edits and feedback about the plan. Not all the goals are specific for the city staff but rather a broader plan to include Energy City Commission members. There are many tools available to assist with 3 communication via the city outlets. Per the city’s policies, all city communications go through the city’s communication department for consistency and to ensure it fits with the overall city communication plan. The draft Communications Plan will be shared with the commission for their edits and feedback. 5.5 10-year Action Plan The Commission is working to update the Action Plan and refresh some of the items listed. Energy City is now in its 25th year (began in 1996) and this is a great time to highlight the accomplishments but also plan for the future of the ECC and city goals. The commission members will also provide feedback on this document in the weeks to come before the city budgeting process begins. Chair Sagstetter and Ms. Erickson will then review these items with various city department staff. The commission discussed how best to present updates to City Council. Commissioner Wagner does provide an update to council after the meetings and is open to providing additional updates as needed. 5.6 Electric Bike test drive Commission members were able to ride the city’s electric bike. 6. Next Meeting Agenda Items (Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 8:00 a.m.) Discussion Communications Plan and 10-year Action Plan edits and city budget updates. 7. Announcements None 8. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:36 a.m. Minutes prepared by Amanda Erickson. ___________________ ____________________ Tina Allard, City Clerk Tom Sagstetter, Chair Energy City Commission