5.11 EMRUSR 11-12-2024�i
Elk River --�-
Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:
FROM:
ERMU Commission
Mark Hanson — General Manager
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
November 12, 2024
5.11
SUBJECT:
Energy City Committee Discussion
ACTION REQUESTED:
Provide Direction on Energy City Committee Purpose and Makeup
BACKGROUND:
In 1996, the City of Elk River applied to the Minnesota Environmental Initiative (MEI) to become
a program of Energy Alley and officially became Energy City. In June 2005, the city established
the Energy City Commission (ECC) after the State of Minnesota informed the city that MEI was
likely dissolving.
In recent years, the City has faced challenges in maintaining membership on the Commission,
which can have up to 11 members per ordinance. Additionally, the Commission has had
difficulty identifying and budgeting for projects. Given the wealth of information on sustainable
energy, including recent legislative developments, city staff have recommended that the
Council disband the ECC and reconstitute it as an ERMU committee.
For reference, the stated purpose of the ECC is to promote the City of Elk River as a hub of
energy technology, energy manufacturing, energy demonstrations, recycling, use of green
products and education. Its stated responsibilities include:
1. Aid, create, promote, endorse, sponsor, and facilitate energy related demonstrations.
2. Work for the continuing education of the public with respect to energy technology,
energy manufacturing, energy demonstrations, recycling, use of green products and
education.
3. Solicit gifts and contributions to be made to the City and assist in the preparation of
applications for grant funds for the purpose of energy technology, energy
manufacturing, energy demonstrations, recycling, use of green products and education.
4. Such other responsibilities as the city council shall assign from time to time.
DISCUSSION:
ERMU staff support the reassignment of the ECC as an ERMU Committee, but recommend
several changes to its structure, purpose, and responsibilities.
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Regarding structure, the current 11-member structure of the ECC specifically lists career fields
for each of the members. Staff recommends leaving membership open to all career fields, while
reducing membership to four -to -six volunteers (plus one staff liaison). Direction is needed with
regard to whether the Commission desires a commission liaison as well.
Regarding purpose, staff recommend the following updates to the stated purpose: to promote
ERMU as a leader in energy and water reliability, sustainability, and conservation.
Regarding responsibilities, staff recommend the following updates to the stated
responsibilities:
1. Aid, create, promote, and facilitate energy and water related demonstrations at
community events and similar educational opportunities.
2. Work for the continuing education of the public with respect to energy and water
reliability, sustainability, and conservation.
3. Solicit gifts, grants, and contributions to be made to ERMU to support energy and water
related educational activities.
4. Such other responsibilities as ERMU shall assign.
The ECC would not have a separate budget, but their activities could be funded with
Conservation Improvement Program funds if appropriate.
NEXT STEPS:
If the Commission is supportive of re-establishing the ECC as an ERMU committee, staff will
update the information presented with any direction received, update existing ECC members
with the proposed actions, and present the necessary information at the December 2024
commission meeting to officially establish the ERMU Energy City Committee with a January 1,
2025, effective date.
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