4.4 SR 12-16-2024City of
Elk -
River
To
City Council
Meeting Date
December 16, 2024
Item Description
Ordinance 24-25 Repealing Division 8 to Dissolve
the Energy City Commission
Request for Action
Item Number
4.4
Prepared By
Tina Allard, City Clerk
Reviewed by
Cal Portner
Tina Allard
Action Requested
Adopt, by motion, Ordinance 24-25 repealing Section 2-351 through 2-357, Division 8. Energy City
Commission
Approve, by motion, the November 20, 2024, and September 18, 2024, Energy City Commission minutes.
Background/Discussion
On October 7, 2024, the City Council discussed the roles and responsibilities of the Energy City Commission
(ECC) and staff capacity and resources to continue maintaining the commission. It was recommended that the
Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission evaluate whether members of the ECC could serve in a different
capacity under the utility.
The Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission is already working on similar programs as the ECC and could
foresee members serving in some capacity to assist them with energy -related programs and initiatives.
On November 20, 2024, the Energy City Commission met and agreed it would be best to dissolve the
commission.
Financial Impact
N/A
Mission/Policy/Goal
Meet changing needs - agile
Attachments
I. Draft Ordinance
2. 11 20 24 Minutes ECC
3. ECC 09-18-2024
The Elk River Vision
A avelcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community p p W E R E U A Y
engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity
273
City of
El i -.-
River
Ordinance 24 - 25
Sfr4kefkfaug4s to be removed
Underlines to be added
An Ordinance to Repeal Chapter 2, Division 8, Energy City Commission of the City
of Elk River, Minnesota, City Code
The City Council of the City of Elk River does hereby ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. Repeal
That §2-351 through §2-357, Division 8. Energy City Commission is hereby repealed.
SECTION 2. That this ordinance shall take effect upon adoption and be published as provided by
law.
Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Elk River this 16th day of December, 2024.
John J. Dietz, Mayor
ATTEST:
Tina Allard, City Clerk
Last Updated January 2023
P0wIIRLB ar
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Page 70 of 273
Meeting of the Elk River Energy City Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Members Present: Chair Iverson, Commissioners Burandt, Fomby, Grupa, Miller, and Youngs
Members Absent: Commissioner Dombrovski
Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner
I . Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order
at 8:30 a.m. by Chair Iverson.
2. Pledge of Allegiance:
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Youngs and seconded by Commissioner Miller to approve the
agenda. Motion carried 6-0.
4. Consent Agenda
Minutes were not available so there were no consent items to approve.
S. General Business
5.1 Discuss council Direction for Commission
City Administrator Portner provided an overview of the history of the Energy City Commission and
the Elk River City Council meeting discussion held by the City Council in Work Session on October
7, 2024.
Commissioner Youngs provided an overview of the October 8, 2024, and November 12, 2024,
discussions held by the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission (ERMU) regarding the Council
direction for the Commission.
Chair Iverson opened the discussion to comment on the pending commission direction.
Commissioner Fomby expressed that as citizen volunteers offering ideas, they are free thoughts with
no cost. He asked for clarification whether ERMU was a private or public entity. Administrator
Portner answered ERMU is a governmental entity under the municipality. Commissioner Fomby
indicated an interest in participating in the new ECC.
Commissioner Miller stated he was concerned with losing a voice to the city and liked the projects the
ECC was involved in. He indicated he wasn't as excited by a focus on educational topics.
Page 71 of 273
Energy City Commission Minutes
November 20, 2024
Page 2
Commissioner Burandt concurred with the statements by other commissioners and affirmed she
would like to participate on the new committee.
Chair Iverson said he was all in for continuing participation. He felt the aim should not be scattered,
rather finely focused on 1-2 items. He also would like the new commission to be open to new
initiatives, such as plastic bags and the environment.
Moved by Commissioner Fomby and seconded by Commissioner Miller to recommend the
closure of the City of Elk River Energy City Commission recognizing all the contributions by
the commission beneficial to the community and environment through education and
outreach for sustainability and conservation measures and to re -organize under the Elk River
Municipal Utilities Commission for initiatives ensuring a cleaner environment. Go Navy,
Beat Army! Motion carried 6-0.
5.2 Other Business
Neither the chair, nor the commissioners identified any other business.
6. Motion to Adjourn
Moved by Chair Iverson and seconded by Commissioner Fomby to adjourn the meeting of
City Council. Motion carried 6-0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:21 a.m.
Minutes prepared by City Administrator Cal Portner.
John J. Dietz, Mayor
Tina Allard, City Clerk
U
P 0 W E R E D R
-mlAWR d
Page 72 of 273
Meeting of the Elk River
Energy City Commission
Elk River City Hall
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Members Present: Chair Vern Iverson, Commissioners Barbara Burandt, Leo
Dombrovski, Matthew Fomby, Cory Grupa
Members Absent: Vice Chair Tony Miller, Commissioner Sara Young
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 Iverson at 8:30 a.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Iverson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ConsiderAgenda
Commissioner Fomby motioned to approve the agenda, seconded by Commissioner Grupa.
Motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Grupa provided a recap of the Monticello Nuclear Plant tour, and the commission
discussed some of their highlights.
4.1 Consider Consent Agenda - July 17, 2024, Minutes
Commissioner Dombrovski moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Commissioner
Grupa. Motion carried 5-0.
5.3 Tour Recap — Republic Recycling, Big Lake Agrivoltaics, and Sherco Solar site —
Commissioner Grupa provided a recap of the Monticello Nuclear Plant tour, and the commission
discussed some of their highlights.
5.2 P & R Committee — draft plan for energy project — Commissioner Fomby stated he and
Chair Iverson, attended the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on September 11, 2024.
He stated the Parks commission needed more details about how much distance of lightening
their project would cover, and then they would determine the park and section of trail to
receive the lighting, noting they preferred overhead lighting. Commissioner Fomby stated after
the meeting, he researched the cost of solar lighting and pole, not including labor and
installation costs, and determined they could purchase approximately 41 lights and poles, to
cover a distance of 0.5 to 1 mile. He wondered if a partnership with the Boy Scouts was
possible, along with the city, to share some of the installation costs. He felt next steps would be
to return to the Parks commission with estimated costs of solar lights and poles.
Page 73 of 273
Energy City Commission Minutes
September 18, 2024
5.1 Review Draft Goals —Subcommittee Update
Page 2
Commissioners reviewed the goals, action steps, timelines, and budgets for the Sustainability
ideas. One suggestion was for the commissioners to be provided language and education to
have discussions with downtown business owners. They discussed the environmental need for
reducing plastic bag waste. Commissioner Grupa suggested visiting with businesses downtown
with the facts about the need to reduce plastic bag waste and discuss costs for businesses to
purchase cloth bags. Suzanne Fischer would help the commissioners with what to say and costs
for bags.
The commission then discussed organics recycling and this program is currently being offered.
They removed item b from the goals sheet.
The commissioners will request some city identification badges for when approaching
businesses and schools.
The commission discussed the Education/Public Outreach ideas. Commissioner Dombrovski
stated he will spearhead a science fair or similar event. Commissioner Burandt stated she will
spearhead the 2025 Farmers Market events.
5.3 Tour Recap — Republic Recycling, Big Lake Agrivoltaics, and Sherco Solar site —
Commissioners discussed highlights from their site tours.
5.4 3rd Quarter Star News Article (Fomby) — Commissioner Fomby will work on expanding
on last quarter's article on energy or solar power.
5.5 Other Commission Updates — Chair Iverson discussed promoting Drive Electric day
scheduled for September 25. Commissioner Grupa suggested him reaching out to Karen
Wingard for attending the Farmer's Market.
There being no further business, Commissioner Dombrovski moved to adjourn the meeting,
seconded by Commissioner Fomby. The meeting adjourned at 9:29 a.m.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green.
John J. Dietz, Mayor
Tina Allard, City Clerk
Page 74 of 273