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05-20-2009 ECC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER ENERGY CITY COMMISSION HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL ELK RIVER, MN WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2009 Members Present: Susie Overholser, Stephen Rohlf, Todd Berreman, John Setala, Bruce Sayler, Mayor Stephanie Klinzing, Scott Hagen, Martin Gagliardi, Denny Chuba, Vance Zehringer, Members Absent: Jeff Vassar and Ron Touchette Staff Present: Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator Nicola (Nicki) Blake-Bradley, Environmental Technician Others Present: Randy Anderson, Elk River Area School District Kyle Leier, Great River Energy The regular meeting of the Energy City Commission was called to order by Chair Zehringer at 1:32 p.m. 1. Consider May 20, 2009 ECC Agenda Several additions were made to the agenda by Environmental Administrator Haug under "Other": 2010 Budget Update, North Star Launch, News from the Hub, Green by Design Conference, NREDA, and Project Conserve. MOTION BY MAYOR KLINZING AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BERREMAN TO APPROVE THE AGENDA WITH CHANGES. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. 2. Consider March 18, 2009 ECC Minutes No changes were requested of the minutes. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BERREMAN AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER SAYLER TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONERS ROHLF AND MAYOR KLINZING ABSTAINED. MOTION CARRIED. 3. Oath of Office Environmental Administrator Haug administered the oath of office to Commissioners Hagen and Gagliardi. 4. Presentation by Great River Energv (GRE) -District Energv Concept Kyle Leier provided a presentation on "District Energy" to the Commissioners. The object is to utilize a centralized plant to supply hot/cold water (energy) to a designated district. The energy comes from "waste steam". Contracts are set up for 15 - 20 year periods. It's a low cost energy source not currently being utilized. The infrastructure life span is between 50 - 100 years. Currently, GRE is in the preliminary stages of planning a District Energy project. There is a potential for the City (i.e. the Ice Arena) and the School District to be partners with GRE in this project. The waste steam would be a clean, renewable energy which might qualify for grants to help with the costs. GRE would use existing building materials and it would be a "closed loop". The down side to this concept is the initial installation costs which can be very high (up to $5 million per mile for piping to be put in). Funding opportunities were discussed, including grants ana bonds. Environmental Administrator Haug stated that GRE will be doing a presentation for the City Council on June 1St and all commissioners are welcome to attend. GRE is asking for support from the Energy City Commission for this project. Mr. Randy Anderson will invite Mr. Leier to speak at a School Board meeting. Commissioner Rohlf questioned the depth of the piping and whether it would be below frost depth. Mr. Leier responded that it would be between 5 - 6 feet below the surface and would be directionally bored, insulated pipe. Regarding the physical distance, booster pumps are being used in Europe to pipe steam up to 10 miles. With fair insulation there is little heat loss. Commissioner Chuba questioned whether it would be possible to heat the sidewalks for the various participating companies/buildings (for example, the boulevard of the schools). Discussion followed regarding this and types of fuels used at GRE. Mr. Leier added that emissions would not increase, but they could decrease as a result and there would be a HUGE carbon offset as a result of implementing an energy district. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ROHLF AND SECOND BY MAYOR KLINZING TO SUPPORT THE CONCEPT OF "DISTRICT ENERGY" TO THE CITY COUNCIL BY THE ENERGY CITY COMMISSION. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. 5. 2009 Energy Expo Update Environmental Administrator Haug discussed the memo in the packet regarding the Energy Expo and lessons learned from the event. The budget turned out really well. Several invoices have yet to come in, including those for the rental of the facility, the buses, and the Lion's Club. Commissioner Chuba suggested that the bus tours be limited to one, since the tour lasted 1.5 - 2 hours. Changing the venue or the date was discussed. The Ice Arena Director has volunteered to be a host facility. Environmental Administrator Haug stated that the Ice Arena needs to be more energy efficient. The Ice Arena Director has applied for grant funds to change lighting as a start. A question of whether to change the focus to businesses was brought up. Chair Zehringer stated his feelings regarding this year's Expo and asked "how do we reach people?" He added that when costs are low, people don't seem to care. Perhaps a more centralized location would be appropriate. Commissioner Gagliardi felt it's a matter of timing. Commissioner Sayler shared his experience, and Mr. Anderson stated that "green hasn't caught on yet". Brainstorming led to discussion of leasing a hybrid vehicle for a year, showcasing new appliances and having a business showcase similar to the "college showcase" Rosemount holds each year (which has gone from having 300 people to thousands over time by having free food, vendors, entertainment and scholarships). Green energy benefits to the planet with "things that are fun" 2 were suggested. Commissioner Chuba suggested using "Art Soup" marketing and added his thought that scholarships are a good idea. Discussion of beginning the subcommittee now followed. Commissioner Sayler will join the subcommittee. Environmental Administrator Haug will send out a meeting invite soon. 6. Energy City Commission Ordinance Amendment Commissioner Rohlf helped Environmental Administrator Haug write a more flexible description of the membership, but felt it is still cumbersome. Mayor Klinzing expressed her feeling that designated areas are necessary and that it's the "mix" that makes Energy City successful. Keeping the partners is important. She added that other commissioners might not be able to make the necessary connections for people and perhaps there should be some "at large" positions. Discussion followed regarding resolutions and ordinances. Chair Zehringer suggested having the words "up to" the number of members. Environmental Administrator Haug questioned whether this item should be postponed and Chair Zehringer asked to table the issue until the next meeting. 7. Other 2010 Budget: Environmental Administrator Haug stated the budget is bleak for next year and will be tightening. She added that she is requesting the same amount as last year ($10,000) for the Energy Expo. Discussion of whether the funds not used this year could be rolled over followed. Mayor Klinzing stated that whatever the City has allocated needs to be spent first with any leftover funds being dealt with by the ECC (perhaps "banked" for next year). Northstar Corridor Launch: The ECC has been invited to be part of the day. It's the third or fourth Sunday in November or perhaps the first Sunday in December. The Energy City Commission has been invited to be the only display allowed in the (heated) tent at the station. Give sways are allowed at the two hour event. The Energy City Commission could give away information on energy savings. A subcommittee to plan the ECUs involvement was formed. Mayor Klinzing joined Commissioners Rohlf and Chuba in volunteering for the subcommittee. The meeting was set for June 8t". Environmental Administrator Haug will coordinate the meeting. News from the Hub: The Economic Development Department put an article regarding Energy City in their newsletter "News from the Hub". It's in pdf format on the website. Green by Design Conference: This conference is being held in the Cities and has a lot of technical information available. The City will be sending a building inspector to the event. NREDA: The date is June 24tH Project Conserve: It's going well. June 4th and 6th are the next meeting dates. Environmental Administrator Haug stated that there may be a children's component to this round of meetings, but the agenda hasn't been finalized yet. The participants are seeing results. They are asking for in- depth information on geothermal and transportation energy savings. The northstar cooridor information will be included. 8. Schedule Next ECC Meeting and Identify Agenda Items 3 The next meeting will be held July 15th. The June meeting will be cancelled. GRE will be an agenda item. Any ideas for speakers are welcome. 9. Adjournment The commission was introduced to Mr. Randy Anderson, who will likely be the next Energy City Commissioner representing the School District. The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m. Minutes~eparf d b i la Blake-Bradley. r" / Tina Allard City Clerk Vance Zehri er Energy Cit Commis ~ n Chair 4