5.6. SR 05-10-2010CITY OF ELK RIVER
SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
ENERGY CITY COMMISSION
Monday, May 10, 2010
7:30 p.m.
Elk River City Hall
Upper Town Conference Room
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, Minnesota 55330
I, Vance Zehringer Chair, hereby request a special meeting of the Elk River Energy City
Commission on Monday, May 10, 2010, at 7:30 p.m., at Elk River City Hall, 13065 C-rono
Parkway, Elk River, Minnesota. The purpose of the special meeting is to meet jointlywith
the City Council to discuss the following:
^ Commission Goals (EDA Marketing)
^ Commission Expiration
In accordance with State Statute, I hereby request the city clerk to post this notice at least
three days prior to the meeting date. I further request the city clerk to notify each member of
the Energy City Commission.
Vance Ze ~ ger, Ch
~~03 ~ ZD/O
Date
I HEREBY CERTIFY, that this notice has been posted and that I have served this notice
upon the members of Energy City Commission by mail at least one day prior to the above-
called special Energy City Commission meeting.
Tina Allard, City Clerk
3 ~a
Date
Q\Documerns and Settings\rhaug\Local Settings\TemporaryIrnemet Files\OLK2\Special ECCDOC
Item # 5.6.
ver
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
Energy City Commission
FROM: Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator
DATE: May 10, 2010
SUBJECT: Energy City Commission (ECC) Discussion
The Energy City Commission (ECC) was established in 2005 to promote the City of Elk
River as a hub of energy technology, energy manufacturing, energy demonstrations,
recycling, use of green products, and education. Prior to the establishment of the Energy
City Commission, the Action Committee for Energy (ACE) was formed as a result of the
Minnesota Environmental Initiative (MEI) choosing Elk River to act as a geographical focal
point for the demonstration of efficient and renewable energy products, services, and
technologies. Since the establishment of the ECC, the commission has accomplished many
tasks which are attached. Currently, the ECC is working on updating its mission statement
and goals. The mission statement and goals are still a work in progress because the
commission is interested in how the City Council views the role of the Energy City
commission and whether the Council wishes to maintain the commission. Section 2-357.
Commission Evaluation states that the Energy City Commission will expire on December 31,
2010 unless upon evaluation the Elk River City Council decides it is in the best interest of
the city to maintain the commission.
The purpose of the ECC having the joint meeting with the City Council is to determine if
the Council views the ECC as an integral part of the City and what goals the Council has for
the ECC in the future. The ECC is also interest in working closer with the City's Economic
Development Authority (EDA) on marketing Elk River as "Energy City" since it has been
designated by the State.
OS/10/10
Notable Energy City accomplishments and demonstrations to date:
• Energy Houses I, II, and III (Energy House I was a Gold Medal winner at the
National Home Builders Association's convention in 1998 and Energy House III
received the Building Excellence Award at the Structural Insulated Panel Association
Convention in 2006). Energy House III also received the Governor's MN GREAT
Award in 2006.
• Landfill Gas-to-Electricity Facility (The original plant received the US
Environmental Protection Agency's Landfill Methane Outreach Program's project of
the year award in 1998). The new and much larger Landfill Gas-to-Electricity Power
Plant received the Governor's MN GREAT Award in 2006.
• The utility-scale wind generator (built in 2001).
• First city to convert completely to LED traffic lights.
• Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) Processing Plant.
• GRE's RDF fueled Elk River Station electric generating plant. Elk River Station has
been converted to utilize six different fuel sources in its 56 year history and is still
going strong!
• Constructed a Peaking Plant at the GRE Elk River Station
• Commercial use of geothermal heat pumps
• Sustainable Buildings Project (as an Energy City Partner, Elk River Area School
District was selected as the pilot for the Sustainable Schools Project. This Project is
having a statewide impact on how schools are built and run, and has gained national
recognition).
• Twin Lakes Elementary Gold LEED Certified school building. Other Elk River Area
School District buildings are also sustainable or LEED certified (Rogers High School
and Westwood Elementary in Zimmerman).
• Elk River Library Gold LEED Certified library building.
• Photovoltaic Demonstration at residential home
• Project Conserve receives 2009 League of MN Cities Award for Sustainability and
Energy Use and the 2009 Recycling Association of MN Green Project of the Year
Award
• Federally Trademarked in 2008 and State Trademarked in 2006
• Four Energy Expos since 2007 focusing on educating the general public about
energy conservation
• Extensive Media coverage on Sustainable Community throughout the nation
• International Exposure: Multiple tours for foreign politicians, environmentalist,
scientists, engineers, governmental agencies, etc.
• Various tour groups: 4-H groups, Boy and Girl Scouts, school groups, home school
groups, charter school groups, RAM, BioBusiness Alliance of MN, and several
others.
• Designated as a "Energy City" by the State Legislature in 2007
ARTICLE V. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Page 9 of 11
(Code 1982, § 900.40(1))
Sec. 2-327. Rules oocedure.
The board of adjust is may adopt rules of procedure f e transaction of its business
consistent with the provisions o 'vision 2 of article VI of cha r 30 and Minn. Stats. §§ 462.351--
462.364. Four members of the boar all constitute a quor .Regular meetings of the board shall be
held on the second Tuesday of each mon rat such er times as are specified in its rules. Special
meetings shall be held at the call of the chair, s be the chair of the planning commission. Notice
of special meetings shall be posted at the city h transmitted to members at least three days prior
to the date of the meeting. There shall be a fi d place eeting and all meetings shall be open to the
public. A record shall be kept of the boar ' transactions, fin sand determinations.
(Code 1982, § 900.40(2); Ord. No.~25, § 2, 11-21-2005)
Secs. 2-328--2-350.
DIVISION 8 ENERGY CITY COMMISSION
Sec.2-351. Established.
There is hereby established in the City of Elk River an Energy City Commission pursuant to the
provisions of this division.
(Ord. No. 05-12, § 1, 6-20-2005; Ord. No. 05-21, § 1, 9-12-2005)
Sec. 2-352. Membership; officers; compensation of members.
(a) The energy city commission shall consist of up to 15 members who shall be appointed by
the city council for terms of three years. The commission will consist of the following:
(1) One representative from the city council.
(2) One representatives from the Elk River Municipal Utilities.
(3) Up to six representatives from energy related businesses as determined by the city
council (this can include consultants, manufacturers, technology, environmental, energy
producers and/or energy providers).
(4) One representative designated by Independent School District 728.
(5) One representative designated by Sherburne County Board of Commissioners.
(6) One representative from the Economic Development Authority.
(7) One representative from the Elk River Chamber of Commerce.
(8) One representative from the Suburban Northwest Builders Association.
(9) One representative from Elk River Landfill.
(10) One representative from an environmental group.
All terms shall end on the last day of February; however, members shall hold office until
their successors have been appointed. A vacancy during the term of any member shall
be filled by city council appointment for the remainder of the term. Officers of the
commission shall consist of chair and vice-chair, as elected by the commission. The
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ARTICLE V. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Page 10 of 11
chair shall preside at all meetings of the commission if present, and perform other duties
and functions assigned by the commission or the city council. The vice-chair shall
perform these duties in the absence of the chair. If a vacancy occurs in the chair office,
the vice-chair shall assume the chair's duties for the remainder of the year and a new
vice-chair shall be elected by the commission at the next scheduled commission
meeting. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the sitting members.
(b) The members of the commission shall serve without pay or reimbursement for expenses
(Ord. No. 05-12, § 1, 6-20-2005; Ord. No. 05-21, § 1, 9-12-2005)
Sec.2-353. Purpose.
The energy city commission is established to promote the City of Elk River as a hub of energy
technology, energy manufacturing, energy demonstrations, recycling, use of green products and
education.
(Ord. No. 05-12, § 1, 6-20-2005; Ord. No. 05-21, § 1, 9-12-2005)
Sec. 2-354. Powers and duties.
The energy city commission shall have the following responsibilities:
(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.
(Ord. No. 05-12, § 1, 6-20-2005; Ord. No. 05-21, § 1, 9-12-2005)
Sec. 2-355. Meetings and rules of procedure.
The energy city commission shall meet at least four times each calendar year. The dates, times
and locations shall be established by city council resolution. Additional meetings may be held at any
time at the call of the chair or the request of two other commissioners. Notice of additional meetings,
including the time and place thereof, shall be communicated to each member of the commission at
least three days prior to the meeting, posted at city hall and, if time permits, published in the city's
official newspaper. The commission shall be governed and operate pursuant to Robert's Rules of
Order, Newly Revised (ninth edition).
(Ord. No. 05-12, § 1, 6-20-2005; Ord. No. 05-21, § 1, 9-12-2005)
Sec. 2-356. Contracts with commissioners.
Individual commission members, or their employees, may enter into contracts with the
commission or the city for consultant or other services, provided that no commissioner shall vote on the
approval of any contract for which the commissioner, the commissioner's employer, or any family
member of the commissioner would be a party.
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ARTICLE V. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Page 11 of 11
(Ord. No. 05-12, § 1, 6-20-2005; Ord. No. 05-21, § 1, 9-12-2005)
Sec. 2-357. Commission evaluation.
The energy city commission will expire on December 31, 2010 unless upon evaluation the Elk
River City Council decides it is in the best interest of the city to maintain the commission.
(Ord. No. 05-12, § 1, 6-20-2005; Ord. No. 05-21, § 1, 9-12-2005)
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