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Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 <br />February 12, 2020 <br />----------------------------- <br /> <br />7.1 YAC Turbine Location <br /> <br /> Mr. Hecker presented his staff report. <br /> <br />Troy Adams, General Manager of Elk River Municipalities presented location options for the <br />smaller demonstration/educational wind turbine to the Commission to seek a <br />recommendation. It would be located North East not North West according to the memo <br />though. <br /> <br />Krystal Knutson, from Minnesota Municipal Power Agency contributed to the presentation by <br />answering questions the Commissioners had. <br /> <br /> Mr. Adams and Ms. Knutson explained some of the reason the locations at the Youth <br />Athletic Complex in Elk River was identified as the primary choice: visibility, away from the <br />river to avoid birds and bats, land is owned by the City of Elk River, proximity to youth, <br />access road, no shadows on the ballfields, and far enough away from the ballfields to avoid <br />balls. There would be a road leading up to the turbine but would not extend past it. <br /> <br />Mr. Adams explained that there would need to be an easement with the city so that <br />maintenance could be done with the blades etc. <br /> <br />Mr. Hecker also confirmed that the suggested location does fit in with the current Parks and <br />Recreation Master Plan. <br /> <br />Mr. Adams explained that at this time YAC is the only location option left. <br /> <br /> Concerns the Commission had included: noise, proximity to neighborhoods, possible <br />vandalism or a possible need for fencing, visual annoyance, de-commissioning process, and <br />maintenance access <br /> <br />Mr. Adams said that it wouldn’t be built until later Spring 2020. <br /> <br />Chair Anderson is in support of reducing carbon footprint whenever he can but would like to <br />be considerate of other living and recreating near the site. <br /> <br />Mr. Hecker asked if the Commission is being asked to approve the site within the park tonight. <br /> <br />Commissioner Niziolek said that he does believe that great plans have been made and to be <br />considerate of the options. <br /> <br />Commissioner Soltvedt stated he goes by the Anoka one daily and hasn’t had any issues with <br />the sound.