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the focus is much more all-inclusive and not focused on a single power generating <br />site in the city. This is another opportunity to shift the focus to larger topics, <br />different conversations, and climate change as a big picture. Elk River and the ECC <br />could be a great voice in a larger conversation, adopting this new languagetotalk <br />about Energy City. <br />5.3Solar Picnic Table next steps <br /> <br /> Chair Sagstetter provided a brief update on the Solar Picnic Table. It will be <br />presented to the Park and Rec Commission during their March 10 meeting to <br />confirm the location and plans for the table. The commission discussed ways to <br />involve students/Eagle Scouts during the construction. We are hopeful the concrete <br />slab location will be approved and completed this year and funding will be allocated <br />for construction in 2022. <br /> <br />5.4 LORE project update <br /> <br />The Lake Orono Restoration and Enhancement (LORE) project is under way and <br />making good progress now that the weather is colder. New Look Contracting is <br />hauling material from the lake and adding shoreline restoration in a few locations. <br />The overall project will remove 125,000 cubic yards of sediment from the lake and <br />significantly improve recreation and navigation. The project will continue over the <br />next few weeks with most of the dredged material removed within the next two <br />weeks. Part of the plans include a larger, deeper catch basin area that will keep <br />sediment from entering the rest of the lake and help extend the life of this dredging <br />project. <br /> <br />5.5 ERMU solar information <br /> <br />ERMU added eight new solar systems in 2020, which is the highest amount for any <br />one single year. Solar generation in the city totals 135,000 kWh generated by <br />residential customers.City Hall’s small solar array produced 7.502 kWh in 2020. <br />Other renewable energy in the city includes the wind turbine which generated 765,00 <br />kWh and Elk River Landfill which generated about 24 million kWh. Production of <br />renewable energy is good in Elk River and itcontinues to grow. The interest in solar <br />this year is likely due to expiring tax credits at the end of 2020. <br /> <br />The commission then discussed options for solar on closed landfills, specificallyfor <br />Waste Management’s facility in Elk River which Mike Kavanagh manages. <br />Commissioner Brixius shared his knowledge about new technology that could be a <br />good fit for closed landfills or other similar sites. Other members of the commission <br />may connect on this further to discuss options and benefits of this technology. <br /> <br />5.6 Clean Energy Choice recognition program <br /> <br /> ERMU is working to recognize those who participate in the Clean Energy Choice <br />program. They currently have 318 customers (three commercial accounts) opting to <br />participate in this program. They are now working on a recognition program to share <br />3 <br /> <br /> <br />