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<br />3 <br /> <br />City staff has begun working on budgets for 2021, which includes the very small <br />Energy City budget. The Commission discussed how best to incorporate Energy City <br />projects within other specific city budgets, focusing on topics in the 10-year Action <br />Plan. The Economic Development Authority specifically discussed this during their <br />most recent meeting as well, related to green jobs and other economic development <br />associated with sustainability. Commission members will review the Action Plan and <br />provide comments. Chair Sagstetter and Ms. Erickson will follow up with specific <br />city staff soon as well. <br /> <br />Commissioner Curtis discussed the concept of assigning value to carbon reduction, <br />which has been done in other cities nationally and countries internationally. She is <br />going to send more information to group and possibly provide a follow up during <br />the next meeting. <br /> <br />5.7 ERMU APPA Presentation <br /> <br />Chair Sagstetter recently presented to APPA regarding electric vehicles and charging <br />in Elk River. The focus was on municipal utilities and the benefit they can provide <br />for specific sustainability initiatives. Right now, the economics for electric vehicles is <br />changing due to low gas prices. <br /> <br /> <br />5.8 Summer projects, EC Insights, Farmers Market <br /> <br />Due to COVID, many of the planned summer programs and projects are looking <br />quite different this year. The ECC had planned to participate at the Farmers Market <br />but that is no longer an option in an effort to reduce extra people at the markets this <br />summer. The Commission was encouraged to continue to add ideas for the Energy <br />City Insights postings throughout the summer with relevant topics and information. <br /> <br />5.9 Redefine 169 Project <br /> <br />Commissioner Plaisted discussed that he recently participated in the 169 Open <br />House and is interested in the future of the project. He suggested the commission <br />think about how they could get involved and offer suggestions, perhaps related to <br />native plantings or other water conservation aspects to suggest for the project. <br /> <br />5.10 GRE Update <br /> <br />Commissioner Steinbeck provided a brief update about the GRE Plant in Elk River <br />which is currently being deconstructed. Much of the exterior work will begin this <br />summer and wrap up by the end of the year. GRE also recently announced plans to <br />shut down a large coal power plant and by the end of 2022. These decisions are <br />mainly based on economics but also provide significant environmental benefits. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />6. Next Meeting Agenda Items (Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 8:00 a.m.)