09-15-2025 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Minutes Page 5 of 12 September 15, 2025 --------- 8. GENERAL BUSINESS 8.1 Everlight Solar: Appeal of Revocation of Solicitor Licenses The staff report was presented. Wade Shepherd, Everlight Solar Sales Development Manager, explained that the bullet points that were heard in the video are the bullet points they use as general information on how the program works. He also stated that they receive a verbal confirmation from the homeowner that they understand that Everlight is not from a power company. He added that they are invested in Minnesota and have a responsibility to the community, and would like to present themselves in a way that will be positive for the business long-term. He stated they advertise their business by going door-to-door to offer no-cost consultations to the homeowner to see a customer report for their house to understand how it works. He explained they are taking this seriously and approaching this to make sure Everlight is represented in the best light possible, because they have helped tons of people in the state of Minnesota to go solar, and they hope to continue. Nick Carnagey, Everlight Solar Manager, explained that they take the time to get solicitors' permits to do it the right way. They work hard and get positive reviews. He explained that when they get a permit revoked, they need to list on all other cities' applications that they have had permits revoked, which affects the application process in other cities. Mr. W. Shepherd stated that the sales representative in the video did not handle the situation very well, as they were trained to do, and needs more training. He also pointed out that the sales representative had on an Everlight Solar shirt and badge, therefore clearly representing Everlight Solar and not the city. Councilmember Wagner explained her experience when they came to her house. She explained that it was not a very good showing by the company. She further stated that during the conversation, the salesperson was representing the Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU). She stated she stopped him, told him she was on the Elk River City Council, and that she knew ERMU did not hire him to represent them. She told him he was expressing incorrect information. She stated that even after she told him this, he kept talking. She then said that her answer was no, and she didn't want to be rude, but that she needed to walk away; however, he kept talking. Then she stated she said, "Please stop, I don't want to shut the door on you, but I need to walk away," and she stated that he kept talking. She walked away and said he still kept talking for 20 seconds or so, and then finally he walked away. She then confirmed with Mayor Dietz that Everlight Solar did not contract with ERMU. She then walked outside and approached them as they were still in the neighborhood and said, "Gentlemen, I am telling you, you cannot continue to represent yourself the way that you are. You are not associated with ERMU nor the city." After this encounter, she stated that her neighbors thanked her and also stated to her that the salespeople would not leave their doors and were rude. She explained there is no way she can allow them back into the community, given the way they have been acting. Mr. W. Shepherd stated it is unfortunate that this was her experience and explained that the number of people the solicitors talk to is significant, with positive responses versus the number of complaints. He again stated that it is unfortunate, but it is not indicative of the way they train their staff to operate. Councilmember Wagner added she doesn't want to do a disservice to their business, but the business did a disservice to the community.