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<br />City Council Minutes Page 7 of 12 <br />September 15, 2025 <br />--------- <br /> <br /> <br />customer won't receive a bill from ERMU, as they bill for five city services, so they will still receive a bill <br />from ERMU. She also explained that the sun doesn't always shine here, so the customer is very <br />frustrated that they still have to pay. She further explained that Everlight saying they were never told <br />before they were revoked is not true, as it has been many years of conversations with Everlight, making <br />sure they follow ERMU's process, and working with the frustrated customers. She stated that there are <br />probably customers who are happy with the process, but she has received many calls that are not even <br />documented regarding complaints, and the aggressive sales approach. <br /> <br />Councilmember Beyer asked if each solicitor had to sign to get a solicitor's permit. They stated that <br />they have to sign for each solicitor online to receive a permit. <br /> <br />Mayor Dietz stated that he received a call that day from a resident who talked to Everlight. He is <br />actually one of the football coaches here in Elk River, and the solicitor that he talked to was one of his <br />former players. He stated that they were very pushy, but said he was interested, so he signed <br />something, and they immediately wanted his bank account number. He didn't give him his bank account <br />number. This resident stated that the last time he spoke with them, he confronted them, stating that <br />they misrepresented themselves, stating they were from Elk River Municipal Utilities, and that they lied <br />to him, and he wanted out. He was told that they didn't know if they could do that, as they already had <br />permits for him. Mayor Dietz talked to the building department today, and there were no permits <br />issued for this address for solar. <br /> <br />Mr. Shepherd stated that they are not working in Elk River right now and never once have they asked <br />for bank account numbers. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wagner stated that it sounds like the company has an unfortunate track record, and <br />that is really hard. She explained that she was considering giving them a chance, as it is a personal thing <br />for her to give the younger generation a chance, but she doesn't think she can say yes to having them <br />do business in Elk River. <br /> <br />Mr. Shepherd stated that the door knockers do not have the sit-down consultations and that the door <br />knockers from 2023 are not the same door knockers as now in 2025. He stated that now all these <br />individuals will have to put on every application that they have had their license revoked, and some have <br />never set foot in Elk River. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wagner stated that, as discussed, when you are part of a team, you are part of a team. <br />She probably would have felt different if they had walked away when asked, but they didn't. <br /> <br />Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Calva to direct staff <br />to prepare the resolution of findings upholding the revocation of the solicitor licenses. <br />Motion carried 4-0. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 8.2 Resolution 25-47: Approve Orono Lake Improvement District 2026 Budget <br /> The staff report was presented. <br /> <br />Mayor Dietz asked if the dues have been the same since the start of the organization. Patrick Plant, <br />OLID stated that it went up twice, from $75 to $94 then $94 to $100. <br /> <br />Mayor Dietz stated that they do a great job and they are great at what they do. <br /> <br />