02-20-2007 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . City Council Nlinutes February 20, 2007 Page 21 comments Council has regarding the animation of the sign. It was noted that the flashing animation can be distracring for drivers. Mr. Barnhart noted that the city ordinance prohibits animation. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 07-30 ESTABLISHING AN INTERIM ORDINANCE (MORATORIUM) ON THE ISSUANCE OF BUILDING PERMITS FOR "ADVERTISING SIGNS" AND/OR SIGNAGE THAT UTILIZES "ELECTRONIC CHANGEABLE COPY)' FOR ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF THIS RESOLUTION. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7.1. Consider Great River Energy Proposal for Peaking Plant City Administrator Lori Johnson indicated that Great Rivet Energy (GRE) is proposing to construct a peaking plant at its current site in Elk River. GRE is requesring that Sherburne County and the City of Elk River support a legislative property tax exemption for the plant. She stated that the support for the exemption is conringent upon the city entering into an agreement that provides a benefit to the city for hosring the plant, which includes payment in lieu of taxes, conveyance of property for the waste water treatment plant expansion, and an arrangement with Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) where GRE passes savings to help reduce electric rates. Ms. Johnson explained the recent legislation regarding property tax exemptions for personal property. Vince Herda, GRE - provided a description of the project design, capacity, fuel use, water supply, plant operations, environmental impacts, state and federal permits needed, project schedule, and total estimated cost. Rick Lancaster, GRE - provided information on the tax exemptions and reviewed the proposed host agreement. Mr. Beck questioned if Great River Energy is required to complete an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EA W). Mr. Lancaster indicated that an environmental worksheet is completed by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and the report that will be completed is more in depth than an EA W. Councilmember Farber questioned the number of employees Great River Energy currently has. Mr. Lancaster stated that there are currently 300 employees in Elk River but approximately 200 will be moving to the new headquarters in Maple Grove next year. Ms. Johnson indicated that in order for the WWTP to acquire the land necessary to expand, GRE would be required to move some equipment to property they are not currently using. She stated that the property for GRE will need to be rezoned to allow the equipment storage and that this will be addressed in the agreement. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 07-31 APPROVING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 150-200 MW SIMPLE-CYCLE PEAKING PLANT FUELED PRIMARILY BY NATURAL GAS WITH FUEL-OIL BACK-UP. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.