5.3.E. SR 09-10-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Item # 5.3.E. c ver MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor & City Council FROM: Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator DATE: September 10, 2007 SUBJECT: Energy City Commission 3-year Plan Elk River has been known as Energy City since 1997 when the Minnesota Environmental Initiative (MEI) Foundation chose it from over 30 other applying communities to be the focal point for the demonstration of efficient and renewable energy products, services, and products. Since that time, several demonstrations have been implemented in the City of Elk River. Some of the more notable ones are the full-scale wind generator on Highway 169, the landfill-to-gas facility at the Elk River Landfill and the three (3) Energy Houses. Since the inception of Energy City in 1997, a local committee called the Action Committee for Energy (ACE) ran the programs of Energy City. In 2004, MEI informed ACE that their focus was changing and that focus would change the relationship with Energy City. On June 13, 2005, ACE attended a City Council worksession meeting to discuss the establishment of an Energy City Commission. Establishing this commission would validate its existence and be able to advise the Council in regards to energy related businesses coming to the city; identity and image perspectives; maintain relationships with businesses, Energy City and the Council; and also an economic development tool. The Energy City Commission was formally created on June 20, 2005. In 2007, the Energy City Commission (ECC) had several accomplishments. They are as follows: • 15` Energy Expo- the Energy Expo will be discussed in greater detail later in the meeting • Federal and state trademark • Recipient of two (2) MnGREAT (Minnesota Government Reaching Environmental Achievements Together) Awards for Energy House III and Methane Gas to Electric Facility • Having an influence on the new library being built to LEED certification standards • Designation as "a state energy city" In addition, staff discussed with the Commission the need to develop goals and priorities. This was done in January 2007. These are attached. Using this existing tool, a 3-year plan has been developed. The ECUs mission has been being in collaboration between the City of Elk River, government, and businesses to promote the City, energy efficiency and the renewable energy industry through demonstrations and consumer education. Through this 3-year planning process, the ECC has further developed the mission to include being astate-wide conservation demonstration site.