6.2. ERMUSR 06-14-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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of ver MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor 8~ City Council FROM: Stephen Rohlf, Building 8~ Environmental Administrator DATE: June 13, 2005 SUBJECT: Creation of an Energy City Commission The City of Elk River applied to the Minnesota Environmental Initiative (MEI) in 1996 to be a program of Energy Alley (organization under MEI). The City was chosen from a group of communities to become Energy City and has since developed a partnership between government and business to promote energy efficiency and the renewable energy industry through demonstrations and consumer education. Recently the city was informed by MEI that Energy Alley may not exist in the near future. This will change the Energy City's relationship with MEI. The Action Committee for Energy (ACE) is the local committee that runs Energy City. They discussed this at their March 23, 2005 meeting. ACE felt that Energy City is still a very strong viable organization that is not only making a significant contribution to the environment on energy issues, but is also helping promote the image of the City of Elk River. Numerous major companies focus on Elk River regarding energy issues through Energy City. Because a tie to MEI in the future is doubtful, ACE is recommending Energy City becomes a city commission to validate its existence. City staff currently does the majority of the work, such as sending out packets, taking minutes, advertising events, website changes, etc. It makes sense to have Energy City be a city run program. ACE is also recommending the city seek the designation of "Energy City" through legislation or possibly a gubernatorial designation. This would give the City an identity and could help with Economic Development. ACE will be at the Council workshop meeting to discuss the opportunities facing the City of Elk River and Energy City in the future.