5.1. SR 09-15-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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REQUEST FOR ACTION To Item Number City Council 5.1. Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Community Development September 15, 2008 Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator Item Description Reviewed by "Project Conserve" Participation and Funding Jeff Gongoll, Community Develo ment Director Reviewed by Lori ohnson, Ci Administrator Action Requested Staff and the Energy City Commission are requesting the City Council participation in "Project Conserve" and fund $2,500 for Vance Zehringer's time and $5,000 for program materials, publishing, etc. Background/Discussion The Energy City Commission is working on a new endeavor called "Project Conserve." It is designed to help reduce electric, natural gas, water, gasoline and garbage use. The goal of "Project Conserve" is to establish realistic goals for residents on conservation. Family size, home ownership, and willingness to try to conserve will all be used to determine these goals. Informational meetings for the participants will be held to share conservation techniques. Visits will be provided to give the most up to date information needed to make a difference. Some free items will be given out to help make a difference and some of the participants may be eligible for rebates if upgrades are needed. Participants must be willing to share results with Energy City personnel and allow data from their experience to be shared with the public. It is our hope to use pilot data to encourage all residents of Elk River to follow the participant's lead. Done right, this could be a test of national prominence and certainly one that can save a homeowner as much as $1,400 per year in energy costs. Currently, there are approximately 20 residents who have filled out the application to take part in this project. In late September, the application will be included in all ERMU utility bills. The deadline for applications is October 10. After the deadline, staff and commissioners will go through the applications and determine eligibility. The goal will be to have a good cross reference of home sizes, ages, and number of people living in the home. Staff attended the September 9, 2008 Utilities Commission meeting to request participation and funding fox "Project Conserve" and were successful in achieving approval of $2,500 for Vance Zehringer's time towards the project and purchasing prizes as incentives. Mr. Zehringer's time would be a cost-share between the City and Elk Rivex Municipal Utilities. Other Energy City partners are also willing to donate prizes as incentives. C:\Documents and Settings\jmiller\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK3E\Action Requested -project conserve (2).doc