5.4. SR 06-13-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

N ~~ Elk _ REQUEST FOR ACTION River TO ITEM NUMBER Ma or & Ci Council 5.4. AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY Woxksession June 13, 2011 Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED By Project Conserve Phase III Vance Zehrin er, ERMU REVIEWED BY Tim Simon, Finance Director ACTION REQUESTED Approve Phase III of Project Conserve to include homeowners, apartment dwellers, and businesses. BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION The City of Elk River and Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) staff have been carrying out Phase II of Project Conserve. Through the program, the City of Elk River and ERMU were able to provide over 300 households with a direct avenue to help them conserve natural resources and save money on energy costs. This was accomplished through various outreach methods, including free consultations, four informational workshops, periodic newsletters, and a brand new energy audit program carried out by city building inspectors and ERMU utility workers. The energy audit program, though in its infancy, was extremely successful, with the auditors receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews for their diligence, service, and knowledge. CWerall, Project Conserve is succeeding in its conservation goals and forming a valuable bond between the city and its citizens. Project Conserve is aforward-thinking community-based program that serves the citizens of Elk River. Through the program, citizens are able to interact with city and utility staff as partners to achieve common resource conservation goals. This program has been beneficial in creating a positive relationship between staff and residents. Many communities are trying to replicate this program. The city & ERMU have received awards from the League of MN Cities, the Recycling Association of MN, Minnesota Municipal Utility Association, and Harvard University for this program. Project Conserve Phase III will continue to work with homeowners, but will also be expanded to be available to apartment dwellers and business owners. Through the program, the City of Elk River and ERMU can continue to develop new. and even stronger partnerships within the community. FINANCIAL IMPACT Thanks to a grant by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Minnesota Department of Commerce through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, all of the equipment to conduct the energy audits and expand the program have been purchased. City building inspectors and ERMU utility workers received training to conduct the residential audits through the grant. In 2011, the city N:\Public Bodies\City Council\Council RCA\Agenda Packet\06-13-2011\Project Conserve.docx