03-23-2005 ECC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Action Committee for Energy Page 1 March 23,2005 • MEETING OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE FOR ENERGY HELD AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2005 Members Present: Mark Kennedy,Susie Overholser,Andrea Hall and Del Overholser— ECONAR,E. B.Stoutenburg-NRG,Vance Zehringer and Bryan Adams- ERMU,Arne Hendrickson—CenterPoint Energy,Rachel Leonard— Sherburne County Commissioner,Deb Walters—Elk River Landfill,Bill Poppert (via cell phone) —Technology North,Renee Sandee—Anoka County TMO,Sharon Kampa—SBNA,John Dunlop—Renewable Energy Services,Stephanie Klinzing—Mayor of Elk River Staff Present: Pat Klaers,Rebecca Haug,Stephen Rohlf and Heidi Steinmetz 1. Goals Steve Rohlf discussed the history of Energy City and the relationship with MEI. The City of Elk River applied to MEI in 1996 to be a program of Energy Alley (organization under MEI). The City was chosen from a group of communities and has since developed a partnership between government and business to promote energy efficiency and the renewable energy industry through demonstrations and consumer education. Steve informed the Committee that Mike Harley with MEI had called to inform him that Energy Alley may not exist as such in the future. This changes the focus of Energy City and the Committee needs to decide whether or not it • wants to be run as a City program or a partnership. Del discussed the differences between the partners and that Energy City has been functioning without MEI or Energy Alley for quite awhile. The Committee needs to do more to get the word out about Energy City. The Committee believes that MEI's focus has changed because of where its funding is coming from. Stephanie discussed whether or not this should become a non-profit organization because it is already being run as a City program. She discussed having this go in front of the City Council to designate the City as "Energy City". Vance asked if the City views this as an asset and Stephanie believes it does. The City Council meeting on Monday,March 21 proved that with Energy House III. The discussion of forming a City Commission if the City is designated as "Energy City"was discussed. Stephanie thinks designating the City as "Energy City"would give the City an identity and can help with Economic Development since businesses may come here because of it. She also talked about the amount of garbage the City has from everywhere and how this counteracts that. The designation would have to go through legislation. The City Council would have to realize that more money may have to be allocated to Energy City as well as additional staff time. Del had concerns about this being a City run program and not allowing the partners to have as much input. John asked for a description of how a Commission would be set-up. The Commission would be an advisory council to the City Council and would make recommendations to the City Council. The membership would be based on representation. • Del also had concerns with the short and long-term success of this program if it were run by the City. He had concerns with what may happen if Stephanie is no longer the mayor. The