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Elk River ,� <br /> Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING <br /> TO: FROM: <br /> Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Tom Sagstetter - Conservation and Key Accounts <br /> John Dietz—Chair Manager <br /> Al Nadeau—Vice Chair <br /> Daryl Thompson—Trustee <br /> MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: <br /> March 13th, 2017 6.1f <br /> SUBJECT: <br /> Staff Update <br /> DISCUSSION: <br /> • Working with city staff on a number of Energy City initiatives including but limited to: <br /> documentation and planning for an intern to come from Germany to assist in the <br /> environmental area; possible ordinance change to expand representation on Energy City <br /> Commission to residents, non-profit organizations, and youth organizations. <br /> • Provided a tour of the GRE facilities for the University of St. Thomas graduate student <br /> partners that are working on a research project that has a goal to establish a clear brand <br /> identity and image for Elk River as Energy City. <br /> • Attended APPA Legislative Rally with represenatives from MMUA. Attended in person <br /> meetings with legislators that included: Representative Tom Emmer, Senators Al Franken <br /> and Amy Klobuchar. The key issues we discussed included: tax exempt municipal bonds; <br /> small cell wireless communication companies attaching to municipal utility poles; and <br /> changes to the Federal Power Act that could change how power generated from federal <br /> hydroelectric projects could be sold into the market and change existing lease agreements <br /> with members that receive power from WAPA. The legislators were understanding of our <br /> positions on each topic and the meetings were very beneficial. Illustrating how the <br /> proposed changes impact local residents and businesses is critical to keeping policies in <br /> place that provide for stable affordable electric service and rates. <br /> • MMPA met with four area elementary schools to educate them on electricity and how it's <br /> created and delivered to their homes. The discussion emphasizes the generation portfolio <br /> including renewables and the importance of efficiency and conservation by residential <br /> and commercial businesses. <br /> • Worked with a newly acquired customer from Connexus on energy use and billing <br /> concerns. The situation was resolved and the customer was satisfied. <br /> • The Elk River Chamber of Commerce has cancelled the Business Expo for 2017. The <br /> reasons for the cancelation included: decreasing attendance;vendors having difficulty <br /> with the Sunday schedule and staffing of booths; and vendors not seeing benefit from the <br /> event. <br /> El <br /> POWERED O1 <br /> Page 1 of 1 NATURE <br /> Reliable Public' <br /> Power Provider POWERED T O S ERV E <br /> 270 <br />