Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 05/16/2016

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Stodola, Board Member Hiatt, Covart, Bernard, Lewis, Trossen and Valentine. Voting No: None. Absent: None. 5. POLICY BOARD BUSINESS 5.01: Appointment of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson City Planner Anderson noted each year the Commissions and Boards appoint officers. Currently, Mr. Tom Stodola serves as Chairperson and Mr. Mike Valentine serves as the Vice Chair. Board Member Valentine nominated Tom Stodola for Chair. Board Member Hiatt agreed. Motion by Board Member Lewis, and seconded by Board Member Bernard to appoint Tom Stodola as Chairperson of the Environmental Policy Board for the term of April 2016 through March 2017. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Stodola, Board Member Lewis, Bernard, Covart, Hiatt, Trossen and Valentine. Voting No: None. Absent: None. Board Member Hiatt nominated Mike Valentine for Vice Chair. Motion by Board Member Hiatt, seconded by Board Member Lewis to appoint Mike Valentine as Vice Chairperson of the Environmental Policy Board for the term of April 2016 through March 2017. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Stodola, Board Member Hiatt, Lewis, Bernard, Covart, Trossen and Valentine. Voting No: None. Absent: None. 5.02: Receive Presentation from Connexus Energy City Planner Anderson briefly presented the staff report and introduced Brian Burandt, Vice President Power Supply and Business, Conexus, and EDA Member with Ramsey. Mr. Burandt noted Connexus started a solar garden, due to favorable feedback. However,the solar garden only works 50% of the year. It's too dark for it to work the other half of the year. The solar garden was producing power 14.8%of the year. Because of this and other factors,it was sold out in December 2015. The Solar Wise program was started. This program is working, as evidenced by the fact that all their solar panels from the garden are sold. He said they now sell for other solar gardens. Mr. Burandt reviewed the Vegetation Management Plan. He explained the power lines must have proper clearances around them. Because of this, Connexus is currently conducting tree trimming. He noted the wide path that is cleared of vegetation around the base power lines. City Planner Anderson questioned whether Connexus has considered an exchange program of offering a free tree in turn for taking down a large tree. He wondered whether this would be a better option than having to trim the larger trees. Environmental Policy Board/April 18, 2016 Page 2 of 5