Minutes - Council - 05/14/2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Burandt explained that the power purchase agreement dollar per megawatt rate is fixed for the period of 30 years. He shared that the investment tax credits are monetized over the first seven years. Councilmember Howell asked what will be done with the solar panels when they reach the end of the lifespan. Mr. Burandt explained that in the State of Minnesota, the retired solar panels are classified as e- waste. He said these panels have to be recycled. Councilmember Howell asked if it was true that these panels are shipped out of State to be recycled. Mr. Burandt said he is not sure where Councilmember Howell got this information as the panels they have had to recycle have been recycled in the State. Motion by Councilmember Olson, seconded by Councilmember Specht, to introduce Ordinance 424-02 rezoning a portion of the Ramsey Landfill from I-1 to CL at the northwest of Sunwood Drive and Sunfish Lake Boulevard NW. Further discussion: Councilmember Riley shared that while people may disagree with the State and the direction that the State has indicated that they are going with energy, this is not the question that the Council is being asked. He noted that this is land that will not otherwise get used as it is unusable for any other purpose which is what makes this a very good spot to consider this solar garden. Councilmember Specht shared that it is his understanding that Connexus started looking at this site in 2018 when they were working with the State on this at which time the zoning would have allowed it. He said that during the Council's rezoning work, this area got changed to the I-1. He said they are not rezoning this area to allow it; they are rezoning it back to what it used to be. Councilmember Howell stated that electing officials constantly come and go and to act like a State has a mandate that will last indefinitely with this energy policy is a mistake. She explained that this is not sustainable renewable energy and if they install this third solar garden in the City then they are stuck with it in the City. Councilmember Musgrove said they do have the ability to not rezone this. She shared that she has spoken to residents since this item was added back onto the agenda and almost every resident had no idea this was being discussed again and that they do not want another solar garden in Ramsey. She noted that this is an opportunity for the City to say to the State that they do not support more solar gardens and that they want to preserve open land and natural areas. City Council/May 14, 2024 Page 10 of 18