Minutes - Council - 04/08/2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Councilmember Olson aye Councilmember Specht aye Councilmember Peters aye Mayor Heineman aye Motion carried. 6. PUBLIC HEARING None. 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS 7.01: Adopt Resolution #25-065 Approving a Site Plan Review for a Solar Energy System on the Ramsey Landfill Property (Cedar Creek Energy) Planning Manager Larson reviewed the Staff report in regard to the site plan review for a solar energy system at the Ramsey Landfill. He shared the Planning Commission’s recommendation of approval. Alex Gast, Cedar Creek Energy, came forward and shared that they have been working with Connexus Energy to develop this land with a solar energy system that would serve the members of Connexus Energy. He noted that the anticipated life of this system would be 30 years or greater. Councilmember Buscher said she is very excited about this project as she thinks it is important to utilize land like this for the City’s energy infrastructure. She asked about the community benefit planning. Mr. Gast explained that as part of this project they intend to use their registered apprenticeship program, which would give 15% on-the-job training to electricians through apprenticeships. Councilmember Specht asked what happens to the site after the 30-year lifespan. Mr. Gast said they would typically repower the system after 30 years by recycling the current modules and installing new ones. Councilmember Riley asked what opportunities they would be missing out on by allowing this development. Planning Manager Larson said the land does not have soil that is suitable to support a building so they would not be able to use it for anything that would require a building. He stated this kind of system which would be placed on the ground, would work, but not much else. He noted this solar energy system would do something with land that they likely would not be able to do anything else with. City Council /April 8, 2025 Page 4 of 10