00:05:30,490 S1:

Hello and welcome to the August 10th, 2026 meeting of the Sustainable Union Advisory Commission meeting.

00:05:42,810 Can we all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance? S1:

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

00:05:59,180 S1:

All right. Uh, first item on the agenda. We have a roll call, and it appears as though all commissioners are here tonight. No, we're missing one. Yes, ma'am.

00:06:11,100 S1:

Jess Jensen is not here. Thank you. Uh. All right. Uh, second item is the approval of the agenda. Do we have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Next item is approval of the minutes from the May 18th meeting.

00:06:32,420 Do we have a motion to approve? S2:

I did find something. It's always when it's you. Right? And, um, so it's this, uh, the third paragraph, second line where it says that, uh, member McKenna nominated. Um, member Raker. I think it was someone else. But if no one remembers.

00:06:58,390 S2:

Okay, so maybe maybe I did. But that was the only thing, and it probably is not that significant.

00:07:05,470 S3:

I think I did make all the nominations. Yeah, yeah.

00:07:09,990 S2:

So, um. Okay. That was all.

00:07:13,790 S1:

Do we have a motion to approve?

00:07:17,990 S4:

So move.

00:07:18,870 S1:

Do we have a second?

00:07:20,590 S5:

A second?

00:07:21,510 S1:

All in favor? Aye.

00:07:26,150 Opposed? S1:

Next on the agenda. Visitors to be heard. Do we have any visitors to be heard tonight? Seeing none. I will move on to the presentations section of the agenda. Seems like we have some exciting, uh, developments to talk about.

00:08:05,680 S6:

Good evening, commissioners chair and commission. I am excited to be here tonight to present, um, an award that the city has recently won in the sustainability category. Each year, the League of Minnesota Cities presents One city, the Sustainable City Award. And this year in 2026, the city of Eagan was um awarded this recognition.

00:08:35,040 S6:

Uh, the recognition was awarded for the Eagan Art House rebuild and the collaboration of that project with the city's Climate Action Plan. Um, there's a couple of key things in this project that I wanted to highlight. Um, and our award is right here for you to see. Um, this project was the first major capital project that took advantage of the city's newly, um, new, uh, sustainability fund, which is funded through the utility franchise fee. Um, and I'll remind this commission that the utility franchise fee is 100% dedicated to sustainability projects. And this project wouldn't have been possible the way it was built without that, that fund. Um, and in order to be able to build this project the way it was, there were several years in the making, um, a lot of which started with this commission, um, advocating for a sustainability initiative. Sustainability staff and funding for this initiative. And that all started even prior to 2022. But I'll remind you that this initiative was launched in 2022 to make sustainability a key city priority. Following that, the city invested in professional sustainability staff to ensure that projects like this a new build of a facility had sustainability as a priority. And as I mentioned, um, this project was done in collaboration with the city's Climate Action plan. Uh, one of which the the key actions there speaks about, uh, new, new facilities being constructed, um, without the need for fossil fuels and natural gas. And we were able to accomplish that in this project. Uh, so we invested about $2 million in sustainability features, um, into this, this facility. And so I encourage each of you, if you haven't been there, um, to go visit it, not only because it's an amazing art facility and it's beautiful in the way it was constructed and designed, but also because of the, um, really awesome sustainability features. Uh, some of the key features here that it's a 100% electric facility. Um, it's the largest facility of the size that the city owns. That's fully electric. And we also operate 100% renewable energy through a combination of the onsite solar generation, as well as the renewable energy credits that we purchase through the electric utility. Uh, there's also a geothermal HVAC system in this facility, allowing us to heat and cool the facility very efficiently. That leads to some measurable, measurable impacts annually. We're estimating that, uh, we're avoiding about 33 tons of CO2, um, and over 20 years. This is about the same. Avoided CO2 that 170 acres of forest with sequester. And we do think that we're we're saving about $10,000 monthly because of the on site solar and the geothermal HVAC system. If we had chosen to go with more traditional heating and cooling, the energy utility bills would have been much higher for a facility of this size and also the type of use that it gets. So overall, I just wanted to summarize that, um, this project took so much community support from the commissioners through, uh, support of our Climate Action Plan team members, through the input we got in our recreation facilities planning. Um, and that's why the facility is built the way that it is. And so we're really proud to present the commission and all of Eagan this award. Um, and at the end of the meeting, I'd love to take a photo with all of you in our award. So thank you.

00:12:44,100 S2:

And thank you.

00:12:45,020 S7:

Thank you. Thank you.

00:12:48,220 S7:

Thank you.

00:12:48,740 S2:

Wow.

00:12:54,540 S1:

All right. Next on the agenda. Uh, we have, uh, conversation about data centers from what it appears.

00:13:01,700 S3:

Good evening. Commissioner. Nice seeing you again. Um, I'm going to go ahead and take one. Pass those down. Um.

00:13:11,220 S3:

So I'm passing out. Is, um, uh, something I'll get to in my presentation here, but it's, uh. Um, I basically stole that from a gentleman, Mike Turner, uh, who's with Loudoun County, and he does. And he's been a part of a number of webinars that, uh, he's talked about best practices. Maybe you've seen him in other webinars that maybe I shared with, uh, with you all. So, um, so I know what day is the day of the 10th? A few weeks ago, we had a conversation with a joint meeting with the Advisory Planning Commission. As far as data centers, I know that as part of that presentation, I threw a lot of information at you, intended to really kind of give really a high overview of basically some of the issues, you know, relating to the data centers, whether those are land use issues or sustainability issues. Um, I just wanted to give you basically the commission opportunity to kind of hear what are some of the issues and at least part of our early research that that we've seen. So as part of my presentation, I'm going to just quickly go over that. And then at the end I'm going to ask if you guys have any questions really quick of any of that. But so one of the things I do want to stress to, uh, the seat commissioners is, um, really looking at this issue of data centers and the development of this new ordinance through your lens, through the sustainability lens, you know, what are some of your issues as we go through this process of developing an ordinance, I'm asking basically the same question. Obviously, Planning Commission has a little bit different responsibility than seek. I mean, there's our more land use matters, which obviously data centers will end up addressing through zoning, you know, setbacks, performance, other performance standards. We'll get through that, you know, with with planning commission. But what I want you as seat commissioners to really kind of focus have that hat on and focus on you know what what are some of your thoughts and concerns, you know, as we go through this preparation for the ordinance. So. So again, just recapping what we discussed a few weeks ago. Again, we just discussed the background in history, um, some of the components we really focused on that, you know, cooling system, which is, you know, one of the major, major issues, uh, you know, around data centers, especially from that, that noise and water component. I went through basically the various types of data centers that are being seen. Here is just a list of a few common ones. We did discuss really briefly and going over through the maps, the data centers that exist within. Um, so the three at the top, uh, basically are existing. Um, and then the two in the bottom are part of the enterprise system. So, uh, one other thing I do really want to mention really quick is, um, through discussions with Planning Commission last week or two weeks ago that was not televised at all. So this is actually the first televised broadcast of any discussion regarding, uh, regarding data centers. And so, um, one thing I do want to mention that, you know, we are developing or hoping to develop more of a public engagement plan, uh, to involve the public. We're still developing that, but I would anticipate that the public may end up coming to, uh, either the seat commission at some point, maybe as visitors to be heard or otherwise, and probably end up having some type of, of conversations with, with you as a committee. So. But we we are proposing some type of public outreach that will allow citizens at least some input regarding this matter. So. So I do want to put that out there really quick. Again, some of the common land use issues, uh, noise that's generated, uh, proximity to sensitive land uses that was discussed at the two weeks ago. Um, noise basically that chart again as a reminder, that's from the state of Minnesota. Those are basically required noise standards at us as a city has to follow. We cannot be more stringent than those standards that are developed there on your screen. So we are required to follow those particular standards. Uh, as far as MPCa, there's always a lot of questions. How involved is the MPCa? Uh, data centers, um, especially for noise and, uh, enforcement. They only really get involved when there's air quality permits or any permits that basically they're responsible to review and provide. So, uh, there's a couple that I just provided on there. Those are the most, probably the most frequent air quality permits and energy storage. Um, but MPCa really relies on local governments, uh, to basically enforce their, uh, the noise ordinance. And they do encourage basically, uh, cities to consider land use implications, how our land use is basically going to impact, you know, sensitive land uses such as as residential. So they do rely on local cities or local municipalities to consider that, uh, infrasound. Uh, that is, uh, basically kind of a new phenomenon that's being discussed with, uh, you know, regarding data centers and that's that low frequency again, usually below that human audibility range. Uh, and I'll get to that in a little bit as well. But um, that is one of the issues that uh, is, has been discussed here with uh, with data centers here recently. Uh, data centers, uh, as far as water use, uh, especially hyperscale can use millions of gallons of water for cooling. But I do want to stress to you and to the public, if they do watch that that watch this, that if not all data centers actually use a lot of water, they basically they there is water use uh, among data centers. But usually it's the hyperscale ones that probably get that bad rap of using the millions and millions of gallons, uh, for their cooling system. Um, and I do want to note that the average single family home and maybe I didn't stress this at the last meeting that, uh, they use about 95 to 100,000 gallons of water annually. So that's every single family home. And obviously that might vary based on family size uh, or type of unit, uh, power use. That's always a consideration. Uh, you know, with data centers, especially those that are using 100MW or more, um, there is a correlation between basically square footage of that data center and the power needed. However, that seems to be changing almost daily, if not monthly. You know, that, uh, based on advances in technology and how that might work. So that equation could be, you know, outdated here as we speak.

00:20:14,810 S3:

Um, onsite power generation. Uh, this is something that, uh, in watching Mike Turner, uh, if you watched the webinar that I sent you, he, he seems to be, uh, under the belief, especially larger data centers, that there's going to be this, uh, push for certain data centers, especially those probably larger data centers controlled by, you know, Meta and Google and those of basically on site power generation where it's more reliable. They'll have control of it. They won't have to rely on the grid. But he believes that there's going to be a big push for a lot of these larger data centers to start implementing on site power generation.

00:20:56,940 S3:

So with that and thinking about two weeks ago, was there any any thoughts or questions that you maybe had that maybe if I can't answer tonight, I can certainly get back to you, but was there any thoughts or concerns, at least from that sustainability perspective, that you guys had that? Um, hey, we want to discuss this maybe more in depth, uh, at a planning level. Um, is there anything any thoughts, at least initially. And we'll certainly get to the rest of my presentation here briefly.

00:21:25,460 S1:

Mike, I got I got.

00:21:26,500 S8:

A question and thank you for all the great information that you've shared with us, too. Um, is there any limits on our capacity with water in Eagan? Or is that looked at at all like, here's here's what we could max out, you know.

00:21:39,710 S3:

And, you know, that's something I probably need to talk with. Public works director and utilities. You know, um, how do we evaluate that with other users? Um, obviously the existing data center in our early analysis that, I mean, they're down. They're not even in the top ten with our existing data center that's that's currently operating. So how do we actually use that information for future data center users? Is there a cap? Um, how do we look at it at a regional perspective? Um, obviously that aquifer is does not basically follow municipal boundaries. And so how does that work on a regional scale? So that's something I'll certainly need to work with, uh, our public works director and utilities. How how is that how is the city. How do we review that to consider that that consideration so I know.

00:22:30,640 S1:

Yeah. Please. Um.

00:22:32,920 S8:

Like, how much.

00:22:33,600 S9:

Water does the the. I think there's one data center currently that we have estimated metrics for.

00:22:42,560 How much water does that use per year? S3:

Uh, that I believe was like 7 million gallons per year, if I remember correctly.

00:22:48,160 S9:

Okay. Uh, and then, you know, the timeline on the public engagement plan being ready.

00:22:55,560 S3:

We don't we're just we're going to be sitting down with the, uh, communications director here this week and, uh, kind of fine tune that plan. So, um, so hoping obviously, in the next few months, I mean, again, we're under the deadline for the moratorium in February, so, um, we'll end up having some type of public engagement plan for, you know, later this year sometime.

00:23:17,600 S8:

Okay.

00:23:18,040 S9:

And last one for me is just with the kind of trend potentially toward on site power generation. Is that likely To if that continues, does that trigger MPCa involvement? Most likely.

00:23:33,290 S3:

Most likely. Yeah. So let me go back a few slides here. So the uh basically this air quality and this energy storage system, I'm assuming that those triggers are the 50MW and the storage system of ten megawatts would still be in place, and how that would be applied to future onsite power generation. So I would assume that, uh, MPCa would be involved still in that process.

00:24:00,250 S9:

Yeah. Thanks, Mike.

00:24:04,170 S1:

Additional questions.

00:24:07,890 S1:

I have a couple, I guess. Um, the city has, uh, goals around reducing the urban heat island effect. And I don't know that you spoke to the heating impact of data centers in any of the data you provided.

00:24:19,890 S3:

Um, I have not. So as far as, like, the, uh, heat released as part of the cooling operations. Yeah. Um, I have not only because they. I have not, at least in my research, seen any cities try to directly, um, you know, try to directly probably, uh, provide any type of language that would demonstrate how is that implemented or how is that controlled? Um, so I've not seen anything, at least in my research on that. I could certainly do some additional research. I have heard that other communities, especially European communities, encourage redirecting, uh, heat discharge from data centers to heat, like maybe adjacent buildings and things like that. But I'm not sure if in the United States has been fully implemented, uh, yet or required from many communities. But I know in Europe that that has been, um, pretty popular requirement.

00:25:16,300 S1:

Okay. Uh, second question is around our GHG goals within the Climate Action plan. I believe those are mostly achieved through like, residential programs and whatnot.

00:25:33,270 Um, what is kind of the net impact of our goals versus bringing in one or more data centers into Eagan? S3:

Well, and that's why I think I'm going to I'm going to look to Jillian and the commission. You know what? How you guys will know the your goals better than than myself.

00:25:58,270 Um, but I would probably look to you again, having that sustainability hat on or that sustainability lens is how are the impact the data centers basically, or how can they be minimized, maybe through implementation of a new ordinance and achieving some of your goals? S8:

Okay.

00:25:59,310 S1:

So sounds.

00:26:00,510 S7:

Good.

00:26:00,870 S2:

Yeah.

00:26:01,470 S7:

Yeah, please.

00:26:02,790 S2:

That's kind of what I was thinking about, is the ordinance can really keep it narrow as to what we expect from any of the developers. And so that as we think about what our greatest concerns. And I do think some of the ones that Ian mentioned will be there, as well as others in the Climate Action Plan. But, um, do you have any, um, insight onto how that's worked for other municipalities? Because it's there's also a push, I think, from developers to have a little more, um, uh, range as to how they do this.

00:26:47,400 But, um, can an ordinance really help narrow the way that it is created? S3:

Yeah. Good question. So I did see Eden Prairie just recently adopted their ordinance, and I think I shared that as one of the local examples. Um, a lot of times we, we look to Eden Prairie and some other, um, local, uh, suburbs as examples. Um, you know, they have I think they indicated, at least in their staff report, that they currently do not have any existing data centers, nor do they have any proposed. So. Um, so I don't know if they would be like a great example to see how that's been, um, implemented or how it's working, but I can certainly reach out to Linn County, Iowa to find out because they did. That was the other example that I think I provided within your packet that. And I know that they have at least a few data centers that have come in to. Their county, if not more than a couple. I just kind of find out, you know what, you know what's been in the response, you know. Have you seen good outcomes with some of your requirements? I can certainly reach out to them and provide that information.

00:27:46,210 S2:

And I like that. The the requirement of this is what we you expect, we expect you to build, but we also want to test it to see at once it's in operation. If it's really hitting what you said it would, you know. And I think there would be noise and power as well as water. All of those to have some check and balance and after it's in operation.

00:28:08,250 S3:

Yeah. And I mean, if it's a local water municipality, I mean basically if it's a city and we can find, find out, you know, how much water use and whether they're within that range, you know, that's that's Expected. You know, that power. That power range and some of those others. I mean, we'd probably have to find out, you know, as always, being that information then being provided on a yearly basis, you know, to, to local municipalities. And so I'd need to check with Linn County and whether they require that, that type of information. So.

00:28:38,980 S7:

Okay. Thanks.

00:28:41,500 S3:

Uh, well let me go through mister chair.

00:28:43,860 S7:

Mister. Yeah.

00:28:45,220 S10:

Thank you, Mike, for the information that you're sharing with us, I really appreciated I think we're getting a valuable education on data centers and the impact or potential impact that they have in the communities. Uh, I think in the Eden Prairie one, um, there's mention of different certifications that a data center needs to have. My question would be multiple parts. I guess I would expect that Eagan would have similar requirements for certifications and that there would be provisions for inspections to see that those certifications are met and maintained, and maybe even a requirement that those certifications would need to be renewed every so often. Like, you know, you got to renew your driver's license kind of thing. That's the point that I wanted to make. Yeah.

00:29:35,920 S3:

Um, so one of the things that I noticed, and I certainly need to reach out to, uh, Eden Prairie to find out why they referenced back to that, uh, state statute requirement. But the that portion of the state statute talks about tax exemptions and basically how it relates to, uh, tax exemptions for certain equipment. And, and then there's a specific data center portion of it. So I don't know if that's requirements that they just latched on to as far as meeting those certain tax exemptions and then meeting those sustainability requirements. Uh, or green green infrastructure requirements. So I need to find out a little bit more from Eden Prairie.

00:30:29,850 Why they end up referring back to that section of state statutes, and then? And then who follows through with that as that? Is that the local municipality, uh, you know, Eden Prairie or is that is that provided through the state? S10:

Uh, well, thank you for that. I think I had a different concept about certifications. Like if our code for Eagan requires certain things to be done to, you know, meet the sustainability goals and other requirements in the, in the code that the data center operations would, would certify in some way, in some sense, that they are complying with what those requirements are. Those are the kinds of things that I was looking for.

00:31:02,370 S3:

Yeah. And I think that's something again, we'll have to you know, I'd probably want to reach out to Eden Prairie and some of those that have implemented those required certifications and how those get, you know, implemented or enforced, if you want to look at it that way. Um, you know, I do need to be careful. You know, I know that I'm always reminded from at least our building inspector building official that, you know, they can't require anything more than what you know is allowed under the building code. And so that responsibility then would be either more to, you know, planning staff or other staff to, you know, enforce that. And so we have to determine are we the experts to, you know, understand that certification or that process. And so I do want to find out a little bit from Eden Prairie, how do they actually go through that process. So thank.

00:31:47,340 S10:

You.

00:31:47,500 S3:

So and I will get to that uh, towards the end of the your presentations here. So.

00:31:51,980 S11:

Um, I had one last question before you go on. Um, and it's really more so back to the energy ingredient pact. Um, is there a analysis being done as the comparison, what the draw is going to be for the data centers, plus the residential that we currently have? And do we have the capacity to sustain and how many can we sustain?

00:32:10,860 S3:

Um, we probably are not going to get to that, because that's a very complicated question and answer because, you know.

00:32:20,990 S11:

We have a max job that we have.

00:32:23,390 S3:

Great river energy supplies basically provides power to Excel and Dakota Electric. And so they have the ability to buy, I think, energy from other locations. And so it's not Dakota Electric basically producing that. It's more them buying power basically to provide them to their customers. So it's it's not an easy question or easy answer to, to necessarily provide how that how that study might be conducted.

00:32:50,550 S7:

So thank you.

00:32:52,150 S1:

I had another question too. Um, sorry. Uh, so did you mention that Eden Prairie doesn't have any data centers currently? Is that correct?

00:32:59,830 S3:

That's my understanding from their memo.

00:33:01,870 S1:

Okay. Um, and.

00:33:03,430 S3:

And I should say freestanding standalone data centers, they might have enterprise, you know, businesses that have small data centers but freestanding now.

00:33:11,710 S1:

Um, can you speak to what any of our other comparable cities that you can usually compares against, have for data centers? Are there other ones that do have them, or are they all not have any?

00:33:22,240 S3:

Um, I you know, I haven't done that research. I know that I mean, the Twin City area, Twin cities area does have a number of data centers. I think it's in the 30s now, maybe that, uh, the number of data centers in the Twin Cities area, um, I think through the state, I think there's like 60. Uh, again, don't quote me on that. I think it's part of my previous slides that I provided a few weeks ago. But, um, so there are some cities that do have some data centers, some maybe as, as old as the ones that we have. Again, data Bank has been around since 2016. Um, a lot of cities like Eagan looked at, um, you know, as almost warehouse type uses. Um, so a lot of cities maybe, at least from what I've seen, have not necessarily fully developed, you know, an ordinance, you know, regarding that. So Eden Prairie, uh, you know, the few that are in my packet. Eden Prairie, uh, Monticello. Some of those have already developed. Um, but not a lot in the Twin Cities. Uh, they're probably going through the process as we speak here as well, so.

00:34:21,490 S8:

Sure.

00:34:22,010 S7:

Okay. Thank you.

00:34:22,890 S2:

Doesn't Rosemont have a data center or the.

00:34:27,170 S3:

We do not have an ordinance, but.

00:34:29,330 S2:

Oh, they don't have an ordinance, but they have.

00:34:31,130 S8:

They have the.

00:34:31,530 S3:

Metadata center.

00:34:32,450 S7:

Yeah.

00:34:33,210 S3:

Mhm. So my understanding that they've implemented a moratorium as well too. Okay. Uh and hopefully develop, you know, maybe a better ordinance as well.

00:34:42,930 S7:

Yeah. Sounds good.

00:34:43,730 S3:

So

00:34:46,290 S3:

uh, so uh, so as I mentioned before, and I think from the handout I provided you there, Mike Turner, uh, he's the Loudoun County supervisor, if you remember, uh, in my previous presentation. Loudoun County is, uh, known as the data center alley. Um, per capita has the highest concentration of data centers anywhere in the world. Um, so he's been a part of a couple Webinars. I've noted those on the bottom. If if you want to try to find them or listen to them. I think he's very interesting and he offers a lot of lessons learned. As he said, although I think on his on his sheet there that are provided from there, I think he puts best practices. But at least during his webinar presentation, he talks about lessons learned from Loudoun County. Um, so I'm just going to go through through these and you can follow along on the list. I think I followed the list for the most part, but he does certainly recommend conducting pre and post construction noise studies, um, in the form of DBA, which is that audible noise that we can all hear. Um, and DVC, uh, which is basically that low frequency, uh, or that humming that sometimes we hear, we cannot hear. Um, so it's in that very low frequency range. Um, um, but he understands that that is, that is an issue and it can be studied by, um, professional, uh, audiologist. So, um, that city should consider limit noise at the property line. Uh, again, as I stated, we're limited to what state statutes has already adopted, you know, regarding this matter. Um, so unless that changes, we can, again, cannot be more restrictive than what the state already, uh, allows for. Um, and then reduce any of that, uh, again, low frequency noise to, uh, what he claims background levels. So obviously they, uh, go out and do some, uh, pre readings, uh, they determine what the existing readings are as part of that. Uh, and his recommendation is, you know, try to make sure that's fully sustained even when that's up and up and operating. And usually that can be done. And I'll get to that here momentarily. But uh, through uh, either distance or some type of physical structures that can actually, uh, combat combat that, uh, um, that low level frequency.

00:37:09,960 S3:

Uh, utilities, uh, just basically requesting, uh, from the applicant, uh, how power is either currently being provided or will be provided as part of that. Um, again, I think, uh, Minnesota, the states, uh, basically afforded utility companies certain rights. Uh, and certain municipalities have very limited ability to basically control what, uh, utility companies can, can do. Uh, one of the few things that we do, uh, we can require is that for at least substations, uh, the city does have a zone district in which where substations are actually, um, have to be within the public facilities zone district. So at least from that perspective, we have some ability, but overhead power lines and things like that, you know, we have very little, uh, input on, on that. So, uh, he suggests building, uh, data centers near existing power lines. I know a number of cities who use overlay districts. Basically, they do that analysis of where that power supply is being provided, and they develop these overlay districts as part of that. That's kind of more of a zoning perspective, but that's how at least a number of East Coast communities have seen to do that. Um, he also suggests substations should never be used by right, uh, or seen as an accessory, uh, or developed or allowed as an accessory. He thinks that there should be some type of process for those, uh, for those substations. Again, Eagan requires substations to be in a phone district. Um, and right now, we don't have them listed as really an accessory use to data centers, but we'll probably end up having to, uh, include them right now. Thomson Reuters when they actually operated their three data centers. Uh, it's the only known substation that I know of that was located on private property. Um, otherwise, Most substations within Eagan are located on the entity that basically is controlling that that power supply, whether that's Xcel Energy, uh, or Dakota Electric. So.

00:39:18,180 S3:

Um, again, uh, request for requesting information on, uh, energy storage. Uh, he requested for, um, applicants provide information on duration, uh, requiring at least ten hours of minimum storage. Um, and don't use lithium ion batteries. I don't know exactly how that language is, uh, indicated within the ordinance, um, or how that's actually enforced other than through a narrative or information may be provided by, by the applicant. So, um, I probably need to pull Loudoun County's ordinance again and read through that and see exactly how that might be structured. Um, again, as we spoke, uh, require annual water use estimates from the applicant, and whether they provide that on a yearly basis, or that the city just goes through its utility service and pulls those numbers, we can find out more information to ensure that they're meeting those water use, um estimates. Um, cooling systems. Uh, he does recommend that cities specify, uh, or limit the type of cooling systems used either air cooling uh uh, or if it's open loop water cooling, uh, that we get more information on what that would consist of uh, or closed loop, uh, water cooling. I'd probably say that right now most cities are limiting uh, uh, data centers to either that air cooling or that closed loop water cooling, because that closed loop, again, is just recirculating that water or that glycol through the system, uh, and not, uh, basically using it constantly as that, that open loop, uh, cooling system. Um, uh, that data centers and this isn't really an issue with local municipality, but data centers, uh, should use potable water or actually be on the city system and not be allowed to, uh, you know, connect through, like, maybe a, well, system and do it directly in an aquifer. I think the county basically requires that, uh, no more wells that all uh uh uh, everybody has to basically connect to the local municipality or local water system. So, um. Uh, another question of who cleans the wastewater. Uh, maybe one of the downsides of the closed loop water cooling is, again, you have that glycol mix, and that does occasionally have to be dumped. Who's actually cleaning that maybe before it gets actually into the public system. So, uh, he does suggest that cities think about that. Uh, generators for backup generators are very common element within, uh, data centers. Um, he does require that tier four backup generators be utilized. That is basically the highest level generators under the EPA, uh, standards. Uh, usually generally very low emissions. Uh, uh, with, uh, tier four. Um, if a city does allow maybe, uh, tier two, he does give some suggestions on, um, basically, uh, uh, utilizing this, uh, ammonia, uh, as a catalyst. I'm not exactly sure I need to research that a little bit more. Um, but he says if what I've seen in at least in Eden Prairie, they require tier four generators, I think that would be, uh, probably be sufficient, uh, that most cities request that.

00:42:45,210 S3:

Uh, so as far as some of the best practices he does in this gets into maybe some of the zoning matters. Um, he says minimum 500ft separation or setback, ideally 1000 foot setback again. That's to really combat that. I think that noise, that infrasound, uh, those elements that are associated with, uh, with data centers.

00:43:10,140 S3:

Uh, he does, uh, suggest that cities consider using natural screening, uh, vegetation, uh, berms to create some type of solid, uh, separation between a data center and sensitive land uses. Um, data centers can also be very generic, uh, in appearance. Um, and so he does suggest that maybe cities adopt, you know, some type of, uh, architectural elements or requirements such as, you know, uh, windows on the facade. Uh, he also suggests, um, floor, floor area ratio limits. I can tell you the city does not use floor area ratio. That's usually, um, a to a lot of urban communities, uh, utilized to basically restrict the bulk and scale maybe of buildings. So that's something that we would have to analyze whether we want to implement something like that. But that, again, is probably more of an APC question whether we want to require that. I noticed a number of cities do limit the height of data centers, usually either to that zone district, which which is usually generally sufficient. But I know some cities have basically gone out of their way to limit the overall height of a of a data center. So, um, and then encourage this microgrid design. And I'll have to admit, this is something I'm, I'm having to learn a little bit more. But my understanding is of this is that usually on larger scale data centers, that onsite power generation, that battery backup, how are those things all interconnected as part of that larger data center campus? Um, I don't suspect that's being utilized for some of these data centers, especially the ones that are being built in Eagan. That's probably something like on the meta site that they're probably having to deal with.

00:45:08,120 S3:

I'm going to go into some of the zoning best practices. Again, I went over this, I think briefly a few weeks ago. But again, here are some of the communities that I looked at. Um, and so what I just did was part of this presentation and think about what Mike Turner had suggested and maybe how some of these cities maybe implemented some of those, some of his recommendations. So, so I can tell you right now, as far as buffering and separation, it doesn't seem like there is a really a common standard. Um, most of the distances I've seen are 2 to 500ft. Um, Brainerd and Linn County are probably the most restrictive, requiring at least 1000ft from residential, which, again, is Mr. Turner's recommendation. Um, but also the method of the measurement also varied from city to city. Um, some people, some cities basically measure from property line and property line, which is more restrictive because then that distance has to be measured from that. Other cities basically measured from the actual building data center building or that equipment yard to the closest residential property line. And that does provide a little bit more flexibility. But again, that might be a matter more for planning commission and city council to consider. Um.

00:46:32,290 S3:

So building setbacks. Um, I can tell you that a number of cities just basically utilize their existing zoning district. Um, Monticello, on the other hand, uh, did, uh, require at least 200ft of screened, and that's more for the equipment yard. Um, but 500ft, if not if not fully screened. Um, Menominee, on the other hand, just said 400ft from any property line. Does it matter? Uh, uh, it wasn't specific if that included equipment yards, but, um, but 400, I would assume it would, but 400ft from any property line. I can tell you Egan's standard is pretty light in that regard. Um, we require either 50 or 100ft maximum. Uh, if there's no roadway separation. So 100ft does not seem like it would probably be sufficient for these data center uses.

00:47:24,300 S3:

Uh, supplemental information. And this is something I think I want, you know, uh, use the commission to consider. I know that there's been a number of questions, uh, you know, regarding regarding some of these matters, but, um, as I go through these and this can be one of the policy questions, some of those that supplemental information that maybe you want, uh, applicant of a data center to be required to submit for the city as part of the consideration. So, uh, noise studies. That seems like an obvious one. Almost every community asked for some type of noise study. However, there are some differences on how often the noise study is is either updated or provided. Some studies just end at the initial noise study. Some require pre and post operation noise studies to be provided, just to make sure that that initial noise study is as accurate. And then ongoing yearly updates. And sometimes that information depends on whether it's just requested by by the zoning manager planning manager, or if it just has to happen on a yearly basis.

00:48:34,470 S3:

Water usage again requiring some type of water plan or study to demonstrate the water use associated with that data center.

00:48:46,190 S3:

Wastewater flows. A number of cities have required basically that information also to be provided to show what type of effluent is leaving those data centers, especially if there's that glycol that's utilized as part of that, that cooling process. Uh, power energy is also requested from another number of communities, again, to ensure you know, what type of other improvements are needed to provide that power supply. You know, maybe that particular site, they can only provide 20MW to that particular site. But the data center that's being proposed needs 50MW. You know what? Power lines are having to be updated.

00:49:42,170 Is there another substation that has to be constructed? You know, what are the impacts to the city, especially in a perspective of, uh, of right of way and other improvements that will need to be done? S3:

Fiber optics? Uh, if you've been around in the last couple of years, you've seen a number of companies and putting in new fiber optics. Um, but a lot of cities don't. Necessarily have those upgrades. And so a lot of cities have been requiring that as part of the submittal that they provide at least some type of fiber optic studies. Again, what type of improvements, what type of additional fiber needs to be installed for that data center location? Um, a hazardous waste plan. Uh, Brainerd, uh, has required that, uh, they provide a plan on proper disposal of IT equipment. Um, where that's going to be recycled, there probably would need to be some coordination with either local local recycling regulators or the state. Uh, on how that on how that waste is disposed of. Um, and then decommission plan. Um, I have Elk River, but I noticed in, uh, Eden Prairie that, uh, also requires some type of decommission plan of that data center.

00:50:56,310 So again, I don't know the details of what that looks like, but I'm guessing some type of long term plan of how some of that equipment being removed, or how is that building being repurposed in the future? S3:

Um, I do want to touch upon the environmental review a little bit. I know that's a question a lot of people do ask if, uh, a data center or maybe some other uses are proposed, uh, within a community. Um, but a data center environmental review would not necessarily be triggered unless, uh, under state statutes, it falls under that mandatory, uh, category. Um, and so a few of the triggers that would require some type of environmental review would be that onsite electrical generation, uh, that would occur if that were proposed as part of that, uh, that, uh, wastewater and water appropriation, that water appropriation is more. Um, basically, are they, uh, tapping directly into an aquifer or something like that that requires additional study to take place. Storage of any hazardous materials or waste. And then probably the most likely trigger of all of them is going to be that building square footage that 450,000 square foot building size. So if a data center does come in that exceeds that, they would have to submit an environmental review for, uh, for the city to to review as well as state agencies.

00:52:11,600 S3:

So some of the sustainability issues and I'm going to just touch upon some of these. I think I sent you the Eden Prairie and Linn County examples. I thought they were the two of the few that I've seen that really had sustainability elements implemented as part of their, their ordinance. Um, so Eden Prairie, again, these are more land use standards, but the 700ft from residential, um, has to be fully screened or build, or a wall has to be constructed. Um, and the data center must be connected to city water. And I think that's, uh, that's pretty general requirements. Um, but some of the studies that they require land use compatibility study, noise study, environmental impacts, and resource conservation study, community impacts such as emergency services, solid waste in schools, and also in narrative addressing the city's Climate Action Plan goals. Um, and uh, again, I think Eden Prairie, I think, has a fairly robust plan, uh, climate action plan that they've they've adopted. And I think I touched upon it a little bit here in the next few slides. But, um, so they, they are, uh, specifying that any applicants come forward specifically address their goals.

00:53:33,890 S3:

Uh, so they also need to the applicant also needs to positively show in their narrative how the project positively impacts, um On the goals of the of their community wide neutrality goal by 2050. They need to demonstrate how that's being met. Um, how it contributes to the interim goal. Uh, of that, 80% of all new construction projects for net zero emissions and contributes to the interim goal that the city meets the 10% of its electricity load. So, again, they have pretty stringent, uh, I think, goals, uh, and initiatives, uh, within Eden Prairie that the data center and maybe that's maybe that's one of the reasons maybe data centers haven't been proposed in the Eden Prairie. Maybe they don't feel like they can meet some of those goals. But, um, and then, uh, Bill, I know this is I think maybe I thought this section was what maybe you were talking about as far as some of the certifications, uh, that were required, um, as part of that, again, that section, that state statute sections within that tax exemptions I would have to reach out to in prayers, you know. How do you foresee basically that being implemented as part of your program? What type of certification do you get and who confirms that? Is it? You know, city planning department, is it the building inspectors or is that really more of the state state's responsibility. So.

00:54:58,990 S7:

Mhm.

00:55:02,550 S3:

Um, and then uh, some of the other goals that I think that I highlighted maybe in the packet that I provided to you, um, uh, confirmation of, uh, sustainability measures, uh, as part of the project, such as proof of compliance, uh, or certification with at least one of the, um, sustainable design or green building standards. Uh, report of the estimated energy use. Um, and then proof of incorporation of renewable energy into the design and operation, um, as it, uh, including the 70% of usable roof space within six months. The occupancy again, pretty stringent type standards. Um, that, uh, Eden Prairie is is requiring of of any data center user. Um, again, I'll need to reach out and see how that's being implemented or how that's if there's been any, uh, proposals with uh, with Eden Prairie that, uh, maybe this is scaring some, some developers off. Um, and then they go into some of their water, uh, water and wastewater requirements such as water sense fixtures. And they also and this is, is key that, um, I certainly would suggest, um, the commission and City Council considers maybe just requiring, uh, the type of cooling systems. Again, that would probably answer a lot of questions regarding water use. Um, the closed loop cooling system or the air cooling. Um, and that if other cooling systems are utilized, uh, that utilize recycled reclaimed water and minimize new water use. And so I think that would be good language to maybe consider as part of a future future ordinance consideration. And again, Eden Prairie does require that tier four backup generators, which I think is also become fairly standard.

00:57:00,010 S3:

Lynn County I'm just going to touch upon these really quick. Uh, again, they require similar that water study, that wastewater management plan. Uh, and then that plant, that wastewater management plan, what they need to basically identify as, uh, as part of their requirements.

00:57:19,570 S3:

Uh, and then obviously that written verification, uh, that the applicant has calculated the, um, planned electrical consumption so that electrical power plan, um, that they're meeting that. So they need to demonstrate that, um, that, uh, backup power supply plan. And then that water use agreement and again I was might be a little bit different. As a comparison, they might have a little bit different a government arrangement than uh, uh, Eagan or other Minnesota Minnesota municipalities. So so I know I went through those slides again fairly quickly. I know that's a lot of information. Uh, um, but I do want to go through a couple policy questions. And I do want to stress you certainly do not have to address these tonight, as we said here at the, uh, the dais, um, I think we did submit an invitation, whether the chair or others want to come back to the planning Commission meeting, uh, workshop, uh, on the fourth Tuesday of this month. Um, and again, sit in on that dialogue with, uh, with planning commissioners and city staff and maybe discuss some of these policy questions on maybe where the Seat Commission would like to go with this. And again, this is not going to be the last opportunity. But as the clock ticks and we start getting down, we want to at least maybe get some direction from, uh, from the commissioners on on what your thoughts might be. So, um, does seek support ordinance language. Uh, that would require the following supplemental information be provided. Provided as part of a proposed data center. Um, again, as you've seen in some of those communities, uh, noise studies, uh, water use study, wastewater discharge, um, power supply determination. Um, and then maybe a hazardous or electronic waste plan. Um, and again, don't need to answer now, but I do want, uh, the commission to think about that.

00:59:21,150 S7:

Uh, whoops.

00:59:21,990 S3:

This went.

00:59:22,710 S7:

Backwards.

00:59:23,590 S3:

Uh, so the second question, uh, would seek support ordinance language specifying, uh, mandatory cooling systems to limit water consumption. Um, as I stated, I think Eden Prairie did a good job where they, uh, limited, um, cooling systems to that air chilled or closed loop systems. Um, certain city certainly can be flexible if maybe new technologies on the horizon that it is a low water type user. Uh, as I said, that, uh, direct to chip cooling system is a little water use. That immersion system is also a low water use. So maybe there's other, uh, cooling systems on the horizon that also can be allowed that allow that flexibility, uh, from that, from a data center proposal.

01:00:28,720 So, um, and then the last question, are there certain sustainability related goals the ordinance should consider? Again, I, I don't know, your sustainability plan, maybe as well as as Gillian and or you guys do, but are there certain goals, maybe within your plan that you would like to see maybe implemented or at least reinforced as part of a future ordinance? S7:

So I think.

01:00:31,160 S3:

That was it. So I know I got through the the second half of the of the slides here again fairly quickly, but do you guys have any other questions on maybe what I presented or maybe the expectations from the commission as we move forward?

01:00:48,210 S9:

Um, I have a few, um, what what is the enforcement mechanism? Um, in a case of like an annual water use estimate and then if that the owner of that property were then to surpass that in operation.

01:01:06,170 S3:

Well, uh, chair Commission, I don't know if the goal is necessarily to establish a limit or a maximum. We haven't we don't do that for other users. I think the expectation of providing that information is to understand what impacts that would have on our existing water supply. So I don't think the the intent of the ordinance would Basically provide a maximum or require a maximum, but at least get an understanding of what that impact might be to the city.

01:01:37,540 S9:

Got it. So if they were to surpass what their estimate is, there wouldn't be any sort of.

01:01:42,660 S3:

I don't think there necessarily be any type of enforcement action with that, but I certainly think there would be have to be some discussions with the data center like, hey, you estimated 5 million gallons a year and you're at 20 million gallons a year. Um, you know, which is now drawing upon our water supply and putting a burden on that water supply. So, um, that's certainly something I can talk to our city attorney about, but I don't think the expectation would be, you know, requiring some type of maximum.

01:02:13,300 S7:

Okay.

01:02:14,060 S9:

Um, and then for the noise studies, um, who conducts the noise studies, like when those happen, and then if they were to be ongoing on like an annual basis or something, does the property owner have notice of when the studies are being conducted.

01:02:32,110 S3:

So we'll know if it's like the environmental. So we have a rare update. And as part of alternative urban area um report I think about a year stands for. But we have to have five year updates on that. Or if this is something similar to that, we would probably ask the applicant to provide some type of escrow then, or that they would actually hire a, you know, professional require, uh, that met certain certification requirements. The other option is that the city actually have maybe a list of, um, you know, companies and that we would hire that through that, through that escrow cost. And so I don't think that basically any, any certified company would skew those numbers intentionally, but, um, it might be better if, maybe if the city decided to hire, if there was a group, there's only a select few in the in the Twin Cities that I'm aware of. Um, you know, so if the city would hire that and use then the data centers, escrow amount, escrow account to pay for that. So.

01:03:35,920 S9:

Okay, then one more. If you'll indulge me. Um, there was a, the facility, uh, being built with under 75,000ft². A facility of that size is exempt from the environmental study.

01:03:55,040 Is that any new facility or is it dependent on how it's zoned? S3:

I think if I remember that language, Commissioner, is, um, I think that's automatically exempt from the state requirements is the way that I've read that ordinance or that statute.

01:04:07,320 S7:

All right. Thank you.

01:04:10,720 S7:

Additional questions please, Mr. Chair.

01:04:13,440 S10:

Again. Thank you. Uh, a couple of terms you might have mentioned, but if you did, I missed them and I apologize. Safety and emergency response. You know, these mega data centers, even the smaller ones. There's a lot of electrical power coming in there. Some of them will have substations. There are risks with that. Fires a lot of water coming in. Flooding. Data centers are terrorist targets.

01:04:50,610 Where do we address the concerns and the issues around safety and emergency response plans? S3:

So I think, um, Mister chair and Commission, I think as part of.

01:04:55,450 S7:

The.

01:04:56,570 S3:

Eden Prairie, I'm just going to go back a thought. Let's I took that out just to shorten the presentation, but, um.

01:05:05,770 S10:

The, the Linn County, uh, document that you have does have emergency response plan in it.

01:05:12,010 S3:

Yes. And Eden Prairie does also have emergency services. Now, what's being presented as part of that and that that analysis. I'm not exactly sure if that's like, you know, a lot of data centers provide their own security. I mean, the ones that are under construction now are gated type facilities. Sometimes they're manned. And so access to those data centers are fairly limited. You know, how does that work for. You know, emergency response. You know, that's something that our responders I know with these data centers, they required a knock system to make sure that they can get within, uh, you know, the the enclosed area to the building. Um, beyond that, I'm not exactly sure. Then what other information? The battery backup, power supply. You know, um, do they need to know exactly how the materials that are basically stored within the building and how those are suppressed, uh, as part of, you know, an emergency response? I'm not exactly sure that's something we'll probably end up having to work with the fire department and or police.

01:06:19,740 You know, what information do you want to see or need to see as part of that, that plan that's submitted? S10:

Yeah, that's that's the point of mentioning it, is that let's have it on the table. That. That we make sure that we discuss something like that. One more question, if I may. You know, the city codes and ordinances and regulations. Many of them were written long before the concept of mega Dating Center existed. And that's why cities like Eagan are taking a look at some of our ordinances and requirements now. And you've noted that many of the things, some of the things that apply to data center development are regulated at the state level.

01:07:14,030 Do you know if any activity is going on at the state level to review the the codes and the requirements that they have in place that were put there before the concern of data centers that were existed? S3:

Um, well, if you're talking like building codes specifically, uh, like in that regard, I can certainly check where they're building official to see. I believe the the Minnesota building code is only updated periodically. Um, usually then they'll review and they'll place them within a certain, you know, occupant occupancy class for that data center, whether there's additional regulations or requirements. I'm not exactly sure that that gets down to a level of detail I'm not necessarily familiar with, but I can certainly talk to our building official to see if that's being considered.

01:07:47,970 S10:

Yeah. Or anything that would come under the MPCa.

01:07:52,370 S3:

Well, I know at the state level that I mean, that discussion, I think about data centers continues and I'm sure it will probably for the next few years. I mean, I know that the, um, they did um, they did basically approve some basic language about high water users. I think we're talking, I think 100 million gallons or more per year. Um, and they just recommend basically going to, uh, I think the business first. I think if that's the name of their program and talking with basically, uh, um, uh, the state, you know, about basically large data center proposals. Uh, first, before they actually, you know, come in and talk with local representatives. So there's some of that basic language, but I don't think the state has gotten down to, you know, drilling down to maybe more, uh, you know, more delicate matters, you know, as, as they relate to the state and local municipalities.

01:08:44,020 S10:

Thank you.

01:08:44,740 S3:

Hopefully, eventually.

01:08:46,700 S10:

They may move a little slower than we do here.

01:08:49,620 S7:

I mean.

01:08:49,860 S3:

The example is probably that noise and that infrasound. I mean, there's no adopted standards for for infrasound from the state. And I'm sure a lot of states have not addressed that. But is that something that on a state level that needs to be addressed.

01:09:08,620 So it's consistent, uh, consistently implemented, you know, with every municipality? S7:

Thank you.

01:09:09,940 S11:

And just one question for me, with the community engagement plan that you guys are in progress with. Is that going to give the community an opportunity to have input as well about the incoming changes and things that are to occur.

01:09:22,070 S7:

Yeah.

01:09:22,390 S3:

We're and and chair and commission. We're still reviewing that. We're talking about maybe implementing some type of website where maybe some of this information would be provided. Obviously, there would be a public hearing eventually as part of that adoption of the ordinance.

01:09:36,950 S7:

That right.

01:09:37,550 S11:

But would it be something prior to the public hearing? Like just a community input?

01:09:41,390 S3:

Yeah. And we're talking about those details on how that might look like and whether that's on the website or some other means in which the public can to weigh in on. I do want to stress one other thing that, um, that, that I think a lot of people may be in and may, may ask about is can we prohibit data centers? The answer is no. We can't just prohibit data centers. So we actually have to develop some type of language, some type of ordinance that basically allows data centers and how those might be regulated within within the city.

01:10:13,550 S7:

Okay.

01:10:13,990 S11:

Thank you.

01:10:15,710 S1:

Additional questions.

01:10:17,520 S7:

Uh, I.

01:10:18,120 S12:

Guess, um, I guess about the infrasound. I was wondering about your your explaining infrasound. That humans couldn't hear it in that case, for the studies. Um, I guess my question would be exactly.

01:10:38,960 Does infrasound, like, provide noise pollution in this case? S3:

Uh, so, chair and commission, some minor saying is that infrasound technically is not heard. It's at a decibel level below human human hearing ability, but it might be able to be felt, um, that there are certain instances, depending on that constant hum of, of that chiller or other equipment, that you could actually feel that, that infrasound. And so, um, so that's something I'm still learning about. I mean, this is again, a kind of a new phenomenon, especially with, with data centers and how that's being. How is that being studied and how is that being addressed. So.

01:11:15,040 S7:

Cool.

01:11:17,290 S1:

Additional questions. I have one real quick. Um, a big part of the climate action plan is addressing equity concerns around, specifically, the framework of sustainability. You haven't mentioned that in anything.

01:11:31,810 Is that something we should be looking at as well? S3:

Um, you know, that's certainly something that we can talk more internally. You know, as we go through the public engagement and how that, uh, how that might be addressed. Um, uh, I know that, you know, equity is certainly, um, a big concern. You know, with city council and making sure that we properly address that. So as part of any public engagement, that certainly will be part of that discussion.

01:11:54,130 S7:

Okay.

01:11:55,810 S2:

Well, that just reminds me of, um, maybe as the commission that we really look carefully at the climate action plan and understand what within that plan, we want to make sure is, um, uh, acknowledged by the developer. You know, and I like the part where Tell us how it fits into our plan, because then they do actually have to dig into it. But there might need to be guidance from the city to, you know, to encourage that because it's a big plan.

01:12:27,500 S7:

Yeah.

01:12:28,060 S3:

And we do it and just we do that the same. We asked developers and applicants to do that as well as part of land use applications. You know, how are you addressing certain criteria within the code? Are you maybe addressing, you know, comp plan goals, you know, within within our comprehensive plan? So we do ask the, you know, we put the onus on the developer to provide that information to us.

01:12:49,220 S7:

Thank you. Thank you. Sure. Yeah. Please.

01:12:53,100 S13:

So it's nice that you got this slide up. My question is kind of around the, um, fully screened by a building or a wall. Um, talking about, you know, that mitigation of for a wall. And I could see a wall being. And I think how you explained it was part aesthetics. But a wall would be designed very differently if it's, um, noise mitigation, um, depending on where the noise is coming from, you would have a wall around the fans, the cooling fans, or along those lines. The Eden Prairie example is a little bit silent on it. Um, I would I would kind of want it both an aesthetic wall, but also a noise mitigation wall, which would be kind of different if there's anything you could say alone what that would look like.

01:13:50,310 S3:

So I would probably, I don't know if I want to necessarily specify the height of the wall just because, um, a noise study would indicate what that required. Height of that wall might be. So so I think in some instances that combination of distance and wall height might then suffice. Then just saying, you know, you need a 40 foot wall. um, you know, so I think I would probably just leave it a little open ended and say, you know, as part of your noise study, demonstrate, you know, how mitigation, uh, or attenuation is actually occurring with some type of wall or berm or combination thereof.

01:14:28,440 S7:

So thank you.

01:14:35,520 S7:

Okay.

01:14:36,600 S3:

Uh, again, I think you're invited, or at least the chair and others are invited to the Planning Commission workshop. Um, just a heads up. We only have one item on our planning commission agenda. And again, very weighty matter before them. So we are probably going to do a before and after, uh, workshop, uh, with the APC. Um, so we're expecting to meet at 530.

01:15:05,160 Uh, on that, uh, what's the date again? S7:

The 20th, 2020 fifth, 25th.

01:15:08,280 S3:

Uh, 25th of this month. So 530 to probably 615, 620 go into regular session with planning commission. And then for those commissioners that can stick around, we'll end up meeting afterward as well. So.

01:15:24,010 S6:

So and I'll just add chair and commission. Thanks for all the questions. Um, it would be really beneficial if you were able to provide a summary of your recommendations to chair by August 19th. Um, via email, that that would work just fine. Um, and as, uh, Planner Schultz just mentioned, um, the goal is to, um, button up those recommendations from the commission by that August 25th, um, planning Commission workshop. Um, as Planner Schultz just mentioned, the invitation is extended to anybody that can attend. I know, um, sure is easy. Hopefully can attend. We still.

01:16:09,900 S7:

Got.

01:16:10,100 S1:

Elder looks.

01:16:10,540 S6:

Okay, but.

01:16:13,740 S6:

Um, but we're gonna work it up. Anyone's welcome to attend.

01:16:18,020 S3:

I do, I do also want to offer that I certainly can come back before the commission. And maybe once we start preparing drafts, that again, we provide that information to the commission for their review as well.

01:16:29,540 S7:

So thanks. Thanks.

01:16:32,100 S1:

Thank you. Excellent. Well, thank you very much for the presentation.

01:16:34,820 S7:

Thank you.

01:16:38,100 S1:

All right. Moving on to old business I see none. So we'll move on to new business. And we do have another update from the.

01:16:46,180 S7:

Old.

01:16:48,380 S6:

Thank you chair and commission. We do have one item tonight for new business. Um, as you are aware, um, we have been operating, um, the sustainable Eagan Academy, uh, for several years now. This is a program that was Is developed through the Sustainable Egan Advisory Commission and through the recommendations of the Commission and the Council. We were able to invite student speakers to join the programming, and we've done this for the past two years. Um, it's been a really excellent part of the programming. Um, one of our commission members is actually been a student speaker, uh, twice. And we've really enjoyed being able to highlight student speakers at each session. Um, to offer youth leadership and also perspectives on sustainability. Um, and at the same time, we've also found that coordinating student speakers for each session, um, has it's shown to become increasingly difficult. Um, the administrative challenges due to scheduling with high school students. Um, and that communication can be challenging. So um, staff is seeking input from CAC members on whether you would like to to continue to see student speakers featured at every session or transition into a dedicated student speaker night. As we start to plan for the 2027 sustainable Eagan Academy programming.

01:18:27,240 S11:

I have a question. Um.

01:18:29,600 S7:

Yes, please.

01:18:30,120 S11:

Um, when we say a student speaker, how many nights are you proposing? Um, in the totality of the programming. So what would you go from? What number to what number? Is it just one time that during that academy with the student come in?

01:18:45,440 S6:

Thanks for the question, Commissioner Douglas. At this time. Uh, we're truly just seeking input. And so, um, we've traditionally done five sessions of the sustainable Eagan Academy monthly from January through May. Um, so it's it's an option to choose one of those nights to be a student night or if if you have other ideas, we're open to input.

01:19:08,810 S11:

Maybe every other night if if you can. Because I think that the student element, just from what I've gathered, brings a big impact to the other students to see that as something I can attain or be as well. I think that plays a big part. And then, you know, you have to even have Justin on the commission with us. It's like it goes to show what happens when we have those and highlight those students. So I mean, if we can't get one for every night, um, I mean at least every other month at least. So that's mean at the most. Two, 2 or 3, you know.

01:19:41,450 S7:

Sure.

01:19:42,050 S1:

Yeah. Please.

01:19:43,650 S13:

I from my perspective, as much as possible as we can get those student speakers in there. I like the idea of it integrated in with our current sessions. Um, if we have enough to have some standalone nights for the student speakers, great. More the better.

01:20:04,020 S1:

I had a question on the the dedicated student speaker. Were you thinking that would be one night? That would just be a bunch of student speakers? Or are you saying that we would just have one session that had a student speaker at it?

01:20:15,020 S6:

Thanks for the question. Cheers. Easy. Um, I think we have envisioned. Um, we've traditionally had five presentations from students. Sometimes it's been pairs of students. Uh, that was the first year, last year we had a solo speaker for every night. And so, um, the, the student speaker night could be all five presentations on one night. Um, or it could look totally different from that. We last year we got really creative on the format of the the Academy, and we are open to input from the commission because, uh, that's really been how these sessions have, have, have flowed is based on input from from you all.

01:21:02,750 S11:

Is a challenge. I'm sorry. Sure. Um, getting students to sign up for it.

01:21:08,230 S6:

That's an excellent question, Commissioner Douglas. We we had, uh, we put out an application last year on our website, and we had more students apply than we had room for them. So we didn't run into that challenge. It was more, um, the follow through with the students. Um, also just being spread out from the time the application was put out in October all the way through, the last speaker speaking in May was was a bit challenging.

01:21:36,150 S11:

So does staff have capacity to to get to do the follow ups with the students? Is that is that would that be our challenge? Like what would be the break between? Will we still be able to go as, as as we have done before with the continuation of the students coming in every session? Or is the the challenge, or is there a challenge area somewhere where we're not able to get to the students in time? I mean, I know I heard the scheduling and things like that. Is it the follow up? That's our challenge. And is is that something we should look at try to mitigate if if that makes sense.

01:22:06,400 S6:

We have been able to get to the students with significant, um, time put into ensuring that we we don't want to have a we haven't we haven't run into an issue where, um, we haven't had a student show up because we've been really dedicated to the follow up.

01:22:23,120 S7:

Gotcha.

01:22:23,640 S6:

Um, and a lot of times it's it's been significant time, um, with high school students are really busy, and sometimes they commit to things and they forget. And, um, but it's always it has, in the end, worked out. Um, and it sounds like, you know, students are a valuable part of the program.

01:22:44,880 S2:

Yeah, I really I thought they added and there's a hopefulness of having youth speak to the issues, the sustainable issues. But I also understand kind of the logistics of getting everybody lined up. So, um, not sure how to help on that, but, uh, but I also think having just a youth speaking night might also really, uh, emphasize the work that, uh, students are doing. I mean, there's quite a bit of, um, you know, activism or work and, but, um, but I thought it was very beneficial in the because I think I went to every session and I think they were all great. I mean, lots of, um, thought and, uh, good presentations. So, um, don't know how you can streamline it, though.

01:23:41,330 S7:

Mr. chair.

01:23:43,170 S10:

A question. Um, under the concept of a dedicated student speakers night, and I think it's been mentioned before that that would be the idea of having one night set aside and all of the presenters would be the students, and they would come in and we'd have 3 or 5 or whatever it is. Right? Um, if we were to explore something like that, would we have the opportunity to perhaps turn that into some kind of competition where the students presentation and their topic would be judged, and we'd have some kind of an award to, to present to them? Um, I mean, I'm in favor of continuing trying to continue the way we've been doing it, because I agree, I think having the students come in is a really important part of the program. Uh, but I do appreciate the effort that goes into making sure everything is coordinated. But if we decide to go down a different route, maybe we should try to be creative in how we do that.

01:24:49,540 S1:

Any questions or comments?

01:24:50,580 S7:

Yes, please.

01:24:51,420 S9:

Um, so.

01:24:54,940 S9:

There's two things on my mind. Number one is that it seems pretty clear among certainly myself, but also what we're hearing that there's a real value add with having the kids integrated consistently in a way that's sequestering them to one night may not achieve, um, despite there being advantages to doing that. And that you can you can market a specific student section differently to try to get more engagement from the community than you would a typical sustainable eating academy session. On the other hand, I'm very sensitive to asking staff to produce, produce, produce in a time when that is really the message to all municipal staff and county staff, which I'm one. Um, and.

01:25:46,150 S9:

That's top of mind for me is if you're looking at a 50/50 decision, I attend to err on what um, Contributes to staff satisfaction and ability to do the other capacities in their job. Um, I lean that way a little bit. However, there's also a lot of commissioners here. And is there an option for us to be to have a role in scheduling or something like that? Um, because there's a lot of labor here that's untapped that could ease some of that. And we all have roles on a commission about sustainability.

01:26:35,000 S1:

Questions or comments?

01:26:37,520 S7:

That's a good question.

01:26:42,480 S6:

Thank you for the input. We'll definitely, um, provide an update on very soon as we start to jump into our programming. Um, Our data center goal took precedence. But very soon we'll get to our sustainable Eagan Academy planning. And as Commissioner Berger Potvin mentioned, there will be opportunities for you all to jump in as well with mentoring and other opportunities. Thank you.

01:27:18,020 S1:

Outstanding. Uh, next item on the agenda is roundtable. I do not see any items on the agenda for that. All right. So we will move on to the staff reports.

01:27:29,100 S6:

Excellent. Thank you. I have, um, a few reports. Um, to highlight some of the work from our sustainability division. Uh, first, I wanted to inform the commission that, um, Eagan was awarded a local climate action implementation grant from the MPCa. We were awarded $1,000 to implement a project that advances the city's transportation and land use. Action 202 and this action looks to partner with transit agencies to expand access to subsidized transit passes for riders in need. So in this project, we are partnering with Egan's local transit agency, MBTA or Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, to develop a pilot program to provide transit and mobility focused workshops. And a fully funded transit passes to three cohorts in priority communities in Eagan. So these cohorts will be renters in Egan's environmental justice areas of concern, high school students and members of faith based communities, and Egan's environmental justice areas of concern. So our goal is to, um, meet, um, 60 different residents that we can do this pilot program with them.

01:28:50,880 S7:

Thanks.

01:28:52,080 S6:

Thank you. Um, at your spots, you all have our new climate action, um, community guide. This was developed over several months. It was one of the first actions that we wanted to accomplish in our climate action plan, which was to develop a printed guide that summarizes a over 100 page document. Um, into something that residents can easily understand. Uh, what we're trying to accomplish through our climate action plan. So you'll notice that there are five different tabs. We've combined a couple of the sectors just for sake of of ease. Um, and each tab has, um, on the back side, uh, both low impact and high impact strategies that members of our community can take. And then on the very last page, there is an opportunity for community members to create their own climate goals.

01:29:47,240 S7:

That's pretty cool.

01:29:48,520 S6:

Uh, we also did work with an illustrator to make these images, so that they are really forward thinking about what we hope Egan will look like when we achieve our climate goals.

01:30:00,610 S2:

Nice. Congratulations. This is.

01:30:02,410 S7:

Big. Yeah. Great. Yeah. Thank you.

01:30:05,850 S6:

Um, we have recently launched a pilot program here at City Hall, uh, to collect hard to recycle items. We are partnering, um, with the company Ridgewell. You might be familiar with, uh, we started this pilot in July. Um, and we're about a month in, and we've already seen great engagement from our staff. Uh, so this is only on the on the staff side right now. Um, and only at City Hall as we're starting small. But we are seeing an we've already seen an increase engagement, increase in engagement from our first pickup, which was the middle of July to the end of July. Um, and lots of really positive feedback from staff. So we're hoping to, um, continue to see see that engagement this pilot program runs through the end of the year. Um, and then we'll evaluate if we want to expand it, either out to the public side or to other facilities.

01:31:04,660 S6:

Uh, speaking of the sustainable Eagan Academy, we are doing a fall series. This is a little bit different than our our traditional series. Um, this is our partnership with the Electrify Everything Minnesota program. Uh, we work with them to do webinars and workshops, and we like to just call everything the Sustainable Eagan Academy, just so that the residents don't get confused on what we're doing. Uh, but we have a three part series. We have the intro workshop. Um, and then the more the two more advanced workshops. Um, so, uh, those dates I did send out in an email to you right before this meeting, but they are August 19th, which is next week already? I can't believe it. Um. September 10th. Uh, October 8th and November 12th.

01:31:53,630 S7:

Okay.

01:31:54,190 S6:

We are looking for some help on these. We'd love to have hosts. Uh, those of you that have been to a sustainable Eagan Academy session, you'll be familiar with, uh, we always have a commission member, uh, do the introduction, and we kind of say host the session. Uh, so it's, um, more community facing. Uh, so Peggy already signed up for one session.

01:32:18,470 S7:

Yeah.

01:32:19,870 S6:

But if anyone's free next week, um, it's it's a webinar, so you don't even have to go anywhere. Uh, let me know if you're free on August 19th at 630. Um, it only needs to be about a 5 to 10 minute commitment. And I will write the script for you. So it'll be really, really easy. Commitment. Um, additionally, uh, for the October 8th, um, workshop, this is all about heat pumps. If any of you either have a heat pump in your home or know of someone in Eagan that does. We are looking for folks to serve on a resident panel to share about your experience, so please let me know if you're available for that or you know somebody who can help with that.

01:33:08,560 S6:

Okay. Um, and lastly, um, uh, the University of Minnesota recently launched a extension program called the Community Climate Leaders Program, and it's actually coming to Eagan, um, at the beginning of September. It's it's a multiple week program. So the program in Eagan runs from September 8th through October 28th. Um, we are not partnering directly with the university on this program, but, uh, our staff will be presenting at one of the sessions, and we obviously love as many Eagan residents as available to sign up so that we can get more community climate leaders in Egan. So, um, feel free to check it out if you'd like.

01:33:56,370 S2:

I just I signed up, I think it's a really good program, the partnership. And and when you sign up, they charge a fee. But you can write your own discount. So if the they don't want the fee to be a barrier for anybody. So I think that that was really great.

01:34:17,450 S6:

Thank you. That's all I have. Chair.

01:34:20,050 S1:

Outstanding. Thank you very much. All right. Last item on the agenda is adjournment.

01:34:28,850 Do I have a motion to adjourn? S7:

So moved.

01:34:29,730 S1:

Do we have a second?

01:34:30,810 S7:

Second.

01:34:31,690 S1:

All in favor?

01:34:32,570 S7:

Aye.

01:34:33,490 S1:

Opposed? All right, we're done.