Minnetonka City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Commercial Geothermal Systems
Youth Climate Action Fund
City Initiatives and Sustainability Updates
Votes (2)
Commercial Geothermal Systems Presentation (Item 5A)
Robert Ed of Darcy Solutions presented on their commercial-scale geothermal technology, which uses aquifer-based thermal transfer for heating and cooling. He explained how their system offers a high thermal capacity in a small footprint, is 100% electric, and offers a longer lifespan and higher efficiency (COP 3-8+) compared to fossil fuel systems. The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) was highlighted as a significant factor in reducing the upfront capital costs by 40-50%. Examples of successful installations, including retrofits in older buildings and new construction, were showcased. Commissioners inquired about land usage comparison, system design optimization for heating/cooling loads, hot water integration, and project timelines. The presentation was informational, with no action required from the commission beyond listening and asking questions.
Youth Climate Action Fund (Item 5B)
Staff member Ally Wishak presented on the city's successful application for the Youth Climate Action Fund, a $50,000 grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. The program aims to distribute micro grants ($1,000-$5,000 each) to Minnetonka youth (ages 15-24) to lead and implement climate action projects that align with the city's Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. Projects must involve at least two youth and be sponsored by a legally registered organization. A detailed timeline was shared, outlining promotions (July-August), application opening (September), application deadline (October 16), commission selection (special meeting in October), project kickoff (November), implementation (November-April), and a final celebration (around Earth Day). Commissioners provided positive feedback and offered support for promoting the program, assisting with budget planning, and facilitating peer learning among participants.
Notable Quotes (6)
most buildings in northern climates are actually burning fossil fuels to heat those buildings. And so that's a big driver of emissions. it usually causes roughly 60 to 75% of the emissions from a building's operating uh footprint.
Historically, you haven't been able to use geothermal in many tight areas of that where there's not a lot of land mass like urban centers because of that. So Darcy's gotten a lot of market traction because we're able to offer a solution that can both provide a lot of thermal capacity but can also be 100% electric.
I really appreciated seeing a diversity of projects. So understanding that um, this um, technology is applicable to older buildings as well as newer builds as well. So that's something that I think is very exciting because when we think about um trying to make things sustainable um uh and and to innovate sometimes it feels like um older bills have to be left out of that thought process and so that's really exciting to see that your technology does it's not excluding that.
this would be really great and aligns with so many of our priorities from climate action to engaging youth um and really just bringing our climate action in adaptation plan to life with the energy and um innovation that youth bring.
the ideal scenario for both the city and Bloomberg is that these youth climate action projects are complementing the city's priorities for climate action.
every project has to be led and developed by at least two youth. So really this program wants to emphasize not so much the organization coming in with an idea but the youth approaching an organization saying this is what we want to create.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
Commission work plan, which includes learning opportunities like geothermal presentations.
City plan approved in 2024, guiding sustainability priorities including the Youth Climate Action Fund.
Federal legislation extending the Investment Tax Credit for geothermal technologies.
Expected legislation related to decarbonizing distributed gas systems, potentially utilizing technologies like Darcy's.
A $50,000 grant received from Bloomberg Philanthropies to support youth-led climate projects.
An ongoing city process to update zoning laws, now including sustainability components.
An MPCA grant providing rebates for residential energy efficiency and electrification projects, including free Home Energy Squad audits.
An MPCA program that funded three 40 kilowatt-hour solar array developments in 2025.
An administrative process to align all city commissions, impacting the appointment of young adult commissioners.