Public Meeting

Concerned Citizens of Marshall Terrace

November 20, 2008

MEMBER ATTENDEES: As noted per sign in sheet

Meeting was called to order at 7:04pm by Greg Langason at the Xcel Energy Riverside Plant.

Minutes of the October Concerned Citizens of Marshall Terrace Public Meeting were reviewed. Motion made by Pat Kvidera to approve the October Public Meeting minutes, motion was seconded by Bonnie Quimby and October Public Meeting minutes were approved unanimously.

NORTHEAST WALKING CHALLENGE – Sheila Biernat

Sheila Biernat gave update of the Northeast Walking Challenge and awarded Greg Langason with million step certificate and distributed water bottles to all participants. Sheila also stated that the next challenge will be the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Appalachian Trail that will start in May and end in July’09 which is 2175 miles or 4.3 million steps. Sheila also announced that there will be a Presidents Day walk on 2/14/09 and northeast residents are invited to participate in cross all of the names presidents streets in Northeast. Paul Ostrow reported that the City of Minneapolis maybe the only city in Minnesota that has streets named after every president.

MISSISSIPPI WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION (MWMO) – Paul Ostrow, City Council and Doug Snyder, Executive Director for MWMO

Paul Ostrow reported that he serves as the Chair for the MWMO and introduced Doug Snyder, the Executive Director. The MWMO is committed to water quality within the Mississippi River watershed. Over the last year the MWMO has been searching for a location for the MWMO headquarters. A site has been located within Marshall Terrace neighborhood at the IBEW Union Hall on Marshall Street.

Doug explained that MWMO has been around for many years and has participated in many capital programs that have focused on the River. The MWMO has funded over $7.5 million of for projects such as riverbank restoration, rehabilitation of trails along the River, and Edgewater Park. They focus environmental projects such as storm water run-off and water conservation and explained to the neighborhood that anything that goes into our property goes into our storms sewers and eventually goes into the Mississippi River.

MWMO is currently working on a comprehensive review of the River addressing these issues and to give to homeowners along the river tools of how to manage riverbank restoration, prevent storm water run-off, and encourage green snow/ice removal (discourages chemical removal practices) in their neighborhoods. MWMO works with neighborhoods to address these challenges.

MWMO is looking for a site that will allow them to hold indoor and outdoor educational outreach programs. The idea behind their headquarters is to be an environmental demonstration both in terms of “green” landscaping and design. Doug stated that the MWMO would like to be housed on or near the Mississippi and is not able to house it’s headquarters on Park Board land citing that our parks are public spaces and existing land use agreements among other reasons. MWMO is currently in negotiation with a few properties, the IBEW Union Hall being one. The MWMO is hoping to have a site chosen by January’09 and for construction to be complete by January’11.

Doug mentioned that the MWMO has a stewardship program available for neighborhood residents and organizations offering small grants of $2000 for events and that a letter of interest may be submitted quarterly for this kind of funding. Planning grants may also be available for larger projects that perhaps that need basic engineering planning funding up to $50,000.

For more information about MWMO, visit www.mwmo.org.

COMMITTEE REPORTS/OTHER BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

St. Anthony Parkway Bridge - Pat Kvidera reported that there are a few options on the table regarding the realignment of this bridge over the railroad. One proposal considers closing California Street north of 31^st off of St. Anthony Parkway and putting in a cul-de-sac and not connecting with the parkway. Another is having Main Street not connecting with St. Anthony Parkway directly, and going under the bridge and connecting with University Avenue at the stoplight. Another consideration may be to make a “u” and connect it somewhere east of where it is now. Pat stated that in July’09 a vote may be proposed to residents.

Holiday Potluck – Friday, December 12, 2008 at 6:30pm.

Next Public Meeting – no date has been set for January Public Meeting.

XCEL ENERGY RIVERSIDE PLANT CONVERSION UPDATE – Jeff Ricker

Jeff Ricker welcomed neighbors and explained the conversion to natural gas and the process that the new plant will use to create energy. This conversion will allow Xcel plant to significantly reduce their emissions and their carbon footprint. This will be combined cycle power plant and not waste as much electricity.

A neighbor asked since the plant will be reducing building space and inquired about the green space being open to the public. Jeff cited that due to safety considerations it will not be open to the public.

Paul Ostrow asked if Xcel has been in contact with the MWMO to coordinate water waste and storm water management. Jeff stated that he will connect with Doug Snyder, but that they have already have a plan in place for a storm water run-off and will also be constructing a holding pond that will be at the no longer needed coal pile location. He further stated that there won’t be any waste water because the water is purified and used continuously though out the energy creation process.

Another neighbor asked what kind of noise will be created by the operation of this plant. Jeff reported that there will be no vibration problems for the neighborhood and that the plant will be quieter than Marshall Street.

Xcel will start the new equipment on 12/2/08 and the conversion will be complete and energy production will go commercial on 3/1/09. The last coal train will come through at the end of the month.

Public meeting ended at 7:45pm and a tour of the Xcel Energy Riverside Plant began.