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by Susan Cathey 5 As progress continues to be made on the TCAAP (Rice Creek Com- mons) development, attention is being given to energy concerns. In August, 2014, the Joint Development Authority (JDA) appointed an Energy Resilience Ad- visory Board (ERAB) whose purpose is to help City and County staff and consultants develop an Energy Integration and Resil- iency Framework for the property. Accord- ing to a memo to the City Council from the Ramsey County Manager’s Office, the intent is to “establish a foundation for cost effective, energy-efficient alternatives and opportunities…(for TCAAP) over the next 50 years.” In phase one, ERAB has helped the proj- ect task force, which includes Ever-Green Energy, Burns and McDonnell, Center for Energy and Environment, and Fresh Energy, to prepare a Policy White Paper, which was reviewed and formally ac- cepted by the JDA on November 3, 2014, and presented to the Arden Hills City Council at its November 24 meeting. The White Paper includes a vision statement and guiding principles. Lyle Salmela, chairperson of ERAB, told the Council that it also explains options to meet the challenges of design, economic benefit and ability to implement an energy efficient system. Among these options are the use of solar and geothermal/thermal energy. As Michael Ahern of Ever-Green Energy described it, the White Paper identifies what’s possible. Ahern went on to explain the second phase of the team’s task which is development of the framework, or taking what’s possible and laying out plans for implementa- tion. The team will look at how various ideas apply to the site, the environmental benefits and a cost/benefit analysis, while trying to plan for 50 years out. Greg Mark, project manager, noted that recommenda- tions and requirements need to take a flex- ible rather than a prescriptive approach to allow for new technologies in the future. Energy resiliency and TCAAP development The team will look at opportunities that are unique to TCAAP and the develop- ment of a greenfield site in the core of the metro area. These include: • Infrastructure development • Direct fiber broadband • Developing partnerships with Xcel Energy, AHATS, and developers • Geothermal energy • Smart grid demonstration platform The framework is expected to be com- pleted in March, 2015. During the Council’s discussion, Mayor Grant asked that the project developers, who have the expertise in the energy field, help the City create flexible requirements. The White Paper does offer some specific suggestions for the City’s code develop- ments. The Council concluded by express- ing support for the vision and principles in the White Paper. To read the Policy White Paper, go to the City’s website. Arden Hills’ 15-year cable fran- chise agreement with Comcast was recently extended through 2016, after having expired in October 2013. The contract was not formally renewed pending both further nego- tiations between the North Suburban Communications Commission (NSCC) and Comcast and Comcast’s attempted merger with Time Warner Cable. According to Craig Wilson, the NSCC representative for Arden Hills, these contract extensions are just part of the renewal process. “We were coming up to the end of our 15-year franchise,” said Wilson, “and we were not close enough to reach an agreement.” The North Suburban Communications Commission manages the cable franchise on behalf of Arden Hills and surrounding cities including Falcon Heights, Lauder- dale, Little Canada, Mounds View, New Brighton, North Oaks, Roseville, St. Anthony and Shoreview. Before a renewal agreement could be reached, the NSCC had to perform a community needs analysis, a technical analysis of Comcast’s network, and a Arden Hills’ Cable Franchise Agreement with Comcast extended financial analysis of the company’s vi- ability. The community needs analysis consisted of focus groups, polls, and surveys to de- termine what the citizens, school districts, and local government wanted and expect- ed from community and cable television. The NSCC hired consultants to conduct the technical and financial analyses of Comcast, and according to Wilson, several problems came to light as a result. Low power levels, bad connections, subpar equipment, and financial irregularities were all issues that Comcast has agreed to resolve per the terms of the NSCC Resolu- tion of Legal and Franchising Issues. Highlights of the agreement include a refund of approximately $49,000 to cable subscribers, one HD channel for the NSCC with provisions for channel place- ment and quality, and an extension of the franchise through December 31, 2016. “It’s a process,” said Wilson regarding the negotiations with Comcast. “We did what we needed to do for the City’s residents and cable subscribers.” According to a memorandum from Arden Hills City Administrator Patrick Klaers, the NSCC approved the franchise exten- sion agreement at its October 9, 2014, meeting and recommended that the member cities approve the extension. The NSCC also advised the cities to approve Comcast’s requested transfer of the fran- chise to GreatLand Connections. A press release from Comcast on Sep- tember 3, 2014 reported that GreatLand Connections is “the name of the new cable company that will be spun off from Comcast upon completion of the Comcast - Time Warner Cable merger.” The City Council approved the cable fran- chise extension amendment and transfer at its October 27, 2014, meeting. According to Klaers, the NSCC reported after its De- cember meeting that all ten member cities approved the extension and transfer of the Comcast cable franchise. According to the City Administrator, Arden Hills residents will not be affected by this franchise extension or transfer in terms of cable services provided. by Emma Theis