08-05-2024 JDA Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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need for investment in this project and that the timing is right. We have been collecting letters of support for the project. Ms. Mitchell stated while the House and Senate Capital Investment committees have been meeting, they have not been hearing individual bills. They have been taking presentations from the various agencies, essentially the Governor’s recommendations which did not contain any local projects. They have also spent committee time taking up lots of technical and clarifying changes related to the 2023 bonding/cash bills. The general thought this year is that if you received a tour stop on the bonding tours, which Rice Creek Commons did on both the Senate and House side, then you do not get a bill hearing. We do not expect a hearing in either body, which again is expected. It makes the need for individual conversations all the more important. Commissioner Reinhardt thanked Commissioner Frethem for her incredible advocacy work. Commissioner Frethem discussed how she has been working to gain letters of support for this new development. Commissioner Monson commented on how she has been working to build support for the project and why now was a good time to offer bonding for Rice Creek Commons. She hoped to gain additional letters of support for this project. c. Update from Energy Advisory Committee Ms. Mitchell provided the JDA with an update from the Energy Advisory Committee. She explained she has been working with green energy consultants. She noted LHB and Ever-Green Energy were part of the green energy team. She stated analysis was being completed on how much energy will be needed to meet the demands on the site. She indicated the Energy Advisory Committee would be meeting next on May 2 where sustainable building design guidelines would be discussed. She stated on Friday she met with Ryan Companies, LHB and Ever-Green Energy to discuss the green energy scope for Outlot A. She indicated the US Green Building Council reached out to Alatus regarding Rice Creek Commons. She reported LHB would be hosting a meeting with Alatus and US Green Building Council to discuss the LEED options for the site. Commissioner Monson explained the Energy Advisory Committee would be coming back to the JDA with clear goals for the project. She stated the implementation of the vision for the project would then have to be considered. She discussed how Xcel Energy was pursuing a goal to have the gas side of their business be net zero and how they wanted to pursue a geothermal facility. She reported she spoke with them and would continue to work with them to understand the full scope of their project. She indicated this would be a $10 million geothermal pilot project opportunity that the Energy Advisory Committee would continue to pursue.