Laserfiche WebLink
<br />City Council Study Session - <br />01/22/07 Minutes - Page 12 <br /> <br />with geothermal retrofits; and water heater costs. <br /> <br />Mr. Brokke addressed basic questions for Council consideration, <br />as detailed in the staff report dated January 22, 2007. Other <br />critical questions identified by Mr. Brokke included: Are these <br />estimates realistic? 2) Can we maintain quality of ice required? <br />3) Overall, will this technology work in our situation? 4) Overall, <br />will the benefit outweigh the cost? and 5) Will additional <br />modifications need to be done to existing equipment (Le., roof <br />tops). <br /> <br />Further discussion included well drilling and installation of <br />horizontal fields; tours at various rinks using this technology; <br />possible next steps, including contacting Engineering firms to <br />conduct a thorough feasibility study, noting that this may <br />conclude recommendations to move forward with the <br />conventional method or may conclude that geothermal <br />technology will be of great benefit to our situation; proposed <br />feasibility study to include: arena (primary); Future OVAL <br />(secondary); future City Hall Campus (secondary); and <br />consideration of wind energy alternatives; need to confirm Xcel <br />Energy participation; and inviting Hardy Mechanical to a future <br />City Council meeting for their presentation on geothermal <br />technology at an estimated cost of $20-30,000. <br /> <br />Councilmember Ihlan opined her preference that any engineering <br />firm doing a study would not be bidding on the project, in order <br />to ensure objective opinions. <br /> <br />Additional discussion included estimated 10% gain in another <br />year of depreciation by holding off for another year and risks <br />involved in waiting another year, and in considering retrofitting <br />new technology. <br /> <br />Mayor Klausing noted the opportunity to be more green and <br />more ecologically friendly, while considering providing an <br />operative facility; and opined his support for moving forward <br />with an engineering study. <br /> <br />Staff was directed, by Council consensus, to provide proposals <br />with pros and cons for conventional and geothermal, prior to <br />