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Four of the North Branch Water & Light  Commission’s five members directed most of the 60 minute meeting last week into discussing electric vehicle charging systems.  They reviewed data that staff had been directed in earlier meetings to compile;  detailing usage of existing charging stations, income received, possible locations for new stations, and costs to install types of stations.  

No decisions were made.  (Commissioner Baxter, who has missed six commission meetings since January, was absent.)

Commission member Patrick Meacham asked if anybody is involving the city EDA or PTOS in station site-finding.  

Parks Trails and Open Space committee members could offer insight as to how parks are used and what crowds are attracted, they might know of secure locations where charging stations might be installed, he continued.  

The Economic Development Authority should be involved because,   utility commissioners noted, the stations lend themselves to a partnership, as the  utility looks to install stations on private land, and they attract the EV customer. 

Public Works Director and utility general manager Shawn Williams agreed the stations are a natural fit for a motel, restaurant, and similar businesses.  He said the stations the utility currently has are “busy.”

The main issues to resolve include  how much does the utility commission want to spend to put stations in and where, Williams stated.  Bringing in other city volunteers’ opinions like parks, trails and open space, is “a good next step,” he concluded. 

There is a citizen referendum set for this November where North Branch residents will be asked to vote to abolish the commission.  

 With less than 90 days to educate voters, hold public meetings, and generate information pieces and mailers, do some social media outreach and other neutral “campaign” type activities, the commission has done surprisingly little, officially,  on the ballot outreach.

There was a brief explanation given last week by Chair Nathan Keech, on use of public dollars in a campaign situation.  He said the utility is allowed legally to get behind a “here’s what you need to know” campaign, but it shouldn’t advocate for a yes or no vote and the city is not to be involved directly.

Keech, affiliated with the Woodbury MN marketing firm KreativeHQ, reminded commission members that he has “extensive background” in putting together strategy, which could include  a referendum theme and messaging, and tactical items like mailers, videos and their implementation.  

“There are certainly things I could talk about,” Keech told his fellow utility commissioners if they wanted to put his company on the agenda.

Commissioners asked Keech to bring an outline or plan of what KreativeHQ has to offer to the next utility meeting.  

This type of work would fall under professional services contracts which are not required under law to solicit bids for.  These services ordinarily, however, are pursued under what’s called an RFP, request for proposals but then that referendum clock is ticking.

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