Review Article for Potential Inclusion in Newsletter

The City has received a request to publish an article as a Business Spotlight, a recurring feature in the Ramsey Resident newsletter.  However, the article doesn't really fit the intent of the Business Spotlight.  Rather, it focuses on some recent lighting upgrades that were completed at the Ramsey Office Plaza, a multi-tenant facility located in The COR (across from the Ramsey Municipal Center).  The article outlines the environmental and financial benefits that will be realized as a result of these improvements. 

Considering the nature of the article, City Staff thought it would be appropriate to route it through the Environmental Policy Board (EPB) for a recommendation, which not only provides a rationalization for publishing it, but also then doesn't necessarily set a precedence or expectation that any article submitted to the City will automatically be published in the newsletter.  Furthermore, at the January meeting, as the EPB was discussing potential recycling initiatives, one suggestion that came up was to develop some sort of recognition for businesses that were taking steps to reduce waste and increase recycling.  While the article doesn't focus on recycling, it does call attention to a local business that has taken steps to reduce their carbon footprint and will realize a full return on their investment within just a couple years time.

Staff is requesting that the EPB review the article, provide feedback on the content on any suggested edits, and then recommend whether this article (or an edited version of it) should be included in an upcoming issue of the Ramsey Resident.

By consensus, direct Staff to proceed with including this article, with any suggested edits or revisions, in an upcoming issue of the Ramsey Resident newsletter.