03-13-24 EC Agenda and Packet
AGENDA
CHANHASSEN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2024
FOUNTAIN CONFERENCE ROOM, 7700 MARKET BOULEVARD
6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of January 10, and February 14, 2024 Environmental Commission Minutes
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Environmental Trivia Follow-up
Finalize Arbor Day Activities
Partner with High School for Earth Day Event
Discuss Involvement with Water Resources Open House
Review Onboarding Packet
Green Step Cities-Best Management Practices
COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
ADJOURNMENT
UPCOMING ITEMS AND EVENTS
1
Environmental Commission Item
March 13, 2024
Subject Approval of January 10, and February 14, 2024 Environmental
Commission Minutes
Section APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Prepared By Jenny Potter, Sr. Admin Support Specialist
Environmental Commission Minutes dated January 10, 2024
Environmental Commission Minutes dated February 14, 2024
2
Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
6:00 pm
January 10, 2024
Members Present: Kristin Fulkerson, Greg Hawks, Scot Lacek, Scott Grefe, Ryan Farnan, Billy
Cripe, Kaisa Buckholz
Members Absent: Leslie Elhadi
Staff Present: Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resources Specialist and Laurie Hokkanen, City
Manager
Visitors: Judy Harder, Resident
Minutes
December minutes were approved as amended.
Civic Campus Update
Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager gave a presentation about plans for the new Civic Campus. Ms.
Hokkanen touched on the locations of the amenities and where the new City Hall will be located.
Develop Work Plan for 2024
Dates on the 2024 work plan were updated. It was decided that the work plan will be brought up
at the end of each meeting so members can add agenda items accordingly.
Review and Develop 2024 Media Calendar
Commissioner Cripe will write four social media posts for February and Commissioner
Buckholz will write four social media posts for March. The posts will focus on the theme of the
year which is aquatic and terrestrial invasive species. Members will sign up to write social media
posts in future meetings.
Select Arbor Day Poster Contest Theme
Commissioners discussed different ideas for the theme as well as the history of the Arbor Day
poster contest. The theme for this year’s poster contest will be “Trees are Terrific…in all Shapes
and Sizes.” Other ideas discussed will be saved and used in subsequent years.
3
Trivia Event Planning
Environmental Trivia Night details were discussed and members volunteered for specific tasks at
the event on February 20, 2024, at the Chanhassen Brewery.
Visitor Presentations:
Resident Judy Harder asked the commission if they were interested in an outreach opportunity
working with residents planting trees. The commission said they were interested and look
forward to receiving more information about the program.
Advertisement Posted for Openings on Environmental Commission
Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resources Specialist reminded the commission that there are three
positions on the Environmental Commission available.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 8:15.
4
Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
6:00 pm
February 14, 2024
Members Present: Greg Hawks, Leslie Elhadi, Scott Grefe, Ryan Farnan
Members Absent: Billy Cripe, Kaisa Buckholz, Kristin Fulkerson, Scot Lacek
Staff Present: Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resources Specialist
Visitors: Judy Harder, Resident
Minutes
January minutes approval delayed until March.
Minnesota Native Landscaping Law
Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resources Specialist, discussed a new State Law that requires cities
to allow natural landscaping on private property. The law states that if residents have purposeful
planning those plants will be allowed. Property owners cannot plant noxious weeds. The city is
amending the code to reflect the state law. Discussion was had regarding whether residents
would need to supply a plan to the city prior to planting. It was decided that the April social
media post would be in reference to this ordinance. Commissioner Grefe will be in charge of
writing the social media posts. The Ordinance will go before the Planning Commission in March
for a public hearing.
Invasive Species Management Application
Ms. Marsh reported that residents have been requesting to do buckthorn removal on city property
to assist. The city would like to have a management plan where residents could assist the city
with the removal of buckthorn or other invasive species. Residents would be able to fill out an
application to help with the removal of buckthorn or other invasive species.
Arbor Day Planning – Developing Activities
The first Saturday in May is the Arbor Day event for the City of Chanhassen. A park needs to be
picked for where to plant. Twenty trees are planted usually during this activity. Commissioners
5
discussed milkweed bombs, frisbees, and tic tac toe. Juice and snacks were provided at last
year’s planting event. Invasive education was a topic decided upon.
Partner with Chanhassen High School for Earth Day Event
This was on the work plan from years past. This will be revisited next meeting. Commissioner
Farnan will follow up with the High School to see if they still have interest in partnering.
Promote Earth Hour
March 23, 2024, is the day of Earth Hour. This should be added as social media posts in March.
Finalized Trivia Night Details
Commissioners discussed the Trivia Night at Chanhassen Brewing on Tuesday, February 20,
2024.
Commission Presentation
Chair Grefe reported that he will be attending the interviews for the potential Environmental
Commissioners. He also was invited to be involved in the task force event for bonding for
Chanhassen Sports Bluff Complex.
Commissioner Hawks reported that Conservation Minnesota will have the State Environmental
Commission meeting in May. There will be a tour event and then a social event afterward.
Ms. Marsh reviewed the agenda items for March.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 7:09.
Minutes prepared by Jenny Potter, Senior Administrative Assistant
Minutes Submitted by Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resources Specialist
6
Environmental Commission Item
March 13, 2024
Subject Review Onboarding Packet
Section DISCUSSION ITEMS
Prepared By Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist
The Environmental Commission will welcome new commissioners in April. This packet will be given
to new members.
7
Environmental Commission Item
March 13, 2024
Subject Green Step Cities-Best Management Practices
Section DISCUSSION ITEMS
Prepared By Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist
Chanhassen Green Step Assessment 2024
8
1
Assessment 2024
City of Chanhassen: Category A City
Table of Contents
About the Program .............................................................................................................................................................1
Information and GreenStep Status .....................................................................................................................................2
Notable Actions..........................................................................................................................................................2
Step Advancement Guidelines ............................................................................................................................................3
Best Practice Actions:..........................................................................................................................................................4
Buildings and Lighting (BPs 1-5).................................................................................................................................4
Land Use (BPs 6-10)...................................................................................................................................................9
Transportation (BPs 11-14)......................................................................................................................................15
Environmental Management (BPs 15-23)................................................................................................................18
Resilient Economic and Community Development (BPs 24-29)..............................................................................27
About the Program
The GreenStep Cities program is a five-step program for cities and tribal nations to work towards sustainability. There
are 29 best practices which each provide required and recommended actions. Recommended actions are placed into the
following categories: buildings and
lighting, land use, transportation,
environmental management, and
resilient economic and community
development. Each action submitted
by a city receives a ranking based on
a three-star system.
Assessment Date:11/2/2023
Assessment completed by:Kristin Mroz
9
2
Information and GreenStep Status
Preliminary submission for city review: Yes
Final April 1st recommendation to League of MN Cities: No
All required BPs done for Step 3?:No
Step 3 BP distribution requirement met?: No
Recommend June 2024 recognition Step 3?:No
Current Distribution of BP Categories: Star-Rating of Actions:
Notable Actions
Environmental Academy offers a free short series of educational courses and
tours to community members.
Lawn/water actions: rebates to residents who remove irrigated lawn & plant
un-irrigated perennial landscaping; free city irrigation audits; past rebates for
Smart Controllers
PUD density bonus up to 25% for affordable housing; Bluff Creek Overlay District requires density transfer
to preserve the primary creek corridor; RLM district permits smaller lot sizes with the preservation of
significant, natural, upland areas
Urban forestry subdivision ordinance requires woodland inventory, protection plan & conservation
easements; canopy coverage retention requirement & woodland replacement plan as needed; non-
residential development encouraged to preserve woodlands as buffers; planting in groupings as extensions
of existing woodlands required
Businesses required to install boulevard trees and parking lot landscaping along city’s main street, which
has center islands and boulevards planted with trees & shrubs
EAB SLAM (Slow Ash Mortality) Plan developed
4%
41%
0%
41%
14%
Buildings & Lighting
Land Use
Transportation
Environmental Management
Resilient Economic & Community Development
The star-rating system represents the rating of the city’s action,
where Not Rated (NR) is an uncompleted action, 1-star represents
basic completion, 2-star is full completion, and 3-star is the
maximum completion of the given action.
See all city-reported actions at
https://greenstep.pca.state.m
n.us/city-detail/11903
Joined:August 2018
Status:Step 2
Total Best Practices (BPs) Complete: 8
Total BP Actions Complete:22
Chanhassen’s GreenStep Page
14%
32%54%
★
★★
★★★
10
3
Step Advancement Guidelines
Guidelines for Step 2:
As a Category A city, to be recognized as a Step 2 GreenStep City, ANY 8 Best Practices
must be reported.
Any 8 Best Practices
Guidelines for Step 3:
As a Category A city, to be recognized as a Step 3 GreenStep City, the following must be
reported, at minimum:
Any 16 Best Practices (currently: 8)
Public Buildings: 1.1, 1.2,and any one additional action from 1.3-1.7
Buildings & Lighting:any one additional Buildings & Lighting BP (2-5)
Comprehensive, Climate & Energy Plans:6.1 and 6.2
Land Use:any one additional Land Use BP (7-10)
Living & Complete Streets:11.1 and any two additional actions from 11.1-11.6
Mobility Options:any two actions from 12.1-12.6
Sustainable Purchasing:15.1 and any one additional action from 15.2-15.8
Community Forests & Soils: any two actions from 16.1-16.7
Stormwater Management: any one action from 17.1-17.6
Environmental Management:any one additional Environmental Management BP (18-23)
Benchmarks & Community Engagement:24.1 and 24.2
Green Business Development:any two actions from 25.1-25.7
Climate Adaptation & Community Resilience: 29.1 at a 2- or 3-star rating
Guidelines for Steps 4 and 5:
Steps 4 and 5 focus on metrics – what are the outcomes of all of the actions that the city
has implemented over time?
●Step 4:Measure and report a minimum number of core and optional metrics for
the previous calendar year or the most recent available data.
o Category A communities: In addition to the CORE metrics, include 5 additional metrics of choice.
●Step 5:Demonstrate improvement three eligible metrics measured in Step 4, from one data year to the
next.
o Category A, B, and C communities: Improve upon 3 eligible metric elements.
Learn more about
Step 2
Learn more about
Step 3
Learn more about
Steps 4 & 5
11
4
Best Practice Actions: Detailed Descriptions
Buildings and Lighting
BP 1: Efficient Existing Public Buildings
BP 2: Efficient Existing Private Buildings
BP 3: New Green Buildings
BP 4: Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals
BP 5: Building Redevelopment
Best Practice 1: Efficient Existing Public Buildings
BP 1 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 0
Actions to Complete BP 1: 1.1, 1.2, and any one additional action
Best
Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last
Entry:
1.1 Choose an
item.
Enter/update building information
and monthly usage data into the MN
B3 Benchmarking database.
1.2 Choose an
item.
Make no/low cost indoor lighting and
operational changes in city-
owned/school buildings.
1.3 Choose an
item.
Invest in larger energy efficiency
projects.
1.4 Choose an
item.
Implement IT efforts and city
employee engagement to reduce
plug loads, building energy use and
workflow efficiency.
1.5 Choose an
item.
Meet the SB 2030 energy standard or
qualify under a green building or
energy framework.
1.6 Choose an
item.
Improve operations and maintenance
of city-owned/school buildings and
leased buildings.
12
5
1.7 Choose an
item.
Install one or more of the following:
-A ground-source, closed loop
geothermal system.
-A district energy/microgrid system.
-A rainwater harvesting system
Best Practice 2: Efficient Existing Private Buildings
BP 2 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 1
Actions to Complete BP 2:Any two one actions
Best
Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last
Entry:
2.1 Choose an
item.
Create or participate in a program to
promote energy and water efficiency.
2.2 Choose an
item.
Integrate green building and EV
charging best practices information
and assistance into the building
permit process.
2.3 Choose an
item.
Implement an energy
rating/disclosure policy for
residential/commercial buildings.
2.4 Choose an
item.
Describe energy/water efficiency
outcomes and other green building
practices at local businesses and not-
for-profit organizations.
2.5 ★★★Create one of the following:
-Water-wise landscaping ordinance/
guidance
-WaterSense purchasing program
-Guidance on rainwater harvesting
and home water softener use
Rebates to residents who remove
irrigated lawn & plant un-irrigated
perennial landscaping; free city
irrigation audits; past rebates for Smart
Controllers
4/3/2019
2.6 Choose an
item.
Provide a financial or other incentive
to private parties who add
energy/sustainability improvements,
meet the SB 2030 energy standard,
or renovate using a green building or
energy framework.
13
6
2.7 Choose an
item.
Customize a model sustainable
building renovation policy that
includes the SB 2030 energy standard
and adopt the language to govern
private renovation projects.
Best Practice 3: New Green Buildings
BP 3 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 0
Actions to Complete BP 3:Any one action from 3.1-3.2 and any one action from 3.3-3.5
Best
Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last
Entry:
3.1 Choose an
item.
Require by city policy that new city-
owned buildings be built using the SB
2030 energy standard and/or a green
building framework.
3.2 Choose an
item.
Work with the local school district to
ensure that future new schools are
built using the SB 2030 energy
standard and/or a green building
framework.
3.3 Choose an
item.
Adopt a sustainable building policy
for private buildings; include the SB
2030 energy standard; adopt
language governing new
development projects.
3.4 Choose an
item.
Provide a financial or other incentive
to private parties who build new
buildings that utilize the SB 2030
energy standard and/or a green
building framework.
3.5 Choose an
item.
Adopt environmentally preferable
covenant guidelines for new common
interest communities addressing
sustainability.
14
7
Best Practice 4: Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals
BP 4 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 0
Actions to Complete BP 4:Any two actions (including one from 4.5-4.8)
Best
Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last
Entry:
4.1 Choose an
item.
Require energy efficient, Dark-Sky
compliant new or replacement
outdoor lighting fixtures on city-
owned/private buildings/facilities.
4.2 Choose an
item.
Purchase LEDs for all future street
lighting and traffic signals.
4.3 Choose an
item.
Replace city street lighting with Dark
Sky-compliant LEDs, modifying any
city franchise/utility agreement and
adding smart grid attributes.
4.4 Choose an
item.
Coordinate traffic signals; optimize
signal timing to minimize car idling at
intersections yet maintain safe and
publicly acceptable vehicle speeds.
4.5 Choose an
item.
Use LED/solar-powered lighting for a
flashing sign or in a street/parking
lot/park project.
4.6 Choose an
item.
Relamp/improve exterior building
lighting for city-owned buildings/
facilities with energy efficient, Dark-
Sky compliant lighting.
4.7 Choose an
item.
Replace city-owned parking lot/ramp
lighting with Dark-Sky compliant,
energy efficient, automatic dimming
lighting technologies.
4.8 Choose an
item.
Replace city's existing traffic signal
indications with LEDs.
15
8
Best Practice 5: Building Redevelopment
BP 5 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 0
Actions to Complete BP 5:Any one action
Best
Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last
Entry:
5.1 Choose an
item.
Adopt an historic preservation
ordinance/ regulations and
encourage adaptive reuse.
5.2 Choose an
item.
Implement the Minnesota Main
Street model for commercial
revitalization.
5.3 Choose an
item.
Plan for reuse of large-format retail
buildings, or work with a local school,
church or commercial building to
either add-on space or repurpose
space into new uses.
5.4 Choose an
item.
Create/modify a green residential
remodeling assistance/financing
program to assist homeowners in
adding space or sustainable features.
5.5 Choose an
item.
Adopt development/design standards
and programs that facilitate infill,
redevelopment, and adaptable
buildings.
16
9
Land Use
BP 6: Comprehensive, Climate and Energy Plans
BP 7: Resilient City Growth
BP 8: Mixed Uses
BP 9: Efficient Highway and Auto-Oriented Development
BP 10: Design for Natural Resource Conservation
Best Practice 6: Comprehensive, Climate and Energy Plans
BP 6 Completed? YES Total actions completed: 3
Actions to Complete BP 6: 6.1 and 6.2
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
6.1 ★★Adopt a comprehensive plan or a
future land use plan adopted by the
county or a regional entity.
2040 submitted draft plan
includes solar energy and
sustainability goals
1/9/2019
6.2 ★★Demonstrate that regulatory
ordinances comply with the
comprehensive plan.
Comprehensive Plan is
referenced often in Chapter 20 -
Zoning in the City Code
1/9/2019
6.3 ★★Include requirements in
comprehensive and/or other plans for
intergovernmental coordination.
Southwest Metro Transit;
coordinate housing reviews; Bluff
Creek Natural Resource Plan;
inter-community trail
connections
1/9/2019
6.4 Choose an
item.
Include ecological provisions in the
comprehensive plan that explicitly aim
to minimize open space fragmentation
and/or establish a growth area with
expansion criteria.
6.5 Choose an
item.
Adopt climate mitigation and/or
energy independence goals/objectives
in the comprehensive plan or in a
separate policy document; include
transportation recommendations.
17
10
Best Practice 7: Resilient City Growth
BP 7 Completed? YES Total actions completed: 4
Actions to Complete BP 7: Any one action
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View onGreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
7.1 ★★Eliminate barriers and actively
encourage higher density housing in
city zoning ordinance and map.
PUD district permits 8 –16 DUA;
R-8 permits up to 8 DUA; no
limits in CB –2019 project is 33
DUA
2/5/2019
7.2 ★★★Achieve higher density housing with
one of the following:
a. Flexible lot size/frontage
requirement for infill development.
b. Density and floor area ratio (FAR)
bonuses in selected residential zoning
districts.
c. Clustered residential development.
d. Allowing accessory dwelling units,
single-room occupancy housing, senior
housing, co-housing or tiny houses /
apartments by right in selected zoning
districts.
e. Implement a vacation rental
property registration policy and/or
special tax.
PUD density bonus up to 25% for
affordable housing; Bluff Creek
Overlay District requires density
transfer to preserve the primary
creek corridor; RLM district
permits smaller lot sizes with the
preservation of significant,
natural, upland areas
2/5/2019
7.3 ★Achieve higher intensity
commercial/industrial land uses
through at least one of the following
strategies:
a. Include a commercial district with
zero-lot-line setbacks and a FAR
minimum of 1.
b. Set targets for the minimum
number of employees/acre in
different commercial zones.
PUD & CBD district permit 0-lot
lines
2/5/2019
7.4 ★★★Provide incentives for affordable
housing, workforce housing, infill
projects, or for life-cycle housing at or
TIF districts for completed
affordable & senior housing
projects; several completed
2/5/2019
18
11
near job or retail centers, or for
achieving an average net residential
density of seven units per acre.
projects include life-cycle housing
at or near job, transit, retail
centers
7.5 Choose an
item.
Use design to create social trust and
interaction among neighbors and
allow developments that meet the
prerequisites for LEED for
Neighborhood Development
certification.
Best Practice 8: Mixed Uses
BP 8 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 0
Actions to Complete BP 8:Any two actions
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
8.1 Choose an
item.
Organize or participate in a
community planning process for the
city/a mixed-use district, including
specific community engagement
practices that engage cultural and
income diverse community members.
8.2 Choose an
item.
Locate or lease a property for use as a
school, city building or other
government facility that has at least
two of these attributes:
a. Adjacent to an existing employment
or residential center.
b. Designed to facilitate and
encourage access by walking, biking,
or other non-vehicle travel modes.
c. Accessible by regular transit service.
8.3 Choose an
item.
Modify a planned unit development
(PUD) ordinance to emphasize or
require mixed-use development or
affordable housing, to limit residential
PUDs to areas adjacent to commercial
development, and/or to add
sustainability features.
19
12
8.4 Choose an
item.
Report that a (re)development meets
a city/community-determined
minimum point threshold under the
Equitable Development Scorecard or
LEED-Neighborhood Development.
8.5 Choose an
item.
Have a downtown zoning district that
emphasizes small and destination
business, entrepreneurial spaces, and
allows or requires residential and
residential-compatible commercial
development.
8.6 Choose an
item.
Incorporate form-based zoning
approaches into the zoning code, in
those areas where a diverse mix of
uses is desired.
8.7 Choose an
item.
Create incentives for vertical mixed-
use development in appropriate
locations.
Best Practice 9: Efficient Highway and Auto-Oriented Development
BP 9 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 0
Actions to Complete BP 9:Any one action
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
9.1 Choose an
item.
Establish design goals for at least one
highway/auto-oriented
corridor/cluster.
9.2 Choose an
item.
Participate in regional economic
development planning with
representatives from surrounding
townships, cities, the county and
business interests to:
a. Estimate commercial/industrial
needs among all jurisdictions.
b. Jointly implement
recommendations to stage
highway/auto-oriented commercial
development in order to avoid
20
13
overbuilding and expensive low-
density development.
9.3 Choose an
item.
Adopt infrastructure design standards
that protect the economic and
ecologic functions of the highway
corridor through clustering of
development, native plantings and
incorporating access management
standards.
9.4 Choose an
item.
Adopt development policies for large-
format developments, zoning for auto-
oriented commercial districts at the
sub-urban edge and/or in tightly
defined and smaller urban
development corridors/nodes that
have some bike/walk/transit access.
Best Practice 10: Design for Natural Resource Conservation
BP 10 Completed? YES Total actions completed: 2
Actions to Complete BP 10:Any one action
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
10.1 Choose an
item.
Conduct a Natural Resource Inventory
or Assessment; incorporate protection
of priority natural systems or
resources such as groundwater
through the subdivision or
development process.
10.2 Choose an
item.
For cities outside or on the fringe of
metropolitan areas, conduct a build-
out analysis, fiscal impact study, or
adopt an urban growth boundary and
a capital improvement plan that
provides long-term protection of
natural resources/systems, and
agriculture outside the boundary.
10.3 ★★★For cities within metropolitan areas,
incorporate woodland best
Subdivision ordinance requires
woodland inventory, protection
2/5/2019
21
14
management practices addressing
protection of wooded areas into
zoning or development review.
plan & conservation easements;
canopy coverage retention
requirement & woodland
replacement plan; preserve
woodlands as buffers; planting in
groupings as extensions of
existing woodlands required
10.4 Choose an
item.
Adopt a conservation design policy;
use a conservation design tool for pre-
design meetings with developers and
for negotiating development
agreements in cities with undeveloped
natural resource areas.
10.5 Choose an
item.
Preserve environmentally sensitive,
community-valued land by placing a
conservation easement on city lands,
and by encouraging/funding private
landowners to place land in
conservation easements.
10.6 ★★★Conserve natural, cultural, historic
resources by adopting or amending
city codes and ordinances to support
sustainable sites, including roadsides,
and environmentally protective land
use development.
Bluff Protection ordinance
prohibits development on steep
slopes, requires setbacks; Tree
Preservation ordinance requires
protection of existing tree cover;
Bluff Creek Overlay District
protects a greenway
2/5/2019
10.7 Choose an
item.
Support and protect wildlife through
habitat rehabilitation, preservation
and recognition programs.
22
15
Transportation
BP 11: Living & Complete Streets
BP 12: Mobility Options
BP 13: Efficient City Fleets
BP 14: Demand-Side Travel Planning
Best Practice 11: Living & Complete Streets
BP 11 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 0
Actions to Complete BP 11:11.1 and two additional actions
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
11.1 Choose an
item.
Adopt a complete streets policy, or a
living streets policy, which addresses
landscaping and stormwater.
11.2 Choose an
item.
Adopt zoning language or approve a
skinny street/development project
that follows green street and/or
walkable streets principles.
11.3 Choose an
item.
Modify a street in compliance with the
city's complete streets policy.
11.4 Choose an
item.
Identify, prioritize and remedy
complete streets gaps and lack of
connectivity/safety within your road
network.
11.5 Choose an
item.
Identify and remedy street-trail gaps
between city streets and off-road
trails/bike trails.
11.6 Choose an
item.
Implement traffic calming
policy/measures in at least one street
redevelopment project.
23
16
Best Practice 12: Mobility Options
BP 12 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 0
Actions to Complete BP 12:Any two actions
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
12.1 Choose an
item.
Increase walking, biking and transit.
12.2 Choose an
item.
Conduct an Active Living campaign
such as a Safe Routes to School
program.
12.3 Choose an
item.
Prominently identify mobility options:
transit; paratransit/Dial-A-Ride;
ridesharing/cab services; rental cars;
bikes; airports.
12.4 Choose an
item.
Promote carpooling or ridesharing
among community members, city
employees, businesses, high schools
and institutions of higher education.
12.5 Choose an
item.
Implement workplace multi-modal
transportation best management
practices - including telework/
flexwork - in city government,
businesses or at a local health care
provider.
12.6 Choose an
item.
Add/expand transit service, or
promote car/bike sharing.
Best Practice 13: Efficient City Fleets
BP 13 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 0
Actions to Complete BP 13:Any two actions
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
24
17
13.1 Choose an
item.
Efficiently use your existing fleet of
city vehicles by encouraging trip
bundling, video conferencing,
carpooling, vehicle sharing and
incentives/technology.
13.2 Choose an
item.
Right-size/down-size city fleet with
the most fuel-efficient vehicles that
are of an optimal size and capacity for
their intended functions.
13.3 Choose an
item.
Phase-in operational changes,
equipment changes including electric
vehicles, and no-idling practices for
city or local transit fleets.
13.4 Choose an
item.
Phase in bike, e-bike, foot or
horseback modes for police,
inspectors and other city staff.
13.5 Choose an
item.
Document that local school bus fleet
has optimized routes, start times,
boundaries, vehicle efficiency and
fuels, driver actions to cut costs
including idling reduction, and shifting
students from the bus to walking,
biking and city transit.
13.6 Choose an
item.
Retrofit city diesel engines or install
auxiliary power units and/or
electrified parking spaces.
Best Practice 14: Demand-Side Travel Planning
BP 14 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 0
Actions to Complete BP 14:Any two actions
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
14.1 Choose an
item.
Reduce/eliminate parking minimums;
add parking maximums; develop
district parking; install meters and
charge for parking at curb and city-
owned lots/ramps.
25
18
14.2 Choose an
item.
For cities with regular transit service,
require/provide incentives for the
siting of retail services at transit/
density nodes.
14.3 Choose an
item.
For cities with regular transit service,
require/provide incentives for the
siting of higher density housing at
transit/density nodes.
14.4 Choose an
item.
Require new (re)developments to
prepare a travel demand management
plan or transit-oriented development
standards or LEED for Neighborhood
Development certification.
Environmental Management
BP 15: Sustainable Purchasing
BP 16: Community Forests and Soil
BP 17: Stormwater Management
BP 18: Parks and Trails
BP 19: Surface Water
BP 20: Efficient Water and Wastewater Systems
BP 21: Septic Systems
BP 22: Sustainable Consumption and Waste
BP 23: Local Air Quality
Best Practice 15: Sustainable Purchasing
BP 15 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 0
Actions to Complete BP 15:15.1 and any one additional action
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
15.1 Choose an
item.
Adopt a sustainable purchasing policy
or administrative guidelines/practices
directing the city purchase at least:
a. EnergyStar and EPEAT certified
equipment and appliances.
b. Paper containing post-consumer
recycled content.
26
19
15.2 Choose an
item.
Purchase energy used by city
government with a higher renewable
percentage than required by MN law.
15.3 Choose an
item.
Establish purchasing preferences that
support local, Minority, Disability, and
Women-Owned businesses and,
working with a local business
association, develop a list of locally-
produced products and suppliers for
common purchases.
15.4 Choose an
item.
Require purchase of U.S. EPA
WaterSense-certified products.
15.5 Choose an
item.
Set minimum sustainability standards
to reduce the impact of your concrete
use, asphalt, roadbed aggregate, or
other construction materials.
15.6 Choose an
item.
Require printing services to be
purchased from companies using
sustainable practices.
15.7 Choose an
item.
Lower the environmental footprint of
meetings and events in the city.
15.8 Choose an
item.
Use national green standards/
guidelines for purchasing/investments
such as cleaning products, furniture,
flooring/coatings.
Best Practice 16: Community Forests and Soil
BP 16 Completed? YES Total actions completed: 4
Actions to Complete BP 16:Any two actions
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
16.1 ★Certify as a Tree City USA.Tree City USA since 1994 1/22/2019
16.2 Choose an
item.
Adopt best practices for urban tree
planting/quality; require them in
private developments and/or use
27
20
them in at least one development
project.
16.3 Choose an
item.
Budget for and achieve resilient urban
canopy/tree planting goals.
16.4 ★★Maximize tree planting along your
main downtown street or throughout
the city.
W. 78th St. center islands planted
with trees & shrubs as well as
boulevard areas; businesses
required to install boulevard
trees and parking lot landscaping
1/22/2019
16.5 ★★★Adopt a tree preservation or native
landscaping ordinance.
Ordinance requires % of site to
have tree coverage, species
selection factored in, violations
penalized at a 2:1 replacement
ratio, inspections throughout the
construction
1/23/2019
16.6 ★★★Build community capacity to protect
existing trees by one or more of:
a. Having trained tree specialists.
b. Supporting volunteer forestry
efforts.
c. Adopting an EAB/forest
management plan or climate
adaptation plan for the urban forest.
City forester, available to assist
residents; EAB SLAM (Slow Ash
Mortality) Plan
1/23/2019
16.7 Choose an
item.
Conduct a tree inventory or canopy
study for public and private trees.
Best Practice 17: Stormwater Management
BP 17 Completed? YES Total actions completed: 1
Actions to Complete BP 17:Any one action
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
17.1 Choose an
item.
Adopt and use Minnesota's Minimal
Impact Design Standards (MIDS).
17.2 Choose an
item.
Complete the GreenStep Municipal
Stormwater Management
Assessment.
28
21
17.3 Choose an
item.
Adopt by ordinance one or more
stormwater infiltration/management
strategies to reduce impervious
surface.
17.4 Choose an
item.
Create a stormwater utility that uses
variable fees to incentivize and
educate property owners.
17.5 ★Adopt and implement guidelines or
design standards/incentives for
stormwater infiltration/reuse
practices.
Ordinance allowing permeable
pavement or pavers
1/23/2019
17.6 Choose an
item.
Reduce de-icing and dust suppressant
salt use to prevent permanent surface
water and groundwater pollution.
Best Practice 18: Parks and Trails
BP 18 Completed? YES Total actions completed: 3
Actions to Complete BP 18:Any three actions
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
18.1 ★★★Make improvements within your city's
system of parks, offroad trails and
open spaces.
Parks &Rec System Inventory;
shared use/build agreement with
school district; public
walking/biking trails connect to
regional LRT trails & neighboring
communities
2/12/2019
18.2 ★★★Plan and budget for a network of
parks, green spaces, water features
and trails for areas where new
development is planned.
Annual Park & Trail Acquisition &
Development Capital
Improvement Program (with
replacement schedule); parks+
dedication (1 acre per 75 new
residents)/cash prerequisite to
subdivision approval
2/12/2019
18.3 ★★★Achieve minimum levels of city green
space and maximize the percent
within a ten-minute walk of
community members.
38 acres of parks/open space per
1000 residents; a park within ½
mile of each residence; Comp
2/12/2019
29
22
Plan has 12.1% of the City guided
for parks/open space
18.4 Choose an
item.
Adopt low-impact design standards in
parks and trails that infiltrate or retain
all 2 inch, 24-hour stormwater events
on site.
18.5 Choose an
item.
Create park/city land management
standards/practices that maximize at
least one of the following:
a. Low maintenance turf
management; native landscaping;
organic or integrated pest
management; pollinator/monarch-
safe policies.
b. Recycling/compostables collection;
use of compost as a soil amendment.
c. Sources of nonpotable water, or
surface/rain water, for irrigation.
18.6 Choose an
item.
Certify at least one golf course in the
Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary
Program.
18.7 Choose an
item.
Document that the operation and
maintenance, or construction /
remodeling, of at least one park
building used an asset management
tool, the SB 2030 energy standard, or
a green building framework.
18.8 Choose an
item.
Develop a program to involve
community members in hands-on land
restoration, invasive species
management and stewardship
projects.
Best Practice 19: Surface Water
BP 19 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 0
Actions to Complete BP 19:If the city has a State public water, 19.4 and any one additional action.
If the city does not have a State public water, any one action.
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
30
23
19.1 Choose an
item.
Consistently monitor surface water
quality/clarity and report findings to
community members.
19.2 Choose an
item.
Conduct/support multi-party
community conversations,
assessments, plans, and actions to
improve local water quality/quantity.
19.3 Choose an
item.
Adopt and publicly report on
measurable surface water
improvement targets for lake, river,
wetland and ditches.
19.4 Choose an
item.
Adopt a shoreland ordinance for all
river and lake shoreland areas.
19.5 Choose an
item.
Adopt goals to revegetate shoreland
and create a local program or
outreach effort to help property
owners with revegetation.
19.6 Choose an
item.
Implement an existing TMDL
implementation plan.
19.7 Choose an
item.
Create/assist a Lake Improvement
District.
19.8 Choose an
item.
Reduce flooding damage and costs
through the National Flood Insurance
Programs and the NFIP’s Community
Rating System.
Best Practice 20: Efficient Water and Wastewater Systems
BP 20 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 0
Actions to Complete BP 20:20.1, 20.2, and any one additional action
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
20.1 Choose an
item.
Compare the energy use and financial
performance of your facilities with
other peer facilities.
31
24
20.2 Choose an
item.
Plan and budget for motor
maintenance and upgrades.
20.3 Choose an
item.
Establish an on-going budget and
program for decreasing inflow and
infiltration into sewer lines and losses
in drinking water systems.
20.4 Choose an
item.
Optimize energy and chemical use at
drinking water/wastewater facilities
and decrease chloride in wastewater
discharges.
20.6 Choose an
item.
Implement a wastewater plant
efficiency project or a program for
local private business operations.
20.7 Choose an
item.
Create a demand-side pricing
program.
Best Practice 21: Septic Systems
BP 21 Completed? YES Total actions completed: 1
Actions to Complete BP 21:Any one action
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
21.1 Choose an
item.
Report to landowners suspected
noncompliant or failing septic systems
as part of an educational,
informational and financial assistance
and outreach program.
21.2 Choose an
item.
Use a community process to address
failing septic systems.
21.3 ★★★Clarify/establish one or more
responsible management entities for
the proper design, siting, installation,
operation, monitoring and
maintenance of septic systems.
City assumed responsibility for
monitoring, compliance, and
inspections in 2011; added
customized setbacks for bluffs
and shoreland; escrow
requirements if inspections can't
be done due to frozen soil
4/3/2019
32
25
21.4 Choose an
item.
Adopt a subsurface sewage treatment
system ordinance.
21.5 Choose an
item.
Create a program to finance septic
system upgrades.
21.6 Choose an
item.
Work with homeowners/ businesses in
environmentally sensitive areas to
promote innovative waste water
systems.
21.7 Choose an
item.
Arrange for assistance to commercial,
retail and industrial businesses with
water use reduction, pollution
prevention and pretreatment prior to
discharge to septics.
Best Practice 22: Sustainable Consumption and Waste
BP 22 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 0
Actions to Complete BP 22:Any one action from 22.1-22.3 and any one action from 22.4-22.8
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
22.1 Choose an
item.
Improve city operations/ procurement
to prevent/reuse/recycle/compost
waste from all public facilities, and
minimize use of toxics and generation
of hazardous waste.
22.2 Choose an
item.
Address concerns over consumer
products and packaging through
education, reuse options,
recycling/composting options, credits,
fees, mandates or bans.
22.3 Choose an
item.
Improve profitability, legal compliance
and conserve resources through
adoption of ordinance language,
licensing and resource management
contracts.
22.4 Choose an
item.
Publicize, promote and use the varied
businesses/services collecting and
marketing used, repaired and rental
33
26
consumer goods, especially
electronics, in the city/county.
22.5 Choose an
item.
Arrange for a residential and/or
business/institutional source-
separated organics collection/
management program.
22.6 Choose an
item.
Improve recycling services/expand to
multi-unit housing and commercial
businesses.
22.7 Choose an
item.
Improve/organize residential trash/
recycling/organics collection by
private/public operations and offer
significant volume-based pricing on
residential garbage and/or incentives
for recycling.
22.8 Choose an
item.
Adopt a construction and demolition
ordinance governing demolition
permits that requires a level of
recycling and reuse for building
materials and soil/land-clearing
debris.
Best Practice 23: Local Air Quality
BP 23 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 0
Actions to Complete BP 23:Any two actions
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
23.1 Choose an
item.
Replace small internal combustion
engine lawn/garden equipment with
lower polluting equipment.
23.2 Choose an
item.
Reduce residential burning of wood
and yard waste and eliminate
‘backyard’ trash burning.
23.3 Choose an
item.
Decrease air emissions from vehicle
idling, business trucking, and
34
27
pollutants/noise from stationary
engines/back-up generators.
23.5 Choose an
item.
Install, assist with and promote
publicly available EV charging stations
or public fueling stations for
alternative fuel vehicles.
Resilient Economic and Community Development
BP 24: Benchmarks and Community Engagement
BP 25: Green Business Development
BP 26: Renewable Energy
BP 27: Local Food
BP 28: Business Synergies and Ecodistricts
BP 29: Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience
Best Practice 24: Benchmarks and Community Engagement
BP 24 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 2
Actions to Complete BP 24:24.1 and 24.2
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
24.1 Choose an
item.
Use a city commission/committee to
lead, coordinate, report and engage
community members on sustainability
best practices.
24.2 Choose an
item.
Organize goals/outcome measures
from all city plans and report to
community members data that show
progress toward meeting these goals.
24.3 Choose an
item.
Engage community members/
partners in identifying, measuring, and
reporting progress on key
sustainability and social indicators.
24.4 ★★Conduct/support a broad
sustainability education/action
campaign.
Environmental Academy offers
short series of course for
community members; Trivia night
10/3/2023
35
28
24.5 Choose an
item.
Conduct a community visioning/
planning initiative that engages a
diverse set of community members &
stakeholders and uses a sustainability,
resilience, or environmental justice
framework.
24.6 ★★Engage wide representation of
community youth/students by
creating opportunities to participate in
city government.
Youth commission on
Environmental Commission
10/3/2023
24.7 Choose an
item.
Engage Black, Indigenous, People of
Color (BIPOC), renters, low-income,
new Americans, differently abled and
other traditionally under-represented
community members.
Best Practice 25: Green Business Development
BP 25 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 0
Actions to Complete BP 25:Any two actions
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
25.1 Choose an
item.
Grow new/emerging green businesses
and green jobs through targeted
assistance and new workforce
development.
25.2 Choose an
item.
Create/participate in a marketing/
outreach program to connect
businesses with assistance providers.
25.3 Choose an
item.
Promote sustainable tourism.
25.4 Choose an
item.
Strengthen value-added businesses
utilizing local "waste" material.
25.5 Choose an
item.
Lower the environmental and health
risk footprint of a brownfield
remediation/redevelopment project;
report brightfield projects.
36
29
25.6 Choose an
item.
Promote green businesses that are
recognized under a local, regional or
national program.
25.7 Choose an
item.
Conduct/ participate in a buy local
campaign for community members
and local businesses.
Best Practice 26: Renewable Energy
BP 26 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 0
Actions to Complete BP 26:Any two actions
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
26.1 Choose an
item.
Adopt wind/biomass ordinances that
allow, enable, or encourage
appropriate renewable energy
installations.
26.2 Choose an
item.
Promote resident/business purchases
and/or generation of clean energy.
26.3 Choose an
item.
Promote financing and incentive
programs for clean energy.
26.4 Choose an
item.
Support a community solar garden or
help community members participate
in a community solar project.
26.5 Choose an
item.
Install a public sector/municipally-
owned renewable energy technology.
26.6 Choose an
item.
Report installed private sector-owned
renewable energy/energy efficient
generation capacity.
26.7 Choose an
item.
Become a solar-ready community,
including adopting ordinance/zoning
language and an expedited permit
process for residents and businesses
to install solar energy systems.
37
30
Best Practice 27: Local Food
BP 27 Completed? YES Total actions completed: 1
Actions to Complete BP 27:Any one action
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
27.1 Choose an
item.
Incorporate working landscapes -
agriculture and forestry - into the city
by adopting an ordinance.
27.2 Choose an
item.
Facilitate creation of home/
community gardens, chicken & bee
keeping, and incorporation of food
growing areas/access in multifamily
and residential developments.
27.3 ★★★Create, assist with and promote local
food production/distribution within
the city.
Community garden started in
2002; community orchard in
2015; Farmers Market started in
2003; at least 32-38% of the
population lives within a mile of
these (and a CSA drop point)
4/3/2019
27.4 Choose an
item.
Measurably increase institutional
buying and sales of foods and fibers
that are local, Minnesota-grown,
organic, healthy, humanely raised, and
grown by fairly compensated growers.
27.5 Choose an
item.
Assess, plan for, and enhance the
community’s local food system.
Best Practice 28: Business Synergies and Ecodistricts
BP 28 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 0
Actions to Complete BP 28:Any one action
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
38
31
28.2 Choose an
item.
Document that at least one business/
building uses waste heat or water
discharge from another business or
conducts materials exchange activities
with another organization.
28.3 Choose an
item.
Require, build or facilitate at least four
sustainability attributes in a
business/industrial park project.
28.4 Choose an
item.
Use 21st century ecodistrict tools to
structure, guide and link multiple
green and sustainable projects
together in a mixed-use
neighborhood/development, or
innovation district.
Best Practice 29: Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience
BP 29 Completed? NO Total actions completed: 0
Actions to Complete BP 29:29.1 at 2- or 3-star level
Best Practice
Action:
Completed:
(Star Level out of
three stars)
Action Description:
(View on GreenStep Website for full description)
Action Summary:
(Provided by GreenStep Staff)
Date of
Last Entry:
29.1 Choose an
item.
Prepare to maintain public health and
safety during extreme weather and
climate-change-related events, while
also taking a preventive approach to
reduce risk for community members.
29.2 Choose an
item.
Integrate climate resilience into city or
tribal planning, policy, operations, and
budgeting processes.
29.3 Choose an
item.
Increase social connectedness through
engagement, capacity building, public
investment, and opportunities for
economically vulnerable residents.
29.4 Choose an
item.
Encourage private sector action and
incentivize investment in preventive
approaches that reduce risk and
minimize impacts.
39
32
29.5 Choose an
item.
Protect public buildings and natural/
constructed infrastructure to reduce
physical damage and sustain their
function during extreme weather
events.
29.6 Choose an
item.
Reduce the urban heat impacts of
public buildings/sites/infrastructure.
29.7 Choose an
item.
Protect water supply and wastewater
treatment facilities to reduce physical
damage and sustain their function
during extreme weather events.
29.8 Choose an
item.
Improve local energy resilience.
40