EEAC Workshop pkt. 04-12-114 111° City of Evan MeMo
TO: THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION
(EEAC)
FROM: DIANNE MILLER, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR
DATE: APRIL 6, 2011
SUBJECT: ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION
WORKSHOP / APRIL 12, 2011
A workshop of the Energy and Environment Advisory Commission (EEAC) will take place on
Tuesday, April 12 at approximately 7:30 p.m. in Conference Room 2A &B (upstairs). The purpose
of the workshop is to provide an opportunity for the Commission to dialogue about their
recommended next steps on the GreenStep City program, as well as outline priorities or key
elements to a 2011 -2012 EEAC work plan for consideration by the Council. A joint meeting of the
City Council and Commission is tentatively scheduled for the June 14 City Council workshop.
Background for April 12 Workshop
GreenStep City Program Overview —City staff has updated the GreenStep Cities program
website to include all updated progress reports, applicable websites, pertinent documents, and
outcome metrics that apply to the 28 best practices. Given that all of the data entry is now
occurring on the GreenStep City's website (http: / /greenstep.pca.state mn us), staff is unable to
"print out" a full spreadsheet. Rather Commissioners can view the City's progress online
However, staff did update the initial report prepared by Commissioners Nadav, LeClair, and
Olsen to update all of the progress made in the past several months. Enclosed on pages
through55 is a revised GreenStep Cities report, showing the progress made on each best
practice in a Word version.
To summarize, based on feedback from Philipp Muessig, GreenStep Cities Coordinator, the
following are the required actions that the City must complete in order to meet the best practice
requirements to be designated as a Step III GreenStep City:
EEAC Workshop
April 12, 2011
Page 2
1. Best Practice 1 (Efficient Existing Public Buildings) -- Enter baseline information
into the Minnesota B3 database and continue entering monthly energy use data
from city -owned buildings.
Update: The City entered preliminary data into B3 system, but does not currently use the
program to continue monitoring monthly energy use data). A training has been scheduled with
City staff during the last week of April to train staff on how to utilize the B3 system to track
energy usage at all City facilities. Additionally, the MPCA has offered the City the assistance of
a GreenCorp volunteer to enter all necessary data into the new B3 system so that the City's data
will be up to date; thus making the City's work much more manageable moving ahead.
2. Best Practice #11 (Complete Green Streets )—Adopt a complete streets policy that
addresses street trees and stormwater, and modify street standards accordingly.
Update: Eagan must prepare a complete green streets policy that is encouraged by Minnesota
statute chapter 351, section 52. The policy must address street trees and stormwater, and
incorporate appropriate standards to facilitate a transportation system that accommodates
multiple modes and users of all ages and abilities. According to the MPCA, the City could adopt
a resolution denoting the Complete Street efforts of the City to meet this best practice. City staff
is currently preparing that resolution for Commission consideration.
3. Best Practice #15 (Purchasing) —Adopt a policy or administrative policy directing
that the city purchase only:
a. EnergyStar certified equipment and appliances and
b. Paper containing at least 30% post- consumer recycled content.
Update: Eagan purchases 30% envirocopy recycled paper, and when necessary and financially
feasible, purchases Energy Star certified equipment, The city can complete this action by
adopting an environmentally preferred purchasing policy that calls out the recycled paper and
EnergyStar requirements. Enclosed on pagap is an example from the City of Falcon Heights
of an Environmentally Preferred Purchasing Policy that meets best practice #15.
4. Best Practice #24 (Benchmarks and Community Engagement) — Report progress
annually to community members on implementation of GreenStep City best
practices, including energy /carbon benchmarking data if gathered.
Update: In order to claim this best practice, Eagan must report to the community the efforts and
progress made on the GreenStep City program. The County is currently collecting greenhouse
EEAC Workshop
April 12, 2011
Page 3
gas data that is community specific, and when that data becomes available, it could be published
along with the City's GreenStep efforts to date.
Brainstorming Lists and Previous Workshop Notes —As the Commission prepares to
formulate a recommended 2011 -2012 EEAC work plan for presentation to the City Council,
enclosed on page '7 through6l are brainstorming ideas that have been voiced over the
past year regarding projects, initiatives, and issues the Commission has expressed an interest in
possible considering.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the enclosed materials and
background information. I look forward to the Commission's dialogue on April 12 regarding the
proposed work plan for 2011 -2012.
r �.
Assistant to the City Administrator
3
Minnesota GreenStep Cities
itv of a an
Jeff LeClair, Amir Nadav, Wade Olsen
Eagan Energy & Environment Advisory Commission
With Assistance Provided by:
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page
I. Acknowledgments 3
II. Executive Summary 4
III. Background 5
IV. GreenStep Cities Program Overview 6
V. Eagan GreenStep Cities Assessment 7
VI. Overview of Best Practices 10
VII. Appendices 49
Page 12
Acknowledgements
We wish to thank the many people who contributed to this report. Many thanks to Eagan Mayor
Mike Maguire and City Council Members Paul Bakken, Cyndee Fields, Gary Hansen and Meg
Tilley for their vision and leadership in creating the Energy & Environment Advisory Commission.
Their supportive feedback and approval of both Eagan's participation in GreenStep Cities and this
partnership with the University of Minnesota have made this report possible. Our deepest gratitude
goes out to Dianne Miller, Assistant to the City Administrator, for her relentless patience, research,
support and coordination; and to all the city staff members who provided valuable and timely input.
We thank the University of Minnesota course instructors State Senator Ellen Anderson and Dave
Wanberg for kindly incorporating this project into their capstone course on sustainable
communities. Many thanks to the students Caitlin Cardinal, Peter Kalscheur, Mary Scott, and
Jessica Vanella for their research and work products that contributed to this report. Finally, we
thank the Energy & Environment Advisory Commission members for their support and hard work.
We look forward to engaging with you on the next steps in crafting and realizing the vision of
sustainability for Eagan.
Page 13
Category
Best
Practices
Available
Best Practices
Completed
Best Practices Required
(for Step 3 recognition)
Additional
BPs
Necessary
Buildings & Lighting
1 -5
2 4, 5
1 + one other
1
Land Use
6 -10
6, 7, 8, 9, 10
6 + one other
None
Transportation
11 -14
12, 13
11, 12
11
Environmental
15 -23
16, 17, 18, 21,
15, 16, 17 + one other
15
Management
23
Economic & Community
24 -28
25, 27
24, 25 + one other
24
Development
Total number of BPs
28
17
13 + 3 floating
4
Executive Summary
Page 14
Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a new challenge, recognition and assistance program offered by the
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and a host of partners to help cities meet their sustainability goals. In
August 2010, the Eagan City Council adopted a resolution to participate in this program, and authorized a
capstone project between the Energy & Environment Advisory Commission and the University of Minnesota
to assess Eagan's actions relative to the 28 programmatic best practices. GreenStep Cities is a voluntary
program with no fees to participate.
The City of Eagan has made considerable progress in the GreenStep Cities program. Based on actions it has
already completed, Eagan would currently qualify as a "Step Two City." The table below summarizes the
requirements to achieve the highest level of recognition under the program, "Step Three City," and Eagan's
progress to date. The city has completed 17 best practices, but needs to complete additional actions to
complete the required best practices. Eagan has also completed several best practices beyond the scope of
program requirements. This table represents the subcommittee and city staff's best assessment of Eagan's
progress. The GreenStep Cities Steering Committee may review and confirm cities' completed best practices
and subsequently revise these numbers.
As the Eagan Energy & Environment Advisory Commission reviews this report, it may choose to consider
the following questions, among others:
• Should Eagan aim to achieve "Step Three" recognition?
0 If so, which actions in the remaining required best practices should the city implement?
• Should Eagan consider pursuing any of the optional best practices?
• Should Eagan consider pursuing any additional actions among the best practices it has already
completed?
The following report provides background 011 the GreenStep Cities program, Eagan's participation, and an
assessment of Eagan's progress toward completion of the best practices.
7
Background
Page 5
In their goals for 2009 and 2010, the Eagan City Council articulated a commitment to environmental
sustainability and energy efficiency. The biennium goals adopted on March 3, 2009 included the following:
"Exemplify a broad -based and comprehensive commitment to environmental sustainability and
energy efficiency by adopting conservation and alternative energy strategies pursuing the use of
local, non - polluting, renewable, and recycled resources, while encouraging residents and businesses
to do likewise."
In the spring of 2010, the City Council created the Eagan Energy & Environment Advisory Commission
(EEAC). Comprised of seven community members, this Commission holds public meetings every other
month. The EEAC's value statements for 2010 - 2011 (Appendix A) include recommending sustainability
initiatives centered on the concepts of reduction, protection, renewal, and communication. The Commission
also adopted a GreenStep City Goal:
"To have the City of Eagan named as a GreenStep City Program participant and utilize the EEAC to
review and identify how the 28 best practices identified under the program are met in Eagan within
the areas of Buildings & Lighting, Land Use, Transportation, Environmental Management,
Economic /Community Development."
In their August meeting, the EEAC approved a proposal to work with a group of students enrolled in the
University of Minnesota's Sustainable Communities capstone course to help inventory and assess Eagan's
progress with respect to the GreenStep Cities best practices. On August 17, 2010 the Eagan City Council
adopted a resolution to participate in the GreenStep Cities program and approved the project with the
University of Minnesota (Appendix C).
This report represents the culmination of the EEAC subcommittee and city staffs work with the University
of Minnesota students.
F
GreenStep Cities Program Overview
Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a voluntary challenge, assistance and recognition program to help cities
achieve their sustainability goals through implementation of 28 best practices. Each best practice can be
implemented by completing one or more specific actions from a list of four to eight actions. These actions
are tailored to all Minnesota cities, focus on cost savings and energy use reduction, and encourage
innovation.
GreenStep Cities recognizes cities based on their progress through the program and their achievements. The
follow levels of recognition exist:
Recognition Steps Needed to Implement
Step One GreenStep City
Step Two GreenStep City
Step Three GreenStep City
• Build community knowledge and interest
o Approve a city council resolution to work
toward GreenStep Cities recognition
• Register and post initial information on
the GreenStep Cities Website
• Get organized to begin work on
implementing best practices.
• Implement half of required best practices
(8 for Eagan)
• Implement full suite of required and
floating best practices (16 for Eagan)
Additional levels of recognition are scheduled for development in 2011 and thereafter to challenge and
recognize greater sustainability achievements.
Page 16
The concept for GreenStep Cities arose during the fall of 2007 when Minnesota's Clean Energy Resource
Teams ( CERTs) held regional listening sessions around the state to discuss community -based energy
opportunities and the state's Next Generation Energy Act of 2007. The idea was raised of creating a
sustainable cities program that would challenge, assist and recognize cities that were "green stars." This idea
was taken up by the 2008 Legislature, which directed the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Office of
Energy Security and CERTs to recommend actions cities could take to help meet the state's greenhouse gas
emissions reduction goals. Representatives from dozens of cities, non - profits, and other organizations
provided input into the 2009 report to the legislature, which outlined what has been developed as the
Minnesota GreenStep Cities program.
More information about GreenStep Cities is available on the website: http: / /mngreenstep.org
9
Eagan GreenStep Cities Assessment
GreenStep Cities is a free, voluntary challenge, recognition and assistance program. As such, no penalties or
fees exist and the city is under no binding obligation to implement or maintain these best practices.
As a Category A city, Eagan is required to complete a total of 8 best practices to claim Step Two status and
16 best practices to claim Step Three GreenStep City status. These requirements must be met by
implementing best practices in the following categories: Buildings & Lighting, Land Use, Transportation,
Environmental Management and Economic & Community Development.
As the table below indicates, each category contains several required and optional best practices. To
complete a best practice, a city must implement one or more specific actions from a list of several options.
As a Category A city, Eagan must complete the following number of best practices in each category: two in
buildings & lighting, two in land use, two in transportation, four in environmental management, and three in
economic & community development. Within each category, some specific best practices are required while
others can be selected by the city. In addition, a Category A city must also complete three "floating" best
practices, which can be in any category.
The table below also summarizes the results of our assessment. It reveals that Eagan has completed a
large majority of the best practices required for Step Three recognition. To receive this level of
recognition, Eagan would need to complete the following best practices.
• Complete Green Streets
• Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
® Urban Forests
• Benchmarks & Community Engagement
Pag 7
The EEAC may also consider implementing actions from incomplete optional best practices, or additional
actions from completed best practices that would further the city's sustainability goals.
The following table represents a more comprehensive view of the status of best practices for the city of
Eagan.
GreenStep Required BP Summary
Buildings &
Lighting
BPs Required /Completed
category Impl
A Ci
3
4
7
Efficient Existing Public Buildings
Efficient Existing Private Buildings
New Green Buildings
Efficient Building & Street Lighting and
Signals
Building Reuse
Comprehensive Planning and
Implementation
Higher Density
8 Efficient and Healthy Development Patterns
Required
Required
9 Efficient Highway- Oriented. Development
Complete
Not complete
Complete
Complete
Complete
Complete
Complete
Complete
Environmental
Management
10 Conservation Design
BPs Required /Cotnpieted
11 Complete Green Streets
Transportation;
Demand -Side Travel Planning
BPs Required /Completed
12 Mobility Options
3 Efficient City Fleets
15
16
17
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
Urban Forests
Efficient Stormwater Management
18 Green I.nfiastructure
19 Surface Water Quality
20 Efficient Water and Wastewater Facilities
21 Septic Systems
22 Solid Waste Reduction
23
T.ocal .fir Quality
BPS Required /Completed
24 Benchmarks & Community Engagement
25 Green Business Development
26 Renewable Energy
27 Local Food
28 Business Synergies
Floating BPs (additional to required BPs)
Hired (incltiding tloating
Total BPs Completed Overall
Required
Required
Required
Required
Required
Required
Required
Not Complete—need action 1
Page 18
Complete
Not complete
Complete
Complete
Not complete
Not complete -need actions I & 8
Complete
Complete
Complete
Not complete —need action 2 or 3
Not Complete- -need action 1
Complete
Not Complete
C m h lcte
Economic &
Coin munity
Development
BPs Required /Completed
Not complete - -need action 1
Complete
Not complete
Complete
Not complete
17
Page 19
The remainder of this report assesses Eagan's actions to date and implementation status for each of the
Minnesota GreenStep Cities best practices. For incomplete best practices, we have identified in bold
recommendations for additional actions that would be needed to fulfill the remaining best practices for "Step
Three City" recognition.
Overview of Best Practices
Page 110
(This is our best understanding of Eagan's progress toward completing the best practices. All best practices
are subject to final review and confirmation by the GreenStep Cities Steering Committee. Additional
information on actions that are in progress is available on the comprehensive spreadsheet.)
/3
Buildings and Lighting (2 Best Practices Required)
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Best Practice #1: Efficient Existing Public Building (REQUIRED)
Work with utilities and others to assess and finance energy and sustainability improvements
of existing structures.
STATUS FOR EAGAN: NOT COMPLETE
Eagan has completed enough actions for this to count as TWO best practices as soon as B3 system is fully
utilized in the City.
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS:
Eagan must implement this best practice by completing at least actions (1) and (2). Eagan must complete at
least one additional action among (3) through (7). Completing this additional action allows this best practice
to be counted as implementation of two best practices.
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Enter baseline information into the Minnesota B3 database and continue entering monthly energy
use data from city -owned buildings.
2. Audit (or when cost - effective, re- commission) all city -owned buildings in the bottom third of the B3
energy performance ranking and implement a majority of energy efficiency opportunities that have a
payback under 5 years.
3. Complete energy efficiency improvements in at least one city, school or park district building (in
addition to buildings addressed in action 2) via retrofit and retro - /re- commissioning, with fmancing
at attractive interest rates under MN's PBEEEP program or related lease - purchase fmancing, energy
performance contracting, or other cost justified program.
4. Participate in other state or utility programs that provide rebates or co- funding for energy efficiency
improvements to public buildings.
5. Renovate and operate at least one city -owned building to meet or qualify for a green building
standard.
6. Create an internal loan fund for making public building improvements based on an energy or green
building standard.
7. Install in at least one public building at least one of the following energy efficiency measures:
a. A distributed energy technology: micro - turbine, fuel cell, reciprocating engine.
b. A ground- source, closed loop geothermal system where net greenhouse gases are less than
those generated by the system being replaced.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Required action 1 (not complete): Enter baseline information into the Minnesota B3 database and continue
entering monthly energy use data from city -owned buildings (The City entered preliminary data into B3
system, but does not currently use the program to continue monitoring monthly energy use data). A training
has been scheduled with City staff to utilize the B3 system.
Completed required action 2: Complete an energy audit of all buildings in the bottom third of the B3 energy
performance ranking and implement the majority of energy efficiency improvements that will payback in
under 5 years.
Iz/
CONTACT: Mike Sipper, City Building Maintenance Engineer
l5
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Completed action 5: The new Fire Safety Center, which will be completed i n Spr 2011 will be the first
fire station in the country certified as a Green Globe facility.
Completed additional action 7b: Eagan was granted a Federal stimulus, which they used to monitor their
energy use in their city owned buildings and have implemented energy conserving tactics. In their Civic
Arena and in the new Fire Safety Center (opening Spring 2011) there is now a closed loop geothermal
system, which satisfies action #7b.
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
Buildings and Lighting (2 Best Practices Required)
lln
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Best Practice #2: Efficient Existing Private Buildings (OPTIONAL)
Work with utilities and others to assess and finance energy and sustainability improvements of
existing structures
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS:
Eagan may implement this best practice by completing at least two actions if they choose to implement this
best practice.
BEST PRACTICES Y:
1. Create a marketing and outreach program with the local utility and /or the local Community Action
Program to promote residential energy use reduction and energy efficiency.
2. Integrate green building information into the building permit process.
3. Develop a (or modify an existing) truth -in- housing inspection program for homes being sold, to
include a blower -door test and energy -use rating.
4. Document at least one of the following green building practices, partnering with an assistance
provider such as a utility, EnergySmart, MNTAP or ReTAP as appropriate:
a. Building energy improvements in businesses.
b. Use of Energy Star's Portfolio Manger by businesses.
c. The construction of and/or operation of a least three buildings to meet or qualify for a green
building standard.
5. Take action to conserve drinking water resources through at least one the following:
a. Implement a robust watering ordinance.
b. Implement a conservation rate structure.
c. Adopt, with modifications as necessary, a model landscaping ordinance to allow for low
water -use landscaping.
d. Create a rebate or feebate program to promote purchases of WaterSense- and Energy Star -
rated appliances.
6. Provide a meaningful and significant incentive to private parties (builders, homeowners, businesses,
institutions) who renovate to a green building standard:
a. Building permit fee discount
b Grant, rebate or tax breaks (e.g., property tax abatement)
c. Expedited permit review
d. Green building design assistance
e. Density bonus
7. Customize a model sustainable building renovation policy and adopt language governing
commercial renovation projects that:
a. Receive city financial support, and/or
b. Require city regulatory approval (conditional use permit, rezoning, PUD status).
8. Arrange for on -bill financing, using either utility or property tax bills, to make home/building
sustainability improvements easier and more affordable.
CONTACT: Jon Hohenstein, Director of Community Development
Mike Ridley, City Planner
Dianne Miller, Assistant to the City Administrator
Dale Schoeppner, Chief Building Official
Wayne Schwanz, Utility Superintendent
I 7
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EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Completed action 4c: There are four Buildings in Eagan that are LEED Certified: Eagan Place Professional
Building (silver), Lebanon Hills Visitor Center (silver), Lockheed Martin (silver), and Allan L. Schuman
Corp. Campus Ecolab (gold).
Completed actions 5 a, and b: The City of Eagan has a permanent conservation program for outside water
usage. This permanent system is in effect throughout the entire outdoor watering season.
Buildings and Lighting (2 Best Practices Required)
Best Practice #3: New Green Buildings (OPTIONAL)
Construct new buildings to meet or qualify for a green building standard
STATUS FOR EAGAN: NOT COMPLETE
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SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Eagan may implement this best practice by completing at least one public realm action (1) or (2) and at least
one private realm action (3) through (6).
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Build at least one, or require by ordinance, new city -owned buildings and substantial remodels to
meet or qualify for a green building standard.
2. Work with the local school district to ensure that all new schools are built to a green building
standard.
3. Customize a model sustainable building policy and adopt language governing new private
development projects that:
a. Receive city financial support, and/or
b. Require city regulatory approval (conditional use permit, rezoning, PUD).
4. Provide a meaningful and significant incentive to private parties (residents, builders, developers)
who build to a green building standard:
a. Building pennit fee discount
b. Expedited peunit review
c. Green building design assistance
d. Grant, rebate or tax breaks (e.g., property tax abatement)
e. Density bonus
5. Adopt covenant guidelines for common interest communities addressing issues such as stormwater,
native vegetation, growing food, clothes lines and renewable energy.
6. Work with local financial institutions to use energy - efficient mortgages for buildings seeking a green
building certification.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Completed Action 1: Eagan's new Green Globes certified Fire Safety Center will meet this requirement
CONTACT: Jon Hohenstein, Director of Community Development
Mike Ridley, City Planner
Best Practice #4: Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals (OPTIONAL)
Improve the efficiency of public and private lighting and signals
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
Buildings and Lighting (2 Best Practices Required)
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SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS:
Eagan may implement this best practice by completing at least two actions, including one of actions (5)
through (8).
BEST PRACTICE SUMMARY:
1. Require energy efficient, Dark -Sky compliant new or replacement outdoor lighting fixtures on city -
owned buildings and facilities.
2. Require all new street lighting and traffic signals to be Dark -Sky compliant, energy efficient lighting
technologies
3. Modify any city franchise or other agreement with a utility to facilitate rapid replacement of
inefficient street lighting.
4. Synchronize traffic signals so as minimize car idling at intersections yet maintain safe and publicly
acceptable vehicle speeds.
5. Install solar powered lighting in a street, parking lot or park project.
6. Work with a utility program to relamp exterior building lighting for at least 30% of city -owned
buildings with energy efficient, Dark -Sky compliant lighting.
7. Replace at least 50% of the city's parking lot lighting with Dark -Sky compliant, energy efficient,
automatic dimming lighting technologies.
8. Replace at least one -third of the city's existing traffic signals with energy efficient LED or equivalent
lighting technologies.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Completed Action 4: The City, in partnership with Dakota County, has synchronized traffic signals on Pilot
Knob Rd, Yankee Doodle Rd and Cliff Rd for directional rush hours. The City also has added two
roundabouts and two flashing yellow left turn arrow signals to reduce idling time. Three more flashing
yellow arrow signals are planned for 2011.
Completed Action 8: All traffic signals in the city have LED lights.
CONTACTS: Tim Plath, Transportation and Operations Engineer
Paul Olson, Superintendent of Parks
( 9
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
Buildings and Lighting (2 Best Practices Required)
Best Practice #5: Building Reuse (OPTIONAL)
Create economic and regulatory incentives for redeveloping and repurposing existing
buildings before building new
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS:
Eagan may implement this best practice by completing at least one of the following actions.
Page 117
BEST PRACTICES Y:
1. Develop and adopt an historic preservation ordinance to encourage adaptive reuse, with attention to
energy and resource conservation, indoor air quality and other green building practices.
2. For cities with traditional downtown areas, implement the Minnesota Main Street model for
commercial revitalization with attention to green building practices.
3. Work with a local school to either add -on space, or to repurpose space into non - school uses, with
attention to green building practices.
4. Create /modify a green residential remodeling assistance /fmancing program to assist homeowners in
adding space to their existing homes while retaining historic architectural elements.
5. Adopt development and design standards that facilitate infill and redevelopment, such as developing
strip /large format commercial areas into more livable /walkable neighborhoods and gathering places.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Completed Action 5: The City's Comprehensive Plan has policies with respect to building on
existing pedestrian facilities and enhancing and further connecting them as projects and funding
permit. The City applies the policy with respect to street improvements and reconstruction in
which it considers the installation of appropriate pedestrian facilities - sidewalks or trails - as
each project is designed. The City has implemented pedestrian improvements in the Town
Centre area and has received a grant to study additional pedestrian connections of this kind in
other retail areas through the State's Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP). In its
major mixed use redevelopment, the City is implementing a transit oriented, walkable design
framework through its Cedar Grove Zoning District and Design Standards. The City approved
their Community Transportation Trail System Policy on 12- 13 -04.
CONTACTS: Jon Hohenstein, Director of Community Development
Mike Ridley, City Planner
Juli Johnson, Director of Parks and Recreation
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
Land Use (2 Best practices required)
Best Practice #6: Comprehensive Planning and implementation (REQUIRED)
Adopt a Comprehensive Plan and tie regulatory ordinances to it
Page X
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Eagan must implement this best practice by completing action (1) and (2). If Eagan chooses to complete
action (5), we may claim credit for implementing a floating best practice.
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Adopt/have an adopted comprehensive plan that is less than ten years old (required for Category A
cities) OR, Category B and C cities may simply adopt a land use plan that was adopted by a regional
entity or the county less than ten years ago.
2. Demonstrate that regulatory ordinances comply with the comprehensive plan including but not
limited to having the zoning ordinance explicitly reference the comprehensive plan as the
foundational document for decision making.
3. Include requirements in comprehensive plans for intergovernmental coordination dealing with at
least six of the following issues:
a. Transportation
b. Watershed impacts
c. Land use
d. Economic development
e. Housing and foreclosures
f. Police
g. Fire
h. Health
i. Sewer and water
4. Include ecologic /transportation provisions in the comprehensive plan that explicitly aim to achieve at
least two of the following goals:
a. Minimize the fragmentation and development of agricultural, forest, wildlife, and high
quality open space lands in and around the city.
b. For cities adjacent to undeveloped land, establish a growth area with staging criteria that
reflects projected population growth and, if applicable, is subject to an orderly annexation
agreement and planned extension of municipal services.
c. Establish policies with numerical targets to reduce vehicle miles traveled.
5. Adopt climate protection or energy independence goals and objectives in the comprehensive plan or
in a separate policy document, and link these goals to direct implementation recommendations.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Completed Action 1: The last comprehensive plan was completed in 2008 and adopted on April 6, 2010.
Completed Action 2: The zoning ordinances reflect that the Comprehensive Plan is the official guide and
long range plan for the city.
Completed Action 3: The Comprehensive Plan is the official guide and long range plan for the City).
Completed Action 4a: The comprehensive plan includes this policy. (Action 4b is not applicable).
021
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Action 4 c In Progress: - Eagan needs established policies including numerical targets reflecting the actions
currently being taken to reduce miles driven by city fleet vehicles.
Action 5 In Progress: The City has adopted the following sustainability goal, but has not created
implementation recommendations directly tied to the goal: "Exemplify a broad -based and
comprehensive commitment to environmental sustainability and energy efficiency by adopting
conservation and alternative energy strategies pursuing the use of local, non - polluting, renewable,
and recycled resources, while encouraging residents and businesses to do likewise."
CONTACTS: Jon Hohenstein, Director of Community Development,
Mike Ridley, City Planner
Best Practice # 7: Higher density (OPTIONAL)
Enable and encourage a higher density of housing or commercial land use
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
Land Use (2 Best practices required)
SUMMARY OF REQUIREIVIENTS
To implement this best practice, Eagan must complete at least one of the following actions.
075
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BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Limit barriers to higher density housing by including in the city zoning ordinance and zoning map a
zoning district that allows:
a. Neighborhood single- family density at six units per acre or greater.
b. Multi- family housing at a gross density of at least 15 units per acre adjacent to a commercial
zoning district or transit node.
2. Encourage higher density housing through at least two of the following strategies:
a. Incorporate a flexible lot size /frontage requirement for infill development.
b. Use density and floor area ratio (FAR) bonuses in selected residential zoning districts.
c. Tie a regulatory standard to comprehensive plan language defining compact city expansion
zones that limit low- density development.
d. Allowing accessory dwelling units by right in selected zoning districts.
3. Encourage a higher intensity of commercial land uses through at least one of the following
strategies:
a. Include in the city zoning ordinance and zoning map a commercial district with reduced lot
sizes and zero - lot -line setbacks, or a FAR minimum between .75 and 1.
b. Set targets for the minimum number of employees /acre in different commercial zones.
4. Provide one or more of the following incentives for infill projects, or for life -cycle housing at or near
job or retail centers, or for achieving an average net residential density of seven units per acre:
a. Building permit fee discount.
b. Expedited permit review.
c. Grant or tax breaks.
d. Other incentives.
5. Modify the city zoning ordinance and zoning map to allow, without variance or rezoning in at least
one district, developments that meet the prerequisites for LEED for Neighborhood Development
certification.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Completed Action 1. b.: Eagan has increased the number of units per acre in the Cedar Grove Re-
development area anticipating 16+ units per acre and they will be in walking distance of both
commercial and transit opportunities.
Completed Action 2: Eagan permits flexibility in infill developments and the city's comprehensive plan
designates three mixed use special areas.
Completed Action 4: Eagan works with the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) to
provide a range of lifecycle housing opportunities through CDA funding sources. Examples include
numerous senior living facilities.
CONTACTS: Jon Hohenstein, Director of Community Development
Mark Ulfers, CDA Executive Director
Kari Gill, CDA Deputy Executive Director of Housing, Finance, and Development
Page 121
Land Use (2 Best practices required)
Page 122
Best Practice # 8: Efficient and Healthy Development Patterns (OPTIONAL)
Mix Land Uses
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS:
If Eagan chooses to implement this best practice, we must complete at least two of the following actions.
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Create a main street program or organize a Minnesota Design Team planning charrette.
2. Locate or lease a 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 and biking.
c. Accessible by existing regular transit service.
3. Modify a planned unit development - PUD - ordinance to emphasize mixed use development or to
limit residential PUDs to areas adjacent to commercial development.
4. Certify a new development as complying with LEED -ND standards, including the mixed -use credits.
5. Create, or modify an existing, downtown zoning district to allow residential and small compatible
commercial development, based on the Minnesota Model Ordinances for Sustainable Development.
6. Create, or modify an existing, district to use form -based zoning standards that de- emphasize use -
based standards.
7. Create incentives for vertical mixed -use development in appropriate locations (downtown,
commercial districts near colleges or universities, historic commercial districts).
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Completed Action 1: The Cedar Grove redevelopment was approved on the basis of the Cedar /13 Study,
which included a planning charrette to get feedback from stakeholders.
Completed Action 2: The library and community center are near an existing employment or residential area
and are accessible by walking or biking.
Completed Action 7: Land cost write downs are available in the Cedar Grove Redevelopment District to
encourage high density mixed use development.
CONTACTS: Jon Hohenstein, Community Development Director
Mike Ridley, City Planner
Land Use (2 Best practices required)
Best Practice # 9: Efficient Highway- Oriented Development (OPTIONAL)
Adopt commercial development and design standards for highway road corridors
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Eagan must complete at least one of the following actions if we choose to implement this best practice.
CONTACTS: Ruthe Batulis, Northern Dakota County Chamber of Commerce
Jon Hohenstein, Community Development Director
Page 123
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Conduct a visual preference survey with community members and establish design goals for
highway corridors.
2. 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 commercial development in order to
avoid overbuilding and expensive low- density development.
3. Adopt transportation infrastructure design standards that accomplish at least one of the
following:
a. Improve the ecologic functions of land adjacent to highway corridors.
b. Facilitate clustering of commercial highway development.
c. Context - sensitive design.
4. Adopt, with modifications as necessary, at least one of the following corridor management and
design model ordinances:
a. Model access management overlay
b. Highway Commercial District
c. Adequate Public Facilities ordinance that stages highway commercial development
concurrently with infrastructure expansion.
5. Require decommissioning in development agreements for large format developments should they
remain vacant for several years.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Completed Action #2: City is participating with local businesses, multiple local agencies, two chambers of
commerce, and Dakota County to strategically plan for the transportation infrastructure and economic
development needs along regional corridors, such as the Robert Street Corridor, for the transport of
goods, transit and broadband.
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
Land Use (2 Best practices required)
Page 124
Best Practice # 10: Conservation Design (OPTIONAL)
Adopt development ordinances or processes that protect natural systems
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Complete at least one of the following actions if Eagan chooses to implement this best practice.
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Conduct a Natural Resource Inventory and Assessment (NRI and NRA) and incorporate protection
of priority natural systems or resources through the subdivision or development process, as described
in Minnesota's 2009 Model Ordinances for Sustainable Development.
2. For cities outside or on the fringe of metropolitan areas, conduct a cost of public services study for
development outside the city grid and adopt development standards or a concurrency ordinance to
ensure staged urban growth that protects natural systems.
3. For cities within metropolitan areas, incorporate by policy woodland best management practices
into zoning or development review.
4. For cities with undeveloped natural resource areas use, or adopt as policy the use of, a conservation
design scorecard as a tool in negotiating development agreements.
5. Develop and fund a conservation easement program, such as a purchase of development rights
program, in collaboration with a land trust.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Completed Action 1: City approved updated Water Quality and Wetland Management Plan on July 17,
2007. Incorporated wetland inventory, mapping, and assessment for purposes of classification.
Completed Action 5: The City has partnered with other entities (e.g. Dakota County) to fund conservation
easements to preserve land in the Eagan Core Greenway.
CONTACTS: Eric Macbeth, Water resources Coordinator
Juli Seydell Johnson, Director of Parks and Recreation
Transportation (2 best practices required)
STATUS FOR EAGAN: NOT COMPLETE
Best Practice # 11: Complete Green Streets (REQUIRED)
Create a network of multimodal green streets
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS:
Eagan must implement this best practice by completing action (1) and two additional actions.
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Adopt a complete streets policy that addresses street trees and stormwater, and modify street
standards accordingly.
2. Adopt zoning language for a selected area/project that is substantially equivalent to the LEED for
Neighborhood Development credits for Walkable Streets or Street Network.
3. Document the installation of trees, other green stormwater infrastructure, and utility renovations
as needed (sewer, water, electric, telecommunications) as part of at least one complete street
reconstruction project.
4. Identify and remedy non - complete street segments by, for example, adding a bike route /lane or
sidewalk.
5. Identify and remedy street -trail gaps (at least one) between city streets and trails/bike trails to better
facilitate walking and biking.
6. Implement traffic calming measures in at least one street redevelopment project.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Action # 1 require d.•'Eagan must prepare a complete green streets policy that is encouraged by Minnesota
statute chapter 351, section 52. The policy must address street trees and stormwater, and incorporate
appropriate standards to facilitate a transportation system that accommodates multiple modes and
users of all ages and abilities According to the MPCA, the City could adopt a'reso • demot the
Complete Street efforts of the City to meet this best practice. City staff is currently preparing that
resolution for Commission consideration.
Completed Action #5: Eagan approved Community Transportation Trail System Policy December 13, 2004.
The City also adopted a Trail Connection Policy in January 2011.
Completed Action #6: Eagan has completed the installation of two roundabouts, which are considered traffic
calming measures. Eagan has also been installing radio transmitted traffic signals, and is incorporating
the use of yellow left turn signals in several locations.
CONTACT: Tim Plath, Transportation and Operations Engineer
Page I25
Transportation (2 best practices required)
Best Practice #12 Mobility options (REQUIRED)
Promote active living and alternatives to single- occupancy car travel
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Eagan must complete at least two actions.
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Promote walking, biking and transit use by one or more of the following means:
a. Produce /distribute a map(s) and/or signage and/or a web site that shows (by neighborhood if
a larger city) key civic /commercial sites, best bike and pedestrian routes, and transit routes
and schedules.
b. Increase the number of bike facilities, such as racks, bike stations, showers at city offices.
c. Add bus infrastructure, such as signage, benches, shelters and real -time arrival data
streaming.
d. Increase the number of employers who offer qualified transportation fringe benefits instead
of only a tax -free parking fringe benefit.
e. Launch an Active Living campaign in concert with your local community health board.
2. Launch a Safe Routes to School program with educational, public health and other partners.
3. Prominently identify on the city's web site mobility options for hire: transit services;
paratransit/Dial -A -Ride; cab service(s); rental car agency(s).
4. Promote carpooling or ridesharing among community members, city employees, businesses, high
schools and institutions of higher education.
5. Launch an eWorkPlace Minnesota campaign, working with business and transportation management
organizations, or help bring telemedicine technology to a local health care provider.
6. Accomplish at least one of the following transit/mobility sharing projects, working with other units
of local governments as needed:
a. Add/expand transit service.
b. Launch a car sharing or bike sharing business.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Completed action 1 a, c, and e: It is fulfilled that action by having easy and assessable maps available
through signage along various routes and bicycle trails maps which are provided on the City of Eagan
website. The transit routes may also be found via the City of Eagan website and MVTA website. There
is an increased bus and transit availability in the City. Examples have included the Cedar Avenue Bus
Rapid Transit Corridor, and the new transit station in the Cedar Grove redevelopment area. The City has
an active wellness program for employees. The program encourages employees and residents to
participate in Healthy Steps, a Dakota County walking effort and also provides regular brown bag lunch
opportunities to review wellness initiatives, such as retirement planning, stress reduction, caring for
elderly parents, weight loss challenges. The City also received State Health Improvement Program
(SHIP) funding for the addition of bike racks, wayfmding signage for trails, and an incentive program to
get people to walk to City events and facilities.
Completed action 6 a: Cedar Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Corridor is under construction. A new
Park and Ride facility opened in 2010 in the Cedar Grove Redevelopment Area.
Page 126
CONTACT: Tom Colbert, Public Works Director
Tim Plath, Transportation and Operations Engineer
Juli Johnson, Director of Parks and Recreation
30
Page 127
Best Practice # 13: Efficient City Streets (Optional)
Implement a city fleet investment, operations and maintenance plan
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
Transportation (2 best practices required)
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS:
Eagan must complete at least two actions if they choose to implement this best practice.
Page 128
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Decrease use of city vehicles by means such as trip bundling, video conferencing, carpooling and
fmancial incentives for efficient vehicle use.
2. Right -size the city fleet with the most fuel- efficient vehicles that are of an optimal size /capacity for
their intended functions.
3. Document the phase -in of at least three of the following equipment and operational changes in
vehicle contracts, for city or local transit fleets, or for school/park board fleets:
a. Monthly monitoring and reporting for staff on fuel usage and costs.
b. Training for more efficient driving, including anti - idling behavior /rules.
c. Maintenance schedules that optimize vehicle life and fuel efficiency.
d. Alternative fuel vehicles.
e. Charging stations (solar or wind powered) for plug -in hybrid and full electric vehicles.
f. Lower - carbon fuels (such as biodiesel, straight vegetable oil) using a life -cycle calculation.
g. More fuel- efficient vehicles.
h. Car share vehicles owned by a third party to decrease fleet size.
i. Bicycles.
4. Phase in bike, foot or horseback police patrols.
5. Document that the local school bus fleet has optimized routes, start times, boundaries, vehicles, bus
fuels, and driver actions to decrease fuel use.
6. Participate in Project GreenFleet to retrofit or replace diesel engines, or to install auxiliary power
units that reduce truck and bus idling.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Completed Action 1: Eagan has downsized the type of vehicles used in various fleets. Eagan's first fire
response now has more efficient vehicles by replacing the 12MPG Ford Explorers with the 21MPG Ford
Escapes. Two hybrid vehicles, the 30 +MPG Ford Fusions, are utilized for administrative purposes to
replace the old 20MPG Impalas. Eagan has replaced a street maintenance vehicle with a seasonal worker
riding a bike for boulevard maintenance Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) program implemented to
increase patrol efficiency during snow emergencies.
Completed Action 2: Several vehicles have been downsized in the maintenance fleet. Two hybrid vehicles
were purchased as a pilot program to determine efficiency (both in terms of fuel and operational cost) of
using hybrid vehicles in the City's fleet.
Completed Action 3: Current monthly fuel usage for each City vehicle is monitored and reported. All Eagan
employees are subjected to the 'no idling policy'. All unattended vehicle must be shut off. Maintenance
is completed per manufacturers' instructions. Two hybrid vehicles are in use. The City also
Page 29
implemented a program where boulevard maintenance is completed by a seasonal worker who uses a
bicycle, which tows a very small trailer with necessary equipment.
Completed Action 5: ISD 196 in Eagan uses a computerized route optimizer for their school bus fleets to
optimize the distances traveled. Three tiers for school starting times are also used to reduce the sizes of
fleets and buses on the roads. A no idling policy is also set to ensure buses are not running while
unintended.
CONTACT: Tom Colbert, Public Works Director
Tom Streefland, Public Works Department
ISD 196 Transportation Division, 651- 423 -7685
3�
STATUS FOR EAGAN: NOT COMPLETE
Transportation (2 best practices required)
Best Practice #14 Demand -Side Travel Planning (OPTIONAL)
Use Travel Demand Management and Transit - Oriented Design
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Eagan may implement this best practice by completing at least two actions.
Page 130
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. In development standards, right -size parking minimum standards and add parking maximums in
pedestrian- friendly or transit- served areas.
2. For cities with regular transit service, require or provide incentives for the siting of retail services at
transit/density nodes.
3. For cities with regular transit service, require or provide incentives for the siting of higher density
housing at transit/density nodes.
4. Incorporate demand -side transportation strategies into development regulations, adopting, with
modifications as necessary, at least one of the following from Minnesota's 2009 Model Ordinances
for Sustainable Development:
a. Travel Demand Management Performance Standard
b. Transit - Oriented Development district ordinance
5. Document that a development project certifies under the LEED for Neighborhood Development
program and is awarded at least one of the following credits:
a. Transportation Demand Management.
b. Housing and Jobs Proximity.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Action 1 Incomplete: The City previously updated its parking minimum standards to reduce numbers by
increasing ratios, with appropriate tiers based on the type of development. Some of the larger expanses
of pavement in town would not be required today. However, some retailers define their own ratios and
will exceed Eagan's requirements. The City does not have parking maximums in pedestrian or transit
oriented areas, but it does focus on shared and cross parking opportunities where adjacency and
proximity of complementary uses support it. The city has not embraced the 8'/2' x 18' stall standard.
While the city has permitted stall size reductions in office and other locations with relatively little
parking turnover, it is not as practical in commercial areas with high turnover for a variety of reasons.
CONTACT: Jon Hohenstein, Director of Community Development,
Mike Ridley, City Planner
STATUS FOR EAGAN:
Environmental Management (4 best practices required)
Best Practice # 15 Purchasing (REQUIRED)
Adopt an environmentally preferable purchasing policy
Page 131
NOT COMPLETE
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS:
Eagan must complete action (1) and at least one additional action
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Adopt a policy or administrative policy directing that the city purchase only-
a, EnergyStar certified equipment and appliances and
b. Paper containing at least 30% post-consumer recycled content.
2. Purchase 15% of city government's energy requirements from renewable energy sources.
3. Establish a local purchasing preference and, working with a local business association, develop a list
of locally - produced products and suppliers for common purchases.
4. Require purchase of U.S. EPA WaterSense - certified products for all product categories covered by
the WaterSense program.
5. Set minimum standards for the percentage of recycled- content material in at least 5 products
typically purchased by the city, such as asphalt and roadbed aggregate.
6. Require printing services to be purchased from companies certified by Minnesota Great Printers or
by the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership.
7. Lower the environmental footprint of meetings and events in the city through one or more of the
following:
a. Adopt a policy for meetings and events hosted by city government.
b. Adopt a policy for meetings and events taking place on city property, including parks and
libraries.
c. Distribute educational materials for use at city- supported events such as National Night Out.
8. Specify the use of state and national green standards /guidelines for at least 3 of the following
categories of purchasing:
a. Electronics, including printers, printer supplies - especially remanufactured cartridges - and
printer operation.
b. Wood products
c. Organic food
d. Cleaning products
e. Paints, coatings and adhesives
f. Carpets
g. Furniture
h. Paper products
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Action 1 Required: Eagan purchases 30% envirocopy recycled paper. The city can complete this action by
adopting a policy to purchase only EnergyStar certified equipment and appliances, and also formalize
in the policy the City's approach to only purchasing recycled paper.
Page X32
Action 8 Recommended: The city already purchases green cleaning products, recycled content carpet in the
Municipal Center, and recycled paper products. This action can be completed by specking the use of
state and national green standards /guidelines for these products.
CONTACTS: Mike Sipper, Building Engineer
Maria Petersen, City Clerk
Mark Vaughn, Campus Facilities Manager
Dianne Miller, Assistant to the City Administrator
Kristi Peterson, IT Manager
Tim Plath, Transportation and Operations Engineer
Environmental Management (4 best practices required)
Best Practice # 16 Urban forests (REQUIRED)
Increase city tree and plant cover
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS:
Eagan must complete at least two actions.
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Qualify as a Tree City USA.
2. Adopt as policy MN Tree Trusts' Best Practices and use the guidelines in at least one development
project to achieve an excellent or exemplary rating.
3. Budget tree installation and maintenance to, within 15 years, achieve the following tree canopy
shading for streets, sidewalks and parking lots in the following zoning districts:
a. At least 25% for industrial and commercial zoning.
b. At least 75% for residential zoning.
4. Maximize tree planting along your main downtown street.
5. Adopt at least one of the following ordinances /policies:
a. Adopt a policy of no net loss of specified natural landscapes.
b. Adopt an ordinance /policy relating to protection of trees on parcels affected by city
planning/regulatory processes.
c. Adopt landscaping/nuisance ordinances that promote, rather than create barriers for, native
vegetation.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Completed Action 1: Eagan is certified as a Tree City USA
Action 3: Eagan has a green space ordinance, which includes pervious /impervious requirements as well as
tree mitigation policies, but no requirements pertaining to canopies per se. The City is likely close to
meeting these percentage requirements, but nothing documented at this time. The City's GIS staff is
currently working with Dakota County to determine if any GIS technology would allow us to determine
our tree canopy percentages.
Completed Action 5b: The City had adopted a Tree Preservation Ordinance that requires the
replacement/mitigation of significant trees or woodlands removed during development in excess of an
allowable removal limit of approximately 20 -40 %, as determined by the development type. The number
of mitigation trees installed is determined by a formula based upon the size and type of the tree removed
and size of the replacement. The ratio for replacement to removal ranges from 1:1 to 12:1.
Action 5 a or 5 c: Must verb a policy of no net loss of specified natural landscapes —OR- must verify
landscaping ordinances promote native vegetation.
CONTACTS: Jon Hohenstein, Director of Community Development,
Gregg Hove, Forester
ya
Page 133
Environmental Management (4 best practices required)
Best Practice # 17 Efficient Stormwater Management (REQUIRED)
Minimize the volume of and pollutants in water runoff
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Eagan must implement this best practice by completing at least one action.
CONTACT: Tom Colbert, Public Works Director
Page X 34
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Complete the Blue Star City stormwater management assessment and achieve a minimum threshold
of specific activities detailed in this program.
2. Adopt by ordinance one or more of the following:
a. A narrower streets provision that permits construction of 24 -foot roads for public, residential
access and subcollector streets (with fewer than 500 average daily trips).
b. A 1.5 inch rainfall on -site rainwater infiltration design requirement for construction sites.
c. A stormwater runoff volume limit to pre- development volumes for the 5 -year, 24 -hour
rainfall maximum event.
3. Maintain less than 12% impermeable surfaces in the watershed in which the city lies.
4. Create a stormwater utility, that uses variable fees to incentivize enhanced stounwater management
and funds community stormwater infrastructure and assistance /education programs.
5. Adopt and implement design standards or guidelines for development and re-development in the city
h'
establishing requirements for at least one of the following:
a. Rain gardens.
b. Green roofs with or without cisterns and water /greywater reuse systems.
c. Green alleys.
d. Green parking lots.
6. Adopt an ordinance with erosion and sediment control provisions as well as requirements for
permanent stormwater treatment.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Action 5a In Progress: Over 50 rain gardens have been constructed within the public right -of -way over the
past three years to establish presence while investigating best practices /design standards.
Completed action 6: Eagan's City Ordinances 4.32 and 4.33 address these provisions. They are included as
part of City's Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) in response to its Municipal Separate
Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit.
Environmental Management (4 best practices required)
Best Practice # 18 Green Infrastructure (OPTIONAL)
Enhance city parks and trails
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Eagan may choose to implement this best practice by completing at least three actions.
Page X35
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Identify gaps (connectivity breaks) in your city's system of parks, trails and open spaces, and remedy
at least one of them.
2. Plan and budget for a network of parks, green spaces, water features and trails in all new
development areas.
3. Document at least one of the following performance measures:
a. At least 20% of total city land area in protected green infrastructure (parks and protected
natural resource areas and trails).
b. All residents are within one -half mile of a park or protected green space.
4. Adopt low- impact design standards in parks and trails that infiltrate or retain all 2 inch, 24 -hour
storm water events on site.
5. Create park management standards that maximize at least one of the following:
a. Low maintenance native landscaping.
b. Organic or integrated pest management.
c. Sources of non - potable water for irrigation.
6. Certify at least one golf course in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses.
7. Construct all new park buildings to a green building standard, with special attention to highlighting
and educating around the green features.
8. Develop a program to involve community members in land restoration and stewardship.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Completed Action 1: Constructed two trail connectors; (1) Connection to Woodhaven Park amenities from a
redevelopment district that will have limited space for recreational opportunities (2) Walnut Hill trail
connection to the primary trail grid. City approved Community Transportation Trail System Policy 12-
13-04.
Completed action 3 b: Eagan has a policy in place (via the Comprehensive Guide Plan) that requires all
residential properties to be within 1/2 mile of a park.
Completed action 8: Eagan has implemented a Park Volunteer Program where residents and community
volunteers complete many park maintenance activities. Typical tasks include general clean-up
throughout the park, manual removal of invasive Buckthorn, or maintenance of specific landscape beds.
The City also operates Holz Farm, which includes annual plantings and harvesting of crops.
CONTACT: Juli Seydell Johnson, Parks and Recreation Director
Environmental Management (4 best practices required)
Best Practice # 19 Surface Water Quality (OPTIONAL)
Improve local water bodies
STATUS FOR EAGAN. NOT COMPLE1'.
e 1 36
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Eagan has at least one state - designated public water body within its boundaries and may choose to
implement this best practice by completing action (4) and at least one additional action.
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Assist at least one lake or river association to earn the Star Lake/River designation for their
lake /river.
2. Assist at least one lake or river association to become Star Lake /River -ready by achieving
nearly all of the program requirements.
3. Work with other organizations to support citizen education about and involvement with
actions to attain measurable, publicly announced surface water improvement targets for
lakes, streams and wetlands, adopted by the city council and reported on each year.
4. Adopt a shoreland ordinance consistent with MN Dept. of Natural Resources rules as
modified.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Action 2 In Progress: Eagan approved a Water Quality Management Plan in June 1990 and
updated it on 7- 17 -07. Since 1990, the nationally awarded plan has contained components to
address components of the Star Lake/River management plan. The city is currently initiating
third and fourth lake management plans as part of a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Clean
Water Partnership grant.
Action 3 In Progress: City cooperates with Blue Thumb education program, Dakota County Soil &
Water Conservation District activities, and provides training opportunities to construction
industry, developers and citizens through the City's Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program
Team. To complete this action, the city would need to attain measurable surface water quality
improvements and publicly announce them each year. LM for Eric and Jessie to see if we
already report these numbers.
Completed Action 4: Eagan has established a shore land overlay district in Ordinances 4.33 & 11.65
CONTACT: Eric Macbeth, Water Resources Coordinator
Mike Ridley, City Planner
3%
Environmental Management (4 best practices required)
Best Practice # 20 Efficient Water and Wastewater Facilities (OPTIONAL)
Assess and improve drinking water and wastewater facilities
STATUS FOR EAGAN: NOT COMPLEIE
CONTACT: Wayne Schwanz, Superintendent of Utilities
Pa 137
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Eagan may implement this best practice by completing actions (1) and (2) and at least one additional action.
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Compare the energy use and performance of your facilities with other peer plants using standardized,
free tools.
2. Plan and budget for motor maintenance and upgrades so as to assure the most energy efficient,
durable and appropriate equipment is available when upgrades or break downs occur.
3. Establish an on -going budget and program for decreasing inflow and infiltration into sewer lines,
involving at least gutter, foundation drains and sump pump disconnects.
4. Assess energy and chemicals use, inflow and infiltration volumes and pollutants, and implement
one -third of recommendations with a payback of less than 3 years.
5. Require property owners to have their private sanitary sewer lateral pipe inspected before a property
sale or title transfer.
6. Implement at least one of the following efficiency projects /programs:
a. Assist local businesses, institutions and/or residents in pre - treating and lowering volumes
and toxicity of sewer inflows.
b. Co- generate electricity and heat from the wastewater treatment plant.
c. Reuse water (sell reclaimed water) from a wastewater plant for nonpotable ag- processing,
irrigation or power plant uses.
d. A greywater reuse system in at least one public or private building.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Action 1 Required: There is a state database for government buildings that requires periodic updates. It
is possible that utility buildings are not among those for which they gather information. This needs to
be explored further. To complete this best practice the city can use a variety of free tools such as the
state's B3 database, Energy Star's Portfolio Manager or U.S. EPA's Check Up Program for Small
Systems.
Completed Action 2: Utilities staff evaluate and upgrade motors on an annual basis as part of capital
planning
Completed Action 3: Eagan has an Inflow and Infiltration Inspection program underway in the community
Funding has been received from the Metropolitan Council for some program costs.
Completed Action 4: The city evaluates chemical usage by inflow (daily) and also on a yearly peak demand
ratio. Yearly "sludge" samples are analyzed for pollutants and reported to the pollution control agency.
Completed Action 6d.• The City uses untreated well water that is at 40 degrees Fahrenheit to cool the water
treatment plants' heat pumps . Backwash waste water is also reclaimed by a plate settler, and reused at
the head of the city's water plant.
Page 138
Environmental Management (4 best practices required)
Best Practice # 21 Septic Systems (OPTIONAL)
Implement an effective management program for decentralized wastewater treatment
systems
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Eagan may choose to implement this best practice by completing at least one of the actions below.
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Report to landowners suspected noncompliant or failing septic systems as part of an educational,
informational and financial assistance and outreach program designed to trigger voluntary landowner
action to improve septic systems.
2. Create a program that follows the five -step process for addressing failing septic systems developed
by the University of Minnesota's Onsite Sewage Treatment Program.
3. Clarify /establish one or more responsible management entities for the proper design, siting,
installation, operation, monitoring and maintenance of septic systems.
4. Adopt a subsurface sewage treatment system ordinance based on the Association of Minnesota
Counties' model ordinance
5. Create a program to finance septic systems upgrades through, for example, a city revenue bond,
repayable through taxpayers' property taxes.
6. Work with homeowners and businesses in environmentally sensitive areas and areas where standard
septic systems are not the least -cost option to promote innovative waste water systems.
7. Arrange for assistance to commercial, retail and industrial businesses with water use reduction,
pollution prevention and pretreatment prior to discharge to septics.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Completed Action 1: Eagan utilizes a County database of 250 -300 residential units that are required to have
septic systems inspected every two years and pumped when needed. Private inspectors and pumpers are
contacted by residents on their own after receiving a notice from the County. The City contracts with
Dakota County, which manages the septic program.
Completed Action 3: If a new build, the City ensures systems comply with State and City regulations.
Completed Action 4: Eagan's Subsurface Sewage Treatment System (SSTS) ordinance (currently being
updated) is available at: http://libraryl.municode.com/default-
test/home.htm?infobase= 13070 &docaction = whatsnew
CONTACT: Dale Schoeppner, Chief Building Official
41
of:
Environmental Management (4 best practices required)
Best Practice # 22 Solid Waste Reduction (OPTIONAL)
Increase waste reduction, reuse and recycling
Page 139
STATUS FOR EAGAN° NOT COMPLETE
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Eagan may implement this best practice by completing action (1) or (2) and at least one of actions (4)
through (8).
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Adopt percentage reduction goals for waste and toxicity generated from city operations (including
schools, libraries, parks, municipal health care facilities). Accomplish reduction goals in at least
three of the following areas:
a. Overall waste generation
b. Paper use and junk mail
c. Pesticide/herbicide use
d. Water use /waste water generation
2. Adopt and meet aggressive goals for the overall percentage diversion of currently disposed waste
from city operations into recycling and organics collection.
3. Document signing of at least one resource management contract with a waste hauler for one or more
a. City government operations.
b. Schools, libraries, parks, or municipal health care facilities.
c. A commercial or industrial business.
4. Publicize, promote and use the varied businesses collecting and marketing used and repaired
consumer goods in the city /county.
5. Arrange for a residential or business /institutional organics collection/management program (food -to-
people, food -to- animals, composting, anaerobic digestion, and backyard composting).
6. Organize residential solid waste collection by private and/or public operations to accomplish
multiple benefits.
7. For cities that provide direct or contract waste collection services, offer volume -based pricing on
residential garbage and/or feebates on recycling so that the price differences are large enough to
increase recycling/composting but not illegal dumping.
8. Adopt a construction and demolition ordinance for projects over a specified size that mandates levels
of recycling and reuse for materials and soil/land - clearing debris and is tied to demolition permits.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Action 1 or 2 Required: Neither the city nor Dakota Valley recycling have waste reduction goals. These
would need to be established and met.
Completed Action 3: Dakota County has components of a resource management contract through the waste
hauler Troje in various facilities within Eagan, including the Wescott Library and Lebanon Hills
Regional Park. ISD 196 has a resource management contract through Allied Waste which covers the
collection of trash, recyclables at all elementary, middle and higjh schools and also food waste at
elementary schools.
Action 5 In Progress: Dakota Valley Recycling continues to explore organics recycling; no program is in
place yet. Thomson Reuters has implemented a waste -to -food program, in which they donate food waste
to Second Harvest Farms, which is then used to feed hogs. See YouTube video at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvvCWR1wzPrw
CONTACT: Dianne Miller, Assistant to the City Administrator
Mike Sipper, Building Maintenance Engineer
Anne Olson, Dakota Valley Recycling
e I 40
Environmental Management (4 best practices required)
Best Practice # 23 Local Air Quality (OPTIONAL)
Prevent generation of local air contaminants
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Eagan may choose to implement this best practice by completing at least two of the actions below.
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Conduct an education/fmancial assistance campaign around one of the following wood burning/auto
exhaust issues:
a. Indoor and outdoor wood burning behavior, to ensure that wood burning is only done with
seasoned wood and in a manner that doesn't negatively impact neighbors.
b. Indoor wood burning technology, to result in community members upgrading from
inefficient/more polluting fireplaces and wood stoves to natural gas stoves and fireplaces or
the most efficient certified wood stoves.
c. Smoker cars - older model/high polluting vehicles, to result in repairs spurred by repair
vouchers.
2. Regulate outdoor wood burning, using model ordinance language, performance standards and bans
as appropriate, for at least one of the following:
a. Recreational burning.
b. Outdoor wood boilers.
3. Conduct one or more education/behavior change campaigns on the topics below and document:
a. Decreased vehicle idling in specific locales or by specific fleets.
b. Increased sales by retail stores of low and no -VOC household products.
c. Replacement of gasoline- powered equipment with lower polluting equipment.
4. Document the participation of at least 3 larger businesses using trucks in at least one of the
following:
a. Clean Air Minnesota's Project GreenFleet.
b. U.S. EPA's SmartWay Transport program.
c. Installation of auxiliary power units that reduce truck and bus idling.
5. Install at least two public charging stations for plug -in hybrid and full electric vehicles.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Completed Action 2: Eagan has recreational burning regulations. See ordinance at
http: / /www.ci.eagan.mn.us /upload/ images / Fire /Amendment %20to %20Sec %2010 %2040 %20 —
% 20Recreational% 20Fires %20and %200pen %20Burning.PDF The city also recently adopted an
ordinance regulating outdoor wood burners requiring a set back of 350 ft. from property line.
Completed Action 3: Eagan has a No Idling policy for its city fleet, with few exceptions due to inclement
weather. The policy has resulted in a significant decrease in idling and has catalyzed cultural and
behavioral change across all departments.
CONTACT: Jon Hohenstein, Community Development Director
Dianne Miller, Assistant to the City Administrator
Mike Scott, Fire Chief
P age 141
Economic and Community Development (3 best practices required)
Best Practice # 24 Benchmarks & Community Engagement (Required)
Adopt outcome measures for GreenStep and other city sustainability efforts, and engage
community members in ongoing education, discussion, and campaigns
STATUS FOR EAGAN: NOT COMPLE1B
Page 142
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Eagan must implement this best practice by completing at least actions (1) and (2). Completing an additional
action (beyond those required) allows this best practice to be counted as implementation of two best
practices.
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Report progress annually to community members on implementation of GreenStep City best
practices, including energy /carbon benchmarking data if gathered.
2. Organize goals /outcome measures from all city plans - comprehensive, parks, library, housing,
stormwater, drinking water, transportation, economic development, energy, sustainability, etc. - and
report (at least annually) to community members data that show progress toward meeting these
goals.
3. Engage community members in a public process involving a city council committee or community
task force that results in city council adoption of and commitment to measure and report on progress
toward sustainability indicators.
4. Conduct or support an energy efficiency or sustainability education and action campaign for:
a. The entire community
b. Homeowners
c. Block clubs /neighborhood associations
d. Congregations
e. Schools and youth
5. Conduct or support a community education, visioning and planning initiative using a sustainability
framework such as
a. Strong Towns
b. Transition initiatives
c. Eco- municipalities /The Natural Step
d. ISO 14001
e. Post Carbon Cities
f. Permaculture
g. Natural Capitalism
h. Genuine Progress
i. Healthy communities
j. Multi- generation learning
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Action 1 Required: Part of the adoption of GreenSteps Cities is the requirement to review and report
annually. In order to claim this best practice, Eagan must report to the community the efforts and
progress made on the GreenStep City program. The County is currently collecting greenhouse gas
Page 143
data that is community specific, and when that data becomes available, it could be published along
with the City's GreenStep efforts to date.
Completed Action 2: The City's annual budget includes performance measures in each department and
division, which are reported annually through the budget process. The City also publishes an annual
report via the Experience Eagan newsletter, which summarizes the City's goals and progress made on
those goals. Annual City Goals available at htt p:// www .cityofeaan.com/live /page.asp ?menu =41202
Completed Action 3: The City has created the Energy and Environment Advisory Commission, a 7- member
commission made up of residents who volunteer their time to make recommendations to the City
Council on ways to achieve the City's sustainability goals. The City also measures energy usage at
facilities, vehicle miles traveled, etc., most of which are reported to the Commission.
CONTACT: Dianne Miller, Assistant to the City Administrator
Economic and Community Development (3 best practices required)
Best Practice # 25 Green Business Development (REQUIRED)
Document the use of assistance programs for green business and job development
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Eagan must implement this best practice by completing at least two actions.
CONTACT: Susan Bast, Dakota Valley Recycling
Page X44
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Identify new and emerging local businesses in the green economy and support these businesses and
green jobs through one or more of the following:
a. Coordinated marketing and business assistance.
b. Incubator space.
c. Streamlined grants, loans or permitting processes.
d. Workforce training opportunities with community colleges and job training centers.
2. Connect at least 5 businesses with assistance providers, including utilities, who conduct personalized
energy, environmental sustainability, and waste audits.
3. Distribute green tourism resources to all tourism and hospitality businesses in the city and facilitate
follow -up with at least 5 businesses to assist them in greening their business.
4. Support the creation of a value -added business utilizing local waste products, such as wood from
felled trees or reusable deconstruction and landscaping materials.
5. Document steps taken to lower the environmental footprint of a Brownfield remediation /
redevelopment project.
6. Use a green business certification program to publicly promote that a targeted number or percentage
of businesses have improved the environmental performance of their company.
7. Conduct or participate in a buy local campaign, working with local organizations and assistance
providers.
8. Work with the state Small Business Environmental Assistance Program ( SBEAP) to help at least 5
regulated businesses to use SBEAP services.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Action 2 In Progress: The City does not currently do this, but is aware that area utilities (Xcel and Dakota
Electric) offer personalized energy audits and the ARROW Program has access to waste assessment
tools. Dakota Valley Recycling has applied for a grant for Green Team Training for businesses and
working with utilities to provide environmental/energy audits to at least five businesses in Eagan.
Action 4 Complete: Gerten's Regional Eco- Services Facility is in Eagan, providing a business that provides
landscaping materials from recycled, composted materials.
Completed Action 6: The ARROW program promotes over 130 businesses, schools and non - profits, 44 of
which are located in Eagan. For businesses to qualify for membership to this program, they must report
on their practices in the areas of recycling, buying/selling environmentally preferable products, reusing
and reduction of resource use via energy efficiency, water conservation or other waste - reducing efforts.
ARROW website available at http: / /www.dakotavalleyrecycling .org/ARROW.
Economic and Community Development (3 best practices required)
Page 14S
Best Practice # 26 Renewable Energy (Optional)
Remove barriers to and encourage installation of renewable energy generation capacity
STATUS FOR EAGAN: NOT COMPLETE
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Eagan may choose to implement this best practice by completing two or more actions
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Adopt, with modifications as necessary, at least one of the following from Minnesota's 2009 Model
Ordinances for Sustainable Development:
a. Solar Energy Standards.
b. Model Wind Energy ordinance
2. Consistently promote at least one of the following means of increasing renewable generation:
a. A local utility's green power purchasing program for homes and businesses.
b. Local, state and federal financial incentives for property owners to install renewable energy
systems.
3. Create a renewable energy fmancing program for property owners to install generation capacity.
4. Promote firms that contract with property owners (in groups or individually) to install/finance
renewable installations, some at little or no upfront cost.
5. Install a public sector renewable energy technology, such as solar electric (PV), solar hot water or
hot air, micro -hydro or wind.
6. Work with private /public partners to create renewable energy generation capacity with one or more
of the following attributes:
a. Fueled by flowing water, wind, or biogas.
b. Fueled in part or whole by woody biomass, optimized for minimal air and other
environmental impacts and for energy efficiency and water conservation.
c. Distributing heating/cooling services in a district energy system.
d. Producing combined heat and power.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Action 1 In Progress: The City has not adopted solar energy standards or a wind energy ordinance,
but City Planner, Mike Ridley, has done initial research on both wind and solar ordinances. It is
anticipated that the Commission will discuss their application and potential consideration
further in the future.
Action 2 Incomplete: Both Xcel and Dakota Electric purchase some power from green sources and
offer property owners the alternative of subscribing to green power programs for some fraction
of their power needs. The City currently does not separately promote the programs.
Action 5 Planned: The City has investigated the cost efficiency of solar electric (PV) on a city -wide
scale and has found it to not be cost justified to date, but the Council has directed staff to
continue to monitor changes in energy or PV technology costs for future consideration.
CONTACT: Jon Hohenstein, Director of Community Development
Mike Ridley, City Planner
4y
Economic and Community Development (3 best practices required)
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
Best Practice # 27 local food (OPTIONAL)
Strengthen local food and fiber production and access
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Eagan must complete at least one action if we choose to implement this best practice
Pa 146
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Incorporate working landscapes - agriculture and forestry - into the city by adopting, with
modifications as necessary, one or more of the 2009 Minnesota Model Ordinances for Sustainable
Development:
a. Agriculture and Forest Protection District
b. Local Food Production District
c. Performance Standards for Minor and Major Agricultural Retail
2. Permit the incorporation of food growing areas /local food access into a residential development.
3. Expand/strengthen or create at least one of the following means of expanding local food access:
a. A farmer's market.
b. A community- supported agriculture (CSA) - arrangement between farmers and community
members /employees.
c. A community or school garden, orchard or forest.
d. A rural grocery store.
4. Conduct at least one of the following campaigns to measurably increase:
a. Purchase of local and Minnesota -grown food.
b. Backyard gardening.
c. Institutional buying of local foods by schools, hospitals /nursing homes, restaurants and
hotels, or grocery stores
d. Sale of local food in markets and restaurants.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Completed Action 2: Eagan permits community gardens in agricultural, parks, research and development
and all residential districts as an accessory use,
Completed Action 3: Eagan is expanding and strengthening their farmers market. The farmer's market,
known as Marketfest, is held every Wednesday from 4 -8 p.m. at Central Park. The market runs from
June - September and features local food providers and artisans.
CONTACT: Juli Johnson, Parks and Recreation Director
Kerry Phillips, Marketfest Coordinator
Economic and Community Development (3 best practices required)
STATUS FOR EAGAN• NOT COMPLETE
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Eagan may choose to implement this best practice by completing at least action (2), (3) or (4).
Page 147
Best Practice # 28 Business Synergies (OPTIONAL)
Network/cluster businesses to achieve better energy, economic and environmental outcomes
BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Help at least three businesses register as users of the Minnesota Materials Exchange and document
their exchanges /sales of byproducts with other local/regional businesses.
2. Assist at least one business to use waste heat or water discharge from another business.
3. Require, build or facilitate at least four of the following in a business /industrial project:
a. Shared parking/access.
b. Shared recreation /childcare facilities.
c. A green job training program.
d. Green product development, manufacturing or sales.
e. Buildings located within walking distance of transit and/or residential zoning.
f. Renovated buildings.
g. Buildings designed for reuse.
h. Green buildings built to exceed the Minnesota energy code.
i. Combined heat and power (CRP) generation capacity.
j. Shared geothermal heating/cooling.
k. Low - impact site development.
4. Use eco- industrial park tools to identify industrial facilities that could achieve economic and
environmental benefit by co- locating in the city's industrial park or industrial zone.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Action 1 In Progress: Dakota Valley Recycling regularly promotes many opportunities for reuse in all parts
of the community. This includes the Minnesota Materials Exchange, which was more recently advertised
in the 2010 ARROW newsletter, sent out to approximately 300 businesses and community members. In
addition to ARROW's general promotion of MME and the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program
(MNTAP) as a whole, Dakota Valley Recycling recently organized an event to help businesses connect
with waste - reducing opportunities. "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle...and Reap Rewards" was held on October
14, 2010 as a means to encourage members of the business community in Eagan, Burnsville and Apple
Valley to engage in effective and practical ways of moving toward sustainable business practices. This
event included networking time with MNTAP, Minnesota Waste Wise, Recycling Association of
Minnesota (RAM) and a keynote speech on green business initiatives by Andy Acho, an environmental
initiative expert and former environmental strategy and outreach director for Ford Motor Company.
Action 3 In Progress: This BP requires at least four actions in ONE specific, inclusive project with the intent
of promoting comprehensive and highly visible projects. Numerous developments in Eagan meet variety
of actions. For example, the City frequently encourages shared parking and access for public and private
facilities. Its focus in new development and redevelopment areas is to place homes, jobs, shopping,
transit and recreation within walkable proximity. The City has also facilitated the renovation of the
Ethan Allen building, a single tenant facility into a multi -tenant retail building. The Spectrum Business
Page 148
Center reused components from a dismantled Minneapolis -St Paul International Airport parking ramp as
the structural elements for an office showroom facility with parking on the top level.
CONTACT: Sue Bast, Dakota Valley Recycling
Jon Hohenstein, Director of Community Development
Juli Johnson, Director of Parks and Recreation
Appendix A
Page 149
2010 -2011 ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION
VALUE STATEMENTS AND GOAL
The Commission drafted the following four value statements at the July
20, 2010 workshop, which were subsequently approved by the Eagan City
Council on August 17, 2010.
1.) Recommend initiatives to the City of Eagan and its constituents to
reduce waste and energy use in order to enhance Eagan's environment.
2.) Recommend initiatives to the City of Eagan and its constituents to
protect the water, air, and soils in our City while enhancing the quality of life.
3.) Recommend initiatives to the City of Eagan and its constituents which
support renewal of City of Eagan facilities, infrastructure, land use policies
and efforts that will promote long range energy usage and resource
sustainability.
4.) Recommend initiatives to the City of Eagan and its constituents on
ways to partner with existing energy and environmental resources and
stakeholders in order to collect and disseminate information to empower the
public.
Proposed Goal:
1.) To have the City of Eagan named as a GreenStep City Program
participant and utilize the EEAC to review and identify how the 28 best
practices identified under the program are met in Eagan within the areas of
Buildings & Lighting. Land Use, Transportation, Environmental Management,
and Economic /Community Development.
Page 150
Appendix B
Appendix Eagan's Vision for the Environment, Development, and the Future
http: / /www.cityofeagan.com /live /page.asp ?menu =5058
VIEW OF THE ENVIRONMENT
The City of Eagan will proactively protect its natural environment. The land, water and air, as well
as the things which live in them and 011 them, are important assets to be preserved and enhanced for
our own enjoyment and well -being and that of future generations. The City's role with respect to
the environment shall be that of active steward and conservator. Pollution, abuse of the
environment and unnecessary modifications of the environment will be opposed. The City,
collectively and individually, will endeavor to maintain the environment, mitigate impacts on it and
enhance it to the extent possible.
VIEW OF DEVELOPMENT
The City of Eagan is committed to encouraging and fostering orderly, high- quality development
and redevelopment. The City will maintain a balanced variety of housing types, diversity of
commercial and industrial development and effective integration of land use types. Eagan is
planned to be a fully developed city in the future and efforts will be made to affect that growth in a
rational, deliberate manner in the best interests of all residents, both present and future. The City
will maintain its standards while recognizing the need to be sufficiently flexible and creative to
permit quality development to occur.
VIEW OF THE FUTURE
The City of Eagan recognizes that its future is shaped by the decisions made today. It is also
bounded by current circumstances and their dynamics over time. While growth and economic
vitality continue, services must continually adapt over time to meet the changing needs of a diverse
population, technological change and a global, service -based economy. To meet these needs, the
City must plan with vision, encourage balanced services and welcome orderly change.
Appendix C
GreenStep Cities Resolution
CITY OF EAGAN
RESOLUTION NO. 10- 29
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE CITY OF EAGAN'S PARTICIPATION
IN THE MINNESOTA GREENSTEP CITIES PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Eagan City Council has adopted a 2009 -2010 goal to exemplify a broad -
based and comprehensive commitment to environmental sustainability and energy efficiency by
adopting conservation and alternative energy strategies pursuing the use of local, non - polluting,
renewable, and recycled resources, while encouraging residents and businesses to do likewise;
and,
WHEREAS, the Eagan City Council created an Energy and Environment Advisory
Commission (EEAC) in February 2010 to review and carry out the environmental and
sustainability goals and initiatives of the City; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Eagan has signed the U.S, Mayor's Climate Protection
Agreement; and,
WHEREAS, a broad coalition of public and private stakeholders including the
League of Minnesota Cities, the MPCA, Office of Energy Security and CIean Energy
Response Team (CERTs) responded to 2008 State legislation by establishing the Minnesota
GreenStep Cities program to provide a series of sustainable development best practices focusing
on local government opportunities to reduce energy use and greenhouse gases; and,
WHEREAS, the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program provides cost- effective sustainable
development best practices in the following five categories: (1) Buildings and Lighting; (2)
Transportation; (3) Land Use; (4) Environmental Management; and (5) Economic and
Commtuiity Development;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Eagan does hereby
authorize the City of Eagan (the "City") to participate in the Minnesota OreenStep Cities
program. Be it further resolved that the City;
1. Appoints Dianne Miller, Assistant to the City Administrator and staff liaison to the
Energy and Environment Advisory Commission, to serve as the City's GreenStep
coordinator to facilitate best practices review and implementation; and
2. Will facilitate the involvement of the Eagan Energy and Environment Commission,
Eagan City Council, City staff, and constituents in the planning, promoting and
consideration of implementing CrreenStep Cities best practices; and
Will work in partnership with the University of Minnesota's Sustainable Education .
department by working with a team of students from a Sustainability Capstone Course,
who will inventory Eagan's current sustainable best practices that meet the GreenStep
Pate 15
requirements, and provide recommendations and research on additional Green Step best
practices that the City may wish to consider; and,
4. Will claim credit for having implemented and/or will implement at least 16 required and
optional Green Step best practices that will result in energy use reduction, economic
savings and reduction in the community's greenhouse gas footprint.
5. Will work with the MPCA to post a summary of the City's implementation of best
practices on the Minnesota GreenStep Cities website,
ADOPTED by the Council this 17 Day of August, 20
ATTEST:
\\t
Maria Petersen, City Clerk
Mike Maguire, ayor
Page 152
Fxst P(mkt CA.
15
City of Falcon Heights Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy
The goal of this policy is to encourage and increase purchasing that reflects the city's
commitment to sustainability. Benefits of the policy include:
• Conserving natural resources
• Minimizing environmental impacts such as pollution and use of water and
energy
Identifying environmentally preferable products and distribution systems
• Setting an example for residents and businesses in the City of Falcon Heights
The following policies are to be followed by the City of Falcon Heights:
Recycled Paper Products
1) Printing paper, office paper, and paper products will contain the highest
postconsumer content practicable, but no less than minimum recycled content
standards established by the US EPA Comprehensive Procurement
Guidelines.
Energy and Water Savings
1) Where applicable, energy- efficient equipment will be purchased with the
most up -to -date energy efficient functions.
2) All appliances and products purchased by the City and for which the US EPA
Energy Star certification is available will meet Energy Star certification.
Typically, this would include lighting systems, exhaust fans, water heaters,
computers, exit signs, and appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and
microwave ovens.
3) The city will purchase water - saving products whenever practicable. This
includes, but is not limited to, high - performing fixtures like toilets, waterless
urinals, low -flow faucets and aerators, and upgraded irrigation systems.
This policy is subject to the requirements and preferences in the Municipal Contracting
Law (MN Statutes 471.345) and all other applicable laws and ordinances.
Falcon Heights Environment Commission
2010 -2011
EEAC Brainstorming Document
Energy and Environment Advisory Commission Concept Ideas
The following is a list of brainstormed topics that the EEAC could consider as they begin their work with the
City. The list was compiled by staff, with ideas generated from various City departments, other City's efforts,
and sustainability ideas and actions from across the country.
• Review of all City operations— invite department heads to brief commission on role and work of
department, and look for ways that the commission could review, enhance, and make recommendations
on current initiatives, functions, etc.
• Review City efforts /improvements that occurred as a result of the $657,100 Energy Conservation Block
Grant program
• Review geothermal project underway at Civic Arena
• Invite recycling staff to brief what they do (curbside recycling, composting, sustainability, ARROW
program —award program for businesses that reuse and recycle, etc.)
• Review Burnsville's sustainability plan —is there a similar opportunity in Eagan?
• Program to reduce plastic bags (promote City's —or any— reusable bags)
• Energy Saving Guide for residents (similar to Rosemount)
• Evaluate experience and need for community gardens (and indentify locally grown food options)
• Provide feedback on opportunities at Marketfest (review locally grown food policy for vendors)
• Consider building permit rebates for home improvements that meet Energy Star guidelines
• Review efforts underway for rain barrels, compost bins, and rain garden educational workshops
• Consider pros /cons of commissioning a carbon footprint baseline analysis, as a baseline of measurable
data for us to use in monitoring success of future initiatives (determine funding mechanism) (MPCA
ReTAP program - -They have a Climate Change Corps, which is made up of semi retired professionals
with expertise in sustainability who provide free services intended to improve the sustainability of local
governments.)
o Burnsville currently has RFP out for a carbon footprint analysis
o Dakota County is doing a county -wide carbon footprint for government owned buildings
• Review the University of Minnesota sustainability initiatives and explore partnership opportunities
• Review City's CIP for opportunities for energy and resource conservation measures such as pervious
asphalt installation, water smart landscaping, rain gardens, etc.
• Review Apple Valley's "Better Energy Apple Valley" residential program, which is an initiative within
the City that strives to reduce energy use community -wide by 1.5% per year (www.ci.apple-
valley mn us /Departments /BE Program/main.html)
o Apple Valley is currently looking to expand this program to businesses
o EEAC member Amir Nadav has familiarity with this program in his job.
• Review the Dakota County Weatherization/Energy Improvement Loan Program (for low and moderate
housing) http:// www. dakotacda .org /pdf /weatherization09.pdf
• Invite representative from Lockheed Martin to speak to Commission regarding their site improvements
(surface water and grounds /lawn— native prairie grasses)
• Review City's response and efforts pertaining to Emerald Ash Borer
5'17
2010 -2011
EEAC Brainstorming Document
• Seek presentation by the U.S. Green Building Council Advocacy Team as to how they can offer
assistance to the City (and the Commission) —This team of volunteers under the leadership of Julie
Perrus, attorney with Larkin Hoffman, approached the City in August 2009 to offer their assistance.
• Provide review and recommendations on sustainable /low maintenance lawn care and watering
practices —for residents, businesses, and City facilities (Hear from Parks and Rec and Community
Development regarding City efforts to date at City facilities /parks, and current City Code requirements)
• Loan Programs for Energy Improvements:
o Review City of Woodbury's 3% loan program for energy improvements made to homes
(allocates up to $5,000 per home and can be used for a number of energy reduction measures)
o Berkley, California— finance district that allows homeowners to finance solar projects and
energy improvements by integrating the payments into their property tax bills over a 20 -year
period (similar to assessments).
o Review Apple Valley's loan program
• Green [lawn] mowers —see ArgusLeader article
• Thomson Reuters Green Team (and Ground improvements) —model for other businesses?
• Anemometer readings (City of Eagan)
• Sustainable development opportunities —LEED, Green Globe, etc.
• Solar Feasibility Study by the Public Works Department regarding the cost effectiveness of installing
photo voltaic solar panels on various city facility roof tops (August CC wksp— tentative)
• Encouragement of telecommuting for Eagan businesses (from environmental perspective)
• LED Street Lights — review research from other cities' studies (PW Dept conducted research, which was
referenced at the 5 -11 Council wksp)
• Review B3 information (state requirement for City buildings) —used to benchmark energy reductions;
can use to compare to other cities
• Recycling Consideration at City parks
o Education opportunities
o Review research done to date (pros /cons, cost, etc.)
o Encouragement of "carry in, carry out"
• Invite representatives of Xcel Energy and Dakota Electric to speak to the Commission about their
projections for electric growth in Eagan.
• Meet with energy and environment commissions from other cities (e.g. Edina's)
• PACE legislation (Property Assessed Clean Energy Improvement Financing for Residents and
Businesses) –Notes form Sue Bast... was discussed by the Burnsville City Council and the consensus of
the Council was to wait for the CDA to determine what county -wide role they may assume.We will be
monitoring efforts at the CDA/county and assisting them where appropriate. There are some questions
about how investors will view the debt and how admin- intensive the program might be. The program
sounds very interesting and will benefit residents & the environment so it is on the wait and see list.
• MN Energy Challenge — individual program for residents (and as a city) to make energy efficiency
changes (Speaker: Neely Crane - Smith, Community Energy Coordinator at center for Energy and
Environment 612/335 -5858 or ncranesmith @mncee.org
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2010 -2011
EEAC Brainstorming Document
Additional Suggestions Made by Commissioners
• Explore Eagan participating in GreenStep Cities, a statewide program to recognize and encourage cities
taking steps toward greater sustainability. It will officially launch at the end of this month at the League
of Minnesota Cities annual conference, and the program will be administered by the MPCA.
• Create a native and edible demonstration community garden (perhaps in partnership with master
gardeners and local volunteers).
• With regard to the anemometer readings, I would add that if the Commission decides to address this
issue and if the readings reveal that Eagan has a favorable wind resource, then the Commission might
want to consider crafting recommendations to the City Council on a wind ordinance.
• PACE Bonds:
Property Accessed Clean Energy Bonds are a new an upcoming way for municipalities to push green
development. The Green Jobs bill that was signed in April gives local governments the authority to issue
these bonds.
Some general info about PACE bonds: http: / /www.pacenow.org/
• A green tech resource info and collaboration network
Based on an approach that the state is using to build awareness for the green technology for economic
development.
Their idea is very good but needs much better execution and needs a local focus
Link to the MN state site: http:// www .nextstep.state.mn.us /index.cfm
• Create an "I rode my bike" program with the Chamber or others to get people discounts who ride /walk
to local shopping venues
• Pursue organics recycling opportunities in the City (residents and businesses —see Thomson Reuter's
program with food waste to Second Harvest's hogs)
• Get the High School of Environmental Studies to start a multi -year science of composting project. Get
them to figure out low -cost alternatives to more quickly compost foodwaste to reduce nuisance and
generate sale of a valuable product. Work with the Gerten's site in Eagan for space, sponsorship, and
revenue sharing.
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