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06/14/2011 - City Council Special (2)SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL RETREAT TUESDAY JUNE 14, 2011 TIME: IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING 6/14 COUNCIL WORKSHOP FIRE SAFETY CENTER, LOWER LEVEL CONFERENCE ROOM AGENDA I. ROLL CALL AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA II. VISITORS TO BE HEARD III. 2011 -2012 CITY GOALS UPDATE IV. OTHER BUSINESS V. ADJOURNMENT City of Ea�all Memo TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: CITY ADMINISTRATOR HEDGES DATE: JUNE 10, 2011 SUBJECT: JUNE 14, 2011 CITY COUNCIL GOALS RETREAT A City Council Goals Retreat has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 14 to begin immediately following the Special City Council workshop that evening. The retreat will take place at the Fire Safety Center, at 1001 Station Trail, in the lower level conference room. The intent for the retreat is to give the Council an update on the progress made to date on the 2011 -2012 goals and to receive feedback from the Council on efforts pertaining to the goals. The following items are enclosed as background information as the Council prepares to establish their 2011 -2012 City Goals. • 2011 -2012 City Goals (Page 3 ) • Memo from the City Administrator, with input from Department Directors, summarizing the progress made on the 2011 -2012 Goals (Pages- through ) • Memo from Assistant to the City Administrator Miller summarizin he City's sustainability efforts in response to the City Council's goals (Pages through 3) If you have any questions about the upcoming retreat, or would like any additional information to help you prepare to discuss the City's goals, please feel free to contact me. /s /Thomas L. Hedges City Administrator 2011 -2012 CITY COUNCIL GOALS • Preserve Eagan's tax base by properly maintaining public infrastructure and encouraging maintenance and reinvestment in residential and commercial properties. • Maintain the City's long- standing, fiscally - prudent and responsive budgeting approach while pursuing fiscal independence and self reliance in long -term budgeting. • Encourage growth in Eagan's employment and tax base by implementing leading technologies to support the evolving "infostructure" needs of residents and businesses, by attracting additional technology /R &D sector business to Eagan, and by enhancing communication with the community. • Retain Eagan's healthy, demographic balance for community vitality and economic well - being. • Maintain a broad -based and comprehensive commitment to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability 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. • Continue to encourage civic engagement, volunteerism and community pride. • Ensure continuity of organizational culture by anticipating and managing leadership and staff changes. City of Eagan MeMo TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: CITY ADMINISTRATOR HEDGES DATE: JUNE 10, 2011 SUBJECT: 2011 -2012 GOALS UPDATE FOR JUNE 14 RETREAT In preparation for the June 14, 2011 City Council retreat, a brief update on the 2011 -2012 City Goals has been prepared. Listed under each goal are accomplishments and progress to date, as well as work and initiatives that are anticipated to occur in the coming year(s). The summary was prepared in consultation with the department directors and represents the most recent developments on each of the goals. Goal: Preserve Eagan's tax base by properly maintaining public infrastructure and encouraging maintenance and reinvestment in residential and commercial properties. Progress to Date: • Continued assembly of Cedar Grove properties, relocation of businesses and demolition of core area buildings and made progress toward acquisition of remaining properties with Supreme Court and Appeals Court rulings. • Reached settlement with Competition Engines to relocate the business from Cedar Grove to former Fire Station #2 property. • Negotiated settlement with Lennar for revised Nicols Ridge development plan and initiated application review process. • Adopted updated Preliminary Redevelopment Agreement with Pratt Development as the Cedar Grove Master Developer. Authorized Pratt to add Cassidy Turley as the broker partner for the project. Pratt and Cassidy Turley expanded efforts with other development partners regarding prospective senior housing, hotel and apartment projects in core area. Consultant retained to design the realignment of Cedar Grove Parkway through the redevelopment district with plans to perform construction during summer 2011 with DEED Redevelopment Grant funding. • Received grant funding to design and solicit bids for shared parking lot in eastern portion of Cedar Grove Redevelopment. • Cooperative partnership with MnDOT in programming the installation of two noise walls along 35E: on the west side of the southbound exit ramp to Diffley Rd (2012) and along the east side of 35E just north of the Deerwood Overpass (2014) • Began construction of the Duckwood Overpass, which will complete Eagan's ring road • Metropolitan Airports Commission currently completing noise mitigation on 492 homes in northeast Eagan as a result of the 2007 settlement. Future Work/Initiatives that the Council can expect: • Continue coordination of applications and development financing issues with Pratt Development to implement Cedar Grove Core Area Phase I construction • Completion of acquisition of remaining Cedar Grove properties and relocation of remaining businesses. • Gradual transition of property condition monitoring system from vacant property monitoring to proactive property maintenance program 2011 -2012 Goals Update June 10, 2011 Page 2 • Reactivation of discussion of proactive property maintenance and rental registration options with Public Works Committee • Continue participation with Dakota County and other cities in the Cedar Avenue BRT and Regional Roadway System Visioning Study of the North -South traffic corridor to address the capacity and interconnections of the state and Interstate highway systems in northeast Eagan and northwest Inver Grove Heights • Consideration of Ordinance Amendment to complete exterior finish materials within a specified time of the issuance of a building permit. Goal: Maintain the City's long - standing, fiscally- prudent and responsive budgeting approach while pursuing fiscal independence and self reliance in long -term budgeting. Progress to Date: • The financial audit for 2010 has been completed and will be presented to the City Council at the June 21 regular meeting. An improvement on the revenue side combined with continuing tight expenditure budgeting and controls, resulted in a significant increase to the General Fund fund balance as of December 31, 2010. • Work has continued on a strategic realignment of existing City resources with current and future obligations as part of the City's overall financial planning. The plan will be presented to the City Council for consideration and action over the summer. Future Work/Initiatives that the Council can expect: • The 2012 General Fund Budget work is underway in individual departments. • Staff continues to monitor the situation with the State budget; however, it appears that State action will probably impact levy limits rather than any direct resources to the City. Impacts to Eagan of a potential State government shutdown are uncertain. Goal: Encourage growth in Eagan's employment and tax base by implementing leading technologies to support the evolving "infostructure" needs of residents and businesses, by attracting additional technology /R &D sector business to Eagan, and by enhancing communication with the community. Progress to Date: • On June 2, 2011 the Eagan Finance Committee of the City Council met to review draft phasing for the build out of City fiber and duct to business areas within the city and financial modeling of the likely payback for its investment. The City Council is scheduled to discuss the fiber extension at the June 14 workshop. • On April 5, 2011 the City Council approved an agreement and authorized retaining a team led by Five 9s Digital to conduct a specific site selection and feasibility /business case analysis for a carrier neutral colocation facility in Eagan. Their work is well underway and initial Council consideration of recommendations will likely be in early September. • Following the January direction of the City Council that the placement of a colocation facility /data center in Eagan is "in the public interest and necessity as critical infrastructure" the City issued an RFP in February 2011 to select a feasibility study partner with capability to actually privately construct such a facility in Eagan should the business case prove out. After reviewing eight proposals from national and local firms, five proposers were interviewed in early March, and the team of Five 9s Digital, Jones Lang LaSalle and XO Communications were recommended by the interview team. --5 2011 -2012 Goals Update June 10, 2011 Page 3 • On January 4, 2011, the City Council accepted recommendations by the City's broadband consultant from his 2010 report, passed a resolution in support of its policy commitments to attract an Eagan colocation facility and extend City fiber /duct to business areas for open access lease to any telecommunications company serving those businesses. It also ratified its direction at the December 14, 2010 work session to pursue strategies in pursuit of the two goals outlined above with the intent of spending up to $2 million initially in pursuit of those goals drawn from sources that will not increase City taxes. • The City completed a redesign of the City's website. Future Work/Initiatives that the Council can expect: • Development of incentives or tools to attract investment in a colocation facility in Eagan [Ongoing; initial recommendations to staff late summer, refined for consideration] • Target site selected for colocation facility • Initiation and prioritization of first phase of open access fiber build to Eagan's business community • Determination of how best to manage that fiber (in -house or contracted) • Renewal and extension of E -TV lease at Thomson Reuters. Base terms negotiated, next agreement draft for approvals • Consideration of social media policy for City in June, redesigned City Website ready for social media expansion and implementation. Staff resources still being determined which will drive further implementation strategy • Consideration of needs assessment elements in preparation for cable franchise renewal. Assessment in 2012; renewal in January 2015. Goal: Retain Eagan's healthy, demographic balance for community vitality and economic well- being. Progress to Date: • Completed Opportunity Cities study and directed APC and staff review of specific next steps to implement certain housing policies and initiatives to enhance neighborhood sustainability and housing alternatives for an aging population. • Using data, research and recommendations from the Living Longer and Stronger Initiative, implemented several popular and successful fitness classes to address the 55+ population and its changing needs. • The Silver Sneaker program is now available the Eagan Community Center. Silver Sneakers is a program open to participants 65 and older who are enrolled in Medicare. The program offers free access to the fitness center along with specialized classes to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle for this population. The ECC is reimbursed by Silver Sneakers for each Medicare participant. Future Work/Initiatives that the Council can expect: • Further consideration of implementation of findings or recommendations of Living Longer and Active Living Initiatives and walkability and sustainability concepts from Comprehensive Guide Plan update • Explore senior and workforce housing site and financing alternatives in cooperation with CDA, including prospective twin home project at former Richfield Blacktop property on Hwy 13 • Continue efforts with MVTA and Dakota County to identify and implement transit strategies and opportunities within existing and potential transit corridors (i.e. Cedar Avenue, 35 -E, Robert Street) • Work with property owners considering rehabilitation or redevelopment of existing properties in specific areas (i.e. Comp Plan Special Areas) to encourage additional mixed use, higher density, pedestrian oriented and transit oriented development alternatives 2011 -2012 Goals Update June 10, 2011 Page 4 • Based upon survey data collected through the Living Longer initiative, consideration is being made for additional changes to recreation program classes and services to further meet the needs of the 55+ population. Goal: Maintain a broad -based and comprehensive commitment to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability 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. Progress to Date: • Enclosed on pages through is a separate memo speaking to the many sustainable efforts that have occurred or are underway in the City of Eagan. • In 2011, Eagan was designated as a Step II Green Step City and is nearing completion of Step III status, which would result in Eagan being one of the first communities in the state to reach such a designation by the MPCA. • The Energy and Environment Advisory Commission (EEAC) completed their first year of service as a new commission. Future Work/Initiatives that the Council can expect: • The EEAC is looking forward to a joint meeting with the City Council in August to make recommendations on areas the City may wish to consider to meet additional GreenStep best practices. Goal: Continue to encourage civic engagement, volunteerism and community pride. Progress to Date: • Market Fest participation continuing to grow; named #2 farmer's market in Minnesota and #18 in country. Attracted over 24,000 visits in 2010 • Nearly 600 residential property owners have volunteered in partnership with the City to remove Buckthorn from their private properties since the inception of the program. • Partnered with the Eagan Athletic Association to remodel portions of the Civic Arena to provide additional training and class space. • Successful Eagan 150 celebration in 2010, which has resulted in a legacy of giving in Eagan, including Cub Foods partnering with the Eagan Resource Center to once again collect food at the Eagan 4 of July parade. • Community leader participation in the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Program; City staff member serving on Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Board. City Council approved discounted admission for military personnel at Cascade Bay, ECC Open Gym, and F.A.N.tastic Saturday for specific dates /times of the year. • Over 40 miles of local streets involving more than two dozen community service groups have embraced the City's Adopt -a- Street program since its inception in 2006 as it continues to grow each year. • 191 National Night Out block parties took place in 2010 (record high) • The City continues to support volunteerism by helping to maintain the second largest volunteer fire department in the State of Minnesota. • In partnership with the Eagan American Legion and Eagan Lionesses, the Hero's Memorial and Tribute Plaza is nearing completion (awaiting final military statue). First ever Memorial Day observance was held at the Plaza. • City participated in the Eagan High School Mentor Program, as a host site for students interested in careers in local government. 7 2011 -2012 Goals Update June 10, 2011 Page 5 Future Work/Initiatives that the Council can expect: • Building on past success Volunteer appreciation night at Market Fest will take place on August 10, 2011. • The Eagan Yellow Ribbon Team is awaiting formal designation from the MN National Guard naming Eagan as a "Yellow Ribbon Community" Goal: Ensure continuity of organizational culture by anticipating and managing leadership and staff changes. Progress to Date: • Over the past several years, the Senior Management Team has been dialoguing and planning for succession planning opportunities in light of upcoming changes in numerous leadership positions. • Recent budgetary decisions have been to realign and reorganize departments to best meet current and future service demands. Future Work/Initiatives that the Council can expect: • Ongoing conversation and considerations for the City Council to best position the city for the future. /s /Thomas L. Hedges City Administrator City of Eagan Memo TO: CITY ADMINISTRATOR HEDGES FROM: ASSISTANT TO THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR MILLER DATE: JUNE 10, 2011 SUBJECT: CITY OF EAGAN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES Per your request, below is a list of ongoing efforts and initiatives that the City has taken or is currently exploring to reduce energy use, increase sustainability, and reduce the City's carbon footprint. These efforts respond to the City Council's 2011 -2012 environmental goal to: Maintain a broad -based and comprehensive commitment to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability 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. The following is a summary of efforts that have been taken City-wide since 2009, or are currently in process. Those items in bold represent efforts that have taken place since January 2011, or have been updated since the last sustainability update was provided. Enerty Reductions • The City was awarded a $657,000 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant through the Department of Energy as provided through the Federal Economic Stimulus Program. Upon receipt of the grant and with the assistance of its energy providers, the City implemented energy saving and conservation initiatives throughout City buildings. These include improvements to heating and cooling systems, replacement of inefficient fixture and lamps, improved control systems, building envelope enhancements, and water conservation measures. The guaranteed annual energy cost savings to the City is $36,980. The improvements will also reduce the carbon footprint of the City by nearly 1,000,000 pounds a year. • Completed energy audits on City buildings • Lighting sensors to automatically turn off lights at City facilities, including Fire Stations • Lights in soda/vending machines remain off while the machines remain operational (vender misers) • Programmable thermostats in City facilities, including fire station bays and park shelters, which have been programmed to correspond to scheduled activities • Installation of high efficiency lighting fixtures in all park buildings • Employed water saving technologies at irrigated athletic sites including the use of rain sensors, surfactants to improve absorption, high efficiency spray heads and controllers and off -peak run scheduling • Using grant dollars from Dakota Electric, a three phase energy audit and sustainability engineering review occurred at the Central Maintenance Campus in 2008 -2009. • Currently investigating various alternative energy efficient street lights options • Installed two Roundabouts (Northwood Parkway in '08 and Rahn & Diffley in `09) to reduce congestion, idling and vehicle crash severity • Established an Odd -Even Sprinkling ban for water conservation purposes minimizing the need to build additional wells and reservoirs • Peak Shaving Standby Generator installed at the south water treatment plant allowing lower electrical rates. • Participation in Dakota Electric's load shedding program to reduce energy needs during peak times • City policy requiring employees to turn off computer monitors at night; research underway to determine way to turn off CPUs at night, but still allow for necessary updates • Purchase of green products such as recycled paper and available cleaning supplies CITY OF EAGAN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES June 10, 2011 Page 2 • Reduced the number of printers across City, which has lead to a reduction in overall printing and a more energy - efficient approach to sharing of printers • Converted Eagan Civic Arena to Geothermal HVAC system using demonstration project funding from the Federal Department of Energy ($1.338 million). o The guaranteed savings for the first year of this project (August 1, 2010- September 30, 2011) is $103,757 in energy savings and $25,284 in operational savings. Projected guaranteed savings for 2011 -2012 are $107,907 and $26,399 respectively. These guarantees continue as long as the City of Eagan chooses to maintain the agreement with Harris Companies in subsequent years. o This project also resulted in approximately $90,000 in energy rebates. • Time of day pumping schedule for energy savings on treatment plants and wells for reduced rates. Integration of gas powered wells allowing electric wells to be programmed for off peak times. • Variable Speed pumps installed at south water treatment plant reducing heavy start up energy draws. Also, high efficiency backwash treatment system installed at south treatment plant allowing the reduction of ground water usage and related recycling of waste water thereby reducing sewage discharge and treatment expenses. • The New Fire Safety Center received Green Globe certification. A sampling of the green features of the building include: o Geothermal heating and cooling o Lighting —LED outside, natural lighting in building, and efficient T -5 florescent lighting o A white, solar reflective roof that projects light and minimizes heat effects o Natural Landscaping/Rain Water Management —low impact plant landscaping, rain gardens, and catch basins that minimize storm runoff o Recycled products throughout building o Use of local products for some construction materials o Energy Recovery System in apparatus bays- recaptures 70% of heated air to reuse in bays • The City has implemented a citywide Inflow and Infiltration (I &I) program to eliminate clear water flows into the sanitary sewer collection system, thereby reducing the need to treat clean water and eliminating the need to expand the Seneca treatment plant capacity. Vehicle and Equipment Usage • Downsized three fire vehicles to more fuel efficient Ford Escapes versus the previously used mid or full sized SUV's • Implemented a "no idling" policy for all City vehicles • Developed a" Non - motorized Maintenance Program" for the maintenance of trails and trail corridors. The program utilizes a bicycle pedaled by a staff member to pull a cart carrying hand tools to trim grass, pick up debris and make minor repairs in trail corridors and boulevards. It has minimized the need for the vehicle previously used to conduct these activities. • An electric maintenance cart was rented to transport Park employees and equipment to the nearby Community Center in lieu of using a vehicle. The cart is also used to assist with on -site maintenance activities. • Mowing routes requiring that mowers be trailered to sites have been modified to minimize the drive times • Ground speed oriented spreaders, pre- wetting (applying liquid salt brine to salt as it leaves the truck) and a new machine that allows up to 90 gallons of salt brine to be applied along with each ton of salt have all resulted in the reduction of winter chemical usage from approximately 170 tons per event during the 05 -06 season down to an average of 88 tons per winter event in 08 -09 season • The Lebanon Hills Regional Park/Holland Lake Lift Station was recently rebuilt with high capacity variable speed pumps replacing earlier high energy demand 3 -stage pumps providing increased pumping capacity with comparatively less power requirements. • The City moved to a state mandated increase from 2% to 5 % bio diesel on May 1, 2009. The "bio" portion is primarily derived from local soybean production (reducing oil consumption) • To evaluate the viability of utilizing vehicles powered by hybrid technology in the City's fleet, at Council direction, staff implemented a plan to purchase three Ford Fusion sedans. Two of these vehicles are hybrids while the third is powered only with a gasoline engine. The idea is to make comparisons between the technologies to determine if there CITY OF EAGAN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES June 10, 2011 Page 3 are environmental and /or cost benefits to either of the technologies. The data gathered is intended to help determine if hybrid technology is in the City's future. • To expand on its experience with hybrid vehicle alternatives, the City will put a hybrid Escape into service in mid -2011 in Building Inspections, to be compared with traditional Escapes already in the fleet. City Operations • Deep water wells are pulled, inspected and repaired on a scheduled preventative life cycle basis to insure that they continue to operate at maximum efficiency rather than waiting for pump efficiency curves to dictate the timing of major repairs. • Taking advantage of new technology, advanced training for staff and diligently managing application rates of winter chemicals have all resulted in a net reduction of approximately 44% for winter chemicals per storm event over the past 4 snow seasons (2009). • Eagan's successful computerized Pavement Management Program (PMP), now in its 20 year, has resulted in numerous energy savings. Pavements are refurbished at approximately 80% into their traditional lifecycle in ways that use less new asphalt resulting in oil savings. A recent update to the Transportation Infrastructure Needs Analysis (TINA) Study has shown that the City's selected Goal of 75 for a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) rating is the most economical in terms of maximizing the pavement life and rate of return on the original investment in the roadway. • "Emerge" software program installed in 2008 that enables technicians to enter pavement condition data onto a tablet PC in the field, thus streamlining the data collection and entry process resulting in less fuel consumption • Specified the use of recycled asphalt shingles in Hot Mixed Asphalt (HMA) pavements for street resurfacing contracts • Mowing lines continue to be pulled back at various park sites as appropriate, equating to fewer acres and fewer hours of mower operation • Reviewing St. Paul pilot study on the use of sphagnum- moss - conditioning systems moss a natural swimming pool filtration technique for possible use at Cascade Bay. • All traffic signals in Eagan are equipped with LED lights. • The City 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 at County road intersections, which will save fuel consumption and air emissions caused by long delays at major signalized intersections. • Adopted a trail connection policy to position the City to assist in obtaining grant /private funding for trail efforts. • Pursuing a low maintenance yard management policy. • Use of ePermits on -line application process to reduce costs and paper consumption for basic, fixed fee types of building and mechanical permits. Nearly 1/3 of 2011 permits to date are ePermits. • Email parcel data and site surveys to property owners and contractors for project planning purposes; reduces costs and paper consumption. • Currently completing the last segment of the Ring Road (Duckwood Dr. Overpass) providing an alternative route for local traffic thereby reducing congestion at the City's busiest intersection of Pilot Knob Rd and Yankee Doodle Rd and their interchange with I -35E. • The City has begun using the State of Minnesota B3 energy tracking system to track and improve upon energy usage in City facilities. • Completed the incorporation to all battery operated ice resurfacers and ice edgers in the Civic Arena to eliminate gas emissions in the building and increase air quality levels. Capitalizing on Natural Resources • Solar Study completed by SEH (for use at City sites — reservoirs, buildings, etc.). The City Council received the report and provided direction to wait for the economic benefits of solar PV systems to improve before pursuing such technology in the City of Eagan. • An anemometer was installed on a city water tank to collect wind speed data for future research into the practicality and feasibility of local wind generation opportunities 11 CITY OF EAGAN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES June 10, 2011 Page 4 • Native prairie has been installed at several locations to replace manicured turf • Carpet used in City buildings contains at least 25 percent recycled material and is 100 percent recyclable • Buffer strips are maintained around ponds and wetlands to filter run -off and help minimize the need for treatment efforts, especially in adjoining lakes • Wetland buffers & wetland banking - promote the protection & preservation of natural areas • Erosion and sediment control program • Use of influent water to help cool water treatment facility • The City takes the following efforts to use recycled materials: o Recycling existing bituminous surfaces for use in the production of new bituminous mixes during our contractual overlay projects o Use of recycled shingles as an ingredient in new bituminous mixes during our contractual overlay projects o Use of bituminous millings produced during certain street maintenance operations as aggregate in other maintenance activities. o Recycling and reusing aggregate from our sealcoating operations for future year's sealcoating projects. o Reusing sand, soil and other grading materials generated during excavation as fill material in other project areas. o Recycling and /or reusing engine oil, filters, and other engine fluids in the equipment fleet o Reusing wood chips generated from boulevard tree trimming /removal as mulch in park facilities. • 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. Partnerships • Participation in Gun Club Lake Watershed Management Organization • Signed U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement • Market Fest program promotes local food sources and reduction in transportation of food • Encouraged County to implement radio transmitted traffic signal coordination for improved traffic flow and reduced congestion along Yankee Doodle & Pilot Knob Road corridors • 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. • Partnership with Caponi Art Park to maintain the park and green space in the community • The City Council signed a resolution in August 2010 showing support for the City's participation in the GreenStep Cities program. • The City Council approved a partnership in August 2010 with the University of Minnesota's School of Sustainability to allow a group of students from a Capstone Sustainability course to provide benchmarking on sustainable best practices underway in the City, and recommendations to the City on additional best practices from the GreenStep Cities program that the City may wish to consider. The students worked with the Energy and Environment Advisory Commission (EEAC) to present their findings. • Ongoing partnership with Dakota Valley Recycling, including the ARROW (Awards for Reduction and Recycling of Waste) business recognition program, which, in 2011, includes 130 businesses, 44 of which are located in Eagan. • The City was designated by the MPCA as a Step II GreenStep City in June 2011. The EEAC completed their GreenStep Cities report and online reporting, and will be making recommendations to the City Council in the Summer of 2011 as to additional best practices the City may wish to consider to reach Step III status. • After a successful grant proposal, the City of Eagan and ISD 196 completed a Safe Route to School Plan for Red Pine Elementary. • The City received State Health Improvement Program (SHIP) funding for the addition of bike racks, wayfinding signage for trails, and an incentive program to encourage walking to City events and facilities. Ja CITY OF EAGAN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES June 10, 2011 Page 5 • EEAC Display at Showcase Eagan included information about the commission and education materials (in partnership with local utilities) on efforts residents could take to reduce energy consumption and water usage. Community Planning • Continually constructing new trails to increase connectivity throughout city promoting and providing for alternative transportation modes • Designated as a Tree City USA • Walkability /Pedestrian focused development and redevelopment • Mixed use housing /retail availability • Park and Ride facilities (bus) • Density and transit oriented development thereby reducing the length of trips to work • Completing infill development to maximize resources and amenities • Comprehensive Guide Plan— master plan for proper land uses, transportation, and public facilities /parks • Conservation of park land and open space; creation of 55 parks across City • Continued support for Cedar Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Corridor and began working with MnDOT, Dakota County and MVTA regarding the acceleration of planning and implementation of BRT shoulder access for the Cedar Grove Transit Station • Completed Opportunity Cities analysis in 2011 that reinforced policies for walkability and leveraging transit availability to enhance community sustainability. Citizen Opportunities • Adopt -a -Park Program • Rain Garden installation assistance • Rain Barrel workshops • Buckthorn removal from private property • Oak Wilt Control Program on public property • Dutch Elm Control program on public property /s /Dianne E. Miller Assistant to the City Administrator 13