10/11/2011 - Energy and Environment Advisory CommissionENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL
II. AGENDA ADOPTION
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
IV. VISITORS TO BE HEARD
V. PRESENTATION
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. Communications Update
B. 2011 -2012 Energy and Environment Advisory Commission Work Plan
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Committee Updates/Reports
1. GreenStep City Update/Posting to the City's Website
(Jeff, Amir and Wade)
2. Community Outreach /Sustainability Data for the City's Website
(Bruce, Kari and Salman)
3. Complete Streets
4. Funding Mechanisms for Renewable Energy and Energy
Efficiency/PACE Bonds (Salman and Amir)
B. Recommendation for Allocating Remaining Recycling Funds
VIII. STAFF / COMMISSIONER REPORT
A. EFF Guidelines and Complete Street Resolution
B. B3 Update
C. Energy Savings at the South Water Treatment Plant
D. Minnesota GreenCorps Volunteer Update
E. EEAC Staffing Transition
IX. ROUNDTABLE
X. ADJOURNMENT
AGENDA
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2011
7:00 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS / EAGAN CITY HALL
Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities will be provided upon advance notice of at least 96 hours. If a notice of
less than 96 hours is received, the City of Eagan will attempt to provide such aid.
TO: THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION (EEAC)
FROM: DIANNE MILLER, ASSISTANT CITY ADMINISTRATOR
DATE: OCTOBER 5, 2011
SUBJECT: ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
OCTOBER 11, 2011
A meeting of the Energy and Environment Advisory Commission (EEAC) will take place on Tuesday,
October 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. To ensure that a quorum is present, please
contact Mary O'Brien at 651- 675 -5005 if you are unable to attend either of the meetings.
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL
II ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
The agenda, as presented or modified, is in order for adoption by the Commission.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the August 15, 2011 EEAC meeting are enclosed on pages through 1 .
These minutes, pending any modifications, are in order for adoption by the Commission.
IV. VISITORS TO BE HEARD
The Eagan City Council and its Commissions set aside up to ten minutes at the beginning of public
meetings to permit visitors to address items of interest that are not addressed on the regular agenda.
Items that will take more than ten minutes or that require specific action can be scheduled for a
future meeting agenda.
V. PRESENTATION
City of Eagan MeMo
A. Tim Eian, TE Studio —Mr. Time Eian, founder of TE Studio, welcomed the opportunity to
speak to the EEAC regarding Passive House design. Under Tim's leadership, TE Studio is a
residential building design firm dedicated to beautiful, durable, functional, and earth - friendly
Passive House buildings that provide healthy environments and economy for their clients.
According to the TE Studio biography, Passive House design is the world's leading voluntary
building energy standard focusing on superior energy efficiency and quality of life at low operating
cost. Mr. Eian is prepared to speak to retrofitting existing homes using the Passive House design
standards. For additional information about Mr. Eian and TE Studio, go to www.testudio.cor.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. Communications Update —Per the request of the Commission, a standing agenda item
has been added to announce and discuss communication initiatives within the City addressing issues
pertinent to the EEAC. The staff within Communications welcomes any suggested stories ideas or
areas of focus for the Experience Eagan newsletter or Eagan Business News, and will consider the
suggestions as space and scheduling permits. Currently the Green Business Workshop held in
September is being replayed on Channel 16 and is also available online.
B. 2011 -2012 Energy and Environment Advisory Commission Work Plan —At the request
of the Commission, Chair Bruce Goff took the feedback of the Commission and the City Council
and prepared the 2011 -2012 EEAC work plan enclosed on paged through) i . According to
Chair Goff, the work plan is intended to be a working document that can updated and amended as
the year progresses. Additionally, enclosed on pages and / 1 is a summary of the committees
that the Commission foamed at the August meeting. Lastly, enclosed on pagesa0 and ! is the
2011 -2012 EEAC Value Statements and Goals that were approved at the September 6, 2011 City
Council meeting.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. COMMITTEE UPDATES/REPORTS
1. GreenStep City Update/Posting to the City's Website (Jeff, Amir, and Wade) —
As an outcome of the committee's work, enclosed on pagesaa through ( 0 is a revised
GreenStep Cities Report, showing that the City of Eagan meets the requirements to be
considered a Step III GreenStep City. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)
awards the Step designations one time each year (summer), meaning that Eagan would not
be officially recognized as a Step III City until the summer of 2012. The GreenStep Report
and the link to the City's entries on the GreenStep City website have been included on the
City of Eagan's website at http: / /www.cityofeagan.corn /live /article.aspx ?id =47242 in an
effort to educate and communicate the City's GreenStep efforts to the community. A
demonstration of the GreenStep update on the City's webpage will be provided at the
meeting. Staff is also awaiting a response from Philipp Muessig, GreenStep Coordinator, to
confirm that Eagan has, indeed met the Step III criteria.
3
2. Community Outreach /Sustainability Data for the City's Website (Bruce, Mari,
and Salman) —The Committee is welcome to provide an update on any discussions held to
date regarding a content management strategy for the City's website, including any data to
be disseminated, resource options, partnerships, etc. to strengthen the City's web resources
in the areas of energy and environmental sustainability.
3. Complete Streets —No update at this time. Per the direction of the City Council, a
meeting will be held with the Chairs from each advisory commission and the Council's
Public Works Committee at the time that the State approves the Complete Street standards
(likely in 2012).
4. Funding Mechanisms for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency/PACE
Bonds (Salman and Amir) —Per the request of the Commission, enclosed on pages 7
through B / is a memo prepared by the Committee on funding options for renewable
energy and energy efficiency improvements. According to Salman, the memo is intended to
be informative, 'and does not include any recommendations. The memo also includes the
2010 State Statute pertaining to a local government's authority to establish an energy
improvement program.
B. Recommendation for Allocating Remaining Recycling Funds —Under former Dakota
County rules, solid waste /recycling grant dollars received but not allocated could be carried over by
a City for future use. While this system is no longer in place (i.e. funds must now be allocated in the
year they were awarded), the City has been carrying an account for several years with $13,200 in
remaining solid waste /recycling funds. The City, per the advice of the City's auditors, would like to
develop a plan by the end of 2011 on how to allocate and /or dedicate the funds. The Commission is
asked to brainstorm possible efforts that this funding could support, recognizing that the funds must
be used for solid waste and /or recycling purposes in accordance with the grant provisions.
In preparation for the EEAC's discussion about the remaining grant funds, Assistant City
Administrator Miller met with staff from Dakota Valley Recycling to brainstorm possible
events /efforts for the EEAC to consider. Ideas for events and or efforts suggested included: 1.)
Composting bins or rain barrels (subsidies to purchase, event to promote /sell, etc.); 2.) A light bulb
collection/ CFL trade event at The Recycling Zone; 3.) Partner with businesses and /or schools to
recycle plastic bags; or, 4.) Model a program after the City of Dallas' "Cease the Grease" to
encourage recycling of cooking oil (especially around Thanksgiving when the haulers have
particular difficulty with grease).
The Commission is welcome to discuss options and opportunities to prepare a recommendation to
the City Council. The Commission does not need to make a decision at the October meeting; rather,
the goal is simply to know by the end of the year how to allocate the funds in the short-term or
continue to save the funds for a future use.
4
VIII. STAFF / COMMISSIONER REPORT
A. EPP Guidelines and Complete Street Resolution —Per the recommendation of the
Commission, the City Council formally approved both the EPP Guidelines and the Complete Streets
Resolution at the September 6, 2011 City Council meeting. The EPP Guidelines are currently being
incorporated into the City's Purchasing Policy, and staff is being educated accordingly on the new
guidelines.
B. B3 Update —The City's historic utility data has been entered into the MPCA's B3 system,
and City staff is now fully utilizing the system. A demonstration on the program could be scheduled
for a future EEAC meeting when time permits.
C. Energy Savings at the South Water Treatment Plant — Enclosed on pages through
are energy (electric) saving reports showing the energy savings at the South Water Treatment
Plant (SWTP) as result of energy efficiency projects completed during the recent remodeling of the
plant. Two improvements that stand out were the installation of new variable speed pumps and a
high efficiency backwash treatment system. By comparing August 2010 to August 2011, the electric
cost per gallon of water produced was reduced from .0000735 /gallon to .0000712 /gallon. In
addition to savings in electricity, the City is also seeing savings in natural gas at the plant as a result
of the following improvements (for which Eagan received rebate checks from Minnesota Energy
Resources):
o Three (3) Natural Gas High - efficiency Boilers, going from 80% to 96% energy
efficiency, which is resulting in a Conservation Improvement Program (CIP) Rebate check
for $2,216.16 due to saving of 185 Therms per year.
o Installation of an integrated Dehumidifier saving 637 Therms for a total CIP Rebate
check of $9,560.00.
o An additional rebate will be forthcoming for the Thermostat, Furnace and Infrared
Heater equaling 92% efficiency and saving 80 Therms for a $490.00 CIP rebate check.
D. Minnesota GreenCorps Volunteer Update —The Commission will recall that in August,
the City learned that the 2012 GreenCorp program had not received the funding that was
anticipated. Since that time, the funding arrangement has been worked out and we have learned that
Dakota County was awarded a 2012 GreenCorp volunteer, in partnership with the cities of Eagan,
Apple Valley, and Burnsville. We have learned that the County anticipates that the GreenCorps
volunteer will be able to allocate approximately 10 hours per week to the cities beginning in late
December /early January. Enclosed on page and is the scope of work for the volunteer
that was submitted with the application. The Commission is welcome to make suggestions on
additions or revisions to the scope of work that the volunteer could provide to the City of Eagan.
E. EEAC Staffing Transition —As was noted at the August Commission meeting, a transition
will soon be made in the staff liaison role to the EEAC. Assistant City Administrator Miller will
provide an update about this transition at the October 11 meeting.
IX. ROUNDTABLE
The Roundtable is scheduled as an opportunity for Commissioners to ask questions, make requests
for future agenda items, or provide informative updates to the Commission pertaining to energy and
environment initiatives.
X. ADJOURNMENT
/s /Dianne E. Miller
Assistant City Administrator
1,
MINUTES OF THE EAGAN
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 15, 2011
A regular meeting of the Eagan Energy and Environment Advisory Commission was held on Monday,
August 15, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Those present were Ross Bintner, Bruce Goff, Jeff LeClair, Salman Mitha,
Wade Olsen and Kari Palmer. Absent was Amir Naday. Also present was Assistant City Administrator
Miller.
AGENDA
LeClair made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Palmer seconded the motion. All members
voted in favor.
ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS
Goff introduced the item inviting the Commission to make nominations to elect a Chair and Vice Chair
to the Energy and Environment Commission.
Olsen made a motion to nominate Goff to serve as Chair of the Energy and Environment Commission.
Mitha seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of Goff as the Chair of the EEAC.
Goff opened the floor for nominations to elect a Vice Chair to the Energy and Environment
Commission.
Palmer made a motion to nominate LeClair to serve as Vice Chair of the Energy and Environment
Commission. Goff seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of LeClair as Vice Chair of the
EEAC.
Goff made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 14, 2011 regular meeting of the Energy and
Environment Commission as presented. LeClair seconded the motion. All members voted in favor.
There were no visitors to be heard.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
VISITORS TO BE HEARD
COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE
Miller stated per the request of the Commission, a communications update has been added as a standing
agenda item to announce and discuss communication initiatives within the City addressing issues pertaining
to the EEAC. There were no comments as to new communication initiatives at this time.
DRAFT
Energy and Environment Commission
August 15, 2011
Page 2 of 3
B3 UPDATE
DRAFT
2011 -2012 ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION VALUE
STATEMENTS AND GOALS/NEXT STEPS FOLLOWING THE AUGUST JOINT MEETING
Miller introduced the item asking for feedback from the Commission regarding the joint meeting with the
City Council that was held earlier in the evening. The Commission discussed the dialogue from the joint
meeting regarding the Commission's proposed 2011 -2012 Value Statements and Goals.
The Commission noted specific points from the joint meeting and had a comment period and round table
discussion. The Commission also noted the Council's desire to have the GreenStep program as an ongoing
priority. The Commission formed the following subcommittees: 1.) City Website Improvements to reflect
Greenstep Actions: Wade, Amir, and Jeff; 2.) Vision /Recommendation for Energy and Environment
Presence on Eagan's Website: Salman, Kari, and Bruce; 3.) Review of City Ordinances for Renewable
Energy and Energy Efficiencies: Kari and Wade; 4.) Financing Mechanisms for Renewable Energy and
Energy Efficiency Projects: Salman.
RESPONSE FROM WATER RESOURCES COORDINATOR ERIC MACBETH
Miller introduced the item and noted the responses from Water Resources Coordinator Eric Macbeth to
questions generated from his presentation to the Commission in June.
ARROW NEWSLETTER AND GREEN BUSINESS WORKSHOP FLYER
Miller introduced the item, highlighting the Awards for Reduction and Recycling of Waste (ARROW)
Newsletter and also a flyer created by Dakota Valley Recycling advertising the Green Business Workshop
on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 from 8:30 — 10:30 a.m., at the Eagan Community Center. Miller
encouraged Commissioners along with the business community to attend.
Miller gave an overview regarding progress being made to begin using the State's B3 system, an online
application to track and compare energy usage and savings in City facilities. Miller noted that Katie Jones, a
GreenCorp volunteer who is currently entering the City's utility data, was unable to enter Eagan's data during
the State shutdown. Miller stated that once Ms. Jones has completed entering the historic utility data, City
staff will be trained to enter ongoing data into the system. She further stated a demonstration will be provided
at a future EEAC meeting.
MINNESOTA GREENCORPS VOLUNTEER UPDATE
Miller stated the City, as a Minnesota GreenCorps Host Site applicant, received notification from the
MPCA that the Minnesota GreenCorps Program was not awarded funding for the upcoming year and, as a
result, the process to select host sites has been put on hold. She further stated she will update the
Commission as information becomes available.
DAKOTA COUNTY RECYCLING SURVEY
Miller stated, per the Commission's suggestion, the Dakota County recycling survey has been added to the
City of Eagan website and Dakota County residents are invited to take the survey by September 1, 2011.
Energy and Environment Commission
August 15, 2011
Page 3 of 3
DRAFT
Miller will report back to the Commission on the number of hits from the City's website to the recycling
survey.
USE OF VARIABLE SPEED PUMPS AT THE SOUTH WATER TREATMENT FACILITY
Miller introduced the item and stated Superintendent of Utilities Schwanz will prepare a written summary
for the October EEAC meeting showing the energy and costs saving over the first 4 months since the
installation of the variable speed pumps and a high efficiency backwater treatment at the newly remodeled
South Water Treatment facility.
GOPHER RESOURCES ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES
Miller noted the summary of environmental initiatives implemented to -date at Gopher Resource as well as
improvements that are planned for the Recycling Zone in 2011.
EAGAN FIRE SAFETY CENTER PRESS RELEASE / GREEN GLOBE CERTIFICATION
Miller introduced the item and stated the Eagan Fire Safety Center has become the first Fire Station in the
country to receive Green Globes designation.
ROUNDTABLE
Miller stated the City of Eagan will have a Facebook site operational within the next couple of weeks.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by LeClair, seconded by Mitha the meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m. All members
voted in favor.
DATE SECRETARY
'Work Plan Item Presenter /Owner Outcome /Next Steps I
CONFIRMED
Posting to eagan website for later inclusion in EEAC web site
Ongoing; waiting for direction from the State on Complete Street standards
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Bruce, Kari, Salman
Jeff, Amir,Wade
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Salman, Amir
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Passive House, Tim Eian, TE Studios
'Community Outreach
'Progress review on Web site
I
'Greens Steps
Review remaining items
'Get confirmation from GS program director
'Review minimum reqs. for communicatiions
'Complete Streets
Work with staff to set up combined meeting of
commission leadership (EEAC,APC, and APrC)
and the Public Works Committee when the
State of MN approves Complete Street
Standards
aa4�0
1 Progress review for funding mechanisms for
Renwable Energy and Energy Efficiency
'Future allocation of Recycling Funds
Report back from Utilities of cost/energy
savings resulting from variable speed pumps
and upgrades to south water treatment plant
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EEAC Work Plan Items (2011- 2012 —Per direction from the City Council)
1. GREENSTEP STEP III DESIGNATION — Complete Streets, EPP, B3, and web presence
A. GREENSTEP AND WEB COMMITTEE: Jeff, Amir, and Wade — Dianne to
review GS report and have staff review for any updates; Dianne to get revised
report and proposed web language to committee for recommendation to the
Commission as a whole.
B. SUSTAINABILITY DATA FOR WEB: Salman, Kari, and Bruce — committee to
develop a content management strategy (including data to be disseminated via the
website, resource options, partnerships, etc.) and report recommendations to the
Commission as a whole
C. COMPLETE STREETS —Upon completion of State Complete Street standards,
convene meeting of leadership from APC, EEAC, and APrC with the Public
Works Committee to discuss implementation plans /options (e.g. provide check
list for APC, Community Development and Public Works staff when reviewing
development and /or review ordinances /policies re: road projects)
2. 2011 -2012 EEAC Work Plan —Bruce to draft work plan through 2012 and will forward
to Dianne
3. REVIEW OF CITY ORDINANCES /PROCEDURES RE: RENEWABLE ENERGY
(identification of roadblocks, opportunities, etc.) — likely winter /spring 2012 :
Committee: Kari and Wade
i. Review zoning requirements and regulations for wind, solar (both
residential and commercial, including large wind turbine at businesses)
ii. Review ordinances for renewable energy technologies at home to remove
regulatory obstacles and offer guidance to residents (e.g. how to talk to
energy and utility companies regarding specific issues)
iii. Consider a "secret shopper" model where committee member calls the
City and Utility companies in hopes of establishing a renewable energy
source (i.e. geo thermal, wind turbine, solar panels, etc.)
iv. Same review for impact on someone wanting to do Natural plants (impact
of grass no longer than 8" requirement)
v. Option to educate HOAs as these rules pertain to the covenants
4. FINANCING MECHANISMS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY
EFFICIENCY / PACE BONDS: Salman and Amir —The committee will collect data on
options and provide a one page summary, including statutory language authorizing use of
a financing mechanism to support renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts.
5. CREATE A GREENSTEPS TEMPLATE /GRID FOR USE BY BUSINESSES AND
RESIDENTS
i. Dianne to talk to GS staff to brainstorm
ii. Create a campaign to be a "green citizen" and implement
award /recognition program
iii. Opportunity for showcasing green businesses in the community
iv. Role of ARROW?
v. Energy Star Challenge?
vi. Help HOAs update covenants
6. COMMUNITY OUTREACH— Determine other events /areas where EEAC could have
presence to educate residents
7. RECYCLING FUNDS— October meeting, seek input from Commission on
event /purpose for use of $13,200 in remaining recycling grant dollars (e.g. cease the
grease campaign, rain barrels or compost opportunity, light bulb exchange for CFLs, etc.)
8. Future Meeting Presentations /Topics:
i. Robert Street Rail Corridor Study (Dakota County)
ii. Dakota County Greenhouse Gas Inventory
iii. Transit Oriented Development (TOD) elements (GreenStep best practice)
iv. ISD 196 Transportation Director (regarding the district's transportation
policies and walkability)
v. McKinstry report on energy and cost savings to date from energy
improvements at City facilities and Harris report on savings at Civic
Arena from geothermal installation
2011 -2012 ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION VALUE
STATEMENTS AND GOALS
The Energy and Environment Advisory Commission (EEAC) is proposing to maintain
the following value statements adopted in July of 2010 to guide the commission:
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.
2011 -2012 EEAC GOALS
Goal 1. Build upon the City's success by utilizing the GreenStep Cities program as the
overarching framework for the work of the EEAC and officially obtain designation from
the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) as one of the first communities in
Minnesota to be recognized as a Step III GreenStep City.
Methods and Considerations to Achieve Goal #1:
• Continue identifying and recommending actions to implement future GreenStep Cities'
best practices as they become available, while also continuing to review and recommend
current, optional GreenStep best practices that the City has not yet completed.
• Ongoing review of the GreenStep best practices that the City has not completed to
determine which best practices merit further action
• Communicate with local media and encourage appropriate messaging to celebrate
Eagan's GreenStep efforts to date (particularly when Step III designation is achieved).
• Meet the GreenStep Cities Complete Streets best practice by adopting a Complete Streets
resolution as a demonstration of the City's current efforts and future considerations.
• Advance the City's Complete Streets approach in conjunction with the Advisory
Planning Commission (APC) and Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission (APrC)
through ongoing engagement with City staff, including the possibility of a Complete
Streets workshop with all stakeholders to determine the most appropriate current and
future Complete Street options for Eagan.
• Fulfill the requirements of GreenStep Cities' best practice for environmental purchasing
through the adoption of baseline environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP) guidelines,
with the intent of working towards expanded EPP guidelines, in consultation with
appropriate City staff, to add environmental considerations to a more expansive list of
City purchases. Consider a review of the guidelines, if adopted, after one year of use to
determine effectiveness, areas of improvement, challenges, etc.
Goal 2. Use the GreenStep Cities methodology to create and communicate recommended
action steps to Eagan's residential and business community via outreach and educational
efforts.
Methods and Considerations to Achieve Goal #2:
• Create a presence on the City's website for sustainable and energy efficiency
information, efforts, opportunities, etc., including the City's progress in the GreenStep
Cities program.
• Consider a partnership with a local school /college to assist with website efforts (e.g.
School of Environmental Studies, Inver Hills Community College, etc.).
• Partner with Dakota Valley Recycling (DVR), Dakota County Regional Chamber, and
the utilities serving Eagan to promote the DVR Green Business Workshop and assist with
DVR's goal of completing five sustainability site visits within (5) Eagan businesses.
• Partner with Dakota County to better understand community -wide energy usage, learn
about the County's energy and sustainability efforts, and identify opportunities for
ongoing collaboration between the County and City on sustainability efforts.
• Consolidate sustainability indicators being collected in the City and determine a method
to communicate the outcomes of those indicators to the public (e.g. vehicles miles
traveled by City fleets, energy usage at City facilities, etc.).
• Pursue partnerships with businesses in Eagan that have implemented sustainable business
practices. Invite the businesses to give presentations to the EEAC at monthly meetings
regarding their sustainable efforts and /or case studies, and recommend particular
successes to be highlighted in the Eagan Business News (e.g. Coca Cola Bottling Plant's
hybrid vehicle program, Thomson Reuter's Green Team and food -to -hog program, etc.).
• Review and recommend options to provide incentives for residents to install energy
efficient equipment or renewable energy sources (e.g. consider changes to the permit fee
schedule to promote energy efficiency— learning from current efforts in other GreenStep
cities).
Minnesota GreenStep Cities
It a all
Jeff LeClair, Amir Nadav, Wade Olsen
Eagan Energy & Environment Advisory Commission
Revised September, 2011
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
Page 13
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 a Fall
2010 partnership with the University of Minnesota have made this report possible. Our deepest
gratitude goes out to Dianne Miller, Assistant 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 the original 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.
Category
Best
Practices
Available
Best Practices
Completed
Best Practices Required
(for Step 3 recognition)
Additional
BPs
Necessary
Buildings & Lighting
1 -5
1, 2, 4, 5
1 + one other
None
Land Use
6 -10
6, 7, 8, 9, 10
6 + one other
None
Transportation
11 -14
11, 12, 13
11, 12
None
Environmental
Management
15 -23
15, 16, 17, 18,
21, 23
15, 16, 17 + one other
None
Economic & Community
Development
24 -28
24, 25, 27
24, 25 + one other
None
Total number of BPs
28
21
13 + 3 floating
None
Executive Summary
Page I4
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 Thanks to actions the
city had previously completed, the League of Minnesota Cities recognized Eagan in June 2011 as one of
seven "Step Two" GreenStep Cities across the state of Minnesota —the highest level of achievement for any
city at the time. The Eagan City Council and the Energy & Environment Advisory Commission set a goal to
complete the milestones for "Step Three" in 2012. The table below and the remainder of this report
represent the Energy & Environment Advisory Commission and city staff s best assessment of Eagan's
progress as of September 2011. The city has completed 21 best practices, and is therefore on track to be
recognized in the coming year as a "Step Three" City. Eagan has also completed several best practices
beyond the scope of "Step Three" program requirements. The GreenStep Cities Steering Committee may
review and confirm cities' completed best practices and subsequently revise these numbers.
The following report provides background on the GreenStep Cities program, Eagan's participation, and an
assessment of Eagan's progress toward completion of the best practices.
Background
Page 15
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).
The original version of this report represented the culmination of the EEAC subcommittee and city staff's
work with the University of Minnesota students. A September 2011 revision reflects the EEAC
subcommittee and city staff s assessment of progress to date and anticipated next steps based on the EEAC
2012 work plan.
GreenStep Cities Program Overview
Recognition Steps Needed to Implement
Step One GreenStep City
Step Two GreenStep City
Step Three GreenStep City
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, and focus on minimizing environmental footprint, energy use reduction,
cost savings and encourage innovation.
GreenStep Cities recognizes cities based on their progress through the program and their achievements. The
follow levels of recognition exist:
• Build community knowledge and interest
• 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)
P z
Additional levels of recognition are scheduled for development in 2011 and thereafter to challenge and
recognize greater sustainability achievements.
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
Eagan GreenStep Cities Assessment
Page 17
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 on the following page 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 on the follow page also summarizes the results of our assessment. It reveals that Eagan has
completed all of the best practices required for Step Three recognition.
The EEAC may also consider recommending the implementation of 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 Require
Buildings &
Lighting
Required
Complete
Complete
Land Use
EnYirontmutal
4
6
Efficient Existing Public Buildings
Efficient Existing Private Buildings
New Green Buildings
Efficient Building & Street Lighting an
Signals
Building Reuse
Comprehensive Planning and
Implementation
7 Higher Density
8 Efficient and Healthy Development Patterns
9 Efficient Highway - Oriented Development
10 Conservation I�esi ^_n
l la a ,c {1 tag i p',; , t ,
Complete ( re,n Streets
Mobility Options
13 Efficient City Fleets
Demand -Side Travel Planning
1Z Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
16. Urban Forests
17 Efficient Stormwater Management
18 Green Infrastructure
19 Surface Water Quality
22 Solid Waste Reduction
21 Septic Systems
20 Efficient Water and Wastewater Facilities
23 1 oL,11 Air (')unlitv
hPs i t..!ti i retl /( " >ral*
26 Renewable Energy
27 Local Food
28 Bn ,mess Synergies
24 BciCMILLI . fi ( omtntmity 1 I1L. JLcinent
l►otit , Br's (odditiunol to regoireil ill's)
1't I`1R,lti�tI J1 C ?�IK►I r t i }t 1f7 tt (iILkti !����i ! ltt►t -`)
Total BPs Completed Overall
category Impla��Li l± lit *t �r Y.
mg
Required
Required
Required
Complete
Complete
Complete
Not complete —need action 2 or 3
Not Complete- -need action 1
Complete
Not Complete
Complete
Required
Required
Required
Economic &
Community
Development
25 Green Business Development
Required
Complete
Not complete
Complete
Required
Page 18
Complete
Complete
Not complete
Complete
Complete
Complete
Complete
Complete
Complete
Complete
Complete
Not complete
Complete
Complete
Not complete
21
The remainder of this report assesses Eagan's actions to date and implementation status for each of the
Minnesota GreenStep Cities best practices.
Page 19
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 fmal review and confirmation by the GreenStep Cities Steering Committee. Additional
information on actions that are in progress is available on the comprehensive spreadsheet.)
P age X11
Buildings and Lighting (2 Best Practices Required)
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: 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 -Ire- commissioning, with fmancing
at attractive interest rates under MN's PBEEEP program or related lease - purchase financing, 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 geotheiuial system where net greenhouse gases are less than
those generated by the system being replaced.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Completed action 1: Monthly Energy consumption at City buildings is being monitored via the B3 database
as of October 2011; particularly at buildings that received retrofits from a Federal Energy grant. The City
worked with the MPCA and a GreenCorps Volunteer to enter historic utility data into the B3 system. City
staff will continue using the B3 system to manage and track energy usage at City facilities.
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.
Page 12
Completed action 5: The new Fire Safety Center was completed in Spring 2011 and was 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.
CONTACT: Mike Sipper, City Building Maintenance Engineer
Page 113
Buildings and Lighting (2 Best Practices Required)
Best Practice #2: Efficient Existing Private Buildings (OPTIONAL)
Work with utilities and others to assess and finance energy and sustainability improvements of
existing structures
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS:
Eagan may implement this best practice by completing at least two actions if they choose to implement this
best practice.
BEST PRACTICE SUMMARY:
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.
EAGAN'S ACTIONS:
Completed action 4c: There are five buildings in Eagan that are LEED Certified: Eagan Place Professional
Building (silver), Lebanon Hills Visitor Center (silver), Lockheed Martin (silver), Allan L. Schuman
Corp. Campus Ecolab (gold); and the USPS Bulk Mail Facility (silver)
Completed actions 5 a, and b: The City of Eagan has a peinuanent conservation program for outside water
usage. This permanent system is in effect throughout the entire outdoor watering season.
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
Page 114
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
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 permit fee discount
b. Expedited permit 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 Fire Safety Center, completed in Spring 2011, is Green Globe certified.
CONTACT: Jon Hohenstein, Director of Community Development
Mike Ridley, City Planner
Page 115
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
Buildings and Lighting (2 Best Practices Required)
Best Practice #4: Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals (OPTIONAL)
Improve the efficiency of public and private lighting and signals
Page X16
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
Best Practice #5: Building Reuse (OPTIONAL)
Create economic and regulatory incentives for redeveloping and repurposing existing
buildings before building new
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
Buildings and Lighting (2 Best Practices Required)
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS:
Eagan may implement this best practice by completing at least one of the following actions.
Page 117
BEST PRACTICE SUMMARY:
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 /financing 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)
Page 118
Best Practice #6: Comprehensive Planning and implementation (REQUIRED)
Adopt a Comprehensive Plan and tie regulatory ordinances to it
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 S Y:
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).
39
Page 19
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)
SUIVIVIARY OF REQUIREMENTS
To implement this best practice, Eagan must complete at least one of the following actions.
CONTACTS: Jon Hohenstein, Director of Community Development
Mark Ulfers, CDA Executive Director
Page X 20
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.
Page 21
Kari Gill, CDA Deputy Executive Director of Housing, Finance, and Development
Land Use (2 Best practices required)
Best Practice # 8: Efficient and Healthy Development Patterns (OPTIONAL)
Mix Land Uses
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
Page 122
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 REQULREIVLENTS
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.
Best Practice # 10: Conservation Design (OPTIONAL)
Adopt development ordinances or processes that protect natural systems
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
Land Use (2 Best practices required)
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Complete at least one of the following actions if Eagan chooses to implement this best practice.
Page 124
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 5: The City has partnered with other entities (e.g. Dakota County, Trust for Public Land)
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)
Best Practice # 11: Complete Green Streets (REQUIRED)
Create a network of multimodal green streets
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
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:
Completed Action # 1 required: Per the authorization from the MPCA, the City Council approved a
Complete Streets Resolution on September 6, 2011, which speaks to the current Complete Streets efforts
underway in the City, along with a statement that the City will further pursue Complete Streets at the
time the State of Minnesota releases their Complete Streets standards.
Completed Action #5: Eagan approved Community Transportation Trail System Policy December 13, 2004.
The City also adopted a Trail Connection Policy in January 2011. The City also constructed Northwood
Overpass (including a new trail) in 2009, which provides connectivity over 35 -E and is part of the City's
ring road concept, providing a new trail and connectivity to Eagan residents.
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 125
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.
Page 126
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: Eagan fulfilled this action by having easy and accessible maps available
through signage along various routes and bicycle trails maps available 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, wayfinding signage for trails, and an incentive program to
get people to walk to City events and facilities.
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Completed action 2: After a successful grant proposal, the City of Eagan and ISD 196 completed a
Safe Route to School Plan for Red Pine Elementary. Information about the Plan is available at
http://www.district196.org/rp/SafeRoutesToSchool.html.
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.
CONTACT: Tom Colbert, Public Works Director
Tim Plath, Transportation and Operations Engineer
Juli Johnson, Director of Parks and Recreation
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.
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BEST PRACTICES SUMMARY:
1. Decrease use of city vehicles by means such as trip bundling, video conferencing, carpooling and
financial 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 Willis 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 X29
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
Transportation (2 best practices required)
Best Practice #14 Demand -Side Travel Planning (OPTIONAL)
Use Travel Demand Management and Transit - Oriented Design
STATUS FOR EAGAN: NOT COMPLETE
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Eagan may implement this best practice by completing at least two actions.
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
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Environmental Management (4 best practices required)
Best Practice # 15 Purchasing (REQUIRED)
Adopt an environmentally preferable purchasing policy
STATUS FOR EAGAN: 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 Pay tnership.
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 Completed: The City Council approved EPP Guidelines on September 6, 2011, which include the
necessary purchasing requirements in terms of paper and Energy Star certification.
Action 4 Completed: The City Council approved EEP Guidelines on September 6, 2011. These also included
WaterSense purchasing requirements.
Pate 131
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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 specfying the use of
state and national green standards /guidelines for these products (included in proposed EPP Guidelines).
CONTACTS: Mike Sipper, Building Engineer
Christina Scipioni, 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)
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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
Recommended 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
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.
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 stormwater 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
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.
CONTACT: Tom Colbert, Public Works Director
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Environmental Management (4 best practices required)
Best Practice # 18 Parks and Trails (OPTIONAL)
Enhance the city's green infrastructure
STATUS FOR EAGAN: COMPLETE
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Eagan may choose to implement this best practice by completing at least three actions.
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
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.
at least one of the following:
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 2: Eagan is almost entirely developed, and has 54 parks, over 1,200 waterbodies and
wetlands, and an extensive trail system. The City's comprehensive guide plan calls for requirements
pertaining to distance of all homes to parkland. While most development in Eagan is redevelopment, the
City recently approved a new residential development, which included 10+ miles of new trails,
purposeful green space additions, and ponding.
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.
Page 135
Page 136
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 COMPLETE
Page 137
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.
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
JJ
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 COMPLE'1
CONTACT: Wayne Schwan, Superintendent of Utilities
Page 138
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. This action may be obtained if the City's use of B3 includes tracking energy usage at the
water treatment plants.
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.
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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 fmance 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
of:
Environmental Management (4 best practices required)
Best Practice # 22 Solid Waste Reduction (OPTIONAL)
Increase waste reduction, reuse and recycling
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 soillland- 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 high 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=ywCWR1wzPrw
a/
Page 140
CONTACT: Dianne Miller, Assistant to the City Administrator
Mike Sipper, Building Maintenance Engineer
Anne Olson, Dakota Valley Recycling
Page 141
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 %20 Sec %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
Page 142
Economic and Community Development (3 best practices required)
Page X
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: COMPLE 1E
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 S Y:
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:
Completed Action 1: The City announced the participation of the City in the GreenStep Cities program via
the City website, electronic reader board, community newsletter, and numerous local newspapers.
Ongoing updates on progress are communicated via the City's newsletter and Eagan Patch (online
newspaper). The Energy and Environment Advisory Commission also presents the City's GreenStep
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efforts and progress at the bi- annual City -wide open house, Showcase Eagan. A link to the County's
Greenhouse Gas inventory is being posted on the City's website as well, which includes specific
energy /carbon data by community in Dakota County. A link to the City's GreenStep Report and a link to
the GreenStep City website (Eagan's benchmarks) are available on the City of Eagan's website, under
Energy and Environment Commission.
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 http:// www .cityofeagan.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 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.
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 received a 2011 grant for Green Business Workshop and is 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.
CONTACT: Susan Bast, Dakota Valley Recycling
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Economic and Community Development (3 best practices required)
Best Practice # 26 Renewable Energy (Optional)
Remove barriers to and encourage installation of renewable energy generation capacity
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STATUS FOR EAGAN: NOT COMPLE
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 financing 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 initial research on both wind and solar ordinances has been completed. Per the
Commission's 2011 -2012 goals, the EEAC will discuss and review the City's ordinances
pertaining to renewable energy.
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
�C%
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
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
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Economic and Community Development (3 best practices required)
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Best Practice # 28 Business Synergies (OPTIONAL)
Network/cluster businesses to achieve better energy, economic and environmental outcomes
STATUS FOR EAGAN: NOT COMPLETE
SUNIMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Eagan may choose to implement this best practice by completing at least action (2), (3) or (4).
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 49
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
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.
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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.
7/
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2011 -2012 ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION VALUE
STATEMENTS AND GOALS
The Energy and Environment Advisory Commission (EEAC) is proposing to maintain the
following value statements adopted in July of 2010 to guide the commission:
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.
2011 -2012 EEAC GOALS
Goal 1. Build upon the City's success by utilizing the GreenStep Cities program as the
overarching framework for the work of the EEAC and officially obtain designation from the
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) as one of the first communities in Minnesota to
be recognized as a Step III GreenStep City.
Methods and Considerations to Achieve Goal #1:
• Continue identifying and recommending actions to implement future GreenStep Cities' best
practices as they become available, while also continuing to review and recommend current,
optional GreenStep best practices that the City has not yet completed.
• Ongoing review of the GreenStep best practices that the City has not completed to
determine which best practices merit further action
• Communicate with local media and encourage appropriate messaging to celebrate Eagan's
GreenStep efforts to date (particularly when Step III designation is achieved).
• Meet the GreenStep Cities Complete Streets best practice by adopting a Complete Streets
resolution as a demonstration of the City's current efforts and future considerations.
• Advance the City's Complete Streets approach in conjunction with the Advisory Planning
Commission (APC) and Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission (APrC) through
ongoing engagement with City staff, including the possibility of a Complete Streets
workshop with all stakeholders to determine the most appropriate current and future
Complete Street options for Eagan.
• Fulfill the requirements of GreenStep Cities' best practice for environmental purchasing
through the adoption of baseline environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP) guidelines,
with the intent of working towards expanded EPP guidelines, in consultation with
appropriate City staff, to add environmental considerations to a more expansive list of City
purchases. Consider a review of the guidelines, if adopted, after one year of use to determine
effectiveness, areas of improvement, challenges, etc.
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Goal 2. Use the GreenStep Cities methodology to create and communicate recommended
action steps to Eagan's residential and business community via outreach and educational
efforts.
Methods and Considerations to Achieve Goal #2:
• Create a presence on the City's website for sustainable and energy efficiency information,
efforts, opportunities, etc., including the City's progress in the GreenStep Cities program.
• Consider a partnership with a local school /college to assist with website efforts (e.g. School
of Environmental Studies, Inver Hills Community College, etc.).
® Partner with Dakota Valley Recycling (DVR), Dakota County Regional Chamber, and the
utilities serving Eagan to promote the DVR Green Business Workshop and assist with
DVR's goal of completing five sustainability site visits within (5) Eagan businesses.
® Partner with Dakota County to better understand community -wide energy usage, learn about
the County's energy and sustainability efforts, and identify opportunities for ongoing
collaboration between the County and City on sustainability efforts.
® Consolidate sustainability indicators being collected in the City and determine a method to
communicate the outcomes of those indicators to the public (e.g. vehicles miles traveled by
City fleets, energy usage at City facilities, etc.).
® Pursue partnerships with businesses in Eagan that have implemented sustainable business
practices. Invite the businesses to give presentations to the EEAC at monthly meetings
regarding their sustainable efforts and/or case studies, and recommend particular successes
to be highlighted in the Eagan Business News (e.g. Coca Cola Bottling Plant's hybrid
vehicle program, Thomson Reuter's Green Team and food -to -hog program, etc.).
® Review and recommend options to provide incentives for residents to install energy efficient
equipment or renewable energy sources (e.g. consider changes to the permit fee schedule to
promote energy efficiency— learning from current efforts in other GreenStep cities).
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 on 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
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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 T 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
Green Step 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
Comrnission (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 Clean Energy
Response Team (CERTs) responded 10 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 hi the following live categories: (1) Buildings and Lighting; (2)
Transportation; (3) Land Use; (4) Environmental Management; and (5) Economic and
Community Development;
Page 1 54
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 GreenStep Cities
program. 13e 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 irnplementing GreenStep Cities best practices; and
3. 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
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, 2010.
ATTEST:
Maria Petersen, City Clerk
Mike Maguire, ayor
Page l 55
PACE Summary: Salman Mitha, Amir Nadav
What is a PACE Bond?
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Bonds
City's Perspective: A PACE bond is a small municipal bond where the proceeds are lent to
commercial and residential property owners to finance energy retrofits (efficiency
measures and small renewable energy systems). The property owners repay their loans
over time, typically 20 years via an annual assessment on their property tax bill. The loan
is attached to the property, not the owner, and transfers if the owner sells the property.
Property Owner's Perspective: PACE based financing is like a second mortgage where the
lender is the city not a bank. The loan is repaid by additional assessments on the property
tax bill for the duration of the loan. Many homeowners are already familiar with this type of
repayment for local roads upgrade project etc. The hallmark of the PACE program is that
the 'loan' is really a lien against the property and so it can be transferred when the
property is sold.
Implementing PACE Bonds: PACE use the same kind of land- secured financing districts
that American cities and towns have relied on for over 100 years to pay for improvement in
the public interest. Over 37,000 land secured districts already exist and are a safe and
familiar tool for municipal finance for street paving, parks open space and sewer systems,
street lighting and seismic strengthening among others. PACE Bonds need a state law to
allow local governments to issue them.
Minnesota Law for PACE Bonds: Minnesota Legislature has passed a law authorizing local
governments to issue PACE bonds for their jurisdictions. The law was part of the Omnibus
Jobs bill signed by the governor in April 2010. The law itemizes specific requirements that
the city must comply with to issue PACE bonds. The two main themes in the requirements
are:
1) Proceeds only used for valid and viable clean energy /energy savings projects
2) Projects must be financially viable for the property owner.
The only implementation in Minnesota thus far is the city of Edina and it is limited to
commercial buildings. See "Possible Issues" below. The relevant text of the statute is at the
end of the document.
Analysis:
Benefits: The key benefit of the PACE bonds program is the potential to reduce energy
consumption and add jobs without any cost to the local government or tax increases. In
economically difficult times with tight credit, rising energy costs and global warming
concerns PACE bonds look like a good option. And from the property owners' perspective,
the 'loan' is linked to the property and can be transferred when the property is sold.
Finally the PACE program accesses credit very differently than traditional loans. The added
1
PACE Summary: Salman Mitha, Amir Nadav
security of the lien process should provide easier access to credit and lower interest rates,
other things being equal.
Challenges: As pace bonds were implemented nationwide, some problems have started to
emerge. There are three main challenges for PACE programs,
a) The PACE program has drawn the ire of the mortgage industry. The reason is that a
PACE bond lien is not subordinate to any bank held lien even when PACE is issued after the
mortgage. Therefore if the property owner defaults on the mortgage the city will get paid
before the banks. This increases the risk for the mortgage holders. The Federal Housing
Agency has come out against residential PACE programs, even though PACE is a federal
program. Some jurisdictions that have implemented residential PACE have been sued by
the mortgage industry. This particular issue does not impact commercial property;
therefore Edina has started with a commercial -only PACE program.
There is a bill in Congress (HR 2599) that could overturn the FHA anti -PACE guidelines and
prevent the mortgage industry from blocking residential PACE programs. However in the
very weak housing market the bill may not pass.
b) There is confusion in the market place about PACE financing. Many buyers are requiring
that PACE liens be paid off by the seller. This defeats the key purpose of the program that
the lien is carried over to the new owner. This may be because PACE liens are typically
much larger than the other land- secured financing liens such as those for road
improvements.
c) State PACE statutes and federal guideline require that local governments only provide
PACE funding to properties and owners that meet certain criteria. To implement a PACE
program would require the local government to have a process in place for:
• Assessing the property,
• The finances of the owner
• Viability of the project.
The viability of the project includes financial viability and demonstratable energy savings.
The apparent intent of the Minnesota Statute is to avoid financing vanity projects and early
adopter projects.
Implementation Issues: A PACE programs will probably need to reach a critical size to
attract investors and lower cost capital. It may be important to start a program on a
regional scale as a multi -city cooperative operation. The larger scale would also help
spread the cost of the assessment process infrastructure.
Alternates to PACE: There are traditional loan programs that are designed to fulfill the
same niche as PACE financing, i.e. financing for reducing energy usage. However they are
traditional loan programs so do not provide the same type repayment and loan transfer
options as PACE.
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PACE Summary: Salman Mitha, Amir Nadav
• Dakota Electric EE Loans (for commercial customers):
https: / /www.dakotaelectric.com /business /programs /rebates grants and loans /en
ergy efficiency loans
• Dakota County CDA Home Improvement Loan (can be used for EE upgrades,
residential): http:// www. dakotacda .org /homeowners.htm #HomeImp2
• Statewide residential home energy loans: http: / /mncee.org /Find - Programs-
Financing /Home - Energy -Loan/
• MN Housing Finance Agency Home Improvement Loans (Fix -Up Fund & Rehab
Loan): http: / /www.mnhousing.gov /consumers /home-
owners /HomelmprovementLoans /index.aspx
• Energy Efficient Mortgages and Refinancing:
http: / /www.energysavers.gov/ financial /index.cfm /mytopic =70030 and
http: / /portal.hud.gov /hudportal /HUD ?src = /program offices /housing /sfh /eem /en
ergy -r
• MPCA Small Business Environmental Improvement Loan Program?
http: / /www.pca.state.mn.us /index.php /topics /preventing- waste - and -
pollution/ assistance - and - resources /financial- assistance - for - pollution-
prevention.html
Minnesota State Law
216C.436 ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
Subdivision 1.Program authority. An implementing entity may establish a program to finance
energy improvements to enable owners of qualifying real property to pay for cost - effective
energy improvements to the qualifying real property with the net proceeds and interest earnings
of revenue bonds authorized in this section. An implementing entity may limit the number of
qualifying real properties for which a property owner may receive program financing.
Subd. 2.Program requirements. A financing program must:
(1) impose requirements and conditions on financing arrangements to ensure timely repayment;
(2) require an energy audit or renewable energy system feasibility study to be conducted on the
qualifying real property and reviewed by the implementing entity prior to approval of the
financing;
(3) require the inspection of all installations and a performance verification of at least ten percent
of the energy improvements financed by the program;
(4) require that all cost - effective energy improvements be made to a qualifying real property
prior to, or in conjunction with, an applicant's repayment of financing for energy improvements
for that property;
(5) have energy improvements financed by the program performed by licensed contractors as
required by chapter 326B or other law or ordinance;
(6) require disclosures to borrowers by the implementing entity of the risks involved in
borrowing, including the risk of foreclosure if a tax delinquency results from a default;
(7) provide financing only to those who demonstrate an ability to repay;
(8) not provide financing for a qualifying real property in which the owner is not current on
mortgage or real property tax payments;
(9) require a petition to the implementing entity by all owners of the qualifying real property
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PACE Summary: Salman Mitha, Amir Nadav
requesting collections of repayments as a special assessment under section 429.101;
(10) provide that payments and assessments are not accelerated due to a default and that a tax
delinquency exists only for assessments not paid when due; and
(11) require that liability for special assessments related to the financing runs with the qualifying
real property.
Subd. 3 .Retail and end use prohibited. Energy generated by an energy improvement may not
be sold, transmitted, or distributed at retail and may not provide for end use of the electrical
energy from an off -site facility. On -site generation is allowed to the extent provided for in
section 216B.1611.
This section does not modify the exclusive service territories or exclusive right to serve as
provided in sections 216B.37 to 216B.43.
Subd. 4.Financing terms. Financing provided under this section must have:
(1) a weighted average maturity not exceeding the useful life of the energy improvements
installed, as determined by the implementing entity, but in no event may a term exceed 20 years;
(2) a principal amount not to exceed the lesser of ten percent of the assessed value of the real
property on which the improvements are to be installed or the actual cost of installing the energy
improvements, including the costs of necessary equipment, materials, and labor, the costs of each
related energy audit or renewable energy system feasibility study, and the cost of verification of
installation; and
(3) an interest rate sufficient to pay the financing costs of the program, including the issuance of
bonds and any financing delinquencies.
Subd. 5.Coordination with other programs. A financing program must include cooperation
and coordination with the conservation improvement activities of the utility serving the
qualifying real property and other public and private energy improvement programs.
Subd. 6.Certificate of participation. Upon completion of a project, an implementing entity shall
provide a borrower with a certificate stating participation in the program and what energy
improvements have been made with financing program proceeds.
Subd. 7.Repayment. An implementing entity that finances an energy improvement under this
section must:
(1) secure payment with a lien against the benefited qualifying real property; and
(2) collect repayments as a special assessment as provided for in section 429.101 or by charter.
If the implementing entity is an authority, the local government that authorized the authority to
act as implementing entity shall impose and collect special assessments necessary to pay debt
service on bonds issued by the implementing entity under subdivision 8, and shall transfer all
collections of the assessments upon receipt to the authority.
Subd. 8.Bond issuance; repayment. (a) An implementing entity may issue revenue bonds as
provided in chapter 475 for the purposes of this section.
(b) The bonds must be payable as to both principal and interest solely from the revenues from the
assessments established in subdivision 7.
(c) No holder of bonds issued under this subdivision may compel any exercise of the taxing
power of the implementing entity that issued the bonds to pay principal or interest on the bonds,
and if the implementing entity is an authority, no holder of the bonds may compel any exercise
of the taxing power of the local government. Bonds issued under this subdivision are not a debt
or obligation of the issuer or any local government that issued them, nor is the payment of the
bonds enforceable out of any money other than the revenue pledged to the payment of the bonds.
4
PACE Summary: Salman Mitha, Amir Nadav
Selected References:
Site for General PACE information:
http: / /pacenow.org
DOE Page for PACE:
http: / /wwwl.eere. energy. gov /wip/ solutioncenter /financialproducts /pace.html
Setting up a PACE Program
http: / /rael.berkeley.edu /financing /resources
Problems with PACE programs: The Case Against PACE, Prentiss Cox, U of Mn. Law School
http: // papers. ssrn .com /sol3 /papers.cfm ?abstract id= 1736671
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Proposed scope
Dakota County proposes to engage an Energy Conservation MN GreenCorps member in implementing the County
Board - adopted Energy Plan, assisting cities with the implementation of energy - related GreenStep Cities best
practices, and assisting with a Green Team training and energy efficiency technical assistance to businesses.
In 2007, Dakota County and its cities initiated a High Performance Partnership "Greening Initiative." This
intergovernmental collaboration brought together staff from the county and cities to identify opportunities to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, promote energy efficiency and work together toward sustainability goals. Since then, the
County has adopted a comprehensive Energy Plan, which includes energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Several cities have also undertaken energy and sustainability programs of their own. The City of Burnsville adopted a
comprehensive sustainability plan. They City of Apple Valley partnered with its energy utilities and nonprofits to
develop a comprehensive community -wide energy efficiency initiative; and the city of Eagan created an Energy &
Environment Advisory Commission, received Mayor and Council approval to join the GreenStep Cities program, and
are currently implementing best practices. Additional cities within the county have adopted sustainability initiatives
and are interested in GreenStep Cities. As a result of this progress, now is an ideal time for a GreenCorps member to
provide additional capacity to implement these county and city plans. This GreenCorps member will support a variety
of energy projects through the County and cities, share results and insights across jurisdictions and identify
opportunities to collaborate and sustain these vital programs in a post -ARRA world.
Goal: Dakota County will have all buildings benchmarked in the Buildings, Benchmarks, and Beyond (B3) database.
Dakota County will reduce energy use in buildings and vehicle fleet through employee awareness, behavior changes,
and energy efficiency improvements. Dakota County cities benchmark their buildings in B3 and institutionalize its use
going forward. Dakota County businesses receive additional information and technical assistance to implement low -
cost/no -cost energy saving strategies.
Objective: The member will work with facilities management to gather data and building use information for Dakota
County buildings. The member will work with existing databases to streamline the data entry process and provide
recommendations for improving long term data management. Energy efficiency and employee behavior change will
result in a 2% countywide reduction in electric consumption.
The member will work with staff from Dakota County cities to update previous year's energy data into B3 and train
city staff on how to extract the most value from B3 and continue to use the program going forward. The member will
assist, as needed,Dakota Valley Recycling (representing the cities of Apple Valley, Burnsville and Eagan) in
organizing a GreenTeam Training, providing additional capacity on low - cost/no -cost energy saving strategies,
conducting outreach to small businesses, coordinating with energy efficiency assistance providers such as Xcel's
One Stop Efficiency Shop and MN Energy Smart, and benchmark small businesses' energy use using Energy Star
Portfolio Manager.
Activities: The Energy Conservation member will work to complete the following tasks:
• Collect, enter, and update all building information for Dakota County facilities, including park buildings, into
the B3 database.
• Identify buildings not performing at or above State benchmarking through the B3 database.
Examine opportunities with facilities management staff to make low /no cost improvements to
underperforming buildings.
Develop employee awareness and outreach materials to engage employees in countywide energy
conservation.
Survey employees on energy knowledge, including ideas on how to implement best practices in the
workplace.
• Work with energy staff to increase employee and external outreach outlined in the Dakota County Energy
Plan.
Participate in monthly Metropolitan Energy Policy Coalition meetings as appropriate.
Work with city staff to assess energy efficiency best practices in the GreenStep cities program.
Access opportunities for city /county collaboration in energy and greenhouse gas emission data
management.
• Collect, enter energy data into B3 for cities buildings in Dakota County. Present energy performance findings
to city staff and train them to continue updating B3 for their facilities.
Provide energy efficiency technical assistance, as needed, to Dakota County businesses through the Dakota
Valley Recycling Green Team program. Connect up to 15 small businesses with energy audits from utilities or other
service providers such as MN Energy Smart or Center for Energy & Environment's One -Stop Efficiency Shop.
Benchmark energy use for small businesses using Energy Star Portfolio Manager and present results, cost - savings
ideas, and connect with implementation resources.
Timeline
October - December
• Understand the B3 database required and optional fields through B3 training offered through MPCA and
working with Dakota County Facilities Management staff.
• Work with Facilities Management staff to accurately collect, enter, and update all County buildings in the B3
database from 2005 to current.
• Become familiar with the current energy tracking systems for buildings and fleet, including the CACP
software used for tracking government operations and community greenhouse gas emissions.
• Track monthly energy use for Dakota County facilities.
• Work with Energy staff to complete and finalize the details of the 2010 government operations and
community greenhouse gas inventories.
• Become familiar with Energy Star Portfolio Manager.
• Reach out to cities within the county.
January
• Summarize the building performance as measured in the B3 database using reports and graphs provided
through the software.
• Work closely with the Weidt Group and department staff to resolve discrepancies and streamline data entry.
• Assess opportunities to assist Dakota County municipalities with collecting energy energy data to
benchmark energy performance in Dakota County public buildings.
• Work with cities to enter their buildings' past energy use data into B3, present findings to cities and train city
employees to institutionalize B3 use into their routines.
February
Assist energy staff with reporting energy use and greenhouse gas emission reduction activities outlined in
the Dakota County Energy Plan, specifically the implementation of an employee energy education program.
Develop recommendations on how to improve low performing building energy consumption.
Identify opportunities to partner with local utilities to fund energy efficiency projects.
—March - April
• Assist Energy staff in collecting and entering data to complete a 2011 greenhouse gas summary report for
government operations and the community.
Follow up and summarize results from the Green Team business sustainability /energy audits.
May - July
Conduct energy conservation and greenhouse gas emission reduction outreach and education for
employees using the results and recommendations of the 2010 summary report.
Document and report energy use related to energy efficiency projects implemented through CIP.
Assist with researching energy efficiency programs and best practices as it relates to the GreenStep cities
program, specifically looking for connections to Dakota County and city energy efficiency efforts.
• Benchmark energy use for small businesses using Energy Star Portfolio Manager and present results, cost -
savings ideas, and train employees to use the tool.
August - October
Summarize County energy efficiency and conservation projects and resulting energy and greenhouse gas
emission reductions.
• Transition energy tracking and data management with department staff to ensure ongoing data management
in the B3 database and internal tracking forms.
• Summarize outcomes of employee outreach efforts including lessons learned, documented behavior
change, and opportunities for future efforts.