Loading...
07-16-2010 EEAC Workshop4 1 ,0 1I City of Eagan MCMG TO: ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION MEMBERS FROM: ASSISTANT TO THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR MILLER DATE: JULY 16, 2010 SUBJECT: BACKGROUND AND FEEDBACK FOR JULY 20 EEAC GOALS WORKSHOP 1 look forward to seeing all of you at the July 20 workshop of the Energy and Environment Advisory Commission (EEAC). We will be meeting at 6:30 p.m.in the Eagan Room (upstairs). In preparation for the workshop, the following documents are enclosed: 1. Agenda for the 7 -20 -10 EEAC workshop 2. Proposed value statements formulated by Chairman Bruce Goff and Commission member Jeff LeClair. 3. "Bucket List" feedback summary (all feedback received from commissioners by Thursday, July 19 has been included in the summary. Similar ideas have been consolidated). 4. Additional feedback regarding the EEAC's overall goals, approach, work plan, and value statements. 5. City of Edina's Energy and Environment Commission Information: a. A copy of the 2009 -2010 Edina Energy and Environment Conuu►ssiou s rotncy and Project Initiatives (per the request of one Commissioner). A request has been made for the 2010 -2011 Policy list (if available), and will be provided as soon it is received. b. The stated duties of the Edina Energy and Environment Commission per Edina City Code. c. The screen shot of the Energy and Environment page of the City of Edina website. As a reminder, the Commission will be presenting their proposed value statements and goals /work plan to the City Council at a joint meeting of the Council and EEAC on Monday, August 9 at 5:30 p.m. Assistant to the City Administrator ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION GOALS WORKSHOP TUESDAY, JULY 20, 6:30 P.M. EAGAN ROOM AGENDA I. ROLL CALL AND AGENDA ADOPTION II. VISITORS TO BE HEARD III. REVIEW PROPOSED 2010 -2011 VALUE STATEMENTS IV. DEVELOPMENT OF 2010 -2011 WORK PLAN /GOALS V. UPDATE ON TECHNOLOGY OF FUTURE EEAC MEETING PACKETS a. REMINDER: NEXT MTG— MONDAY, AUGUST 9 AT 5:30 P.M. WITH THE CITY COUNCIL; 7 PM COMMISSION MEETING VI. OTHER BUSINESS VII. ADJOURN Value Statements: NOTES FOR EEAC WORK SESSION JUNE 8, 2010 Reduce: Recommend initiatives proven to reduce waste, greenhouse gases, energy use, and 'pollution, through the use of more efficient government equipment, methods, planning, and by partnering with business, and home owners and other government agencies. Reduce all forms of waste within the city of Eagan in order to enhance Eagan's environment and energy availability. Efficiency (of transportation) Greenhouse gases Energy use and energy loss Waste Recycling Pollution (toxins) partnering Protect: Our energy and environment program will protect the water, air, and soils in the parks and open spaces of our city while preserving our lifestyles, community and local economy. Protect the city of Eagan's environment and energy availability by adopting policies educating constituents, and partnering with other organizations Natural resources: water, parks, air, soils, lake quality Community/ lifestyles Open space Economy Radon – homes Renew: Review and recommend actions which support a long range energy usage and resource sustainability plan. Provide strong advocacy that promotes local food production, cost effective alternative energy production, efficient provision of services for our businesses and residents. Recommend actions which support renewal of city of Eagan facilities, infrastructure, land - use policies and other ordinances. Renewal efforts will promote energy efficiency, re- localization and walk -able neighborhood hubs. Long range energy and sustainability plan Energy resources Alternative energy — solar, wind, etc. Economy – green jobs Local food, green costs City ordinances Partnering Inform — Provide a platform to collect and disseminate information regarding the efficient use of energy and protecting the environment to enpower the public to make minimal footprint in our daily lives. Collect and synthesize current facts, scientific analysis, and laws related to the EEAC charter in order to support city of Eagan policies and educate constituents. Informational platform business & residential energy audits strong advocates empower public, ongoing data collection Goal Statements /Grid — City operations, business, residents 2010 -2011 Energy and Environment Goals/"Bucket" Grid: Reduce Protect Renew City Operations Business Residential Residential 4. 0 n O 1 > _ g O C _ v . 1.+ ° 0 Q 6 cd ` *� o � d .0 U .n O ,s > v 0 :� ° 0 a�i C ' N y a) O a p W U . ro a 0 • o • cd ._ Y O u o c C d C G O U E �,`+ 3 w ° a a, C o N O • 0 V La C O 2 0'")' a7 O °z _ O N O U v b O N E" g O C0 ° 0 N .a Q cd at ,, O ' C o U N O c `n d V O O O O '«+ bA b A"� C O ' C ° A :TS 0 o ° C C O as s... o • • "CD b 4 U C O 0 O N > ai ' 03 a 'C-. cd U °V 1 a o.. a) > l) � .0 N L C V. a • C O • a.. b q v >' ur 1'. >, cd +-, = 00 �, O 1-• (DP C N j 7 v .° I- C b " bA O '1' a C N 3 O k C N 3 w 3w � 3 wa �ww • � v w ° te a ` o. ,-1 (Ni rri 4 In l0 r 00 Ol Business a) a x w bA O 'O 0 C K C 4. O C 3 v O v o O O N C U a' ro ° , ai w . O ° R o cd N `" a) a- ' O ? E u > C° ro C U U C C Cr bA .a ai a �> , ro � ; , -o ., . 0°".g .-3�' o•° v E OD 4 - E. O n >•' _ c . E 0 a • C N c . > t) (D ♦ p W y y O z z C ca a) .� v, a z Gil) n� 3 a) C - c•CIWia P, 1,:Z a�.°_A�° a o ° �'�, - a' C -o C o • 5 'n s 1 ° = O .a .. U '1' . C th . w co •F g ° E , �' l° l° = , ..- n - ° E c o 0 E N °0 "C) 2 • -n cn O 0 • 'C a +O .• y 00 g ' 0 " y. C U . � _ 6 a) , C '. C 'L7 a) - o z C C E E CCI N T. ,n a) C -, y X t= '> 2 C o O O >, 0 bA cd E O U C O V a 3 �a °' E 3 ° u ° a •- (Ni r-; V vi o t` 00 oR City Operations ,„ ' l 0 y U U U C 4-, c) a1 a a a v o c �; .. «J o U o E o u 7 a r, a o 0 •U a) c, - oo�ECO •� a 3v C C cn 'O O a) a C - 72 , O o a o� E a C o O :_ Q E E' a. 0 ' v . 0 w .s o o 0 n • �' 3 a • ^ , C = - -• 0 0 iA i C - V n > • O (L) ' U O '° C a = _ . o C (DA C> C w O, O t... a) cl .O C U N N G. N• O C E E a) O p 1 ~ C C cd O - U $.. ... N ('3 V) O ` y O cn ..0 3 . CO 4G N(0 m v, g '� ai = o E , a,. N o o O A a3 C C ti � a) >, n as 3 3 .47.; 3 o v, u a) ° �_ C O 4' cn 1. 3 E v, '-'- C lz ° = a °a ' R =� v e. .5, °_' 0 • •— N M 4 vi l0 t� 00 o; •- •• 0 0 O ^C U g r U i- 0.. W ▪ u 0 W at .a 0 O • d U n W C 3., 0 In v 0 , u • > x 0 § / ) e / / 0 c ° e /$ / 7 / 2 z ) i. - a 0, \ / � L. ( 0 ° $ { \$03 2$ /'/ \ § k \ a % ® / \ » © ° a © \ 0 § a ./... \ ' § ' (1 ® m e — 0 m / J E © = 2 c o / =ƒ c - 0 '0• } \A / /\ ƒ / k » e a% & a c o 4 -. 0 b v a S � » c 2 / 9 - u ®® m a% . ± a � g = ƒ a . '6' / # s a o U� u ° § a g$ \ . 0 a)- � ® §� [ ._ ._ 2`> $ $ 0 c > . 4 § / \ / c4 c4 k \ N / / $ q / § 6. �dG««aRk a 6 0 = 73 C O cad v U c� w O o ! y 0`• v t ,-.3 a � ° i - o o - 0 .n a a i U ro U 0 ,13 bA a.) C a O l a Q " O rn a N - o ... 2 0.. n c d " C) a) I., V 'b O CO. V y = .o U M N ' ^ O D aa w 3 0 . p ' U >, c C 0 > 3 _. 0 ' U O. a) Z a E E O O 0 V > 'C a) 0. 3 0 c a d 4) o E 0 * O. G1. a) O 0 a ,, k a O a> O X al X ce .- J W oU ,.. W W o W4-. W..- 0 o cd ° rn O a F ct 0 +� 0 E y .0 O g 4 1 rn U � 0 3. 1 ) vi O v. ri N m N L� 0 an a) a) c Ca t'A ' � .r 0 t, o -0 N 3 4-. w v •-•. al .0 ° .3.) « S .0 YO N y O L N a) , 0 ¢ 0 a a) o a) 1.). 5- V O O.. 0 a cn at C C p ti, 0 . O pA G cd 0: a • G 7 . o. c, o 0 2 V •O 0 v) O q _- : Q. ai 0 a al ' O a) ° > a a) N 0 0 at ay cd O R7 p 0 y. r .0 - r0. 0 sU c� V) N C a Q C7 .2 e... 6 U U W L. L . . cr ui o0 of o C� a 3 N r . C' � J _ . •� L i 0 ' 0 ...a,.- a) � CI 0 a T ^� ° ! N N bA N 0 aa) ' 5 0 [1... � . t .- .. Vi O o .+ cd c O :—. .c a) J r; M ' 'J y . + 0 'd +0q 0 ' (0 0 0. t ° .0 3 = r, .P . J 3 0 ° w a a) . `) ai 'ro a a c o ' ' o _ a a o • a) a �, v„ o U o° o ° ° c a d ° c O v, aJ ' ^ f .0 c '"' v 1 cd ti cc! C - �'s nom" N co y ^ O . , J .� _. + c9 c'- O «S a ball) p , 0. a � O. C v O C ti ' U R. • , v . ' :' 4 .4? v 'b a 'C7 a .-, a . � �, 4. a) b4 C) a) O O ^p "0 a • ° :' 73 J w 0 0 1.4 0 . o E a 3 ° ' •t, C � w a a N' ■ CI) • U >3 cd V N bA 0 a) O o V. y c ? n , ' .� : � = = c N • t _ 0 a v 3 bA O f1 U bA 2.1 5 t .L 0. c C +'' C :: % '% , ' ' ,.. 0. v > > 0 > O .. as • > 13. 9 c i i '. N cd a 0 A 1-. X O O ~O / ;j w .. 'i . a) l.. a) a) w Q) 0 c L' 0 V X y 1.) ccl y a a) O • N W v, U U 4.. '..:.' •.a f-' = , : J f4 V CL f4 +. °v C7 ..“ C7 00 V 9 R: a) 9 U a O .--1 N M 4 Lri lD r-1 N M •• ui l0 N 00 Ql ri ri ri -1 ri r-1 .- 1 e-4 o c t § © / 7 k - X) u�mi & / m az 0 §. f » o : &22% ° k ' � 7 % .� K / � o 2 A �� / k ƒ �) '14:1 ¢® 2 k m \ § ` f k b % ��7w / a F o © ® e 7 - o a e ° .... Vo CA R / 2 k . . 5 . CA. G c o . o f o / o 0 u f 0 To > 2 o - � 2 @ 5 f g 7 7 \ o \� 2 MS A 2 iz % m .2 - / g .. ®o / C -0 = %- / %0k d - 7 � k & k / § ) 2 r ' q .2 .,... o p .: r t +4 0 o CU -IY bp o o § a s 2 m a to \ I , 0 .., 8 cd ., , . § = t % . g k a. t . § 3 313 § � » ij o 22 s. / a til -0 2 0 ■ ° g am ± 2% � 0 � eg 0 "ak C4 • / / 0 • • • • • d k q § G ° ƒ'§ [ / 7 ° - 2 �< 2 4 k /• ° 00 6. 0 - 1 ^d O 0 p bA an y a. a a .5 a� v $ o g -E g o y P. 0 E ao o E a • t>0 g " N v y .n E 0 4.) _ 0 t0 0 c cv ... .. v .� 0 N 3 4. E . � • o c T ' i o o I 0 a o .5 °o a ecii U 'b G d: 0 g a *g -2 1 _ 0 4-. ° 40 - O c� f'n o b N .- v a 3 y 't3 to es 0 U_ IA 8 N 3 U . O 4' U d +, 0 g 0 v e -0 -0 g o u o .� ' - o 0 •- .... . E ¢ v a ' � " . v 0 I. W E. vow O `'• p 1. , o ' -� v a> 0 V • 0 . o Q j y ❑ N a. rn Z O U O 0 'O Q O a te+ a. A 0 '� , GC b p O y o o a Ni a = 0 c.5 . g.° .. ° o 0 4 �? o •o_ Eby .moo c a : 1 a °' a. 4' D V o - oe uJ a :s = ; 3 1 1 1 2 PI •1 6 1 , Iu TI P2 , 1 tti PIP al 9 (.■ ft C_ ;T. 11 Edina Energy and Environment Commission 146.02 Duties. The Commission shall A. Examine and recommend best practices for energy conservation for Edina's citizens and businesses, including recommendations for a "green" building code, use of Energy Star appliances, and other energy reduction targets. B. Examine and recommend changes in City Government purchasing and operations to conserve energy. C. Evaluate and monitor the provision of a residential recycling program. D. Evaluate and monitor the provision of a privately provided solid waste program, as well as a reduction in municipal solid waste produced by Edina residents and businesses. E. Evaluate and encourage improvements in air and water quality. F. Promote the establishment of targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the City's buildings, equipment and operations. G. Educate the public about energy issues, reduction, conservation, reuse, recycling and environmental protection. H. Examine and promote renewable energy options for transportation, heating, and cooling, and other energy uses. City of Edina - Energy & Environment Commission ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION The Energy & Environment Commission was established in April 2007 to help the City stay on the forefront of issues of sustainability. Duties of the commission include: • Examining and recommending best practices for energy conservation for Edina's residents and businesses, including recommendations for a "green" building code, use of Energy Star appliances and other energy - reduction targets. • Examining and recommending changes in City purchases and operations to conserve energy. • Evaluating and monitoring the provision of a residential recycling program. • Evaluating and monitoring the provision of a privately provided solid waste program, as well as a reduction in municipal solid wastes. • Evaluating and encouraging improvements in air and water quality. • Educating the public about energy Issues, reduction, conservation, reuse, recycling and environmental protection. The Commissions is working closely with Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy to promote programs that encourage residential energy efficiency. The nine- member commission Includes Chairman Surya lyer, Steve Christianson, Jeannine Hanson, Dianne Plunkett Latham, Halley Lee, Raymond O'Connell, M. Germana Paterllni, Michael Piatteter, Julie Risser, BIII Slerks and Paul Thompson. •1u� 000/Ginn K�J CenlerPoinr. Energy Click Here f , Click Loam more Here about rebates for CenterPoint Energy customers. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.ci. edina. mn. us / citycouncil/ EnergyEnviromnentCorrunission .htm 7/15/2010 7/6/2010 Green Step Cities Pilot Report City of Edina Energy and Environment Commission Green Step Cities Pilot Report OVERVIEW: On October 9th, Edina was selected as one of five Green Step Cities. St. Louis Park, Bloomington, Falcon Heights and Victoria were also selected. Staff, Commissions, and the City Council will work jointly on this project, with the assistance of Kristina Smitten, the Project Manager. The Policy Areas chosen by ULI encompass the work of several Edina Commissions, including the Energy and Environment (EEC), Planning, and Transportation Commissions, as well as the Park Board. The following background information is from the ULI website: minnesota.uli.org The Urban Land Institute Minnesota (ULI MN) and the nationally recognized Regional Council of Mayors (RCM) actively engage public and private sector leaders to foster collaboration, share knowledge and join in meaningful strategic action to create thriving, sustainable communities. Focus areas include housing, transportation, the environment and job growth. Environmental objectives include the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, protection of natural resources and the support of healthy living. To foster the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, ULI MN /RCM was selected by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to demonstrate best practices from the Minnesota Green Step Cities program in five RCM communities. Green Step Cities is a new program; the Green Step Cities Demonstration Project will provide a platform for application. The following goals have been adopted: • Green Step Cities best practices. Green Step Cities is an action - oriented voluntary program offering a cost - effective, simple pathway leading to implementation of sustainable best City of Edina 1• City of Edina practices that focus on greenhouse gas reduction. Green Step Cities include best practices in the areas of: buildings and facilities, land use, transportation, environmental management, and, community and economic development. • Assessing and identifying opportunities. The Green Step Cities Demonstration Project will partner with five RCM cities to identify and implement Green Step Cities best practices. With support from the Green Step Cities Project Manager, the five demonstration cities will assess their current related practices and sustainability goals to identify areas of opportunities. In collaboration with the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), best practices that are proven to have the greatest effect on reducing greenhouse gas emissions will be prioritized. • Communication and Learning. ULI MN /RCM encourages and expands peer -to -peer support and learning among Twin Cities regional mayors, and provides access to key expertise and technical resources. The Green Step Cities Demonstration Project will provide a base of knowledge, project review, and lessons learned through the implementation of Green Step Cities best practices. Outcomes and project examples will be documented, and findings will be made readily available on the ULI MN web site. Practices that have a proven ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are readily replicable will be selected as priorities for promotion. GREENSTEP CITIES DEMONSTRATION PROJECT: The ULI MN /RCM Green Step Cities Demonstration Project seeks to address the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through advancing and implementing energy efficiency and sustainability best practices, and by motivating public officials to transition to a green economy. Goals include: • Educating leaders about Green Step Cities best practices, • Identifying actionable steps that are proven to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, • Promoting the implementation of these best practices, and • Communicating the results of these efforts through peer -to -peer advising. 2• The Green Step Cities Demonstration Project activities include: 1. Selection of five demonstration RCM Cities (September 2009); 2. Peer communication and learning (October 2009 —July 2010); 3. Review of selected cities' goals and policies that support the reduction of green house gas emissions (October- December 2009); 4. In partnership with each city, identify and prioritize Green Step Cities best practices (November 2009 - February 2010); 5. Provide suggested action -steps and access to experts to assist cities in the implementation of desired best practices (January -April 2010); 6. Assessment of best practices planned for implementation and their potential to reduce greenhouse gas reductions (April -May 2010); 7. Share and communicate results (June -July 2010). RECOMMENDED BEST PRACTICES: City of Edina The Energy and Environment Commission has recommended a total of 14 best practices for implementation (one may count twice). While this number exceeds the final recommendation of the GreenStep program (as staffed by ULI, MPCA, and the Smitten Group), the EEC felt that this combination of best practices satisfied their overall programmatic and work goals for the next several years. The following narratives describe each step, and lay out the background, timeline for implementation, and barriers to implementation for each best practice. The Energy and Environment Commission is recommending adoption of this set of best practices, and an endorsement by the City Council of continued involvement in the Green Steps Cities program through pursuit of a certificate as a Green Step City. At a future meeting, the EEC will present a document outlining the needed resources for each best practice, including personnel, budgetary and policy requirements. Staff will conduct a review of the best practices and identify projects and programs where capital dollars have been allocated, and where there is overlap between practice and planning for future projects and programs contained in this document. 3• City of Edina Best Practice: #1 Efficient Existing Public Buildings Description: Work with utilities and others to assess and finance energy and sustainability improvements of existing public structures. Current Practice: The B3 database of city building data is complete and is currently being updated with the utility data. City buildings have not had full energy audits, nor have they been ranked for energy performance. The City has a five -year Capital Improvement Plan that can be utilized to fund building improvements internally. This may be augmented by grants or other revenue sources specific to projects. Best Practice as it applies to Edina: Substep #1: Enter yearly public building data into the Minnesota B3 database and rank buildings in regard to energy performance. The City will have utility data on its buildings over 5,000 square feet in the B3 Database by July 2010; other buildings can be added to the database as needed. Substep #2: Audit all buildings in the bottom third of energy performance ranking and implement all energy efficiency opportunities with a payback under 5 years. City buildings will need energy audits completed, either through a utility sponsored program or an independent third party. Substep #6: Internal Loan Fund — Complete Barriers to implementation: 1) Human and financial resources needed for conducting the initial audit and continuously monitoring energy consumption. 2) The financial resources to implement the energy efficiency opportunities identified by the audits. Step Effectiveness: Buildings make up 60% of carbon emissions by the City. Best Practice #1 is essential to curb carbon emissions in a meaningful way. However, implementation of the substeps, such as the Audit requirement, may incur substantial organizational and financial barriers. Staff will work with Xcel and Centerpoint Energy to determine cost of audits and establish a budget for the implementation of this step. Implementation schedule: This step can be implemented in phases over a two -year period, beginning in September, 2010, and ending in September 2013. 4° Best Practice: #2 Efficient Existing Private Buildings Description: Increase Energy Efficiency in Private Buildings and Lighting Current Practice: Edina has a watering ordinance as well as a two tier conservation rate structure. Best Practice as it applies to Edina: #2 Working with a local utility, tailor a utility conservation improvement program (CIP) for your city. Bill /Michael #3 Promote residential energy efficiency programs in city mailings /newsletter — Paul, Bob & EO WG To implement sub step #2 and #3, a project team consisting of City staff (Heather Worthington) 3 EEC members (Paul, Mike, Bill), CEE, Xcel, and Centerpoint has been established. #5 Implement a robust watering ordinance and conservation rate structure — Heather - Complete Barriers to implementation: Finding sufficient volunteers, especially in Highlands. Step Effectiveness: Implementation schedule: Multi -phase plan that begins rolling out in May 2010: 1. Spring 2010 a. Focus on Saver Switch and Appliance Rebates (refrigerator recycling) and the Home Energy Squad program b. Door hanger project in Morningside. c. Use liquor stores and Warner- Stellian to promote refrigerator recycling Spring 2010 and ongoing -- Look for opportunities to promote city -wide: d. Cable TV / PSA promotion e. Magnets and /or buttons f. City will create Internet links to utility programs g. Third of July Parade: possibly distribute information & buttons /magnets 2. Fall 2010 (Beginning mid to late August, continuing through October /November) City of Edina 5• City of Edina a. A flyer in the city utility bill, developed by the city and approved by Centerpoint and Xcel, that emphasizes home audits, home energy squad, appliance rebate, and saving energy as the heating season approaches. b. Door hangers with the same themes will be distributed (Morningside, Highland, other neighborhoods ?) c. Develop and include 'testimonials' for neighborhood HES meetings d. Develop competition for energy savings — City council v. EEC v. Edina Go Green (EGG) Publicize quarterly to encourage community interest e. Highland neighborhood /school outreach program 3. Edina Day of Service — 10/9/2010 a. We could have a major focus on energy — home audits, HES. 4. Coordination with School District a. Fall 2010 -- Energy challenge between EHS schools? b. PSA energy announcements at football games? c. Coordinate with EHS on Edina Day of Service energy projects Best Practice: Comprehensive Plans Description: Adopt a Comprehensive Plan and tie regulatory ordinances to it. Current Practice: The 2008 Comp Plan Update includes mixed -use housing as a goal, and provides areas in the city to accommodate such uses. It also includes a full -scale report on bicycle and pedestrian access prepared by the Bike Edina Task Force (BETF) in conjunction with the Transportation Commission. Best Practice as it applies to Edina: In 2008, the City Council adopted the final draft of the 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update. In 2009, the Planning Commission began meeting twice a month to update the zoning ordinance, and address any inconsistencies between the city's ordinances and the Comprehensive Plan. Their work continues, and will likely be done this year. The Comprehensive Plan addresses land use, zoning, transportation, water resource, environmental, and housing issues. The Comprehensive Plan is updated every ten years, according to state 6 statutory requirements. The Metropolitan Council oversees the formulation and implementation of each city's comp plan. Barriers to implementation: City of Edina This plan represents very few barriers to implementation, apart from the more typical budgetary and community - related matters that arise to block or prevent implementation. Since it is a required document in state law, it is typically understood to be a guiding mechanism for planning activities. Implementation schedule: The City is currently in the implementation phase of the updated comp plan. This implementation will continue over the next ten years, and will be formally reviewed at the end of that period as part of the decennial update of the comp plan. Staff and elected officials will use this document as an overall guide for development, changes to transportation facilities, and other regional planning issues during that time. Changes to the document must follow a prescribed process which includes community input and approval by the City Council, followed by review and approval by the Metropolitan Council. Step Effectiveness: This step is a required step. The statute prescribing the requirement for Comp Plans has been in place for about 40 years. No changes are recommended. Best Practice: Uhl Complete Streets Description: Increase safety and mobility options for pedestrians, bicycles and all other vehicles, as well as creating more inviting public spaces and increased economic viability of businesses, while reducing maintenance costs, reducing storm water management, plus reducing emergency response times. Current Practice: Edina has a City of Edina Comprehensive Bicycle Transportation Plan, which is not fully implemented. See http: / /www.ci.edina.mn.us /PDFs /CompPlan /Final /Microsoft %20Word %20 - %20Chapter% 207% 20Transportation %20Bike %20November %202008.pdf. Edina also has a sidewalk plan, but it is not fully implemented. See p. 23 of the Travel Forecasting section of the Comprehensive Plan at: http: / /www.ci.edina.mn.us /PDFs /CompPlan /Final /Microsoft %20Word %20 - %20Chapter% 207% 20Transportation% 20Travel% 20Forecasting %20November %202008.pdf Traffic calming measures such as sidewalks or bicycle routes have been implemented on a few streets, but the vast majority 7 • City of Edina of streets do not have sidewalks or bicycle routes. The City of Edina does not have a Complete Streets plan involving all streets, only the arterials. Best Practice as it applies to Edina: • #1 Complete Streets Policy —The Bicycle Transportation Plan and sidewalk plan need to be integrated into a Complete Streets plan for all streets with a schedule for the implementation of each segment. • #4 Identify and Remedy non - complete street segments by, for example, adding a bike lane of sidewalk. • #6 Traffic Calming measures on at least 1 street redevelopment project —This should be expanded beyond the proposed bicycle lanes for the current West 70th project. Each time a street is resurfaced, sidewalks and bicycle routes should be added as per the Bicycle Transportation Plan and sidewalk plan and reviewed by the Transportation Commission as well as the Bike Task Force. Barriers to implementation: Opposition to sidewalks due to: 1) Construction costs assessed to residents living in the designated travel -shed 2) Homeowner winter shoveling requirement for most sidewalks 3) Reduction of privacy 4) Hazard of pedestrians crossing the homeowner's driveway Opposition to bike routes due to: 1) Loss of parking in some cases for bicycle lanes 2) Hazard of cyclists crossing in street below homeowner's driveway. Step Effectiveness: The bar is too low in some cases. For example, traffic calming measures should be required for more than one street. Implementation schedule: Chair Latham informally spoke with the Bike Edina Task Force (BETF) Chair and gave a PowerPoint program on the GreenStep Cities program to the Edina Transportation Commission (ETC) on May 20, 2010, with emphasis on the Complete Streets BP #11. The Transportation Commission (ETC) and BETF Chair informally expressed an interest in participating in BP #11 and await City Council approval for becoming a GreenStep City, after which the ETC and BETF could formally begin working with staff to make a determination as to which BP #11 sub steps to undertake, as well as develop a strategy for their implementation. 8 City of Edina Best Practice: #15 Purchasing Description: Adopt an environmentally preferable purchasing policy. Current Practice: The existing Purchasing Policy of the City of Edina does not recommend purchasing based on the selection of goods and services that have minimal impact on the environment. Best Practice as it applies to Edina: The Energy and Environment Commission of the City of Edina approved a newly drafted Environmental Purchasing Policy at its April 8, 2010 meeting. This Policy will be recommended to the Edina City Council for approval. The Environmental Purchasing Policy includes several of the substeps of this Best Practice: Substep #1: Purchase of Green Star Appliances and use of paper containing 30% post- consumer recycled paper. Substep #4: Purchase of Water Sense - certified products. Substep #7: Set standards for the purchase of used, remanufactured, and refurbished products. Substep #9: Adopt policies that decrease use of toxic and hazardous chemicals. Barriers to implementation: 1) Creation of a Purchasing Task Force: the policy recommends formation of a task force among city employees from various city departments. The Task Force must show commitment and leadership to effectively transform and, if necessary abandon, current purchasing practices. 2) Education and information sharing: city staff must keep up to date on the environmental effect of purchased products and effectively communicate this information among the various departments. Step Effectiveness: Best Practice #15 should be required. A city with an Environmental Purchasing Policy shows leadership and good management practices. Implementation schedule: 1) Approval of the Environmental Purchasing Policy by City Council — 4 months 2) Creation of Purchasing Task Force — 6 months 3) Creation of an implementation strategy by the Purchasing Task Force — 6 months to 1 year 9" City of Edina 4) Implementation of purchasing recommendations —1 year or longer. It will be based on continuous improvement best practices. Best Practice: #16 Urban Forest Description: Increase city tree and plant cover. Current Practice: The City of Edina has received the Tree City USA designation in the past, but let it lapse. It should not be difficult to get recertified as a Tree City USA. The City of Edina, has no tree preservation ordinance. The City of Edina has landscaping performance standards in 850.10, but they do not require any tree cover in parking lots. Best Practice as it applies to Edina: The Urban Forest Task Force (UFTF) recommended undertaking the following two sub steps: • #1 Qualify as a Tree City USA. City Forester Tom Horwath will draft the application for 2011. • Note: GreenStep #6 has been deleted and the Urban Forest Task Force needs to select another sub step. • #6 At least two practices must be chosen. The UFTF recommends the following: o Enact Ordinances to protect trees in the development process and to enhance the urban forest. The UFTF has drafted an Edina Tree Preservation Ordinance (ETPO) based on the unsuccessful ETPO ordinance proposed in Edina in 2002. o Adopt Landscaping performance standards that specify tree cover and other vegetation to be used in parking areas, maintenance yards and in other areas of mostly impervious surface. An amendment is proposed to 850.10 subdivision 1 (C3) to require 25% parking lot canopy in 10 years. Barriers to implementation: The 2002 EPTO, on which the proposed amendments are based, was defeated. Concerns expressed by the Planning Commission and the City Council in 2002 included the increased involvement of the City Forester, who, as a part-time employee, could not comply with additional duties, as well as concern for making the entire city a tree preservation zone, which subjects residents to a tree removal permit requirement each time they wish to relandscape. The proposed ETPO does not involve City Forester time and applies only to public 10 City of Edina property or to private property where the level of development requires that the project come before the Planning Commission for approval. Step Effectiveness: Implementation schedule: 1) Achieve Tree City USA certification by 2011. 2) Ordinance revisions to be implemented in 2011. Best Practice: #17 Efficient Storm Water Management Description: Prevent storm water generation Current Practice: The Nine Mile Creek Watershed District (NMCWD) has jurisdiction over surface water quality in Edina with the exception of northeast Edina where the Minnehaha Watershed District (MWD) has jurisdiction. The policy of the district is to require that onsite retention and regional water quality treatment systems operate together to provide complete and effective runoff management through managing volumes, providing effective water quality treatment to remove sediment, pollutants & nutrients from storm water before discharging to surface water bodies and wetlands and to provide non - degradation of surface water bodies in the watershed. • City already meets 1" retention rate based on NMCWD requirements. • Encourages the use of better site design and low impact development as well as other techniques that minimize impervious surfaces or incorporates volume control purposes. • Storm water utility exists, fees are examined every 2 years. There are variable fees based on land use. Edina currently charges $18.13 per home per quarter for storm drainage. Property owners may petition for lower rates if they can prove reduction • Construction site operators must conform to NPDES Phase II, Watershed District and City ordinances pertaining to erosion & sediment controls and waste controls as stated within the May 2006 BMP Implementation Program of the City of Edina's Storm water Pollution Prevention Plan. Best Practice as it applies to Edina: • #4 Create a storm water utility, which uses variable fees to incentivize storm water reduction and fund community storm water infrastructure and assistance. EEC will research the potential of creating an incentivized fee plan and will make a recommendation for future action. 11 City of Edina • #5 Adopt and implement design standards or guidelines for renovations or new construction in the city addressing at least one of the following: o Rain gardens o Green roofs with or without cisterns & water /grey water reuse systems o Green alleys Green parking lots o The Water Working Group will research design and guideline standards for rain gardens, green roofs, green alleys and parking lots and will make recommendations to the ECC for potential ordinance development. • #6 Adopt, with modifications as needed, the model Storm water and Erosion & Sediment Control Ordinance. Draft report has been prepared by Barr Engineering, currently under review. Barriers to implementation: • Potential resistance from citizens /commercial properties to higher usage fees (Step #4). Step Effectiveness: The creation and /or adoption of standards /ordinances that reduce the overall amount of imperious surfaces will lead to lessening the overall volume of drainage that enters the storm water system and diminishes the negative effects on wetlands and surface waters within the watershed area. Implementation schedule: • Comprehensive Water Management Plan Draft November 2009 is now under review and should be back to City Council for review in 6 to 8 months. • A full set of BMP (Best Management Practices) included in Table 1 of Storm Water Pollution Prevention May 2006 includes extensive timeline for storm run -off issues beginning September 2007. • EEC will continue to monitor progress and make additional recommendations. Best Practice: #18 Green Infrastructure Description: Use parks and trails to enhance the city's green infrastructure. Current Practice: The city of Edina has no policy on low maintenance native landscaping. The 1995 Edina Turf Management Plan was last updated in 2001. Well #14 is used to irrigate the City of Edina's Braemar Golf Course, which is also 12 a City of Edina certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Edina has community involvement in land restoration and stewardship in the form of community initiated buckthorn busts. When a group volunteers to remove buckthorn, the City Forester gives them a presentation on how to do it. The City provides the roundup and tools such as weed wrenches and hand saws. The City hauls the buckthorn to the city brush dump at Braemar Arena. From there the City of St Paul District Energy comes to chip it up and, for a low fee, haul it to St Paul to be burned for energy. Best Practice as it applies to Edina: The Urban Forest Task Force (UFTF) recommended undertaking the following three sub steps: #6 Park Management Standards of: a) Low Maintenance native landscaping — UFTF recommends Park Board institute the following policies: 1) 50% Minnesota native plantings for new plantings in city parks excluding Edinborough & Arneson Park 2) A policy similar to Minneapolis with a list of plants NOT recommended for planting in Edina Parks. This includes those on the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture's noxious weed list, or which are invasive and destructive to native plant communities, as well as those which have chronic insect /disease pest problems that would result in higher maintenance costs and /or early mortality rates. b) Organic or Integrated Pest Management — A Task Force to update the Turf Management Plan (TMP) was established at the 4 -8 -10 EEC meeting. Germana Paterlini will represent EEC, Ellen Jones will represent Park Board and Vince Cockriel will represent city staff. The Community Health Commission will put it on its 5- 18-10 agenda requesting a volunteer commissioner to also participate. New organic practices and products have become available since 2001 and need to be evaluated and incorporated into the TMP. The TMP's List of noxious weeds also needs to be updated to comply with state statute, as well as provision made for woody invasive control with appropriate chemicals. c) Sources of Non potable water for irrigation — City well #14 was taken out of service in approximately 2006 due to elevated Radium 226 levels and was repurposed to irrigate Braemar Golf Course. #7 Certify Golf Courses for Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary — Complete for Braemar. In 2009 the EEC recommended to the Park Board that city parks be certified as Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries as well. This is especially applicable to Bredesen Park, which is Edina's passive nature center. #9 Develop a program that involves community in land restoration and stewardship — A program exists but needs to be expanded. Maintenance after noxious weed removal must be funded and institutionalized. Barriers to implementation: Community land restoration is hampered by insufficient funding for removal and subsequent maintenance, lack of a full -time City Forester, and insufficient numbers of volunteers to deal with Edina's 600 acre parkland noxious weed infestation. 13® City of Edina Step Effectiveness: Implementation schedule: Turf Management Plan update and the Low Maintenance Native Landscaping policy implementation in 2011. Best Practice: #19 Surface Water Quality Description: Improve local surface water quality Current Practice: The Nine Mile Creek Watershed District (NMCWD) has jurisdiction over surface water quality in Edina with the exception of northeast Edina where the Minnehaha Watershed District (MWD) has jurisdiction. MWD has had a project to improve water quality in Pamela Lake. Macro - invertebrate testing is being done by authority of the MWD at Minnehaha Creek in Utley Park in Edina, as well as 4 other sites along Minnehaha creek. Water is currently being tested in Edina by NMCWD at Cornelia, Mirror, Arrowhead and Indian Head Lakes and is also being tested by the Conservation League of Edina (CLE) at Lake Harvey, Pamela Lake, and Lake Edina. Best Practice as it applies to Edina: #3 Adopt measurable lake, stream and wetland health indicators or improvement targets, work with private and non - profit organizations to support citizen education efforts and involve stakeholders in actions to attain the targets, and annually report successes and failures. Targets may include measures such as trophic state, pollutant levels, health measures, water levels, and recreational carrying capacity. • Water Working Group of EEC will write petition to NMCWD to fund water testing on Arrowhead and Indian Lakes. Residents around these lakes have expressed interest in participating in improving water quality and getting the lake associations involved would likely be achievable. #4 Adopt a shore -land ordinance consistent with MN Dept of Natural Resources rules as modified. • Edina's setback requirements are consistent with the DNR's regulations and in a few locations are more restrictive than what the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources allow. • EEC will review and determine future recommendations for stricter standards. • EEC recommends a NEMO workshop for Fall 2010 �4• Barriers to implementation: • Difficult to find volunteers for water quality testing. • Public opposition to ordinance revisions that protect water quality when their perception of aesthetics is compromised, or when convenience is compromised. • Limited city staffing. Step Effectiveness: For cities that are part of a watershed district, this step needs to be augmented with activities that cities can undertake apart from, and /or jointly with watershed districts. For example: 1) Educate the public to the direct relationship /connection between surface water quality and storm water management. • Public outreach began in September 2007 and various steps scheduled through May 2011, BMP Implementation Program May 2006. 2) Create a pilot program at a local residential lake utilizing the CAMP methodology2) Educate, regulate activities degrading water quality using model ordinance language, performance standards, or bans, as appropriate, for at least one of the following: a) Coal -tar usage • City of Edina doesn't use coal tar. • EEC will recommend City to adopt a ban similar to White Bear Lake's ordinance to prevent private useage. • EEC will also work with other communities for a state -wide ban of coal tar. City of Edina b) Mowing down to shorelines — vegetation buffers • City of Edina is working on an inventory on all public sites that will be completed in 2 years. Buffer is currently 20 -60' depending on lot size. • EEC Water Working Group will continue researching potential ordinance adoption for all shorelines. c) Chemicals such fluridone to control duckweed /gain a better understanding of inspection & maintenance schedules; private holding ponds vs. public, educating on benefits of duckweed vs. algae • EEC Water Working Group will research available less toxic materials to control algae and make recommendations for eliminating use of fluridone . �5 ' City of Edina d) Lawn chemicals • EEC Turf Management plan is reviewing and will make recommendations. Implementation schedule: • Petition for water testing will be submitted to NMCWD for implementation for Spring of 2011. • Education pieces beginning to discuss the effects of stormwater and impervious surface practices for commercial and residential uses, changing lawn practices, driveway maintenance, etc. are currently being generated through a number of different mediums and outlets: articles in Sun Current, City of Edina's website and NMCWD materials. • EEC will monitor outreach program and supplement with additional recommendations over the next few years. Best Practice: #22 Managing Solid Waste Description: Increase Waste Reduction, Reuse and Recycling Current Practice: The city of Edina has an organized hauling contract for residential recycling with payment made on the resident's utility bill. Residential solid waste and yard waste are removed via an open hauling system having six participating haulers where residents pay haulers directly. One residential solid waste hauler provides an organics collection option. City schools separate their organics. Recycling is not required for commercial businesses. There are no outdoor recycling bins in city parks. Best Practice as it applies to Edina: The Recycling and Solid Waste Working Group will be undertaking sub steps #1 and #6 as short term goals plus sub step #8 as a long term goal. • #1 Percentage reduction goals from city operations in at least 3 areas. The areas chosen are: 1) Parks — The objective is to place recycling bins in all parks 2) Junk mail reduction 3) Toxicity reduction of cleaning supplies. • #5 Arrange for a residential or institutional organics collection program - Complete with the school organics program and the Vierkant organics program 16 4. • #8 Organized Hauling — Invite MPCA's Peder Sandhei to give a PowerPoint presentation to a City Council Work Session on MPCA's "Analysis of Waste Collection Service Agreements" published in June 2010 with a goal of amending MN Stat 115A.94. Barriers to implementation: 1) Park Recycling Bins - Difficulties in raising funding for outdoor recycling bins costing from $415 - $665 /bin for forty parks given that the size of each park generally requires more than one bin. 2) Requiring Commercial Recycling —A sufficient education program must be undertaken to reduce push - back. Cooperation is needed from business organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, etc. City Ordinances need to be amended. 3) Organized Residential Solid Waste Hauling — MN Stat 115A.94 must be amended. Step Effectiveness: Best Practice #22 should be required. A city without a recycling program can hardly be considered environmentally responsible. Implementation schedule: 1) Park Recycling Bins — 2 Years 2) Requiring Commercial Recycling — 2 years 3) Organized Residential Solid Waste Hauling — 3 years Best Practice: #24 Benchmarks and Community Involvement Description: Adopt outcome measures for Green Steps and other sustainability efforts, engaging community members in ongoing education and discussion. Current Practice: City of Edina The City of Edina has benchmarked its carbon emission footprint. As a member of ICLEI, the City of Edina completed Milestone 1 for the year 2007: inventory of carbon emissions generated by city operations, such as buildings, water pumps, city fleet, etc. Aggregate data were also collected for city -wide residential, commercial and industrial emissions. The Energy and Environment Commission has a very active Education and Outreach group that organizes several community events throughout the year. Commission members regularly publish articles on the local Sun Current newspaper and About Town, the official publication of the 17 • City of Edina City of Edina. The results from the carbon emission inventory were used in a pilot project with the Carbon Disclosure Project and published on their website in 2009 (www.cdproject.net). Best Practice as it applies to Edina: • Substep #1: The City of Edina reported the results of the carbon emission audit on its website, in an article in About Town, and in the pilot report with the Carbon Disclosure Project. • Substep #3: The City of Edina continuously engage members of the public through the various activities organized by the Education and Outreach Working Group of the Energy and Environment Commission. • Substep #4: The City of Edina organized a Natural Step workshop for City Staff and residents at large. • Substep #5: The Energy and Environment Commission works with energy utilities to organize energy audits for residents. Working with a task force of EEC members, representatives from Xcel Energy, Centerpoint Energy and the Center for Energy and the Environment (MN Energy Challenge Staff) we are focusing attention on two Edina neighborhoods this Summer and Fall of 2010 to promote the HES (Home Energy Squad) Program. The Morningside Neighborhood Association (MNA) will assist efforts to mobilize residents to attend HES educational meetings to enroll households in participating in the HES program in the Summer of 2010. In the Fall of 2010 we will begin working with the Highlands Neighborhood of Edina. This Summer we are building awareness about the HES program and connecting neighbors in the Highlands neighborhood through hosting the US Overall Flying disc Championships at their local park. Barriers to implementation: 1) Technology Infrastructure: the City must invest in technology tools if it wants to effectively monitor emission and implement carbon abatement strategies that are quantifiable and financially sound. 2) The main barrier to the success of the HES program is to find enough volunteers to canvas the Highlands neighborhood without an active neighborhood association. Step Effectiveness: Best Practice #23 should be required. Carbon benchmarking is the most important indicator of the effectiveness of the Green Step program in abating carbon emissions. Education: Encourage residents to take the MN Energy Challenge and to actively challenge neighborhoods to decrease their energy use and take advantage of the energy efficiency programs available to them. Implementation schedule: 1) Implementation of Technology Infrastructure — 1 year 2) Completion of ICLEI Milestone 2 and 3 —1 to 2 years 3) Implementation of ICLEI Milestone 4: 2+ years i8 4) Education about the MN Energy Challenge and the Home Energy Squads- 1 -2 years City of Edina Best Practice: #25 Green Business Development Description: Economic and Community Development Current Practice: The City has no current projects or programs in place. Best Practice as it applies to Edina: The Recycling and Solid Waste Working Group recommended undertaking the following two sub steps: • #2 Invite Assistance providers, such as Minnesota Waste Wise /Minnesota Energy Smart, the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program and utility assistance providers, to conduct personalized energy, environmental sustainability, and waste audits with at least 5 businesses. • MPCA is offering assistance to 10 businesses under GreenStep #22 Solid Waste in the form of providing sample contracts for hauling to assist commercial businesses to modify existing, or create new resource management contracts with waste haulers to manage recyclables, compostibles and hazardous materials. The RSW WG will work with local trade associations and give educational presentations on recycling as well as aiding them with an Easy Office Recycling program. • #4 Support the creation of a value -added business utilizing Focal waste - products such as wood from trees felled by storms, disease, insects and development. • St. Paul District Energy picks up and chips the wood from the Edina brush dump at Braemar and hauls it to St. Paul District Energy's plant at a cost to Edina far less than hauling the brush to a brush dump in Hastings, as was previously done. The chips are used to fuel St. Paul's District Energy's plant. Barriers to implementation: Identifying 10 commercial businesses who would like to start a commercial recycling program. Step Effectiveness: Implementation schedule: One year. 19 * City of Edina Best Practice: #26 Renewable Energy Description: Adding local renewable energy generation capacity. Current Practice: The city of Edina currently has no renewable energy capacity. Best Practice as it applies to Edina: The Alternative Energy Working Group (AEWG) recommended sub step #2: #2 Install renewable capacity on at least one city -owned building, street light, speed display or chargeable message sign. Recommendation: Apply for a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which is the $4.5 million Federal stimulus funding for renewable energy for local governments. This grant will require a 40% match. The grant would be used to install a 20 KW photovoltaic solar system on the public works building. We hope to satisfy a significant portion of the matching fund requirements by relying upon in -kind contributions of equipment and labor from the solar installer. The City will need to seek bids to install the system if it receives the grant. A solar installer who is a member of the EEC Alternative Energy Working Group is willing to install a system at close to its cost. Approximately $16,000 in additional matching funds would be required. If the grant fund rules are issued as we anticipate, the city of Edina may be able to acquire a $200,000 solar panel system for approximately $16,000 in matching funds from the City. GreenStep Pilot Effectiveness: PB #15 (Purchasing) Sub Step #2: "Purchase 15% renewable energy by 2015 consistent with the State's Next Generation Energy goal" is miscast under the BP for Purchasing and should be included under this Renewable Energy step instead. Under BP #15.2 the EEC makes the following recommendation. Invite Windsource to give their PowerPoint presentation to a work session of EEC /City Council so that a determination can be made as to what extent Windsource could be utilized to accomplish the 15% renewable energy objective. Barriers to implementation: 1) Solar Panel Project a) Funding issue: Although EEC's Alternative Energy Working Group (AE WG) member Greg Nelson's corporation, EH Systems, Inc., has generously agreed to supply in -kind matching services (site solar analysis, planning and installation) and products, at least $16,000 must be supplied via other resources. 20 • City of Edina b) It is not yet known to what extent in -kind donations will receive credit under the Federal stimulus grant; consequently, matching funding requirements could be much higher than $16,000. c) There is no assurance Edina will be selected for the grant. 2) Windsource Project - There will be additional cost on the city energy bill for Windsource. Occasionally Windsource is cheaper than coal /gas depending on energy prices. Currently coal /gas are very low because the recession has decreased demand. Natural Gas is cheap presently because it has become more abundant. Implementation schedule: Solar panels — Applications are due July 26, 2010. A grant decision may be made after an additional 4 months. Installation will require a further 6 months. Utilizing Windsource would depend on the outcome of discussions with Xcel Windsource officials and pricing. 21