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   City of North Saint Paul  


Background Information

County:   Ramsey
Population:   11,485
GreenStep City category:   B

Full-time equivalent city staff (approx.):   64

Participating township(s) / school district(s):


GreenStep City resolution:   Click here to view the file.
GreenStep City registration date:   07/23/2012
GreenStep City status and date:   STEP 1 (07/03/2012)

GreenStep Coordinator

Jessica Beise
City staff
jessica.anderson@ci-north-saint-paul.mn.us
651-747-2585

City web page relating to sustainability/GreenStep activities:
www.northstpaul.net


Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed

Completed actions are denoted by stars. Mouse over a star for its definition.

Buildings and Lighting   Buildings and Lighting

Efficient Existing Public Buildings
{ BP no. 1 }

Enter complete information into the B3 Building Editor for each city-owned building. Begin routinely entering current, consecutive monthly energy use data. Identify a person responsible for this ongoing data entry. For each building, also enter 12 consecutive months of historical energy use data immediately prior to the start of current data. Annually, post a an updated print screen of the B3 Organization Summary Tab (see Implementation Tools for instructions) to the GreenStep Cities website by May 1st.
Complete 1 Star criterion, except enter 24 consecutive months of historical data and then validate the data entries by looking at patterns/trends and checking inconsistent data to determine accuracy, correct inaccurate entries, and identify potential opportunities for energy savings.
Complete 1 and 2 Star criteria. In addition, conduct ongoing, periodic review of B3 data to validate the data entries, look for indications of energy-related operations and maintenance issues, and identify poorer performing buildings. Annually by May 1st, post a summary of next steps based on this review and analysis and identify a person responsible for conducting it.
 Action 1: Enter baseline information into the Minnesota B3 Benchmarking database and routinely enter monthly energy use data from all city-owned buildings.     [Click here for self-reported city details ]

 
Efficient Existing Private Buildings
{ BP no. 2 }

Work with with the local utility, local Community Action Program or others. Report on program participation. Report broad sustainability campaigns that go beyond energy efficiency under action 24.4
One or more of: provide more in-depth energy use reports; explicitly focus on improved indoor air quality; report on number of households participating (e.g. took advantage of rebates, attended workshops, received home energy audit) and dollars or BTUs or therms saved.
Create a program and report on number of households participating (e.g. took advantage of rebates, attended workshops, received home energy audit) and dollars or BTUs or therms saved.
 Action 1: Create or participate in a marketing/outreach program to promote/achieve residential energy use reduction and energy efficiency.     [Click here for self-reported city details ]

 
Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals
{ BP no. 4 }

Use LED/solar-powered lighting for at least one flashing sign, for example, warning flashers and wayfinding/signage lighting.
Install PV-powered or LED lighting as a pilot in a street, parking lot or park project. Examples include seasonally used park lighting (ice rinks, lighting in flood-prone areas, etc.).
Install routinely, as matter of policy, LED or solar powered lighting in street, parking lot or park projects.
 Action 5: Use LED/solar-powered lighting for a flashing sign or in a street, parking lot or park project.     [Click here for self-reported city details ]

 
Land Use   Land Use

Comprehensive Plan and Implementation
{ BP no. 6 }

Adopt a 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 15 years ago OR they may adopt a city vision that looks at least 20 years into the future.
Include in your plan a sustainability section/chapter, or integrate sustainability goals and strategies into all chapters of your comprehensive plan. Report climate protection or energy independence goals and objectives under action 6.5
Adopt a development goal that new/infill projects generate enough tax revenue to pay for the related public infrastructure maintenance/replacement over multiple life cycles; reference a capital improvement plan that catalogues public system maintenance obligations by date and cost.
 Action 1: Adopt/have an adopted comprehensive plan OR, Category B and C cities may simply adopt a land use plan that was adopted by a regional entity or the county.     [Click here for self-reported city details ]

 

Document where in the zoning code or development regulation the comprehensive plan is referenced as a foundational document or that the purpose of the code is to implement the comprehensive plan.
Comprehensive plan referenced in all land use and development ordinances and regulations in addition to zoning code ordinances.
Individual ordinances or ordinance sections should be introduced with a "Purposes" section that includes language such as the following: "The XXX regulations specifically implement the following goals from the Comprehensive Plan: "
 Action 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.     [Click here for self-reported city details ]

 
Mixed Uses
{ BP no. 8 }

Explain which attributes are met.
Parking spaces are significantly below the parking standard due to employees and visitors being able to access the location without always using a car.
A public school is located along a public transit line and provides incentives (such as discounted bus passes) for students to use the line.
 Action 2: Locate or lease a school, city building or other government facility that has at least two of these attributes:     [Click here for self-reported city details ]

a. Adjacent to an existing employment or residential center.

b. Designed to facilitate and encourage access by walking and biking.

c. Accessible by regular transit service.
Transportation   Transportation

Mobility Options
{ BP no. 12 }

A basic map that shows (by neighborhood if a larger city) key civic/commercial sites, best bike and pedestrian routes, and transit routes and schedules; OR report increases in walk/bike counts.
Installed infrastructure such as designed bike or pedestrian or transit facilities (report sidewalks/bike lanes under action 11.4), OR document the increase in employeer-offered transportation fringe benefits, OR attain a Street Smart Walk Score for your city of at least 70 averaged over measurements taken in the center of each zoning district.
Be recognized as a Bicycle or Walk Friendly Community, OR require routine installation of infrastructure, such as bike parking, for all new multifamily and non-residential developments, OR allow property owners to substitute bike parking spaces for required car parking spaces.
 Action 1: Promote walking, biking and transit use by one or more of the following means:     [Click here for self-reported city details ]

a. Produce/distribute route maps, signage or a web site.

b. Document increased bike facilities, such as racks, bike stations or showers.

c. Add bus infrastructure, such as signage, benches, shelters, park and ride lots, and real-time arrival data-streaming.

d. Increase the number of employers promoting multiple commuting options, including offering qualified transportation fringe benefits instead of only a tax-free parking fringe benefit.

e. Be recognized as a Walk Friendly or Bicycle Friendly Community.
Environmental Management   Environmental Management

Urban Forests
{ BP no. 16 }

Certified for current year.
Certified for 30 or more years.
Certified for at least 10 years with an annual tree budget of at least $4 per resident (twice the Tree City requirement) or have calculated and publicized the financial and other benefits of trees to your city.
 Action 1: Certify as a Tree City USA.     [Click here for self-reported city details ]

 
Efficient Stormwater Management
{ BP no. 17 }

Install, require and/or provide guidelines for rain gardens, parking lots (salt use reduction/alternatives, coal tar bans, French drains, etc.) or pervious pavement.
Install, require and/or provide guidelines for green roofs, cisterns and other stormwater reuse. Report storage and reuse of stormwater for golf course/parkland irrigation under best practice action 18.5c.
Create a green alley or comprehensive green parking lot program and report resulting benefits; note if photocatalytic cement, which absorbs nitrogen oxides from smog, is used.
 Action 5: Adopt and implement guidelines for, or adopt required design standards/incentives for, at least one of the following stormwater infiltration/reuse techniques:     [Click here for self-reported city details ]

a. Rain gardens or green roofs.

b. Cisterns and other stormwater reuse strategies.

c. Green alleys or green parking lots (includes coal tar sealants).

d. Pervious/permeable pavement or pavers.
Economic and Community Development   Economic and Community Development

Benchmarks & Community Engagement
{ BP no. 24 }

At the least, an annual newspaper/newsletter article or other media outreach to all community members that discusses participation in the GreenStep program (and other programs as are fitting) and refers people to entries on the GreenStep website.
A citizens commission or committee of city staff/officials exists to lead and coordinate GreenStep implementation; a report available online with details on city's GreenStep accomplishments.
A committee of city staff/officials and community members (business, education, religious) exists; annual report includes some metrics, such as dollars spent/saved, energy saved, and any sustainability indicators measured, and energy/carbon inventory data or ecological footprint data if gathered.
 Action 1: Use a committee to lead, coordinate and report to community members on implementation of GreenStep best practices.     [Click here for self-reported city details ]

 
Green Business Development
{ BP no. 25 }

Promote business assistance providers on your city web site on an ongoing basis, or identify how the city has promoted business assistance to at least 5 for-profit or non-profit organizations about audit/assistance programs within the past year.
Report outcomes from these visits; for example, number of businesses assisted by whom and a sampling of results/improvements made, such as energy or waste reductions. Report assistance to businesses on water conservation and wastewater pretreatment (could be from a city utility) under actions 20.6 and 20.7
Post testimonials from successful assistance that document financial and environmental outcomes.
 Action 2: Connect businesses with assistance providers, including utilities, who provide personalized energy, waste or sustainability audits and assistance.     [Click here for self-reported city details ]

 

Collaborate with local organizations, such as a local business group or a business assistance provider, to produce a multi-pronged branding effort (beyond just information on a city or chamber web site) promoting diverse businesses located in/nearby the city.
Compile a list of locally owned businesses located in/nearby the city and promote them.
Create incentives for buying and investing locally; for example, create a local currency or (discounted) local dollar gift certificates. OR report results of your buy local efforts, including specific benefits to the local economy.
 Action 7: Conduct or participate in a buy local campaign.     [Click here for self-reported city details ]

 
Renewable Energy
{ BP no. 26 }

Describe any public sector project and report installed capacity in kW. Report wastewater biogas projects under action 20.6 and solid waste anaerobic digestion under action 22.5
Install at least two different RE technologies and report installed capacity in kW; show that a RE installation has shaved off peak energy demand and allowed the monthly utility demand charge to be decreased.
Install RE capacity in excess of 100 kW.
 Action 5: Install a public sector renewable energy technology, such as solar electric (PV), biomass, solar hot water/air, micro-hydro or wind.     [Click here for self-reported city details ]