Improve the operations & maintenance of publicly owned and leased buildings by using a customized online energy efficiency tool, asset management tool, green building framework or green lease.

Efficient Operations Management Tools:  

• Minnesota's B3 program allows cities to customize an on-line Energy Efficient Operations Manual for city buildings, use of which allows potential energy savings of 20%.
• See a list of green building frameworks, which includes the LEED O+M rating system.
• See BPA 1.3 for tracking and reporting energy use reduction in the B3 database.

Occupancy Evaluations: 

• The Sustainable Post-Occupancy Evaluation Survey is a Minnesota B3 tool that asks occupants about their satisfaction with indoor environmental quality through an online survey. Occupants share feedback on: acoustic quality, appearance, cleaning and maintenance, daylighting conditions, electric lighting conditions, furnishings, indoor air quality, privacy, technology, thermal conditions, vibration and movement, and view conditions.

Green Building Frameworks and Leases: 

• See the Getting to Zero Local Governments Toolkit for resources on getting on a path to zero energy and carbon in their own buildings. 
• Negotiated green leases offer a way for the city and the owner of a building to be leased by the city to improve the sustainability of the building. MN State Agency building leases include several provisions designed to reduce the environmental impacts of government operations and the sample language for green lease elements, useful for cities to consider, includes electric vehicle charging stations, indoor bike storage/showers, management practices that protect health (e.g., cleaning products/practices) and conserve natural resources, utility data reports, energy and water conservation, sustainable building guidelines, recycling, construction & demolition recycling, drinking water stations, green infrastructure (for storm water & ecology management), winter salting.
• See BPA 8.2 for more on locating or leasing a property adjacent to an existing employment or residential center; designed to facilitate and encourage access by walking, biking, or other non-vehicle travel modes; accessible by regular transit service.