Best Practice Action 15.3
GreenStep City Best Practices: Environmental Management
Sustainable Purchasing No. 15
Adopt environmentally preferable purchasing policies and practices to improve health and environmental outcomes.
Best Practice Action Detail
Best Practice Action 3
Establish purchasing preferences that support local, Minority, Disability, and Women-Owned businesses and, working with a local business association, develop a list of locally-produced products and suppliers for common purchases.
- Local purchasing resources from the MN-based Institute for Local Self-Reliance.
- Minnesota's Cooperative Purchasing Venture (CPV) (see if you are already a member) allows eligible entities to purchase goods, certain services and utilities from contracts established by the Office of State Procurement (OSP) for Minnesota state agencies. OSP contracts with vendors to provide goods, services and utilities to state agencies. This program creates a legal relationship so that eligible entities, such as cities and tribal governments, can use these contracts just like state agencies.
- The State of Minnesota Office of Equity in Procurement helps ensure greater equity in state contracting and construction. It promotes opportunities to do business with the state, and provide assistance to small businesses owned by women, minorities, people with substantial physical disabilities, and veterans as they seek state contracts. More than 1,000 small businesses are certified as veteran-owned, economically disadvantaged, or targeted group businesses in Minnesota based on the business's ownership by woman, minority, person with a substantial physical disability, or by its location in an economically disadvantaged area. Help a business sign up as a preferred vendor. The commissioner of the Department of Administration periodically designates businesses that are majority-owned and operated by women, persons with a substantial physical disability, or specific minorities as targeted group businesses within purchasing categories as determined by the commissioner. Click here for eligibility information and access to the application form.
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By practice, seek to purchase locally and support Minority, Disability, and Women-owned businesses; develop a list of locally-produced products and those from Minority, Disability, and Women-owned businesses for use by city staff; make the list available to residents and businesses. |
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Achieve 1 Star rating AND require purchase of a set percentage of city government purchases to be from the list. |
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Develop a list in conjunction with adjacent communities (cities or counties) to recognize regional economic base and increase diversity of goods and products on the list. |
Who's doing it
Royalton -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2017
Implementation details:
We provide the flier to locally owned businesses for them to share with their customers and encourage city departments to shop local unless the item needed is not available locally.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Keeping our local businesses viable.
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links: https://www.royaltonmn.com/vertical/sites/%7BF29AE369-80CF-4CFB-BE87-851B6F04B18E%7D/uploads/Lighting__Ord._51.pdf
For more information contact:
Andrea Lauer (Elected official) | mayor@royaltonmn.com | 320-630-2229
Partners: Local businesses
Kasson -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: pre-2008
Implementation details:
As part of our purchasing guidelines, we have a local purchasing policy. "Local Purchases.- Up to $5,000
The City has the responsibility of getting the most benefit from taxpayer dollars, while also supporting local businesses. In the event that local and non-local proposals for goods or services of like amount, quality, and availability are made at the same price, the local proposal shall be accepted. Local vendors are hereby defined as those business establishments that have a significant portion of their physical plant within the corporate boundaries of the City of Kasson. Local prices, bids/and or quotes that are within ten percent (10%) of the lowest and best price, bid and/or quote shall be given primary consideration as long as the quoted and/or bid item are of similar quality and the local vendor maintains serviceability of the product.
The City has the responsibility of getting the most benefit from taxpayer dollars, while also supporting local businesses. In the event that local and non-local proposals for goods or services of like amount, quality, and availability are made at the same price, the local proposal shall be accepted. Local vendors are hereby defined as those business establishments that have a significant portion of their physical plant within the corporate boundaries of the City of Kasson. Local prices, bids/and or quotes that are within ten percent (10%) of the lowest and best price, bid and/or quote shall be given primary consideration as long as the quoted and/or bid item are of similar quality and the local vendor maintains serviceability of the product.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Nancy Zaworski (City staff) | financedept@cityofkasson.com | 507-634-6321
Partners:
Apple Valley -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Kwik Kopy prints our business cards and is an Apple Valley business. Other local businesses the City patronizes include Apple Valley Ford and Collision, Napa Auto Parts, and several other auto parts businesses help maintain our fleet.
The City will create a list and share this information with other local consumers and businesses.
The City will create a list and share this information with other local consumers and businesses.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Charless Grawe (City staff) | CGrawe@ci.apple-valley.mn.us | 952-953-2508
Partners:
Coon Rapids -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
The City's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guidelines state that the City shall procure environmentally friendly products in an effort to support locally produced goods and services.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Olivia Dorow Hovland (City Staff) | odorowhovland@coonrapidsmn.gov | 763-767-6458
Partners:
Fergus Falls -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City of Fergus Falls purchases many of our office supply items from the two local office supply stores in the city. We encourage our staff members to purchase routine supplies from the locally owned businesses whenever possible and we are members of the Chamber of Commerce as well.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Len Taylor (City Staff) | len.taylor@fergusfallsmn.gov | 218-332-5418
Partners:
Grand Marais -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
The city of Grand Marais has created a "Sustainable Purchasing Guide" to be referenced by city employees, local business owners, and residents. The guide is intended to be a 'catch-all' source of information regarding sustainable purchasing and will eventually include products, energy, and services. The guide is a living document that includes best practices for purchasing sustainable products as well as a list of local practitioners in the energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy fields. This is an ongoing action.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
Partners: Economic Development Association
Hastings -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
By practice we at the City of Hastings seek to purchase local.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Melanie Mesko-Lee (City staff) | mmesko_lee@hastingsmn.gov | 651-480-2326
Partners:
Hopkins -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Hopkins typically buys from local manufacturers whenever possible. A list of locally-produced products and suppliers for common purchases is currently being created. Again, no specific policy is in place but it is something the City is working on.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Amy Domeier (City staff) | Adomeier@hopkinsmn.com | 952-548-6304
Partners:
Isanti -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city does not have a specific policy in place about local purchasing, however; Isanti makes every effort to purchase locally as a first choice. We have accounts set up with the following types of locally owned businesses: hardware, grocery, gas, auto repair, signs, and a marketing business that provides everything from embroidered shirts to the City flag. The Economic Development Director maintains a list of all businesses within the City and an inventory of the types of services or products they offer. A list of local businesses is available on the City’s website.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://www.cityofisanti.us/economic-development/business-list
For more information contact:
Sheila Sellman (City staff) | ssellman@cityofisanti.us | 763-444-5512
Partners:
Maplewood -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
The Maplewood Environmental Purchasing Policy was adopted on December 14, 2020. The policy includes preference for local businesses to promote businesses in the City that provide environmentally preferable products and services.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.maplewoodmn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/28881/Environmental-Purchasing-Policy---Finwal-December-2020?bidId=
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
Partners:
Red Wing -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city does not have a specific policy in place about local purchasing, but rather it is implied. The city makes every effort to purchase locally in every instance as a first choice. With Red Wing's geographic location and the fact that it's the largest town within a 25 mile radius, it makes sense financially for the city to purchase locally.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Paul Drotos (City staff) | paul.drotos@ci.red-wing.mn.us | 651-410-6744
Partners:
Saint Anthony -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City of St. Anthony supports a farmers market focusing on locally grown produce. Additionally, the City supports the Shop Local Program through the Chamber of Commerce.
The City purchaes supplies and vendor services locally when possible.
The City purchaes supplies and vendor services locally when possible.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Jay Hartman (City staff) | jay.hartman@ci.saint-anthony.mn.us | 612-782-3314
Partners:
Sartell -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2016
Implementation details:
The city takes every effort to purchase products and supplies locally within the St. Cloud area.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
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For more information contact:
Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Partners:
Shoreview -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City uses recycled paper from Anchor in St. Paul and printing services from River Print also in St. Paul.
City staff use these vendors and would be happy to make the list available to others.
City staff use these vendors and would be happy to make the list available to others.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Ellen Brenna (City staff) | ebrenna@shoreviewmn.gov | 651-490-4665
Partners:
Wyoming -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
The City of Wyoming shared local businesses to support on our social media.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.facebook.com/cityofwyomingmn/posts/1034595487006313
For more information contact:
Kelly Dumais (City Staff) | kdumais@wyomingmn.org | 651-440-1888
Partners:
Greenstep Advisor
Alison Cameron, Sustainable Purchasing Coordinator, MN Pollution Control Agency: 651-757-2195, alison.cameron@state.mn.us, www.pca.state.mn.us/epp