Best Practice Action 17.2
GreenStep City Best Practices: Environmental Management
Stormwater Management No. 17
Minimize the volume of and pollutants in rainwater runoff by maximizing green infrastructure.
Best Practice Action Detail
Best Practice Action 2
Complete the GreenStep Municipal Stormwater Management Assessment.
- The GreenStep Cities Municipal Stormwater Management Assessment (PDF) asks 45 questions that assess the degree to which your city is taking both simple and innovative actions to improve stormwater management, improve water quality, and adapt to climate change in Minnesota. Questions in this tool cover broad green infrastructure areas that are generally not covered by government regulatory programs. After completing this questionnaire, a score between 1 and 100 percent will be reported. A second score, based on your answers to 23 questions related to resilience to climate change, will also be reported.
Taking this assessment and receiving a score can be used in several ways:
(1) To quickly learn about a wide range of stormwater management options, via the questions and associated informational links to the MPCA’s Stormwater Manual site
(2) To see Minnesota Cities' collective stormwater management efforts
(3) To gather a baseline measure of actions, and to compare that to a subsequent year (which could be 2 or 3 years later) when you retake the assessment
(4) To report your score, and subsequent improvement, to community members and to your city council
(5) To claim credit for the GreenStep best practice # 17, under BP action 17.2
(6) To claim credit for GreenStep Metric # 9, which is required for recognition at Step 4 and Step 5 in the GreenStep Cities program. 9.1 Stormwater Assessment Score (%) and 9.2 Climate Adaptation Stormwater Score (%).
- The MN Stormwater Assessment is built upon and replaces Friends of the Mississippi River's Blue Star Award Program.
- Though developed in Wisconsin, covering somewhat different topics than the GreenStep assessment, and focusing on city policies, cities may find it useful to review questions in Tackling Barriers to Green Infrastructure: An Audit of Local Codes and Ordinances (University of Wisconsin: 2016).
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Report your assessment (%) score (between 1 and 100 percent). |
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Score between 60 and 79 percent. |
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Score 80 percent or above; previously recognized on the Leader Board of the Blue Star Award program. |
Who's doing it
Burnsville -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2012
Implementation details:
In 2023, the City of Burnsville completed the Stormwater Assessment and scored 54%.
As of May 8th, 2012, the City of Burnsville was recognized the City Council as a Blue Star City.
As of May 8th, 2012, the City of Burnsville was recognized the City Council as a Blue Star City.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Bridget Rathsack (City Staff) | bridget.rathsack@burnsvillemn.gov | 952-895-4524
Partners:
Fridley -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2015
Implementation details:
The City of Fridley received the Blue Star Award for Excellence in Community Stormwater Management.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://fmr.org/news/2016/03/09/city-fridley-earns-blue-star-award
For more information contact:
Rachel Workin (City staff) | rachel.workin@fridleymn.gov | 763-572-3594
Partners: Friends of the Mississippi River
Grand Rapids -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City of Grand Rapids has been recognized on the Leader Board of the Blue Star Award program.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Kennedy (City staff) | jakennedy@grpuc.org | 218-326-7024
Partners:
Hopkins -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
All the water from rain and snow that fall in Hopkins and is not absorbed or evaporated runs into the City's storm sewer system. In 2010, Hopkins became one of only four cities in Minnesota to be awarded a Blue Star Award, given to communities that are taking a leadership role in protecting Minnesota's water resources and public health through excellence in stormwater management. The City of Hopkins scored a 123/160 in the following categories: planning and preservation, stormwater standards and practices, and stormwater pollution prevention. The City has adapted the Water Resource Management Plan to help meet regulatory requirements, and to plan for future alterations in the existing drainage system due to redevelopment activities.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://www.hopkinsmn.com/services/water/index.php; http://www.bluestarmn.org/leaderboard; http://www.bluestarmn.org/dashboard
For more information contact:
Ismail Eddihi (City staff) | Ieddihi@hopkinsmn.com | 952-548-6373
Partners:
Lake Elmo -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
On June 29th, 2011, Lake Elmo became the most recent community to win the Blue Star Award. Lake Elmo earns special recognition as the only community in Minnesota to score in the top 5 in each of the three Blue Star Assessment categories. These results place Lake Elmo as the third highest scoring community in Minnesota.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://www.lakeelmo.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={083756F3-60FB-4481-B4A3-CD03F5D9E533}
For more information contact:
Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Partners:
Maplewood -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City of Maplewood recently registered in the Minnesota Blue Star Awards program for Stormwater Management. The city received a score of 139 of 193 possible points. In the specific sections of stormwater management; planning and preservation, stormwater standards and practices, and stormwater pollution prevention, the city is listed as one of the top performers.
Included is a link to the leaderboard page of the Blue Star award.
http://www.bluestarmn.org/leaderboard
Included is a link to the leaderboard page of the Blue Star award.
http://www.bluestarmn.org/leaderboard
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
Partners:
Saint Paul -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City of Saint Paul received the Blue Star Award in 2010. We were on the leadership board at the time.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Kurt Schultz (City staff) | kurt.schultz@ci.stpaul.mn.us | 651-266-6590
Partners:
Stillwater -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2008
Implementation details:
The city of Stillwater earned the Blue Star Award.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Shawn Sanders (City staff) | Ssanders@ci.stillwater.mn.us | 651-430-8835
Partners:
Cottage Grove -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Cottage Grove was awarded as a Blue Star City in March 2011 for the City’s efforts to mitigate runoff through a combination of natural resource preservation, storm water management standards, pollution source controls and other activities that exceeded state requirements.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Ryan Burfeind (City staff) | rburfeind@cottage-grove.org | 651-458-2899
Partners:
Eden Prairie -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2012
Implementation details:
Updated Municipal Stormwater Management Assessment
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Jennifer Fierce (City Staff) | jfierce@edenprairie.org | 952-949-8313
Partners:
Edina -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The Blue Star City Stormwater Management Assessment has been completed and at least the minimum threshold obtained. City Council received the Blue Star certificate at the 10-4-11 City Council meeting.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Partners:
Elk River -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2016
Implementation details:
The City of Elk River was presented the Blue Star City award in July 2016 and continues to participate in the program.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.elkrivermn.gov/1185/Stormwater
For more information contact:
Amanda Bednar (City staff) | ABednar@ElkRiverMN.gov | 763-635-1068
Partners:
Victoria -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Blue Star Award Program
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://bluestarmn.org/participating_communities
For more information contact:
Paul Moretto (City staff) | pmoretto@ci.victoria.mn.us | 952-443-4210
Partners: Blue Star Award Program
Woodbury -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In November 2010, The City of Woodbury received the Blue Star City Award, one of the first eight cities to receive the award. The program honors communities that “are taking a leadership role in protecting Minnesota’s water resources and public health through excellence in storm water management.” The city scored a 119/187 in the following categories: Planning and Preservation, Stormwater Standards and Practices and Stormwater Pollution Prevention.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Sharon Doucette (City staff) | sdoucette@ci.woodbury.mn.us | 651-714-3538
Partners:
Brainerd -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2017
Implementation details:
We have registered for the Blue Star City program and are in the process of completing the assessment.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Mark Ostgarden (City staff) | mostgarden@ci.brainerd.mn.us | 218-828-2310
Partners:
Circle Pines -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2022
Implementation details:
Completed the GreenStep Municipal Stormwater Management Assessment. 32% (58/181) Stormwater Assessment Score; 32% (27/84) Climate Adaptation Score.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Patrick Antonen (City Staff) | pantonen@ci.circle-pines.mn.us | 763-231-2605
Partners:
Duluth -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2016
Implementation details:
12/08/16- Registered Duluth for the Blue Star award program, in the process of completing the self-assessment
12/20/16- Assessment mostly completed, but we are only at 54% (need to get 60%). We're continuing to work on it.
Login: estrom@duluthmn.gov
Password: 123456
12/20/16- Assessment mostly completed, but we are only at 54% (need to get 60%). We're continuing to work on it.
Login: estrom@duluthmn.gov
Password: 123456
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Chris Kleist (City staff) | ckleist@DuluthMN.gov | 218-730-4063
Partners:
La Crescent -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2023
Implementation details:
La Crescent completed this assessment in 2023. The Stormwater Assessment score was 47% and the Climate Adaptation score was 56%.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
Partners:
Lake Crystal -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Lake Crystal has registered for the Blue Star Award program and had completed its assessment as of January 1, 2014. Lake Crystal is now in the process of improving our practices to be awarded the Blue Star.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Taylor Gronau (City staff) | lccity@hickorytech.net | 507-726-2538
Partners:
Mankato -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
City of Mankato has registered for the Blue Star Award Program recognizing stormwater management programs/policies. Submittal handled by Rick Baird, City of Mankato Water Quality Specialist.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Molly Westman (City staff) | mwestman@mankatomn.gov | 507-387-8571
Partners:
Marshall -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
The City of Marshall completed the GreenStep Municipal Stormwater Management Assessement in December 2020. The City of Marshall received a score of 27% on the Stormwater Assessment Tool and 25% for the Climate Adaptation Score.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Amanda Beckler (City staff) | amanda.beckler@ci.marshall.mn.us | 507-537-6769
Partners:
Moorhead -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
The City of Moorhead completed the Stormwater Assessment in April 2020. We received a score of 34% on the Stormwater Assessment Tool, and a score of 24% for Climate Adaptation.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Dan Mahli (City staff) | dan.mahli@cityofmoorhead.com | 218-299-5314
Partners:
New Ulm -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2022
Implementation details:
Stormwater Management Assessment was completed by the city engineer. New Ulm's Stormwater Assessment Score was 28% and Climate Adaptation Score was 33%.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Derek Nelson (City Staff) | DerekN@newulmmn.gov | 507-233-2110
Partners:
Robbinsdale -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2024
Implementation details:
The City completed the GreenStep Municipal Stormwater Management Assessment in March of 2024 and received a score of 35%.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Kayla Kirtz (City Staff) | kkirtz@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-233-5654
Partners:
Savage -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2022
Implementation details:
Score: 68 out of 181. Percentage Score 38%
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Jesse Carlson (City Staff) | jcarlson@cityofsavage.com | 9528822686
Partners:
Shakopee -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
Staff completed the Municipal Stormwater Management Assessment on March 9, 2020. Shakopee scored 40% on the Stormwater Assessment Total and 52% on the Climate Adaptation score; this assessment provides a baseline to measure improvements on a year-to-year basis and identifies several key focus areas.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links: Excel Spreadsheet converted to PDF showing the City's responses to the Municipal Stormwater Management Assessment.
For more information contact:
Kirby Templin (City Staff) | ktemplin@shakopeemn.gov | 952-233-9372
Partners:
Shoreview -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Registered for the Blue Star Award program May 2013.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Ellen Brenna (City staff) | ebrenna@shoreviewmn.gov | 651-490-4665
Partners:
South Saint Paul -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
Staff completed the Municipal Stormwater Management Assessment on April 13, 2020. While South St. Paul scored fairly low (15), staff intend to use many of the policies from the assessment to guide future stormwater management plans.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Monika Mann (City Staff) | mmann@southstpaul.org | 6515543273
Partners:
Warren -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
The City of Warren is registered for the Blue Star Award program and is doing the assessments to identify where its at.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Shannon Mortenson (City staff) | shannonm@warrenminnesota.com | 218-745-5343
Partners:
Wyoming -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2011
Implementation details:
In 2011 the City of Wyoming contracted with WSB to produce a Storm Water Utility Report to establish method and procedures for implementation of a Storm Water Utility under MN Statutes 444.075. Eligible expenditures, rate structures, and administrative processes were studied and recommendations made. This storm water plan is currently being updated by WSB.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
The led to the City implementing an increase in storm water utility rates.
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Frances Duncanson (City staff) | fduncanson@wyomingmn.org | 651-272-5504
Partners: