Enter/update government-owned building information and monthly usage data into the MN B3 Benchmarking database, and utilize building/energy audits to identify potential improvements.
- Action 1:City Detail
Background Information
City Assessment Files and City Performance Metrics
City councils pass a resolution to join the GreenStep program and are recognized at Step 1. Step 2 and Step 3 recognition levels reflect completed city actions, reported and rated below with stars (1 star = good, 2 stars = better, 3 stars = best). The Assessment File below summarizes completed city actions in a short Word file. Step 4 recognition is awarded to cities who report a minimum number of core metrics for the previous calendar year. These metrics aim to show the aggregate, quantitative results of taking multiple GreenStep actions. Step 5 cities show improvement in the Step 4 metrics. See yearly data for Steps 4&5. Additional city data can be found by reviewing information on B3 Benchmarking and Regional Indicators Initiative.
Assessment File
Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed
Completed actions are denoted by stars.
Total completed actions: 20Buildings and Lighting
Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}
City staff coordinated a process for routine entry of data on a 3-month interval, and data entry was completed by one of the City's administrative interns.
In the Spring of 2016, the City pursued a partnership with a local university, sharing B3 log-in data with economics students to advance analysis of energy consumption and cost with a focus on improving efficiency of 3 City-owned buildings and City-wide streetlight infrastructure.
Phil Kern (City staff) | pkern@delano.mn.us | 763-972-0565
Install for one or more city-owned/school buildings one of the following efficiency measures:
- Action 7:Phil Kern (City staff) | pkern@delano.mn.us | 763-972-0565
Efficient Existing Private Buildings {BP no.2}
Create or participate in a marketing/outreach/incentive program to promote/achieve residential energy/water use reduction and energy efficiency.
- Action 1:In 2011, DMU reported 52 Residential Appliance rebates issued resulting in a reported deemed savings of 8,410 kilowatt hours (kwh). CIP funds allocated for these rebates totaled $4,195. Also, in 2011, 940 CFL lamps were sent to low income renters, resulting in a deemed savings of 40,150 and $3,772.56 of CIP funds were used to implement the project.
In 2014, 72 participants took advantage of the residential appliance rebate program, resulting in $2710 in energy savings through this program.
Phil Kern (City staff) | pkern@delano.mn.us | 763-972-0565
Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals {BP no.4}
Replace city-owned parking lot/ramp lighting with Dark-Sky compliant, energy efficient, automatic dimming lighting technologies.
- Action 7:Phil Kern (City staff) | pkern@delano.mn.us | 763-972-0565
Replace the city's existing traffic signal indications with LEDs.
- Action 8:Phil Kern (City staff) | pkern@delano.mn.us | 763-972-0565
Land Use
Comprehensive, Climate and Energy Plans {BP no.6}
Adopt a comprehensive plan or (for Category B & C cities) adopt a future land use plan that was adopted by the county or a regional entity.
- Action 1:- managing stormwater drainage to improve water quality
- preserve and protect significant tree cover
- implement as many GreenStep practices as possible
- promote participation in community recycling programs and facilities
Phil Kern (City staff) | pkern@delano.mn.us | 763-972-0565
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.
- Action 2:In the Subdivision Code, the Comprehensive Plan is referenced in Section 7-8 under Design Standards for alleys and streets, and for 7-9 for public utilities. The Code requires that all subdivisions incorporating streets and public utilities identified in the Comprehensive Plan must comply with the design standards.
Phil Kern (City staff) | pkern@delano.mn.us | 763-972-0565
Mixed Uses {BP no.8}
Locate or lease a property for use as a school, city building or other government facility that has at least two of these attributes:
- Action 2:The downtown area also represents the City's most densely developed area of town. With many older, more densely spaced single family homes, as well as second level apartments in the mixed use-style Central Business District, locating the City Hall/Senior Center in this area provided a viable opportunity to be an easily accessed hub for the many community services it offers.
Phil Kern (City staff) | pkern@delano.mn.us | 763-972-0565
Have a downtown zoning district that emphasizes small and destination business, entrepreneurial spaces, and allows or requires residential and residential-compatible commercial development.
- Action 5:Phil Kern (City staff) | pkern@delano.mn.us | 763-972-0565
Transportation
Mobility Options {BP no.12}
Increase walking, biking and transit use by one or more of the following means:
- Action 1:The first component of the project was developing an overall Parks and Trails Master Plan. The master planning process involved surveying community members, meeting with focus groups, establishing a plan development committee, and preparing a City-wide plan. This plan was adopted in the fall of 2011 and serves as the guide for the City to expand and increase the use of its parks and trails systems.
The second part of the grant involved increasing signage and communicating options for residents regarding park and trail options. The City installed 10 signs at strategic locations around the community. The signs included large maps that display the City's entire trail system, and also show the related parks and facilities.
Further, the City was able to expand mapping on its website of the parks and trail systems. A link to this document is included.
Phil Kern (City staff) | pkern@delano.mn.us | 763-972-0565
Conduct an Active Living campaign such as a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program.
- Action 2:Phil Kern (City staff) | pkern@delano.mn.us | 763-972-0565
Prominently promote mobility options: public transit; paratransit/Dial-A-Ride; cab services; rental cars; bike lanes; trails; airports.
- Action 3:Phil Kern (City staff) | pkern@delano.mn.us | 763-972-0565
Environmental Management
Sustainable Purchasing {BP no.15}
Adopt a sustainable purchasing policy or administrative guidelines/practices directing that the city purchase at least:
- Action 1:Phil Kern (City staff) | pkern@delano.mn.us | 763-972-0565
Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}
Maximize tree planting along your main downtown street or throughout the city.
- Action 4:Phil Kern (City staff) | pkern@delano.mn.us | 763-972-0565
Adopt a tree preservation or native landscaping ordinance.
- Action 5:Phil Kern (City staff) | pkern@delano.mn.us | 763-972-0565
Parks and Trails {BP no.18}
Plan and budget for a network of parks, green spaces, water features and trails for areas where new development is planned.
- Action 2:Phil Kern (City staff) | pkern@delano.mn.us | 763-972-0565
Achieve minimum levels of city green space and maximize the percent within a ten-minute walk of community members.
- Action 3:Second, all residentially zoned properties within the City are located within 1/2 mile of a park or protected green space. Additionally, over 90% of the residential land area is located within 1/4 mile of these green spaces. Delano is known regionally for its parks and trails systems, and as a river community, has a number of beautiful riverfront green space protection areas.
Lastly, the City also meets the threshold of 20% of its total city land area in protected green infrastructure. In 2010, the City conducted this analysis and determined that 22% of the total land area was located within a park or protected, City-owned, green space. The City will work to update this calculation and add it to the Green Steps database in the near future.
Phil Kern (City staff) | pkern@delano.mn.us | 763-972-0565
Efficient Water and Wastewater Systems {BP no.20}
Establish an on-going budget and program for decreasing inflow and infiltration into sewer lines and losses in drinking water systems.
- Action 3:If the inspection results in a sewer line in satisfactory condition, no further action is required from the homeowner until the next street project affecting the local sewer main. If the inspection finds that the sewer line is in need of repair because of cracks, sags, and other sources of I & I, the homeowner must have the line repaired during the street project. The City helps facilitate repairs by offering financing options to help manage the costs of repairs.
Phil Kern (City staff) | pkern@delano.mn.us | 763-972-0565
Sustainable Consumption and Waste {BP no.22}
Arrange for a residential and/or business/institutional source-separated organics collection/management program.
- Action 5:The Blue Bag Program is different from previous organics collection programs offered by Randy's and other waste haulers in the area. This program allows residents to still throw all refuse in one waste container, but by separating organics wasted into a separate "blue bag", it allows the waste hauler to separate the organics from the waste stream later. The advantages to this method are convenience for the resident and the same waste collection process for the hauler. A second organics collection truck is not needed - a process previously required in other organics collection processes.
The first phase of the program was launched with a small, 40-household pilot group, to test the product and its deliver. Some modifications with the program were made over the past 6 months.
In June 2012, Randy's is expected to complete the expansion of its existing waste collection site in Delano, allowing for more space to separate the organics from the waste stream. The construction project began in the fall of 2011 and is progressing as planned.
Randy's and the City have collaborated on a date for launching the program City-wide. This effort is currently planned for August 1, 2012.
Phil Kern (City staff) | pkern@delano.mn.us | 763-972-0565
Resilient Economic and Community Development
Local Food {BP no.27}
Create, assist with and promote local food production/distribution within the city:
- Action 3:Phil Kern (City staff) | pkern@delano.mn.us | 763-972-0565