City Detail

Background Information

City of Dilworth
County: Clay
Population: 4188
GreenStep City category: B
Full-time equivalent city staff (approx.): 26
Participating township, county, school:

GreenStep Coordinator

L. Peyton Mastera
City Staff
peyton.mastera@ci.dilworth.mn.us
218-287-2313
City web page relating to sustainability/GreenStep activities:
https://www.cityofdilworth.com/
GreenStep City resolution: Click here to view the file.
GreenStep City status and date: STEP 2 ( )

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
2020 - click to view assessment

Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed

Completed actions are denoted by stars.

Total completed actions: 18
1 star actions: 4
2 star actions: 4
3 star actions: 9

Buildings and Lighting Buildings and Lighting

Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals {BP no.4}

3 star - Action 2:

Purchase LEDs for all future street lighting and traffic signals.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
Xcel Energy and Red River Valley Co-Op Power both replace street lights with LEDs when they need to be replaced in Dilworth. Dilworth’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy states that the city should install LEDs for all new and replacement street lighting. All of Dilworth’s traffic signal lights are LEDs and will be replaced with LEDs when needed.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
L. Peyton Mastera (City staff) | peyton.mastera@ci.dilworth.mn.us | 218-287-2313
2 star - Action 5:

Use LED/solar-powered lighting for a flashing sign or in a street, parking lot or park project.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2014
Implementation details:
Dilworth installed its first solar-powered flashing crosswalk sign in 2014, added one in 2019, and is planning to install another next Spring. Dilworth also installed two solar-powered signs at the entrance of the city.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
L. Peyton Mastera (City staff) | peyton.mastera@ci.dilworth.mn.us | 218-287-2313
3 star - Action 8:

Replace the city's existing traffic signal indications with LEDs.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
All of Dilworth’s traffic signal lights are LEDs.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
L. Peyton Mastera (City staff) | peyton.mastera@ci.dilworth.mn.us | 218-287-2313

Land Use Land Use

Comprehensive, Climate and Energy Plans {BP no.6}

3 star - Action 1:

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.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
Dilworth 2045 is a comprehensive plan for the City of Dilworth that was adopted in 2018. It plans future development through the year 2045. The Transportation chapter has a Bicycle and Pedestrian Network section and includes proposed bicycle and pedestrian projects. Recommendation 8 focuses on sustainability.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://www.cityofdilworth.com/vertical/sites/%7B9D58D3D1-B683-400A-88F4-CEAF0C059D1B%7D/uploads/DilworthCompPlan_2018_Final.pdf
For more information contact:
L. Peyton Mastera (City staff) | peyton.mastera@ci.dilworth.mn.us | 218-287-2313
1 star - 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.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2010
Implementation details:
Section 1.020 of the Zoning Ordinance states that the purpose of the Ordinance is to implement the Comprehensive Plan.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://www.cityofdilworth.com/index.asp?SEC=E038D328-6D99-48BB-AC09-E4D88220DC12&Type=B_BASIC
For more information contact:
L. Peyton Mastera (City staff) | peyton.mastera@ci.dilworth.mn.us | 218-287-2313

Mixed Uses {BP no.8}

3 star - Action 2:

Locate or lease a property for use as a school, city building or other government facility that has at least two of these attributes:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city of Dilworth rents out the city community center, which is designed to facilitate biking and transit stop at this location. There are bike racks outside the facility, and it is a designated MATBUS stop location.

MATBUS also offers discounted passes for students, the elderly, and the disabled and free passes for college students, personal care attendants, and service-connected veterans with routes that stop at Dilworth City Hall, Dilworth Elementary, the Community Center, etc.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
http://matbus.com/routes
MATBUS
For more information contact:
L. Peyton Mastera (City staff) | peyton.mastera@ci.dilworth.mn.us | 218-287-2313

Transportation Transportation

Mobility Options {BP no.12}

3 star - Action 1:

Increase walking, biking and transit use by one or more of the following means:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2012
Implementation details:
The city of Dilworth cooperates with cities in the Fargo-Moorhead metro area to operate the MATBUS public transportation system. MATBUS has route maps and a website that allows users to plan trips and see buses in real-time. MATBUS also has an app available to both Apple and Google Play. All buses on fixed routes include bike racks on the front to accommodate three bikes, and Dilworth design stops with bike facilities in mind. Dilworth is a Bike Friendly Bronze Level Community, as Dilworth is in the Fargo-Moorhead metro area. Bike maps and walking maps are available at City Hall in brochure form as well as online. MetroCOG has also recently made the bike map available via an app for mobile users.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://www.cityofdilworth.com/index.asp?SEC=3AB2E897-0312-4998-9AC4-C35E12B6CB9F&Type=B_BASIC
SHIP, MetroCOG, MATBUS
For more information contact:
L. Peyton Mastera (City staff) | peyton.mastera@ci.dilworth.mn.us | 218-287-2313
3 star - Action 2:

Conduct an Active Living campaign such as a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2010
Implementation details:
The city of Dilworth did a Safe Routes to School Study in 2010 that surveyed 5th graders at Dilworth Elementary School. The goal was to gain insight into the challenges and opportunities for enhancing exercise for school-aged children by walking and bicycling to school and find the barriers that prevent this. Thanks to this study, key stakeholders can look for opportunities to develop strategies that assist children in their travel to and from school. All of the findings of this study are in the descriptive file. Dilworth also installed a shared-use path along 7th Street NE as part of an SRTS effort the summer of 2014. Dilworth completed a comprehensive sidewalk condition inventory in 2016.

Dilworth has a program called “Shovel Dilworth,” which encourages citizens every winter to get out and shovel theirs and a neighbor’s sidewalk during the winter. As part of the Fargo-Moorhead metro, Dilworth also joins in celebrating StreetsAlive twice a year. These fun open-street festivals plant the idea that people walking or biking to work or play is healthy and exhilarating. Dilworth has also recently been working on Walking Paths that are indicated by stencils on the sidewalk, signage and walking maps available online and at city hall.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://www.cityofdilworth.com/index.asp?SEC=3AB2E897-0312-4998-9AC4-C35E12B6CB9F&Type=B_BASIC
SHIP, North Dakota State Data Center
For more information contact:
L. Peyton Mastera (City staff) | peyton.mastera@ci.dilworth.mn.us | 218-287-2313
3 star - Action 3:

Prominently promote mobility options: public transit; paratransit/Dial-A-Ride; cab services; rental cars; bike lanes; trails; airports.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city of Dilworth's web page contains information on programs such as public transit, paratransit service for persons with disabilities and senior citizens, as well as information on other private and public transportation services and their transportation partners. Dilworth strives to accommodate the mobility needs of its residents by participating with MATBUS. All of the MATBUS transportation options are on their website, including private transportation providers and government-supported transit. MATBUS maps are available at Dilworth City Hall. Senior ride services information is also available at City Hall and is on the website.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://www.cityofdilworth.com/index.asp?SEC=4023D17E-916A-4062-B33F-1C3315E6EF6E&Type=B_BASIC
MATBUS, Valley Senior Services, Transit Alternatives
For more information contact:
L. Peyton Mastera (City staff) | peyton.mastera@ci.dilworth.mn.us | 218-287-2313

Environmental Management Environmental Management

Sustainable Purchasing {BP no.15}

3 star - Action 1:

Adopt a sustainable purchasing policy or administrative guidelines/practices directing that the city purchase at least:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
Dilworth City Council amended their purchasing policy in November 2019 to include an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing section. It includes purchasing preferences for recycled paper products, packaging waste minimization, EnergyStar certified products, WaterSense certified products, cleaning products that meet environmental standards, and efficient lighting.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
L. Peyton Mastera (City staff) | peyton.mastera@ci.dilworth.mn.us | 218-287-2313
1 star - Action 4:

Require purchase of U.S. EPA WaterSense-certified products.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
Dilworth adopted an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy that requires the city to purchase products that are WaterSense certified when the products are available and financially feasible.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
L. Peyton Mastera (City staff) | peyton.mastera@ci.dilworth.mn.us | 218-287-2313

Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}

2 star - Action 6:

Build community capacity to protect existing trees by one or more of:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 1985
Implementation details:
Dilworth has a Minnesota Certified Tree Inspector on staff who holds First Detector certification.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
L. Peyton Mastera (City staff) | peyton.mastera@ci.dilworth.mn.us | 218-287-2313

Parks and Trails {BP no.18}

1 star - Action 1:

Make improvements within your city's system of parks, offroad trails and open spaces.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
Dilworth extended an off-road path to connect a newly constructed residential area to its neighboring residential area and to the center of the town. This path provides the city access to the new neighborhood, including to Keystone Pond which is located within it. The path also helped complete a new walking path route from Woodbridge Pond to Keystone Pond. This route is included in the city’s system of walking paths.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://www.cityofdilworth.com/index.asp?SEC=3AB2E897-0312-4998-9AC4-C35E12B6CB9F&Type=B_BASIC
For more information contact:
L. Peyton Mastera (City staff) | peyton.mastera@ci.dilworth.mn.us | 218-287-2313
3 star - Action 3:

Achieve minimum levels of city green space and maximize the percent within a ten-minute walk of community members.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city of Dilworth has 12 beautiful public parks, approximately 40 acres of municipal parks, that offer a variety of passive and active recreation within a ten-minute walk of over 90% of our residents.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://www.cityofdilworth.com/index.asp?SEC=72BCD5A2-B2DB-400A-BD42-64EAEB74A105&Type=B_BASIC
For more information contact:
L. Peyton Mastera (City staff) | peyton.mastera@ci.dilworth.mn.us | 218-287-2313
1 star - Action 5:

Create park/city land management standards/practices that maximize at least one of the following:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
Yard waste is transferred to a compost site in Moorhead, where finished compost is available to all residents of Clay County, including Dilworth. The Dilworth Maintenance Department uses this composted soil in parks and along right-of-ways.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
City of Moorhead, Clay County
For more information contact:
L. Peyton Mastera (City staff) | peyton.mastera@ci.dilworth.mn.us | 218-287-2313

Resilient Economic & Community Development Resilient Economic and Community Development

Benchmarks and Community Engagement {BP no.24}

2 star - Action 6:

Engaging the Next Generation: Engage wide representation of community youth and college students by creating opportunities to participate in city government (including commissions).

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
Eighth graders at Dilworth Glyndon Felton Middle School participated in city government by helping to create a curbside recycling program. The students gave a presentation to Dilworth City Council about recycling and were involved in a city-wide information campaign that informed residents about the new program. The curbside recycling program started in October 2019 and seeks to increase recycling by allowing residents the option of recycling from their homes instead of going to the recycling center.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
L. Peyton Mastera (City staff) | peyton.mastera@ci.dilworth.mn.us | 218-287-2313

Green Business Development {BP no.25}

Not rated - Action 4:

Strengthen value-added businesses utilizing local "waste" material.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2000
Implementation details:
The City of Dilworth partners with the neighboring City of Moorhead in its composting efforts. Dilworth provides a free yard waste disposal site in its city. The contents are then transferred to a compost site in Moorhead, where finished compost is available to all residents of Clay County, including Dilworth.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
L. Peyton Mastera (City staff) | peyton.mastera@ci.dilworth.mn.us | 218-287-2313

Local Food {BP no.27}

2 star - Action 3:

Create, assist with and promote local food production/distribution within the city:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2013
Implementation details:
The city of Dilworth has a weekly farmer’s market operating in the summer at Whistle Stop Park, a city park. The farmer’s market is every Thursday from 4pm-8pm with vendors and farmers featuring a variety of fresh healthy vegetables, fruits, homemade jams and jellies, teas, jewelry, and unique handmade items. Dilworth also has two community gardens in town, one available to residents at no charge. The other is from Dilworth Lutheran Church and is open to anyone in the community free of charge, but individuals are asked to donate 10% of their produce at this location.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
https://www.cityofdilworth.com/index.asp?SEC=75B44CFF-3ED1-4F25-BFFC-33090D384733&Type=B_BASIC
Dilworth Lutheran Church;
For more information contact:
L. Peyton Mastera (City staff) | peyton.mastera@ci.dilworth.mn.us | 218-287-2313