Enter/update building information into the MN B3 Benchmarking database, and routinely enter monthly usage data for all city-owned buildings/infrastructure that consume energy/water.
- 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: 44
Buildings and Lighting
Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}
Environmental Engineer provides annual summary of trends and opportunities to Energy and Environment Commission in January.
Key Staff have access to B3 data and are encouraged to use the data in capital planning.
Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | (952)826-1621
Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs.
- Action 2:Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | 952-826-1621
Invest in larger energy efficiency projects through performance contracting or other funding or through smaller retro-commissioning/retrofit projects in city-owned/school buildings.
- Action 3:Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | 952-826-1621
Install for one or more city-owned/school buildings one of the following efficiency measures:
- Action 7:Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | 952-826-1621
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:The program is promoted through the EEC's Education & Outreach Working Group with door hangers were and participation in the annual 4th of July parade and other community outreach.
Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | (952)826-1621
Conserve/protect drinking/groundwater resources by creating a water-wise landscaping ordinance/guidance, WaterSense purchasing program, or guidance on rainwater harvesting and home water softener use.
- Action 5:0-3500cf = $1.24/100cf
3501-6500cf = $1.64/100cf
6500+ = $2.58/100cf
(2012 rates)
Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | (952)826-1621
Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals {BP no.4}
Use LED/solar-powered lighting for a flashing sign or in a street, parking lot or park project.
- Action 5:CEE's on stop lighting shop is working to provide alternatives for lighting for 50th and France area ramps. No project yet scheduled.
Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | 952-826-1621
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:Carry Teague (City staff) | CTeague@ci.Edina.MN.US | (952) 826-0460
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:Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | 952-826-1621
Adopt climate mitigation and/or energy independence goals and objectives in the comprehensive plan or in a separate policy document, and include transportation recommendations such as becoming an EV-ready city.
- Action 5:Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | 952-826-1621
Mixed Uses {BP no.8}
Organize or participate in a community planning/placemaking/design process for the city/a mixed use district.
- Action 1:http://edinamn.gov/index.php?section=planning_GrandViewUpdate
54th Street Reconstuction and Arden Park stormwater management plan public engagement and sustainable infrastructure.
Carry Teague (City staff) | CTeague@ci.Edina.MN.US | (952) 826-0460
Modify a planned unit development ordinance to emphasize mixed use development, to limit residential PUDs to areas adjacent to commercial development, and/or to add sustainability features.
- Action 3:Carry Teague (City staff) | CTeague@ci.Edina.MN.US | (952) 826-0460
Design for Natural Resource Conservation {BP no.10}
For cities within metropolitan areas, incorporate woodland best management practices addressing protection of wooded areas into zoning or development review.
- Action 3:Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | 952-826-1621
Transportation
Living & Complete Streets {BP no.11}
Adopt a complete streets policy, or a living streets policy, which addresses landscaping and stormwater.
- Action 1:Mark Nolan (City staff) | mnolan@edinamn.gov | (952)826-0322
Modify a street in compliance with the city's complete streets policy.
- Action 3:Tracy Avenue Reconstuction phase 1 and 2,
54th Street public involvement and Arden Park stormwater management plan.
Morningside, White Oaks, and others
Mark Nolan (City staff) | mnolan@edinamn.gov | (952)826-0322
Identify, prioritize and remedy complete streets gaps and lack of connectivity/safety within your road network by, for example, adding a bike route/lane, truck route, sidewalk or mid-block alley.
- Action 4:The PACS fund was approved by City Council in December of 2012 to fund projects that makes the community more walkable and bikeable, including improvements proposed in the City’s Comprehensive Plan, the City’s comprehensive Bicycle Transportation Plan and the City’s Active Routes to School Comprehensive Plan.
Revenue for the PACS fund will be generated by a franchise fee ordinance that imposes a fee of $1.45/month on residential customers of Xcel Energy and $1.45/month on residential customers of CenterPoint Energy. There are higher franchise fees for commercial customers of both utilities. Those fees are $2.90/month, $9/month and $40/month, depending on the size of the customer.
The revenue in the PACS fund will be used exclusively for specific improvements to the City’s non-motorized transportation network. The non-motorized transportation network includes sidewalks, trails, and other bicyclist-related facilities. Other possible costs the PACS fund would pay for include maintenance of current sidewalks, signage, lighting, pedestrian crossing signals and street striping.
Additionally, Edina maintains updated Bicycle Facilities and Pedestrian Facilities maps and a Sidewalk Priority Plan. These plans were created to identify gaps in our non-motorized transportation system and to help plan their construction.
Mark Nolan (City staff) | mnolan@edinamn.gov | (952)826-0322
Implement traffic calming policy/measures, including lane conversions (road diets), roundabouts, low-speed streets, shared space and depaving, in at least one street redevelopment project.
- Action 6:Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | (952)826-1621
Mobility Options {BP no.12}
Increase walking, biking and transit use by one or more of the following means:
- Action 1:http://edinamn.gov/index.php?section=pressroom_pressreleases&prrid=692
Mark Nolan (City staff) | mnolan@edinamn.gov | (952)826-0322
Conduct an Active Living campaign such as a Safe Routes to School program.
- Action 2:Mark Nolan (City staff) | mnolan@edinamn.gov | (952)826-0322
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:Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | (952)826-1621
Require purchase of U.S. EPA WaterSense-certified products.
- Action 4:(reviewing purchasing policy)
Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | (952)826-1621
Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}
Certify as a Tree City USA.
- Action 1:Luther Overholt (City staff) | Loverholt@CI.Edina.MN.US | 952-826-0308
Maximize tree planting along your main downtown street or throughout the city.
- Action 4:Luther Overholt (City staff) | Loverholt@CI.Edina.MN.US | 952-826-0308
Stormwater Management {BP no.17}
Complete the GreenStep Municipal Stormwater Management Assessment.
- Action 2:Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | 952-826-1621
Adopt and implement guidelines or design standards/incentives for at least one of the following stormwater infiltration/reuse practices:
- Action 5:Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | (952)826-1621
Parks and Trails {BP no.18}
Create park/city land management standards/practices that maximize at least one of the following:
- Action 5:c)Sources of Non potable water for irrigation is Complete. City well #14 was taken out of service in approximately 2006 due to elevated Radium 226 levels. Well #14 was then repurposed to irrigate Braemar Golf Course.
Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | 952-826-1621
Certify at least one golf course in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program.
- Action 6:Tom Swenson (City staff) | TSwenson@Ci.Edina.MN.US | 952-941-2443
Develop a program to involve community members in hands-on land restoration, invasive species management and stewardship projects.
- Action 8:Luther Overholt (City staff) | Loverholt@CI.Edina.MN.US | 952-826-0308
Sustainable Consumption and Waste {BP no.22}
Address concerns over consumer products and packaging through encouragement/implementation of one or more of:
- Action 2:1) Establishing a Recycling Bin Task Force in February 2012, which recommended recycling bins in all major parks (these were provided in Lewis Pk and Pamela Pk as well as scattered areas of Braemar Pk prior to the task force)
2) Complete - Reduce municipal paper use & junk mail by the City Recycling coordinator requesting that the City address be removed from mailing lists
3) The City began organics recycling at some facilities in 2012. Effective 1-1-13 organics recycling will be included in the municipal facility solid waste and recycling contract
4) Implement a facility-wide policy to reduce the use of bottled water. The City Purchasing Policy discourages the use of bottled water.
5) Implement facility-wide policy on using compostable table ware once the new municipal facility contract including organics is implemented on 1-1-2013.
Solvei Wilmot (City staff) | SWilmot@ci.Edina.MN.US | 952-826-0463
Arrange for a residential and/or business/institutional source-separated organics collection/management program.
- Action 5:Solvei Wilmot (City staff) | SWilmot@ci.Edina.MN.US | 952-826-0463
Improve recycling services and expand to multi-unit housing and commercial businesses.
- Action 6:Solvei Wilmot (City staff) | SWilmot@ci.Edina.MN.US | 952-826-0463
Local Air Quality {BP no.23}
Conduct an education/financial assistance campaign around one of the following residential wood burning/auto exhaust issues:
- Action 1:Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | (952)826-1621
Conduct one or more policy or education/behavior change campaigns on the topics below and document:
- Action 3:The City provides local air quality and electric vehicle education on its website in partnership with a MPCA local air quality grant.
Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | 952-826-1621
Resilient Economic and Community Development
Benchmarks and Community Engagement {BP no.24}
Use a city commission, or committee to lead, coordinate, and report to and engage community members on implementation of sustainability best practices.
- Action 1:Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | 952-826-1621
Organize goals/outcome measures from all city plans and report to community members data that show progress toward meeting these goals.
- Action 2:Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | (952)826-1621
Conduct or support a broad sustainability education and action campaign involving:
- Action 4:Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | 952-826-1621
Conduct or support a community education, visioning and planning initiative using a sustainability framework such as:
- Action 5:Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | 952-826-1621
Green Business Development {BP no.25}
Create or participate in a marketing/outreach program to connect businesses with assistance providers, including utilities, who provide personalized energy, waste or sustainability audits and assistance.
- Action 2:Solvei Wilmot (City staff) | SWilmot@ci.Edina.MN.US | 952-826-0463
Strengthen value-added businesses utilizing local "waste" material.
- Action 4:Luther Overholt (City staff) | Loverholt@CI.Edina.MN.US | 952-826-0308
Renewable Energy {BP no.26}
Adopt wind energy and/or biomass ordinances that allow, enable, or encourage appropriate renewable energy installations.
- Action 1:Carry Teague (City staff) | CTeague@ci.Edina.MN.US | (952) 826-0460
Promote financing and incentive programs such as PACE for clean energy:
- Action 3:Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | (952)826-1621
Install a public sector/municipally-owned renewable energy technology, such as solar electric (PV), wind, biomass, solar hot water/air, or micro-hydro.
- Action 5:Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | 952-826-1621
Local Food {BP no.27}
Facilitate creation of home/community gardens, chicken & bee keeping, and incorporation of food growing areas/access in multifamily residential developments.
- Action 2:Tara Brown (City staff) | tbrown@edinamn.gov | 952-826-1621
Create, assist with and promote local food production/distribution within the city:
- Action 3:Attendance averages over 1,000 people per market.
Last year, 1,445 pounds of food was donated to VEAP foodshelf.
Tom Shirley (City staff) | TShirley@CI.Edina.MN.US | 952-833-9582