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: 27
Buildings and Lighting
Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}
Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs.
- Action 2:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
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:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Efficient Existing Private Buildings {BP no.2}
Provide a financial or other incentive to private parties who add energy/sustainability improvements, meet the SB 2030 energy standard, or renovate using a green building or energy framework.
- Action 6:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
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:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
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:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
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:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Include requirements in comprehensive and/or other plans for intergovernmental coordination addressing regional land use and watershed / wellhead impacts, infrastructure, transportation, economic development and city/regional services.
- Action 3:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Resilient City Growth {BP no.7}
Eliminate barriers and actively encourage higher density housing by including in the city zoning ordinance and zoning map:
- Action 1:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Transportation
Living & Complete Streets {BP no.11}
Adopt a complete streets policy, or a living streets policy, which addresses landscaping and stormwater.
- Action 1:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
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:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Mobility Options {BP no.12}
Increase walking, biking and transit use by one or more of the following means:
- Action 1:We are also working with the City of Minneapolis to access $2500 through a Transit for Livable Communities grant to place 25 bike parking stations througout the city in 2011
Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
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:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Lower the environmental footprint of meetings and events in the city.
- Action 7:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}
Maximize tree planting along your main downtown street or throughout the city.
- Action 4:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Parks and Trails {BP no.18}
Make improvements within your city's system of parks, offroad trails and open spaces.
- Action 1:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Achieve minimum levels of city green space and maximize the percent within a ten-minute walk of community members.
- Action 3:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Develop a program to involve community members in hands-on land restoration, invasive species management and stewardship projects.
- Action 8:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Local Air Quality {BP no.23}
Reduce residential burning of wood and yard waste and eliminate ‘backyard’ trash burning.
- Action 2:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Resilient Economic and Community Development
Benchmarks and Community Engagement {BP no.24}
Inclusive and Coordinated Decision-Making: Use a city commission or committee to lead, coordinate, report to and engage community members on the identification and equitable implementation of sustainability best practices.
- Action 1:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Measuring Outcomes: Engage community members and partners in identifying, measuring, and reporting progress on key sustainability and social indicators/ including energy use/greenhouse gas emissions, social vitality/social inclusion outcome measures.
- Action 3:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
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:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Conduct or participate in a buy local campaign for community members and local businesses.
- Action 7:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Renewable Energy {BP no.26}
Adopt wind energy and/or biomass ordinances that allow, enable, or encourage appropriate renewable energy installations.
- Action 1:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Local Food {BP no.27}
Facilitate creation of home/community gardens, chicken & bee keeping, and incorporation of food growing areas/access in multifamily and residential developments.
- Action 2:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Create, assist with and promote local food production/distribution within the city:
- Action 3:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience {BP no.29}
Integrate climate resilience into city or tribal planning, policy, operations, and budgeting processes.
- Action 2:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600