Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs.
- Action 2: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: 30
Buildings and Lighting
Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}
• Installed occupancy sensors in all rooms at the Rambling River Center allowing the lights to turn off automatically if there are no occupants in the room
• Working with Great River Energy staff on programming the HVAC unit’s air handler to optimally power down when no occupants are in building and power back on at a more optimal time before the building is occupied
• Automatic setback thermostats in the Rambling River Center have been changed to allow for higher temperatures to occur in the building during non-use times (nights and weekends) in the cooling season and lower temperatures to occur in the building during non-use times (nights and weekends) in the heating season
• City Hall and the Rambling River Center have both been placed on the Xcel Energy System Saver program during the cooling season, allowing the buildings cooling system to be cycled on and off every 15 minutes during peak demand times
The following items have been completed related to reducing energy costs outdoors:
• Replaced metal halide light fixtures and bulbs with LED fixtures and bulbs at the RR Park tennis courts
• Replaced metal halide light fixtures and bulbs in PD parking lot with new LED fixtures and bulbs
David McKnight (City staff) | dmcknight@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6801
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 city also has a Water Efficiency Rebate program that started in 2022. To encourage water conservation, the program is funded, in part, by a grant from the Metropolitan Council to establish a program to reduce municipal water use in both residential and commercial properties within the city. The program offers rebates to water customers who replace old, inefficient toilets, washing machines and irrigation systems with WaterSense® and Energy Star® certified appliances and equipment to help conserve water and reduce utility bills.
Jared Johnson (City Staff) | jjohnson@farmingtonmn.gov | 651-280-6824
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:The city has a tiered rate system for both water and sewer utilities. Commercial properties are charged more than residential properties.
Jared Johnson (City Staff) | jjohnson@farmingtonmn.gov | 651-280-6824
Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals {BP no.4}
Relamp/improve exterior building lighting for city-owned buildings/facilities with energy efficient, Dark-Sky compliant lighting.
- Action 6:Fire Station #1 - Parking lot lighting is 100% replaced with LED's.
Fire Station #2- Exterior of building and parking lot is 100% replaced with LED's.
Police Station- Exterior of building and parking lot is 100% replaced with LED's.
Senior Center- Exterior of building 100% replaced with LED's.
Jared Johnson (City Staff) | jjohnson@farmingtonmn.gov | 651-280-6824
Replace the city's existing traffic signal indications with LEDs.
- Action 8:Jared Johnson (City Staff) | jjohnson@farmingtonmn.gov | 651-280-6824
Building Redevelopment {BP no.5}
Adopt an historic preservation ordinance/regulations and encourage adaptive reuse.
- Action 1:1. The quality of significance in history, architecture, archeology, and culture is present in buildings, sites, structures, objects and districts that possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association, and:
(a) That are associated with specific events or a pattern of events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or
(b) That are associated with the lives of persons or groups significant in our past; or
(c) That embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent the work of a master builder, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity those components may lack individual distinction; or
(d) That have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
2. The singular physical appearance, historic character or aesthetic value of an established or familiar feature of a neighborhood or community within the City.
The ordinance is explained below:
Discussion of the Heritage Preservation Commission's Duties and Powers, the designation of Heritage Landmarks; Design review of old and new buildings requesting permits; and the demolition of buildings over 50 years old.
Adam Kienberger (City staff) | akienberger@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820
Plan for reuse of large-format retail buildings, or work with a local school, church or commercial building to either add-on space or repurpose space into new uses.
- Action 3:Jared Johnson (City Staff) | jjohnson@farmingtonmn.gov | 651-280-6824
Adopt development/design standards and programs that facilitate infill, redevelopment, and adaptable buildings.
- Action 5:Adam Kienberger (City staff) | akienberger@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820
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:Jared Johnson (City Staff) | jjohnson@farmingtonmn.gov | 651-280-6824
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:Adam Kienberger (City staff) | akienberger@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820
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:Transportation - Dakota County and the City of Farmington work in close coordination concerning roadways in the City. The County is involved in reviewing plats along County Roads to ensure access spacing and traffic flows.
Land Use - The City of Farmington has entered into orderly annexation agreement (Castle Rock and Empire Townships)for property adjacent to the City. Any property owner interested in applying for annexation with this area is allowed to do so without conflict with Castle Rock or Empire Townships.
Watershed impacts - The City works with the Vermillion River Watershed and the DNR to ensure that water runoff and contaminants are regulated.
Sewer and water - The City has worked with the City of Lakeville for sewer extension near Flagstaff Avenue. Sewer and water have been run to the Dakota County Fairgrounds through the City's systems.
Fire - ALF Ambulance has had years of commitment between Apple Valley, Lakeville, and Farmington to service those areas.
Health - The City of Farmington is working with Dakota County and the Health Department to discuss issues concerning the Active Living Campaign.
Adam Kienberger (City staff) | akienberger@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820
Resilient City Growth {BP no.7}
Achieve higher density housing through at least two of the following strategies:
- Action 2:2d) Accessory dwelling units are allowed in the downtown single-family residential district on lots at 6,000 sf or more.
Adam Kienberger (City staff) | akienberger@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820
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 2:2b)The City Hall may be accessed by residents in the originally platted downtown to walk or bike to the facility.
Adam Kienberger (City staff) | akienberger@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820
Design for Natural Resource Conservation {BP no.10}
Conduct a Natural Resource Inventory or Assessment (NRI or NRA); incorporate protection of priority natural systems or resources such as groundwater through the subdivision or development process.
- Action 1:Adam Kienberger (City staff) | akienberger@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820
For cities within metropolitan areas, incorporate woodland best management practices addressing protection of wooded areas into zoning or development review.
- Action 3:Adam Kienberger (City staff) | akienberger@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820
Transportation
Efficient City Fleets {BP no.13}
Phase-in operational changes, equipment changes including electric vehicles, and no-idling practices for city or local transit fleets.
- Action 3:3c) The City also has a maintenance schedule to insure that the City fleet optimizes vehicle life and fuel efficiency.
Adam Kienberger (City staff) | akienberger@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820
Phase in bike, e-bike, foot or horseback modes for police, inspectors and other city staff.
- Action 4:Adam Kienberger (City staff) | akienberger@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820
Demand-Side Travel Planning {BP no.14}
Reduce or eliminate parking minimums; add parking maximums; develop district parking; install meters and charge for parking at curb and city-owned lots/ramps.
- Action 1:Jared Johnson (City Staff) | jjohnson@farmingtonmn.gov | 651-280-6824
Environmental Management
Sustainable Purchasing {BP no.15}
Adopt a sustainable purchasing policy or administrative guidelines/practices directing that the city purchase at least:
- Action 1:1b) The City also purchases paper that contains a least 30% post-consumer recycled content.
Adam Kienberger (City staff) | akienberger@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820
Lower the environmental footprint of meetings and events in the city.
- Action 7:David McKnight (City staff) | dmcknight@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6801
Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}
Certify as a Tree City USA.
- Action 1:Adam Kienberger (City staff) | akienberger@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820
Adopt a tree preservation or native landscaping ordinance.
- Action 5:Adam Kienberger (City staff) | akienberger@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820
Parks and Trails {BP no.18}
Make improvements within your city's system of parks, offroad trails and open spaces.
- Action 1:Adam Kienberger (City staff) | akienberger@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820
Plan and budget for a network of parks, green spaces, water features and trails for areas where new development is planned.
- Action 2:Adam Kienberger (City staff) | akienberger@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820
Achieve minimum levels of city green space and maximize the percent within a ten-minute walk of community members.
- Action 3:Adam Kienberger (City staff) | akienberger@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820
Surface Water {BP no.19}
Adopt a shoreland ordinance for all river and lake shoreland areas.
- Action 4:The City has a State designated trout stream - Vermillion River.
Sustainable Consumption and Waste {BP no.22}
Improve recycling services and expand to multi-unit housing and commercial businesses.
- Action 6:Adam Kienberger (City staff) | akienberger@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820
Improve/organize residential trash, recycling and organics collection by private and/or public operations and offer significant volume-based pricing on residential garbage and/or incentives for recycling.
- Action 7:Adam Kienberger (City staff) | akienberger@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820
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:David McKnight (City staff) | dmcknight@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6801
Local Food {BP no.27}
Create, assist with and promote local food production/distribution within the city:
- Action 3:Adam Kienberger (City staff) | akienberger@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820