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: 29Buildings and Lighting
Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}
Benchmarking in Feb. 2010. As of 12/5/2012 The City of Grand Rapids has implemented B3 benchmarking on five additional city buildings. These six buildings are the six main buildings owned by the City of Grand Rapids. At least three years of data has been entered for each building. Data will continually be monitored and modifications will be made to improve building efficency when possible.
Julie Kennedy (City staff) | jakennedy@grpuc.org | 218-326-7024
Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs.
- Action 2:Julie Kennedy (City staff) | jakennedy@grpuc.org | 218-326-7024
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:This is updated - check with Matt Wegwerth.
Performance contracting and retrofit projects
Julie Kennedy (City staff) | jakennedy@grpuc.org | 218-326-7024
Implement IT efforts and city employee engagement to reduce plug loads, building energy use and workflow efficiency.
- Action 4:Julie Kennedy (City staff) | jakennedy@grpuc.org | 218-326-7024
Install for one or more city-owned/school buildings one of the following efficiency measures:
- Action 7:Julie Kennedy (City staff) | jakennedy@grpuc.org | 218-326-7024
Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals {BP no.4}
Coordinate traffic signals and/or optimize signal timing to minimize car idling at intersections yet maintain safe and publicly acceptable vehicle speeds.
- Action 4:Julie Kennedy (City staff) | jakennedy@grpuc.org | 218-326-7024
Use LED/solar-powered lighting for a flashing sign or in a street, parking lot or park project.
- Action 5:Julie Kennedy (City staff) | jakennedy@grpuc.org | 218-326-7024
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:The Comprehensive Plan is intended to guide local government policy and zoning decisions and provide guidance to citizens, developers, and anyone concerned with the development of the community. It also communicates the direction the City is heading. Furthermore, it is an initial step in helping the City to qualify for federal or state grants to address issues identified within it.
Julie Kennedy (City staff) | jakennedy@grpuc.org | 218-326-7024
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:Zoning identifies the preferred and permitted uses, form and character of development and redevelopment for each parcel. The zoning map depicts the zoning district that applies to each parcel and sets the use and dimensional standards.
Table 4.2 on p 7, Chapter 4, has the zoning districts, acreage in the district, acreage in shoreland overlay and percent.
Julie Kennedy (City staff) | jakennedy@grpuc.org | 218-326-7024
Include ecological provisions in the comprehensive plan that explicitly aim to minimize open space fragmentation and/or establish a growth area with expansion criteria.
- Action 4:Molly MacGregor (Community Volunteer) | dakise53@gmail.com | 12182567646
Transportation
Mobility Options {BP no.12}
Increase walking, biking and transit use by one or more of the following means:
- Action 1:We document increased bike facilities by showing all bike facilities on our maps
Recognition by bikeMN and the League of American Bicyclists as a bike friendly community starting in 2013
Simon Gretton (Community Volunteer) | simongretton@gmail.com | 2184913713
Conduct an Active Living campaign such as a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program.
- Action 2:Simon Gretton (Community Volunteer) | simongretton@gmail.com | 2184913713
Prominently promote mobility options: public transit; paratransit/Dial-A-Ride; cab services; rental cars; bike lanes; trails; airports.
- Action 3:Simon Gretton (Community Volunteer) | simongretton@gmail.com | 2184913713
Add/expand public transit service.
- Action 6:Simon Gretton (Community Volunteer) | simongretton@gmail.com | 2184913713
Environmental Management
Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}
Certify as a Tree City USA.
- Action 1:Julie Kennedy (City staff) | jakennedy@grpuc.org | 218-326-7024
Build community capacity to protect existing trees by one or more of:
- Action 6:Jim Columbus Mn. Dept of Natural Resources Certified Tree Inspector #20073056
Stormwater Management {BP no.17}
Complete the GreenStep Municipal Stormwater Management Assessment.
- Action 2:Julie Kennedy (City staff) | jakennedy@grpuc.org | 218-326-7024
Adopt by ordinance one or more of the following stormwater infiltration/management strategies to reduce impervious surface:
- Action 3:Create a stormwater utility that uses variable fees to incentivize stormwater infiltration, minimize the volume of and pollutants in runoff, and educate property owners and renters on the importance of managing stormwater runoff.
- Action 4:Improve smart-salting by reducing chloride use in winter maintenance and dust suppressants to prevent permanent surfacewater and groundwater pollution.
- Action 6:Parks and Trails {BP no.18}
Make improvements within your city's system of parks, offroad trails and open spaces.
- Action 1:Julie Kennedy (City staff) | jakennedy@grpuc.org | 218-326-7024
Achieve minimum levels of city green space and maximize the percent within a ten-minute walk of community members.
- Action 3:Develop a program to involve community members in hands-on land restoration, invasive species management and stewardship projects.
- Action 8:Julie Kennedy (City staff) | jakennedy@grpuc.org | 218-326-7024
Sustainable Consumption and Waste {BP no.22}
Improve city operations and procurement to prevent and reuse, recycle and compost waste from all public facilities (including libraries, parks, schools, municipal health care facilities), and minimize use of toxics and generation of hazardous waste.
- Action 1: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:Julie Kennedy (City staff) | jakennedy@grpuc.org | 218-326-7024
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:Molly MacGregor (Community Volunteer) | dakise53@gmail.com | 12182567646
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:Molly MacGregor (Community Volunteer) | dakise53@gmail.com | 12182567646
Renewable Energy {BP no.26}
Report installed private sector-owned renewable energy/energy efficient generation capacity with at least one of the following attributes:
- Action 6:Bill Schnell (Community Volunteer) | bschnel50@gmail.com | 2183983079
Business Synergies and EcoDistricts {BP no.28}
Document that at least one business/building uses waste heat or water discharge from another business or conducts materials exchange activities with another organization.
- Action 2:Julie Kennedy (City staff) | jakennedy@grpuc.org | 218-326-7024