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: 46
Buildings and Lighting
Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}
John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs.
- Action 2:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
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:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Improve the operations & maintenance of city-owned/school buildings and leased buildings by using a customized online energy efficiency tool, asset management tool, green building framework or green lease.
- Action 6:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals {BP no.4}
Purchase LEDs for all future street lighting and traffic signals.
- Action 2:Use LED/solar-powered lighting for a flashing sign or in a street, parking lot or park project.
- Action 5:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Relamp/improve exterior building lighting for city-owned buildings/facilities with energy efficient, Dark-Sky compliant lighting.
- Action 6:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Replace the city's existing traffic signals with LEDs.
- Action 8:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
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:Dan Jochum (City staff) | djochum@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-4258
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:Dan Jochum (City staff) | djochum@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-4258
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:There is also a Joint Planning Board that includes representatives from all adjoining township boards and the City to review land use actions that may impact neighboring property owners. This is especially important where there is differing land use controls between the governmental units for a proposed activity.
City staff is also active in working with the MnDNR, MnDOT, local Highway Coalitions, etc. to capitalize on opportunities of shared benefit related to state trail systems that also include state water trails such as the South Fork of the Crow River. This includes conducting use studies, performing maintenance, and installation of trail counters.
John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Resilient City Growth {BP no.7}
Achieve higher intensity commercial/industrial land uses through at least one of the following strategies:
- Action 3:Dan Jochum (City staff) | djochum@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-4258
Efficient Highway- and Auto-Oriented Development {BP no.9}
Establish design goals for at least one highway/auto-oriented corridor/cluster.
- Action 1:Dan Jochum (City staff) | djochum@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-4258
Transportation
Living & Complete Streets {BP no.11}
Adopt a complete streets policy, or a living streets policy, which addresses landscaping and stormwater.
- Action 1:Modify a street in compliance with the city's complete streets policy.
- Action 3:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Identify and remedy street-trail gaps between city streets and off-road trails/bike trails to better facilitate walking and biking.
- Action 5:In 2015, as part of a total reconstruction of Jefferson St. SE, the City narrowed the street and widened the sidewalk area, replacing the 5 ft. wide concrete walkway with a 10 ft. wide paved bicycle-friendly trail. This reconstructed trail connected bike paths along Adams St. SE with a trail on Jefferson St. SE South of Century Lane SE.
Mobility Options {BP no.12}
Increase walking, biking and transit use by one or more of the following means:
- Action 1:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Prominently identify mobility options: transit; paratransit/Dial-A-Ride; ridesharing/cab services; rental cars; bikes; airports.
- Action 3:Hutchinson's website also contains a link to Trailblazer Transit's website. Trailblazer Transit is a local dial-a-ride bus company servicing McLeod, Wright, and Sibley Counties. Trailblazer inventories ride request in order to crate affordable transit sharing options for Hutchinson and the surrounding areas.
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:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Set minimum sustainability standards to reduce the impact of your concrete use, asphalt, roadbed aggregate, or other construction materials, and to encourage compost use.
- Action 5:Additionally, 100% of concrete from reconstruction projects is recycled at the Creekside facility, and is used as bitcon and crushed concrete.
John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}
Certify as a Tree City USA.
- Action 1:Hutchinson has an excellent forestry program that serves both boulevard and privately owned trees. It promotes tree planting activities, tree sales, education events, and partners with the local utility to promote energy conservation through proper tree species selection and placement guidance. In 2015, the forestry program budget was $159,490, averaging approximately $11.5/resident.
Donovan Schuette (City staff) | dschuette@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-583-8982
Maximize tree planting along your main downtown street or throughout the city.
- Action 4:Donovan Schuette (City staff) | dschuette@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-583-8982
Build community capacity to protect existing trees by one or more of:
- Action 6:Starting in 2014, the City of Hutchinson started implementing a forestry management plan in response to the threat of emerald ash borer. The plan, better known as the Forestry Diversification Project, consists of several small tree removal and replacement projects that will occur on an annual basis, increasing tree species diversity to reduce the risk of loss to our ash tree population. Here is a general project overview:
1.Projects will target ash trees in the publicly-owned right-of-way;
2.Priority project areas – areas in which a project will occur – have ash populations above 20% and are areas of high visibility, i.e.) parks, main thoroughfares, playgrounds, etc.;
3.All publicly-owned, ROW ash trees have been identified and inventoried. Project areas that are found to have more than 20% ash will have a certain percentage of ash trees removed and replaced with an alternative species known to do well in Hutchinson. Trees found to be in poor condition will be prioritized for removal;
4.Projects will occur on an annual basis until the desired ash population has been reached, or until emerald ash borer arrives in Hutchinson, whichever comes first.
Stormwater Management {BP no.17}
Create a stormwater utility that uses variable fees to incentivize stormwater infiltration, minimize the volume of and pollutants in runoff, and educate property owners.
- Action 4:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Adopt and implement guidelines or design standards/incentives for at least one of the following stormwater infiltration/reuse practices:
- Action 5:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Parks and Trails {BP no.18}
Make improvements within your city's system of parks, offroad trails and open spaces.
- Action 1:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Achieve minimum levels of city green space and maximize the percent within a ten-minute walk of community members.
- Action 3:A GIS study shows that 100% of Hutchinson Residents live within a half mile of a City park or protected blue space.
John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Create park/city land management standards/practices that maximize at least one of the following:
- Action 5:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Document that the operation and maintenance, or construction / remodeling, of at least one park building used an asset management tool, the SB 2030 energy standard, or a green building framework.
- Action 7:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Surface Water {BP no.19}
Conduct or support multi-party community conversations, assessments, plans and actions around improving local water quality and quantity.
- Action 2:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Adopt a shoreland ordinance for all river and lake shoreland areas; reduce flooding and costs through The National Flood Insurance Program's Community Rating System.
- Action 4:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Efficient Water and Wastewater Systems {BP no.20}
Compare the energy use and financial performance of your facilities with other peer plants using standardized, free tools.
- Action 1:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Plan and budget for motor maintenance and upgrades to assure the most energy efficient, durable and appropriate equipment is available when upgrades or break downs occur.
- Action 2:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Establish an on-going budget and program for decreasing inflow and infiltration into sewer lines and losses in drinking water systems.
- Action 3:Televising of City sanitary sewer is conducted on a rotating schedule. Necessary repairs are made when sources of infiltration are identified in the sanitary system.
John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Implement a wastewater plant efficiency project (co-generation, water reuse) or a program for local private business operations (water conservation, water reuse, business co-location).
- Action 6:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Sustainable Consumption and Waste {BP no.22}
Arrange for a residential and/or business/institutional source-separated organics collection/management program.
- Action 5:Creekside does advertise their services beyond simply supplying the bins as well. In addition to sending information to residents on when they will be offering the free compostable bags, there is a conscious effort within the program to reach out to new residents. When Creekside is informed of a new resident moving into town, a package with information about the program is compiled and sent to the address.
In 2015, the Creekside facility diverted a total of 3,819.91 tons of waste from the landfill from Hutchinson and surrounding areas. Only looking at source separated organics, the number are still impressive with the facility diverting 1,831 tons via their curbside program.
While there is not an anaerobic digester on site for the composting facility, the facility has partnered with a local dairy farm that uses an anaerobic digester to process manure and send the product to Creekside to be packaged and sold.
John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Local Air Quality {BP no.23}
Conduct one or more policy or education/behavior change campaigns on the topics below and document:
- Action 3:Additionally, the publicly owned Park Towers multi-family residential home is smoke-free, as are most of the multi-family housing units located around the City.
John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
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:While this is the first full year (2015-16) that Hutchinson has participated in GreenStep Cities, the City plans on presenting its progress on GreeenStep Cities Actions annually to the City Council. The City already presents annually on energy reductions to the Council, and plans to expand on this by also presenting on progress in other areas of sustainability covered by GreenStep Cities. City Council meetings are broadcasted live and rebroadcasted by Hutchinson Video Cable Network.
The City also has a blog where major accomplishments are published and made available to the public. This has been used in the past to advertise GreenStep Cities accomplishments.
John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Organize goals/outcome measures from all city plans and report to community members data that show progress toward meeting these goals.
- Action 2:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
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:The ENERGY STAR Challenge for the City was launched with an Event on April 21, 2016 to both promote the Challenge and educate local building owner and operators about energy efficiency programs, opportunities, and funds. The event was attended by more than 20 people representing 15 local businesses, buildings, and non-profits. In addition to presentations by representative from the City on Climate Resiliency, and the partnering organizations on the ENERGY STAR Challenge, the event also featured presenters from the Hutchinson EDA and Hutchinson Utilities Commission. The EDA representative talked about how businesses and local entities now can utilize the recently passed PACE program, and options for clean energy and efficiency. The Energy Efficiency Specialist from Hutchinson Utilities Commission talked about available energy efficiency rebates and how to access them.
So far, 6 local buildings have signed up for benchmarking assistance with Portfolio Manager through the ENERGY STAR Challenge.
In addition to the assistance provided by the Great Plains institute, Chamber of Commerce, and USGBC, Hutchinson received a “Seed Grant” from the Clean Energy Resource Team to help with implementation. Hutchinson has also been working extensively with the local Chamber of Commerce to promote the event and energy opportunity.
The objective of Hutchinson’s involvement as a partner in the ENERGY STAR Challenge is to promote energy conservation to local businesses and nonprofits to both reduce their operating costs and facilitate greater involvement with Environmental issues. The hope is that through the Challenge, more buildings in Hutchinson will be eligible for, and eventually pursue, ENERGY STAR Certification. There are funds available through the partnership to aid buildings in achieving certification.
Lower the environmental and health risk footprint of a brownfield remediation/redevelopment project beyond regulatory requirements; report brightfield projects.
- Action 5:A 1970s era City dump has been the focus of much of the development. The dump was host to waste from city residents, as well as significant waste from the local 3M facility.
Most recent and most notable is the establishment of a 400 kilowatt solar array on the landfill. Construction began on the array in October 2015, and the site was commissioned and began producing electricity in late November 2015. The array is owned by the City and will be operated by Amaresco as part of a guaranteed energy savings program until the array becomes cost neutral. The electricity from the array feeds directly, behind the meter, into the City’s wastewater treatment facility, the City’s largest municipal electricity user. The treatment facility is located directly adjacent to the landfill, meaning the connection required minimal transmission lines. More than half of the funding for the project came from Xcel Energy’s Renewable Development fund, with the City covering the rest of the costs. The solar panels were supplied by tenKsolar and installed by Hunt electric.
The same former landfill is also home to a police and fire training facility.
In addition to this landfill, the City has also partnered in the redevelopment of a brownfield that was home to a former train depot. The result was the Depot marketplace located on 1.585 acres northeast of downtown Hutchinson. Site restoration included the following: restoration and relocation of the former train depot building, construction of a public parking lot, development of a trailhead for the state Luce Line and Dakota trail systems, and the installation of public restrooms. An open air pavilion was also established and now hosts a local farmer’s market twice a week during much of the year. Beginning in December of 2015, a winter farmer’s market The redeveloped depot building and marketplace have also become popular community gathering places used by a number of additional community groups. The project was made possible due to a strong collaboration between the City of Hutchinson, McLeod County Regional Rail Authority, and the Hutchinson Economic Development Authority. A rain garden, mitigating runoff from the brownfield, was added to the site later. The project received recognition as a finalist in Minnesota Brownfields’ annual ReScape Awards in the category of Small City Impact Award.
John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Renewable Energy {BP no.26}
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:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Local Food {BP no.27}
Create, assist with and promote local food production/distribution within the city:
- Action 3:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience {BP no.29}
Prepare to maintain public health and safety during extreme weather and climate-change-related events, while also taking a preventive approach to reduce risk for community members.
- Action 1:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Encourage private sector action and incentivize investment in preventive approaches that reduce risk and minimize impacts of extreme weather and the changing climate for human health and the built environment.
- Action 4:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Protect public buildings and natural/constructed infrastructure to reduce physical damage and sustain their function during extreme weather events.
- Action 5:John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682