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: 32
Buildings and Lighting
Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}
Bill Waller (City staff) | BWaller@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-2595
Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs.
- Action 2:#2 - The community ice arena has converted all indoor and outdoor lighting to LED lighting as of 10.31.16.
Bill Waller (City staff) | BWaller@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-2595
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:#2 - The community ice arena has converted all indoor and outdoor lighting to LED lighting as of 10.31.16.
Bill Waller (City staff) | BWaller@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-2595
Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals {BP no.4}
Purchase LEDs for all future street lighting and traffic signals.
- Action 2:Shawn Wetterlin (City staff) | SWetterlin@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-4409
Coordinate traffic signals and/or optimize signal timing to minimize car idling at intersections yet maintain safe and publicly acceptable vehicle speeds.
- Action 4:Shawn Wetterlin (City staff) | SWetterlin@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-4409
Use LED/solar-powered lighting for a flashing sign or in a street, parking lot or park project.
- Action 5:Shawn Wetterlin (City staff) | SWetterlin@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-4409
Relamp/improve exterior building lighting for city-owned buildings/facilities with energy efficient, Dark-Sky compliant lighting.
- Action 6:APPLE CAPITAL
The whole project included the following upgrades to LED:
6 bridge lights (bulb replacement)
1 city welcome sign light (bulb replacement)
3 outdoor wall packs (fixture replacement)
1 outdoor pole light (fixture replacement)
12 high bay lights in our maintenance shop (fixture replacement)
26 4-foot linear tubes in our maintenance shop (lamp replacement)
1 street light on Main and Walnut (fixture replacement)
Bill Waller (City staff) | BWaller@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-2595
Replace the city's existing traffic signal indications with LEDs.
- Action 8:Shawn Wetterlin (City staff) | SWetterlin@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-4409
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:Shawn Wetterlin (City staff) | SWetterlin@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-4409
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:Shawn Wetterlin (City staff) | SWetterlin@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-4409
Mixed Uses {BP no.8}
Have a downtown zoning district that emphasizes small and destination business, entrepreneurial spaces, and allows or requires residential and residential-compatible commercial development.
- Action 5:Shawn Wetterlin (City staff) | SWetterlin@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-4409
Efficient Highway- and Auto-Oriented Development {BP no.9}
Participate in regional economic development planning with representatives from surrounding townships, cities, the county and business interests to:
- Action 2:Shawn Wetterlin (City staff) | SWetterlin@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-4409
Transportation
Mobility Options {BP no.12}
Increase walking, biking and transit use by one or more of the following means:
- Action 1:Shawn Wetterlin (City staff) | SWetterlin@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-4409
Add/expand public transit service.
- Action 6:Angie Boettcher (City staff) | ABoettcher@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | (507) 895-2224
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:Angie Boettcher (City staff) | ABoettcher@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | (507) 895-2224
Lower the environmental footprint of meetings and events in the city.
- Action 7:Angie Boettcher (City staff) | ABoettcher@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | (507) 895-2224
Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}
Adopt best practices for urban tree planting/quality; require them in private developments and/or use them in at least one development project.
- Action 2:Shawn Wetterlin (City staff) | SWetterlin@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-4409
Budget for and achieve resilient urban canopy/tree planting goals.
- Action 3:Shawn Wetterlin (City staff) | SWetterlin@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-4409
Stormwater Management {BP no.17}
Adopt by ordinance one or more of the following stormwater infiltration/management strategies to reduce impervious surface:
- Action 3:This Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan is a local plan that has been prepared with the purpose of meeting the requirements of the Federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II permit.
Best Management Practices (BMPs), including education, maintenance, pollution control techniques, system designs and engineering methods as well as local provisions deemed appropriate, are to be used to meet the minimum requirements of the NPDES Phase II permit.
The La Crescent SWPPP is a plan to meet each of the six Minimum Control Measures (MCM) described by the permit. The tasks described are not one-time efforts; they will continue throughout the permit period and beyond to maintain water quality. They are:
Public education and outreach
Public participation/involvement
Illicit discharge, detection and elimination
Construction site runoff control
Post-construction site runoff control
Pollution prevention/good housekeeping
Shawn Wetterlin (City staff) | SWetterlin@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-4409
Parks and Trails {BP no.18}
Make improvements within your city's system of parks, offroad trails and open spaces.
- Action 1:Shawn Wetterlin (City staff) | SWetterlin@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-4409
Plan and budget for a network of parks, green spaces, water features and trails for areas where new development is planned.
- Action 2:Shawn Wetterlin (City staff) | SWetterlin@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-4409
Create park/city land management standards/practices that maximize at least one of the following:
- Action 5:Bill Waller (City staff) | BWaller@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-2595
Develop a program to involve community members in hands-on land restoration, invasive species management and stewardship projects.
- Action 8:Shawn Wetterlin (City staff) | SWetterlin@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-4409
Local Air Quality {BP no.23}
Reduce residential burning of wood and yard waste and eliminate ‘backyard’ trash burning.
- Action 2:Shawn Wetterlin (City staff) | SWetterlin@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-4409
Install, assist with and promote publicly available EV charging stations or public fueling stations for alternative fuel vehicles.
- Action 5:Angie Boettcher (City staff) | ABoettcher@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | (507) 895-2224
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:Angie Boettcher (City staff) | ABoettcher@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | (507) 895-2224
Engaging the Next Generation: Engage wide representation of community youth and college students by creating opportunities to participate in city government (including commissions).
- Action 6:Bill Waller (City staff) | BWaller@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-2595
Green Business Development {BP no.25}
Strengthen value-added businesses utilizing local "waste" material.
- Action 4:Angie Boettcher (City staff) | ABoettcher@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | (507) 895-2224
Promote green businesses that are recognized under a local, regional or national program.
- Action 6:Bill Waller (City staff) | BWaller@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-2595
Renewable Energy {BP no.26}
Become a solar-ready community, including adopting ordinance/zoning language and an expedited permit process for residents and businesses to install solar energy systems.
- Action 7:Bill Waller (City staff) | BWaller@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-2595
Local Food {BP no.27}
Create, assist with and promote local food production/distribution within the city:
- Action 3:Shawn Wetterlin (City staff) | SWetterlin@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-4409
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:Bill Waller (City staff) | BWaller@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-2595