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
Metrics Files
Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed
Completed actions are denoted by stars.
Total completed actions: 58
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 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:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals {BP no.4}
Require energy efficient, Dark-Sky compliant new or replacement outdoor lighting fixtures on city-owned/private buildings and facilities.
- Action 1:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
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}
Modify a planned unit development (PUD) ordinance to emphasize or require mixed-use development or affordable housing, to limit residential PUDs to areas adjacent to commercial development, and/or to add sustainability features.
- Action 3:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
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
Design for Natural Resource Conservation {BP no.10}
Preserve environmentally sensitive, community-valued land by placing a conservation easement on city lands, and by encouraging/funding private landowners to place land in conservation easements.
- Action 5:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
Support and protect wildlife through habitat rehabilitation, preservation and recognition programs.
- Action 7:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
Transportation
Living & Complete Streets {BP no.11}
Adopt a complete streets policy, or a living streets policy, which addresses landscaping and stormwater.
- Action 1:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
Adopt zoning language or approve a skinny street/development project that follows green street and/or walkable streets principles.
- Action 2:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
Identify, prioritize and remedy complete streets gaps and lack of connectivity/safety within your road network by, for example, bike/pedestrian plan, adding a bike route/lane, truck route, sidewalk or mid-block alley.
- Action 4:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
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:The City of La Crescent has implemented a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program, which aims to make walking and biking to school a safe and fun option for students. They have created an extensive plan (see link below), and will be reducing school speed zones from 30 mph to 20 mph effective August 6th, 2024.
Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
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
Conduct an Active Living campaign such as a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program.
- Action 2:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
Add/expand public transit service.
- Action 6:Angie Boettcher (City staff) | ABoettcher@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | (507) 895-2224
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:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
Phase in bike, e-bike, foot or horseback modes for police, inspectors and other city staff.
- Action 4:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
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
Purchase energy used by city government - via the municipal utility, green tags, community solar garden, 3rd party - with a higher renewable percentage than required by Minnesota law.
- Action 2:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
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}
Certify as a Tree City USA.
- Action 1:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
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:Gold Leaf CA5 action
Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
Build community capacity to protect existing trees by one or more of:
- Action 6:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
Stormwater Management {BP no.17}
Complete the GreenStep Municipal Stormwater Management Assessment.
- Action 2:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
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
Adopt and implement guidelines or design standards/incentives for at least one of the following stormwater infiltration/reuse practices:
- Action 5:Gold Leaf Action CA7:
In 2024, the City constructed the WinLac rain garden, which has a total of 193 plantings. By doing so, the surrounding community benefits from less runoff, greater groundwater recharge, and overall better use of the water resources present in the area. This increases the drought tolerance of La Crescent. (See link for plan)
Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
Improve smart-salting by reducing chloride use in winter maintenance and dust suppressants to prevent permanent surfacewater and groundwater pollution.
- Action 6:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
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
Achieve minimum levels of city green space and maximize the percent within a ten-minute walk of community members.
- Action 3:8.5% parks and recreation land use
40+% of land area (332 acres of land) is classified as conservation, open space, parks and recreation, and water
21.8 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents
Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
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:The City of La Crescent holds an annual garlic mustard-pulling event in which the community comes together to help pull the invasive species. This helps clean up the surrounding environment by eliminating invasive species that would otherwise crowd out native and desired species, thereby conserving biodiversity as a community.
Shawn Wetterlin (City staff) | SWetterlin@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | 507-895-4409
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:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
Address concerns over consumer products and packaging through encouragement/implementation of one or more of:
- Action 2:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
Improve recycling services and expand to multi-unit housing and commercial businesses.
- Action 6:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
Local Air Quality {BP no.23}
Replace small internal combustion engine lawn and garden equipment (e.g. lawnmowers, weed whips, etc.) with lower polluting equipment.
- Action 1:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
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}
Promote sustainable tourism in your city, and green tourism resources to tourism and hospitality businesses in/around the city.
- Action 3:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
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}
Promote financing and incentive programs, such as PACE, for clean energy:
- Action 3:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
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:ANIMAL RESCUE PV - 20kw
MAINTENANCE PV - 40kw
RADIUM PLANT PV - 40kw
FIRE DEPARTMENT PV - 39.76kw
Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
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}
Facilitate creation of home/community gardens, chicken & bee keeping, and incorporation of food growing areas/access in multifamily and residential developments.
- Action 2:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
Create, assist with and promote local food production/distribution within the city:
- Action 3:Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
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