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.
City Detail
Background Information
City of Lauderdale
County: Ramsey
GreenStep City status and date: STEP 2 (
)
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
2023 - click to view assessment
Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed
Completed actions are denoted by stars.
Total completed actions: 15: 9
: 3
: 1
Buildings and Lighting
Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}
- Action 1:
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City entered the monthly energy use information into B3 database for City-owned buildings going back to 2012.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
- Action 2:
Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Have a Saver's Switch from Xcel Energy for the City's AC system.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Efficient Existing Private Buildings {BP no.2}
- Action 1:
Create or participate in a marketing/outreach/incentive program to promote/achieve residential energy/water use reduction and energy efficiency.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2016
Implementation details:
Neighborhood Energy Connection (NEC) administers Ramsey County's Energy Conservation Deferred Loan Program. Qualified applicants may receive up to $10,000 in the form of forgivable loans. The City actively promotes the program through its newsletter, website, and cable access channel.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Land Use
Comprehensive, Climate and Energy Plans {BP no.6}
- Action 1:
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.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2009
Implementation details:
The City adopted its current Comprehensive Plan in late 2019.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Mixed Uses {BP no.8}
- Action 3:
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.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2015
Implementation details:
In 2013, the City updated its Planned Unit Development (PUD) ordinance. The original ordinance was typical in that it was geared towards the development of large parcels of land (minimum of two acres). As a fully developed City our challenges lie in allowing for the redevelopment of small parcels, especially commercial parcels. The ordinance revision allows the City Council to work with owners of challenging parcels of any size in a PUD format to achieve the best outcome for the owner and the City.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Transportation
Living & Complete Streets {BP no.11}
- Action 4:
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.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2015
Implementation details:
On Larpenteur Avenue (north side), between downtown Minneapolis and I-35E, there were two sections of missing sidewalks. One of the missing links was a four section block in Lauderdale. The City took advantage of the ~eight feet of right-of-way purchased from the adjacent homeowners by Ramsey County in the mid-1990's to design and install a sidewalk. The project included plantings and lighting for aesthetics and traffic calming. The final design included pervious pavers, LED lighting, and plantings using the “Swedish Soil” concept to improve their survivability. This was accomplished by intense attention to detail during the engineering phase (Stantec) and cooperation from adjacent homeowners, who approved the necessary temporary construction easements.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Environmental Management
Sustainable Purchasing {BP no.15}
- Action 1:
Adopt a sustainable purchasing policy or administrative guidelines/practices directing that the city purchase at least:
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2015
Implementation details:
The City's purchasing policy directs staff to purchase EnergyStar rated equipment and such things as recycled paper.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
- Action 6:
Require printing services to be purchased from companies participating in Printing Industry Midwest’s Great Green Printer initiative, or certified by the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2017
Implementation details:
Recently changed to a certified green printer for all city printing needs including our quarterly newsletter
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}
- Action 7:
Conduct a tree inventory or canopy study for public and private trees.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2023
Implementation details:
In 2013, the City partnered with the MWMO to complete a tree inventory. The inventory was integrated into the City's GIS program in 2021. In 2023, the City shared a Forestry Corps Volunteer with the City of St. Anthony. The Volunteer updated the tree inventory. Staff have been maintaining it since.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
Mississippi Watershed Management Organization; AmeriCorps
For more information contact:
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Stormwater Management {BP no.17}
- Action 4:
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.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City implemented a storm water utility by ordinance many years ago. In 2010, the City adopted a policy that gave property owners credit (reduction in their storm water utility fees) for implementing best management practices (BMPs) that provide for volume control, water quality via phosphorus reduction, and water quantity (rate control). All storm water utility fees are receipted in the City’s storm water enterprise fund (Fund 602) and used exclusively for storm water utility operating costs and infrastructure improvements.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
Sustainable Consumption and Waste {BP no.22}
- Action 6:
Improve recycling services and expand to multi-unit housing and commercial businesses.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City organizes recycling collection. The contractor is Eureka Recycling (http://www.eurekarecycling.org/page.cfm?ContentID=30). Eureka Recycling is a not-for-profit recycling company with a mission to education people about waste reduction. Eureka Recycling also provides recycling collection for multi-family housing units within the City. In addition, City ordinance requires all recycling and waste collection be on the same day (Mondays).
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
Eureka Recycling
For more information contact:
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Local Air Quality {BP no.23}
- Action 2:
Reduce residential burning of wood and yard waste and eliminate ‘backyard’ trash burning.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City of Lauderdale revised its recreational fire ordinance to limit the location, duration, and type of fuel that is allowed with outdoor fires.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Resilient Economic and Community Development
Benchmarks and Community Engagement {BP no.24}
- Action 1:
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.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2024
Implementation details:
The Lauderdale City Council created an Environment and Sustainability Commission by ordinance in May 2024. The Commission was to have five members. Eight residents applied so the City Council revised the ordinance to include eight members in October 2024. The group meets monthly and has started putting together an action plan for future work.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Local Food {BP no.27}
- Action 2:
Facilitate creation of home/community gardens, chicken & bee keeping, and incorporation of food growing areas/access in multifamily and residential developments.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2015
Implementation details:
In 2013, the City Council updated its animal ordinance to allow for the keeping of bees (up to two hives) and hen chickens (up to 12; more by Council approval). This is allowed on any residentially zoned property in the City (single-family or multi-family).
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
- Action 3:
Create, assist with and promote local food production/distribution within the city:
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2015
Implementation details:
The City’s Park and Community Involvement Committee coordinates a farmer’s market at Lauderdale Community Park five times per year (once a month from June through October).
No longer doing this.
No longer doing this.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657
Heather Butkowski (City staff) | heather.butkowski@ci.lauderdale.mn.us | 651-792-7657