City Detail

Background Information

City of Maplewood
County: Ramsey
Population: 38018
GreenStep City category: A
Full-time equivalent city staff (approx.): 153
Participating township, county, school:

GreenStep Coordinator

Shann Finwall
City Staff
651-249-2304
City web page relating to sustainability/GreenStep activities:
GreenStep City resolution: Click here to view the file.
GreenStep City status and date: STEP 5 ( )

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: 109
1 star actions: 43
2 star actions: 42
3 star actions: 24

Buildings and Lighting Buildings and Lighting

Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}

2 star - Action 1:

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.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: Unknown
Implementation details:
The City of Maplewood has been part of the Minnesota B3 program since 2008 and has continually entered monthly energy use from City owned buildings. This allows the City to monitor its buildings energy use, improve building efficiency, and monitor the effectiveness of energy improvements. The City also utilizes B3 to track the amount of renewable energy produced by the solar panels installed in front of City Hall and on top of the Community Center. The City's energy use is automatically transferred to Portfolio Manager by Xcel Energy. The energy use in Portfolio Manager is then transferred to the B3 site. This automatic tracking has reduced staff time in updating B3 with monthly energy bills.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Annual energy use and cost patterns
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
1 star - 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: Unknown
Implementation details:
Maplewood's City buildings are all equipped with LED lights. This change took place gradually with each year's building improvements.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Reductions in energy use
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
1 star - Action 3:

Invest in larger energy efficiency projects through performance contracting or other funding or through smaller retro-commissioning/retrofit projects in city-owned/school buildings.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: Unknown
Implementation details:
Several retrofit projects have been completed in City facilities over the years. One example is the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program in 2009 which allowed the City to make the following improvements:

Replacement of two boilers at City Hall with more energy-efficient boilers.
HVAC efficiency upgrades at City Hall.
Energy efficient lighting upgrades at the Maplewood Community Center and Goodrich Park.

Yearly since that time the City has continuously updated its City facilities with energy efficiency improvements through various funding mechanisms, including energy grants and capital improvement investments. The energy savings are tracked in the City's B3 program, which reflects the energy and cost savings of each project.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Energy reductions.
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
3 star - Action 4:

Implement IT efforts and city employee engagement to reduce plug loads, building energy use and workflow efficiency.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: Unknown
Implementation details:
The City of Maplewood uses power management in all of its computers and office lighting, ensuring the power shuts off after an amount of time which the computer or light is not in use.

In 2015 the Maplewood participated in the Power Down plug load study. The study evaluated methods of reducing unnecessary plug load energy use (energy used by products that are powered by an AC plug).

The study was funded by the State of Minnesota to identify and prioritize plug load reduction strategies based on their potential to help achieve Minnesota’s energy saving goals. The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) and LHB Engineering/Planning conducted the study which included plug load energy monitors, plug load management, and plug load education and incentives.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Department of Commerce
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
3 star - Action 5:

Document that the new construction or major remodeling of a public building has met the SB 2030 energy standard or has met or qualified under a green building or energy framework.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In September of 2013, the Maplewood City Council adopted the Maplewood Green Building Program. The Green Building Program is based on the 2012 International Green Construction Code (IgCC). Maplewood was the first city in the country to adopt a Green Building Code based on the new international standards. Fire Station No. 1 (600 McKnight Road) was the first building in the nation designed and built to the specifications of the new code.

The City tracks the energy use for all City buildings through the B3 benchmarking program. After reviewing the energy use from the first year of operation, Fire Station No. 1 is using significantly less energy than its counterparts in the City and around the State. The largest impact has been the decrease in the amount of natural gas used to heat the building. Fire Station No. 1 had a decrease of 38 percent in natural gas use in 2015 compared to the other fire stations in the City. This energy reduction equates to $5,000 in energy savings per year.

Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Reduction in energy use.
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Randy Johnson (City Staff) | randy,johnson@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2324

Efficient Existing Private Buildings {BP no.2}

3 star - 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:
Implementation details:
Partners in Energy: Maplewood was the second city in the State to sign onto the Partners in Energy program in 2014. Partners in Energy is a two-year community support program sponsored by Xcel Energy. It offers communities the tools and resources necessary to develop and implement an Energy Action Plan that outlines short- and long-term energy goals.

The Maplewood City Council approved the City's Energy Action Plan in April 2015. The plan is called Energize Maplewood! A Community Action Plan Towards Carbon Neutrality. The plan outlines energy actions the City can achieve over the two-year period. Xcel Energy and the Center for Energy and Environment are assisting the City in the implementation of the energy actions.

The plan calls out two focus areas including energy education and outreach to residential and commercial. In 2015 the City has successfully launched two of the energy actions including a residential energy challenge. There are 12 teams of about 100 households participating in the challenge with the goal of being the "biggest energy loser." Challenge participants take energy actions such as having a Home Energy Squad visit, signing up for Windsource, and attending challange sponsored events. Xcel Energy is tracking the participant's energy use to determine the success of the energy actions. The challenge will end May 31, 2016, and the team with the most points (i.e., participated in the most energy actions and reduced their energy use) will win the $500 grand prize.

The other energy action the City has implemented is the Building Tune Up Program. The City is funding energy audits for seven local businesses, and helping fund the energy efficiency improvements outlined in the audit. The program was funded through a grant from the MPCA and implemented with assistance by Xcel Energy. The business energy use will be tracked three years prior and three years after the energy efficiency improvements to determine the success of the program. The businesses will be spotlighted for education and outreach to other businesses to make their own energy efficiency improvements.

Waste Wise/Energy Smart: The city promotes the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce programs - Waste Wise and Energy Smart to local businesses. WasteWise helps businesses analyze ways they can increase recycling and waste prevention efforts. Energy Smart is a consultation to look at energy consuming equipment to identify potential strategies for reducing energy use.

EnergySmart: T
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Xcel Energy, Center for Energy & Environment, MN Chamber of Commerce, Waste Wise, Energy Smart
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
2 star - Action 2:

Integrate green building and EV charging best practices information and assistance into the building permit process.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Currently, the city of Maplewood includes green building practices suggestions into its building code. They are finalizing the ICC700 Green building standard which will be integrated into official city code once complete. The city will work on making information available about the cost and energy savings available through various program during the building permit processes required by the city. The goal is to make building a home to the ICC700 code adopted by the city a standard throughout other construction as well.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Randy Johnson (City Staff) | randy,johnson@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2324
2 star - Action 4:

Describe energy/water efficiency outcomes and other green building practices at businesses and not-for-profit organizations located within/nearby the city.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood also encourages local businesses to participate in Xcel Energy's Community Energy Efficient Sweeps to reduce their business's energy consumption and energy savings.
The new ICC700 Green Building code also have incentives built into the policy language to promote green building in the private sector.

Ryan companies has a low-rise multi family development in the city of Maplewood that is LEEDs gold rated.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Randy Johnson (City Staff) | randy,johnson@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2324
2 star - Action 5:

Conserve/protect drinking/groundwater resources by creating a water-wise landscaping ordinance/guidance, WaterSense purchasing program, or guidance on rainwater harvesting and home water softener use.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood provides a model for landscaping that allows low water-use landscaping described in the management plan. This is shown with the city wide push for an increased number of raingardens, both residential and city made.

The city of Maplewood also has resources available to help residents have a sustainable turf-based yard. The city website provides a lot of information on ways to save water.The city also advertises the sale of Rain Barrels through the Recycling Association of Minnesota as a way to prevent excess water consumption.

In line with the conservation of drinking/groundwater the city also has a fertilizer ordinance to prevent pollution.

Link to Maplewood Sustainable yards:
http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/index.aspx?NID=1079
Link to Maplewood Rain Barrel Sale:
http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/index.aspx?nid=627
Link to Maplewood fertilizer ordinance:
http://mn-maplewood.civicplus.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=242

Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Randy Johnson (City Staff) | randy,johnson@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2324
2 star - Action 6:

Provide a financial or other incentive to private parties who add energy/sustainability improvements, meet the SB 2030 energy standard, or renovate using a green building or energy framework.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city of Maplewood has adopted the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) for city buildings. To increase the amount of public buildings that conform to this code, the city is offering an incentive program as part of the Energy Action Plan created for the Partners in Energy partnership. This plan, known as Energize Maplewood, contains a section where the City will utilize grant money from the MPCA and the Great Plains Institute to pay for recommissioning studies for public buildings. These studies will need to be available for a 75% rebate from Xcel energy before they can be started. Once the study has been done, the rebate will be used to pay for energy efficiency improvements that will bring the building closer to compliance with the IgCC. This incentive program will be available for approximately 4 projects. In return for the funding we will require 36 months of energy data to determine the effectiveness of these projects.

Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Randy Johnson (City Staff) | randy,johnson@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2324
3 star - Action 7:

Customize a model sustainable building renovation policy that includes the SB 2030 energy standard and adopt the language to govern private renovation projects that:

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood has adopted a model for sustainable building renovation policy and language based off the International Green Construction Code offered by the International Code Council governing commercial renovation projects require city regulatory approval.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Randy Johnson (City Staff) | randy,johnson@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2324

New Green Buildings {BP no.3}

3 star - Action 1:

Require by city policy that new city-owned buildings be built using the SB 2030 energy standard and/or a green building framework.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2013
Implementation details:
2013 - Maplewood adopted the 2012 version of the International Green Construction Code for commercial buildings and the National Green Building Standards for residential buildings. The code is interpreted as the Green Building Code in place to safeguard the environment, public health, safety and general welfare through the establishment of requirements to reduce the negative impacts, and increase the positive impacts, of the built environment on the natural environment and building occupants. It includes energy and green building standards above state code and requires that all city-funded buildings comply with the requirements.

2023 - Maplewood began a review of the buildings built under the code since that time. The City found the following issues:

Based on the City’s review and approval of several buildings under the Green Building Code, the following concerns have been identified:

1. Large portions of the green building code are difficult to enforce.
2. There are a variety of requirements for assessments and studies.
3. The building life cycle assessment requirement is confusing.
4. The code is difficult to work with from a design standpoint.
5. Architects are not as familiar with the Green Construction Code as other green codes such as LEED certifications. One of the reasons for this is no other Minnesota city has adopted the Internation Green Construction Code.
6. Developers express concern that building under the code costs more money, so they ultimately ask for additional public funding or reduce the number of units.
7. Currently multi-family residential buildings of four stories or less are exempt from the code.
8. There are no electric vehicle charging station or renewable energy requirements in the 2012 version of the International Green Construction Code.

2024 - The International Green Construction Code has been updated three times since 2012, and the City could feasibly adopt the newer versions. However, because of additional changes that have been made to the International Construction Code since that time, and the above-mentioned concerns, Maplewood will begin to draft a new green building framework in 2024 that will be based on existing performance-based policies such as LEED or B3 guidelines.

Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
2 star - Action 3:

Adopt a sustainable building policy for private buildings; include the SB 2030 energy standard; adopt language governing new development projects that:

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In September of 2013 the city council passed the new green building ordinance. This building ordinance applies to all city owned or financed building. City-owned existing buildings will be prioritized for compliance with the 2012 IgCC Chapter 10. All city-financed buildings and projects will be considered by the City Manager, or designee, and approved by the city council to determine inclusion in this green building program.

Implementation of the strategy includes the adoption of energy policies that will ensure achievement of the City’s energy goals. This green building program ordinance will assist in the promotion of green building practices throughout the City. The city of Maplewood will lead by example and provide incentives for others to accomplish similar goals.

Just over three years ago the Maplewood city council approved an exploratory green building program search that would promote a city wide green building program that would be effective and produce efficient results.

After detailed analysis the building inspection division of the community development department partnered with the International Code Council to assist in the development of the National Green Building Standards for residential buildings and the International Green Construction Code for commercial buildings. The city of Maplewood is recognized as a leader in “green building” and bridging the gap for progress.

A presentation was given to the Maplewood Community Boards and the City Council. Council Members were presented with a complete description of the National Green Building Standards and the International Green Construction Codes including an incentive plan and implementation schedule.

That was adopted November 23rd, 2013.

Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Randy Johnson (City Staff) | randy,johnson@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2324
2 star - Action 4:

Provide a financial or other incentive to private parties who build new buildings that utilize the SB 2030 energy standard and/or a green building framework.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City indicates that there are meaningful and significant incentives of grants and recognition to private parties who build to green building standards. In the new ICC700 Green Building standard, there is a wide variety of incentives built into the program to promote green building standards in the private sector. These include the involvement of city officials early in the planning process to help contractors receive additional savings through various resources. The IgCC will allow for contractors to recieve special recognition from the city. There may also be cash rewards through the EDA (Economic Development Assistance) funding program. City employees involved in the permitting process will help in all aspects of the green building framework.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Randy Johnson (City Staff) | randy,johnson@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2324

Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals {BP no.4}

3 star - Action 4:

Coordinate traffic signals and/or optimize signal timing to minimize car idling at intersections yet maintain safe and publicly acceptable vehicle speeds.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Renovation along White Bear Ave by the Maplewood Mall area included the synchronizing of traffic signals. Other street lights on the main roads of Maplewood are operated by a combination of the city and Ramsey county. One example includes the lights near the 36 & English interchange. A lot of work has been done to synchronize these streets to minimize car idling at intersections but also maintain safe and publicly acceptable vehicle speeds.This is a part of the living streets policy implemented in 2013 to all new construction and renovation projects. There is also a roundabout constructed near the Gladstone area in west Maplewood to reduce traffic congestion and idling times.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Ramsey County
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank

Building Redevelopment {BP no.5}

2 star - Action 1:

Adopt an historic preservation ordinance/regulations and encourage adaptive reuse.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city of Maplewood has an historic preservation commission and ordinance to address the preservation of historical buildings and the environmental surrounding in future city planning and development projects.

The Heritage Preservation Commission was created to help the city of Maplewood with its overall historic preservation goals. These goals include; supporting the protection of the City’s heritage by preserving, protecting, conserving, and wisely using the significant historical, cultural, architectural, or archaeological objects, structures, buildings, sites in the City.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
1 star - Action 2:

Implement the Minnesota Main Street model for commercial revitalization.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In the city of Maplewood lies the Gladstone area, which, historically, was the main downtown zone of Maplewood. Recently, the city has been rezoning and redeveloping the area to promote new growth within the area. The city has included sustainable planning regarding transportation and density within the developing zone. The Gladstone Redevelopment Area is generally described as the area surrounding Frost Avenue from Highway 61 to Hazelwood Street.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Michael Martin (City Staff) | michael.martin@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2303
1 star - Action 4:

Create/modify a green residential remodeling assistance/financing program to assist homeowners in adding space or features such as EV charging, renewables to their existing homes.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
With the adoption of the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) in Maplewood, there are many changes in which the city assists with construction. The IgCC will assist contractors in additions and renovations as well as new construction. The city will be able to help contractors merge existing buildings with new construction in a manner that will benefit the whole structure. The city will also help update green building practices throughout the home and not just the existing structure. This assistance will occur during the permitting process required by the city for new construction.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Randy Johnson (City Staff) | randy,johnson@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2324
2 star - Action 5:

Adopt development/design standards and programs that facilitate infill, redevelopment, and adaptable buildings.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood has adopted the development and design standards of the International Green Construction Code to facilitate infill and development in residential and commercial areas. THis construction code is guiding the planning of the upcoming Gladstone redevelopment area. This area will contain a large mix of residential, senior living, and strip/large commercial areas that are close to transportation trail options. This redevelopment is expected to greatly reinvigorate the area. The planning is expected to be finished in Mid-2015.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Randy Johnson (City Staff) | randy,johnson@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2324

Land Use Land Use

Comprehensive, Climate and Energy Plans {BP no.6}

2 star - 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: Every 10 Years
Implementation details:
Maplewood's 2040 Comprehensive Plan was adopted August 2019. It includes a sustainability chapter with energy, climate, and local foods goals and actions. Resiliency is a guiding theme throughout the plan.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Michael Martin (City Staff) | michael.martin@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2303
2 star - Action 2:

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.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City of Maplewood has taken great care in producing regulatory ordinances which comply with the Comprehensive Plan including the reference of zoning ordinance. The Comprehensive Plan often takes into account that the preservation of the Natural Areas within Maplewood are a high priority for residents and policy makers. This can be seen in many ordinances that utilize the Comprehensive Plan as a foundation for decision making. This is prevalent in the municipal code "Sec. 44-46. - Purpose and intent.
The OSP district is designed to be a public park and open space district. Public parks and open space may be owned or operated by Maplewood, Ramsey County or any other public body. All improvements within these districts must be consistent with the Maplewood Comprehensive Land Use Plan."
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Michael Martin (City Staff) | michael.martin@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2303
1 star - Action 3:

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.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City of Maplewood includes intergovernmental coordination dealing with transportation, watershed impacts, land use, police, fire, and sewer and water in the Comprehensive Plan.

Working with Ramsey county on watershed issues.

The city is also working with Ramsey county on transportation issues when county streets are renovated.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Michael Martin (City Staff) | michael.martin@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2303
3 star - Action 4:

Include ecological provisions in the comprehensive plan that explicitly aim to minimize open space fragmentation and/or establish a growth area with expansion criteria.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Chapter 6 discusses the importance of open spaces to the city of Maplewood's natural beauty and what measure the city is taking to protect and preserve these areas.

Chapter 7 of the comprehensive plan discusses the environmental impacts that the city has on the local flora and fauna, it also discusses measures that are currently in use or proposed to minimize fragmentation and re-establish growth areas.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
3 star - Action 5:

Adopt climate mitigation and/or energy independence goals and objectives in the comprehensive plan or in a separate policy document, and include transportation recommendations such as becoming an EV-ready city.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The Maplewood 2030 Comprehensive plan has sustainability goals that the city want to reach to decrease their carbon footprint.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304

Resilient City Growth {BP no.7}

1 star - Action 1:

Eliminate barriers and actively encourage higher density housing by including in the city zoning ordinance and zoning map:

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood has zoning districts that allow for higher density with neighborhood single-family density at six units per acre or greater, and allows for multi-family housing at a gross density of at least 15 units per acre adjacent to a commercial zoning district or transit center.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Michael Martin (City Staff) | michael.martin@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2303
1 star - Action 2:

Achieve higher density housing through at least two of the following strategies:

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood encourages higher density housing through the incorporation of flexible lot size/footage requirement for infill development and the usage of density and floor ratio bonuses in selected residential zoning district.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Michael Martin (City Staff) | michael.martin@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2303
1 star - Action 3:

Achieve higher intensity commercial/industrial land uses through at least one of the following strategies:

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood encourages a higher density of commercial land use with commercial districts. many of these lots have reduced lot sizes and zero-lot-line setbacks, or a FAR minimum between .75 and 1 to some standards. These districts can seen within the area surrounding the Maplewood Mall , as well as the commercial areas along Highway 36 and 61.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Michael Martin (City Staff) | michael.martin@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2303

Mixed Uses {BP no.8}

2 star - Action 2:

Locate or lease a property for use as a school, city building or other government facility that has at least two of these attributes:

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood has government facilities (City hall, MCC) that facilitate and encourages accessibility to existing regular transit service located on White Bear Ave as well as by walking and biking as the city campus is intersected by the Gateway Trail. This trail has bike tools also available at fix-it stations supplied by Ramsey County.

The city is currently hosting a comment period to help proceed with future planning on the Gateway Corridor.

The Maplewood City Hall and the MCC are abutting residential zones, commercial properties, and share a parking lot with the Ramsey County Courthouse.

Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Michael Martin (City Staff) | michael.martin@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2303
1 star - 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:
Implementation details:
Legacy Village in Maplewood is a planned unit development that emphasizes mixed use development. It is a residential planned unit development that is adjacent to commercial development. The Gladstone project is also a planned unit that will mix residential and commercial development areas. This development will meet the International Green Construction Code adopted by the city for both buildings as well as sites management. This includes energy, stormwater and water management, building envelopes, and indoor air quality. This unit will also be near trails as well as other transit opportunities. This area is a major target for the City's CIP.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Michael Martin (City Staff) | michael.martin@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2303
1 star - Action 5:

Have a downtown zoning district that emphasizes small and destination business, entrepreneurial spaces, and allows or requires residential and residential-compatible commercial development.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The Gladstone redevelopment area planning is being finalized soon in 2015. This area will be a mixed use with a mix of residential and commercial areas.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Michael Martin (City Staff) | michael.martin@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2303
2 star - Action 6:

Incorporate form-based zoning approaches into the zoning code, in those areas where a diverse mix of uses is desired.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood has a form-based zoning for the Gladstone area that is currently going through the the process of re-development. The city has also incorporated the idea of form based thinking with the recent decision to implement their "Living Streets" program in their future developments.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Michael Martin (City Staff) | michael.martin@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2303
1 star - Action 7:

Create incentives for vertical mixed-use development in appropriate locations (downtown, commercial districts near colleges or universities, historic commercial districts, commercial districts with minority-owned businesses).

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The comprehensive plan for the City of Maplewood gives greater support to more mixed use planning within the city's commercial hubs.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Michael Martin (City Staff) | michael.martin@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2303

Efficient Highway- and Auto-Oriented Development {BP no.9}

2 star - Action 1:

Establish design goals for at least one highway/auto-oriented corridor/cluster.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood has been actively working on the design goals for the highway corridors of Highway 36 and 61. In 2009, the City of Maplewood prepared an application for federal funding for the construction of the interchange at English Street. In the spring of 2010 it was announced that the project was successful and awarded $7 million in federal funding for construction in 2014. A visual preference survey was conducted to engage the public and agencies in the design process to refine the design.
the English Street project has been completed with the Living Streets policy included in its plan and construction measures.

The city of Maplewood has begun to require the implementation of the Living Streets policy during the planning and the construction of all new construction and renovation street projects except for Principal Arterial roads e.g. 694, Highway 36. Each classification of road will receive a different approach that follows general design standards designated in the Living Streets policy.

Other projects that will be affected by these design goals include the 694 south interchange project, and the County Road B improvement project. Previously completed projects include the Arkwright-Sunrise area renovation, and the Bartelmy/Meyer street project.

Arkwright/Sunrise Link:
http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/index.aspx?NID=1151

Link to Living Streets policy:
http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/cs/policy/cs-mn-maplewood-policy.pdf
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
1 star - Action 2:

Participate in regional economic development planning with representatives from surrounding townships, cities, the county and business interests to:

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City of Maplewood works with the MET council on transportation and economic planning for the area, most recently with work done on highway 36. During the comprehensive planning process the city also worked with Woodbury to control land zoning between the two cities.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Michael Martin (City Staff) | michael.martin@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2303

Design for Natural Resource Conservation {BP no.10}

1 star - Action 3:

For cities within metropolitan areas, incorporate woodland best management practices addressing protection of wooded areas into zoning or development review.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood created a ordinance for the protection and preservation of their trees in the fall of 2006. Provided are some of the goals of the tree preservation ordinance.

"The city desires to protect the trees and woodlands in the City of Maplewood. Trees and woodlands provide better air quality, scenic beauty, protection against wind and water
erosion, natural insulation for energy conservation, and are beneficial in watershed management.
Trees and woodlands also provide wildlife habitat, privacy as screening, act as natural sound and
visual buffers, and increase property values. It is therefore the city's intent to protect, preserve,
and enhance the natural environment of Maplewood and to encourage a resourceful and prudent
approach to development in the city; thereby, promoting and protecting public health, safety,
and welfare of the citizens of Maplewood."

The City of Maplewood's large amounts of parks and open spaces make it difficult to fully monitor all land use. There has been a large amount of work done at understanding usage and high priority areas. This can be seen within Section 6 of the comprehensive plan concerning Parks, Trails and open Spaces as well as Chapter 7: concerning Natural resources. The integrity of these spaces is one of the main reasons that the city puts in so much effort into green practices as a whole.

Links to Maplewood Comprehensive Plan Chapters 6&7:
http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/DocumentCenter/View/1481
http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/DocumentCenter/View/1482
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
2 star - Action 5:

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.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In 2001 a three-acre hillside at Trout Brook Preserve was planted with prairie grasses and wildflowers. The preserve is at Harambee School. Maplewood has an easement on this site but does not own it. The site is open to the public.

There is also a conservation easement on the Priory nature preserve located at the southwest corner of Century Avenue and Larpenteur Avenue.

In 2013 the City of Maplewood acquired the 70 acre fish creek property. The Conservation Fund purchased the site in 2011 and agreed to hold it for two years to give the City and its primary partners, Ramsey County and Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, time to raise the $2.2 million needed. Generous donations from the Maplewood-based 3M Foundation, Friends of the Mississippi River and individual donors were provided. A Natural and Scenic Area grant from Department of Natural Resources, a grant from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, and bonding funds from the State of Minnesota provided nearly half the funding, making this conservation achievement possible.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Ramsey County, Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, 3M Foundation, Friends of the Mississippi River, MN DNR,
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank

Transportation Transportation

Living & Complete Streets {BP no.11}

3 star - Action 1:

Adopt a complete streets policy, or a living streets policy, which addresses landscaping and stormwater.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood has developed a complete green street policy called "Living Streets" to address safety and accessibility for all the users of the roads, trails and transit systems, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, motorists, commercial and emergency vehicles and for people of all ages and abilities. The City Council adopted the Living Streets Policy on January 28, 2013.

The goals of the Living Streets Policy include:
•Enhance biking and walking conditions
•Enhance safety and security of streets
•Calm traffic
•Create livable neighborhoods
•Improve stormwater quality
•Enhance the urban forest
•Reduce life cycle costs
•Improve neighborhood aesthetics

As of May 2016 there have been three City road projects constructed using the Living Streets Policy.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
For more information contact:
Steve Love (City Staff) | steve.love@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2404
3 star - Action 3:

Modify a street in compliance with the city's complete streets policy.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
For all of Maplewood's street reconstruction projects, the City installs rain gardens to collect rain and infiltrate that water back into the ground and prevent it from entering the storm drainage system. .

A rain garden is a shallow depression that collects rain water and allows it to infiltrate. Its planted with plants that can tolerate a wide range of soil moisture.

For all Living Streets projects done by the city, rain gardens are added when possible. There is also the ability of citizens to acquire curb cuts for their own personal rain gardens.

The city has also implemented penetrable concrete and on walks during these projects to allow for greater infiltration.

The City of Maplewood has been installing rain gardens as part of its street reconstruction projects since the 1980s. Most recently the City has enhanced those efforts with the development of the Living Streets Policy. Since adoption of the policy in 2013, the City has completed two street reconstruction projects using the new guidelines. The policy requires that the City infiltrate a certain percentage (?) of stormwater through stormwater best practices including rain gardens and infiltration basins. The first project (Bartelmy/Meyer Neighborhood) included 2 miles of reconstructed roadway, with the installation of 32 rain gardens. The second project (Arkright/Sunrise Neighborhood) included 23.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Since 1996, the City has installed over 620 home rain gardens and over 60 public rain gardens.

Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
3 star - 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:
Implementation details:
With the creation of Maplewoods complete streets program, titled the Living Streets program, road connectivity has greatly increased. The Living Streets program has increased the amount of trails in the city as well as increasing the access to those trails. The Bartelmy/Meyer area as well as the Arkwright Sunrise area were renovated under the living streets policy. This created areas of greatly improved traffic for all modes of transportation including linking sidewalks to existing sidewalks and trails. Within the living streets program, road shoulders are created to be as wide as bike lanes located in other areas. This allows for safer bike travel and trail connectivity.
The Public Works Department and Parks department are also surveying the city as a whole to identify problem areas and identify priority corridors, such as the County Road B corridor.
There were also many cost savings included with the implementation of these living streets policies including decreased maintenance costs with narrower roads and increased alternative vehicle travel which helps these types of projects to be regularly budgeted for.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Repairing broken trail gaps allows for greater safety and mobility for residents.
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Steve Love (City Staff) | steve.love@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2404
1 star - Action 5:

Identify and remedy street-trail gaps between city streets and off-road trails/bike trails to better facilitate walking and biking.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City has identified and remedied a street-trail gap between Hazelwood Street and Bruce Vento trail that runs along the south side of Highway 36. The City of Maplewood did complete the Lakeview trail on the north side of the City. Maplewood also made connections to the City of Oakdale, through Joy Park and to the west beyond, extending past the Maplewood Mall and onto the existing Bruce Vento Trail. This will also extend into the City of White Bear Lake.

The Gateway Trail also connects the city of Maplewood to the Metro area with many access points near schools as well as public parking available near trail entrances.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Identifying and remedying a street-trail gap between Hazelwood Street and Bruce Vento trail allows for better facilitation of biking and walking.
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
2 star - Action 6:

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.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
During the reconstruction of Beam Avenue, the street was narrowed and bump-outs were constructed.

A round-about has been added to the Gladstone area to slow traffic and prevent congestion during recent redevelopment projects.

The living streets policy also has design measures that reduce street width, raised cross walks, dynamic speed display signs, chicanes, bump-outs, and differentiated pavement surfaces (including pervious pavement). All of which work to calm traffic in residential and commercial areas.

Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Narrowing the street and creating bump-outs help reduce speed and help the flow of surface water to rain gardens located on the side of the road.
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank

Mobility Options {BP no.12}

2 star - Action 1:

Increase walking, biking and transit use by one or more of the following means:

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City of Maplewood has implemented a "Living Streets" program. Livings streets is essentially Complete Streets, however, it adds a component of green streets. Living streets encourages additional boulevard tress, reduced impervious areas, cleaner street runoff, enhanced pedestrian facility and alternative modes of transportation. This policy was approved by the City Council in January of 2013. This policy will increase the amount of side walks and access to biking trails. The plan also requires the creation of paved shoulders that are the width of the average city bike lane.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
1 star - Action 2:

Conduct an Active Living campaign such as a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city of Maplewood received a $300,000 safe routes to school grant from the government. Along with an additional $10,000 route planning budget for temporary staff to help plan the Safe Routes To School project.

Because there are multiple schools located on County Road B the city will run a path alongside alongside the road to increase pedestrian safety. This will be a product of the Living Streets policy adopted by the City in 2013. All new construction of roads must follow this policy which includes the increase in the amounts of sidewalks in project areas. The policy also determines points where there is not connectivity of the walking paths and attempts to rectify that as well.

Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Audra Robbins (City Staff) | Audra.robins@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2125
1 star - Action 3:

Prominently promote mobility options: public transit; paratransit/Dial-A-Ride; cab services; rental cars; bike lanes; trails; airports.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City has provided a list of Mobility Options for hire on their website. The site has links for transportation options for individuals with disabilities. These services are available to residents for a small fee and operate through out the city. Metro Mobility is already used by many residents to get to city facilities like the Maplewood Community Center and City Hall.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
1 star - Action 4:

Promote carpooling, ridesharing, carsharing, and bikesharing

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City of Maplewood promotes car pooling and ride sharing between their employees whenever practical/possible as required by the sustainable purchasing policy 4.2.9. Many city events have car pool notices and suggestions at the end of the event invitation.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
2 star - Action 6:

Add/expand public transit service.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City of Maplewood worked with Metro Transit to expand the park & ride lot by Maplewood Mall into a ramp to encourage and allow more transit services in the area. The city is currently working with the MET council and currently has a comment period open for residence to better plan for new transit development in the Gateway Corridor.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Steve Love (City Staff) | steve.love@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2404

Efficient City Fleets {BP no.13}

2 star - Action 1:

Efficiently use your existing fleet of city vehicles by encouraging trip bundling, video conferencing, carpooling, vehicle sharing and incentives/technology.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood has taken steps to decrease use of city vehicles by developing a vehicle sharing policy between the departments as written in the sustainability purchasing policy 4.2.9.
They also have an equipment sharing program between the different departments.

In early 2014 the city department installed fleet telemetry units in all marked cars. These units provide global positioning system (GPS) information that will help the city develop policies that maximize driver safety and improve overall monitoring of the police fleet. Also provides a police operations benefit by ensuring that patrol resources are deployed to areas with need to the greatest benefit for the community. These units allows for greater monitoring of fuel consumption and vehicle idling, which cuts down on the amount of waste CO2 and lowers fuel costs.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Through the implementation and more effective car pooling planning and vehicle sharing the city has downsized their fleet by 3 vehicles and will be downsizing by 1 this year.
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Scott Schultz (City Staff) | scott.schultz@maplewoodmn.gov | (651) 249-2430
2 star - Action 2:

Right-size/down-size the city fleet with the most fuel-efficient vehicles that are of an optimal size and capacity for their intended functions.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood practices the usage of the appropriate equipment with its intended use for the right service demand. The city diesel fleet was recently upgraded to use cleaner B5 fuel mix during the winter and B10 bio-diesel mix during the warmer summer months. .

The city has installed GEOtabs (http://www.geotab.com/) in all of the Maplewood Police cruisers. These tabs will help monitor police operations and track vehicle miles traveled, location, and vehicle idling time. This information will be used to right size the fleet and determine the vehicles that should be retired or replaced.

As of early 2014, the city recently purchased two new police interceptors to replace a few of the older Crown Victorias. The new interceptors will save, on average, 5 to 8 miles per gallon.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
For more information contact:
Scott Schultz (City Staff) | scott.schultz@maplewoodmn.gov | (651) 249-2430
2 star - Action 3:

Phase-in operational changes, equipment changes including electric vehicles, and no-idling practices for city or local transit fleets.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood does monthly monitoring and reporting on city fuel usage and cost through a computerized fuel card that employees use at the city gas pump for vehicles. The city also has regularly scheduled maintenance on their vehicles to optimize vehicle life and efficiency .

Snow plow training is mandatory every other year for staff on vehicle safety and the incorporation of the no-idling policy. City vehicles are under a maintenance schedule to help optimize vehicle life, fuel efficiency, and operation. In 2009, Maplewood transitioned from biodiesel B2 to biodiesel B5. In addition, B10 fuel is used during warmer summer months. All fuel used by the city also has an EcoClean additive that increases the efficiency of these biodiesel blends.

The city of Maplewood also purchase a fully electric car (GEM car) in 2009, this vehicle is used to take shorter trips around the city campus and the city at large. In 2011 the City retrofitted two plow trucks with new catalyst mufflers to reduce particulates from emissions.

The Maplewood police department has installed GeoTab fleet telemetry units in all marked police cars. These units use GPS to help the city develop policies that maximize driver safety and improve overall monitoring of the fleet. It also increase monitoring capabilities of system data which can lead to things like vehicle idling, a common waste of fuel and creator of CO2 emissions.

Since 2011 the city has converted three pieces of equipment (2 Bobcats and 1 mower) to EPA Tier 4 emissions compliant equipment.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Scott Schultz (City Staff) | scott.schultz@maplewoodmn.gov | (651) 249-2430
2 star - Action 4:

Phase in bike, e-bike, foot or horseback modes for police, inspectors and other city staff.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood has police patrols that are bike mounted. When the distance allows, staff have done code enforcement inspections by foot patrol as well as utilizing new city bikes available for staff use.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Scott Schultz (City Staff) | scott.schultz@maplewoodmn.gov | (651) 249-2430
1 star - Action 6:

Retrofit city diesel engines or install auxiliary power units and/or electrified parking spaces, utilizing Project GreenFleet or the like.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Through the grant Clean Diesel Grant from the MPCA, Maplewood was able to retrofit four of the city's older diesel engine trucks. This will help fund for the purchase and installation of oxidation catalysts as of summer 2011. The city has also switched their diesel fleet from B2 biodiesel to a B5 biodiesel mixture in the winter with B10 biodiesel in the summer.

Fleet will be replacing all older diesel trucks for newer vehicles that have pre-installed Oxidation Catalysts within the next two years.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
For more information contact:
Scott Schultz (City Staff) | scott.schultz@maplewoodmn.gov | (651) 249-2430

Environmental Management Environmental Management

Sustainable Purchasing {BP no.15}

3 star - 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: 2011
Implementation details:
The City Council adopted an updated Environmental Purchasing Policy in December 2020.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
It is the policy of the City of Maplewood to shift City purchasing to the procurement of goods and services that have a reduced effect on the natural environment and human health when compared to competing products and services that serve the same purpose. The policy will ensure socially-responsible procurement and the promotion of social equity through contracts. Preference for local businesses shall be accorded to promote businesses in the City that provide environmentally preferable products and services.
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
1 star - Action 5:

Set minimum sustainability standards to reduce the impact of your concrete use, asphalt, roadbed aggregate, or other construction materials.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In the Environmental purchasing policy recently passed by the city there are many different recycled-content material standards set. Examples discussed in the policy are paper, aggregate, lubricants, roads signs, and industrial oil.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
1 star - Action 7:

Lower the environmental footprint of meetings and events in the city.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The Environmental purchasing policy adopted on April 20,2011 has guidelines and suggestions for holding sustainable meetings and events including not using plastic and foam utensils and wares.

The city also has purchased pop up recycling bins that can be distributed for events and meetings.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
1 star - Action 8:

Use national green standards/guidelines for purchasing/investments such as cleaning products, furniture, flooring/coatings.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In Maplewood's Environmental Purchasing Policy, it specifies the use of state and national green standards/guidelines for purchasing cleaning products, paints, coatings and adhesives, carpets, and paper products.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304

Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}

1 star - Action 1:

Certify as a Tree City USA.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Since joining in 2008, the Arbor Day Foundation has declared that the City of Maplewood is a "Tree City USA"
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
2 star - Action 4:

Maximize tree planting along your main downtown street or throughout the city.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city recently adapted a very comprehensive tree ordinance including requirements of street trees. The city also has a very strong tree rebate program where they will cover 50% or $100 of any street shade tree purchased by residence.

In Maplewoods Living Streets policy, a city wide tree plan was created. In this plan, trees were planted during all new construction and renovation projects in the city. This creates cleaner air, a reduction in stormwater, and the interception of rain water through leaves and branches.

These trees increase the health of the Urban Forest by creating diversity in genetics and species types.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
2 star - Action 5:

Adopt a tree preservation or native landscaping ordinance.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city has both a tree preservation ordinance and a tree replacement ordinance in place for both the protection of existing trees as well as the replacement of removed trees due to development.

Link to Maplewood tree ordinance:
http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=1847
Link to Maplewood tree preservation ordinance:
http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=1848
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
3 star - Action 6:

Build community capacity to protect existing trees by one or more of:

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The contracted city forester is a licensed arborist and a certified tree inspector. The city has 2 staff members who are certified tree inspectors.

The City also passed a EAB management plan in 2011 and has started implementing the plan with boulevard trees.

Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank

Stormwater Management {BP no.17}

3 star - Action 2:

Complete the GreenStep Municipal Stormwater Management Assessment.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City of Maplewood recently registered in the Minnesota Blue Star Awards program for Stormwater Management. The city received a score of 139 of 193 possible points. In the specific sections of stormwater management; planning and preservation, stormwater standards and practices, and stormwater pollution prevention, the city is listed as one of the top performers.

Included is a link to the leaderboard page of the Blue Star award.

http://www.bluestarmn.org/leaderboard
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
3 star - Action 3:

Adopt by ordinance one or more of the following stormwater infiltration/management strategies to reduce impervious surface:

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
To ensure of the City's stormwater management standards and ordinance requirements, the City updated its stormwater management standards in April 2010. The city council adopted a new stormwater management ordinance based on those standards on June 14, 2010. A summary of the ordinance includes the requirement that all new development and redevelopment on projects which encompass one-half acre or more of disturbed area or 5,000 square-feet or more of new impervious surface will be evaluated based on the new stormwater requirements; runoff rates shall not exceed the pre-project runoff rates for the 2-year, 10-year, and 100-year critical duration storm events; total suspended solids will require treatment through infiltration practices for runoff volumes of at least 1.0 inch over all new impervious and redevelopment impervious portions of a project; no person shall throw, drain, discharge into the municipal separate storm sewer system any pollutants or waters containing any pollutants other than stormwater.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Steve Love (City Staff) | steve.love@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2404
3 star - 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 Environmental Utility Fund was started in late 2003 in response to local legislation that required the City to establish a program to meet permit requirements for the storm water system. The legislative mandate, called the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), is required of all storm system agencies within the state of Minnesota. To receive a permit, the City is required to provide an active program for management of the drainage system. This fee is the funding source for that program. The environmental utility is simply a method of financing the administration, planning, implementation, and maintenance of storm water best management practices.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
This consistent, dependable revenue source provides a dedicated fund to manage the drainage system and water quality improvements without increasing property taxes or using assessments. A utility also provides the means to handle the increasing costs through small adjustments in the utility charges.

About the Fees and Expenses
Maplewood was one of the last area communities to implement this fee system. The state has allowed this type of fee to property owners since the early 1980s. The City of Roseville was one of the first to implement the fee in 1984.
The basis for the fee, rather than relying upon property taxes for the same expenses, is that the charge for the fee is based upon the amount of impervious surface on the property and the impact on the overall drainage system. Taxes are based solely on property value, which is not correlated to the needs of the drainage system. With a fee based on the amount of the utility used, similar to a water or sewer bill, the amount of the charge to properties is more equitable. The fee is also charged to non-tax paying properties which amounts to nearly 10% of the utility charge that would not be collected from non-tax paying properties.
The largest contributors to the Environmental Utility Fund are the Maplewood Mall and 3M. Both have the largest surfaces of pavement within the community and thus the largest impact on the services provided by the fund.
The major expenses to the fund are to pay for street sweeping, storm pipe maintenance and wetland/ponding area maintenance. In addition, the fund pays for programs to enhance wetland areas and improve water quality in our lakes and streams. The fund will create a funding source for upgrades and replacement of the storm drainage system that will reduce assessments to property owners.
On October 20, 2011, the City Council increased the EUF by 10%, which raises the quarterly rates for a single-family home from $17.13 ($5.71 per month) to $18.84 ($6.21 per month); a $0.57 per month increase. Demands on city resources for stormwater treatment and increasing operating costs made this increase important to the continued fiscal health of this fund.
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
3 star - Action 5:

Adopt and implement guidelines or design standards/incentives for at least one of the following stormwater infiltration/reuse practices:

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In 1996, Maplewood installed its first rain garden to help manage stormwater. Maplewoods rain garden program includes: rain garden in Maplewoods street reconstruction programs; installing a rain garden of your own; rain gardens for developments and businesses. Although the City does not require rain gardens, the City has implemented guidelines and design standards for resident and commercial development usage of rain garden designs. These rain gardens are also created when there is new construction or renovation of streets within Maplewood. The living Streets program in the city will create rain gardens as well as creating areas of infiltration near sidewalks.

Permeable pavement is also used in areas such as the Maplewood Public Works parking lot, as well is in the Geranium Park parking lot. Permeable pavers were placed in the parking lot of the Maplewood Nature Center.

Link to Stormwater Management Plan:
http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/DocumentCenter/View/1512
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Today the city has over 620 home rain gardens and over 60 rain gardens on city land.

Three city parking lots utilize permeable pavement or pavers.

Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank

Parks and Trails {BP no.18}

2 star - Action 1:

Make improvements within your city's system of parks, offroad trails and open spaces.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In Maplewood's Comprehensive Plan chapter for parks, trails and open spaces "seeks balance between servicing the social, individual, environmental, and economic needs of the community." Most of them have been remedied by a restructuring in the maintenance department and a commitment by Public Works to our trail system.

With the Living Streets program, there has been a large increase the the availability of trails from neighborhoods. In 2015 the Parks & Recreation department of Maplewood finalized a new Parks System Master Plan. This plan will work help shape decision making for new trail creation as well as determine areas that need the most work to create connectivity between open spaces and parks.

Maplewood has completed its portion of the Lakes Link Trail for 2011.New trails have also been created near Lake Phalen within Maplewood that allow for greater connection between existing bike trails that are in Maplewood such as the Gateway trail and the Bruce Vento trail.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Audra Robbins (City Staff) | Audra.robins@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2125
2 star - Action 2:

Plan and budget for a network of parks, green spaces, water features and trails for areas where new development is planned.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In Maplewood, any new development requires the planning and budgeting for large open spaces, parks, water features or trails.

The City of Maplewood has, as of January 2015, finalized a Parks & Recreation Master plan in which there is greater discussion in the upkeep and expansion of natural areas and open spaces. This plan will help guide future discussion on the way the city looks at further development of parks, green spaces, water features and trails.

link to Maplewood Parks Master Plan:
http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/DocumentCenter/View/11875
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Audra Robbins (City Staff) | Audra.robins@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2125
3 star - Action 3:

Achieve minimum levels of city green space and maximize the percent within a ten-minute walk of community members.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In order for Maplewood to evaluate park needs for both passive and active park and open space, all residents are within the 1/2 mile of a park. Also, for every 1,000 people approximately 5 acres of park land should be provided to serve the residents.

Maplewood has approximately 710 acres of parks and open spaces. In that 710 acres approximately 263 or 37% are protected open spaces. These calculations do not include the purchase of Fish Creek.

With the finalization of the Maplewood Parks & Recreation System Master Plan, there is an even greater push to create an even better system of parks and natural areas open to the public throughout the city.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Audra Robbins (City Staff) | Audra.robins@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2125
2 star - Action 4:

Adopt low-impact design standards in parks and trails that infiltrate or retain all 2 inch, 24-hour stormwater events on site.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood has adopted low-impact design standards in parks and trails that infiltrate and/or retain all 2 inch, 24-hour stormwater events on site. Maplewood is very proactive to low-impact design standards and stormwater.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Audra Robbins (City Staff) | Audra.robins@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2125
2 star - Action 5:

Create park/city land management standards/practices that maximize at least one of the following:

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city currently has a turf management plan that address all of these issues including the placement of low/no mow areas. The collection of recyclables is a part of the solid waste management aspect of the City's public areas solid waste management plan. 3M headquarters is currently working with the University of Minnesota to organize and implement bee hives on the open spaces within the 3M campus.

Maplewood has worked on reducing and minimizing the size of turf areas and promoting the usage of native landscaping within public lands.

The City has also tested certain sites with organic products and also trying to promote the usage of organic and integrated pest management. The city currently has a turf management plan that address all of these issues
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Audra Robbins (City Staff) | Audra.robins@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2125
1 star - Action 6:

Certify at least one golf course in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Keller Golf Course is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary since April 2008. This golf course is one of 22 golf courses within the state of Minnesota that are certified in this manner according to the Audubon Society website.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Audra Robbins (City Staff) | Audra.robins@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2125
3 star - Action 7:

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.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood completed construction of the new Wakefield Park building in early 2019. It was built under Maplewood's Green Building Code and is a solar-ready building.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Audra Robbins (City Staff) | Audra.robins@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2125
2 star - Action 8:

Develop a program to involve community members in hands-on land restoration, invasive species management and stewardship projects.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood has a program called "Adopt-a-Park" with its community members and residents. This event has participants go out to their favorite parks and pick up trash. The event is usually held around the time of earth day. The parks department is now working with local community groups and members to set up times for small groups to go out and clean the parks on their own.
The goal of Maplewood's Adopt-A-Park Program is to provide an opportunity to interested parties to take part in maintaining or park system.

By providing this opportunity it not only encourages and promotes community involvement but also allows us to beautify and improve our parks. All Adopt-A-Park projects should aim towards benefiting the majority of park users.

Maplewood's Nature Center has volunteer programs for adults, youth and groups.
The city also covers the hauling cost during the annual buckthorn removal day. Maplewood coordinates an annual free buckthorn pick-up for registered homeowners who remove large volumes of buckthorn. Pick-up is scheduled for only one day each year, typically in early November.

Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Audra Robbins (City Staff) | Audra.robins@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2125

Surface Water {BP no.19}

1 star - Action 3:

Adopt and publicly report on measurable surface water improvement targets for lake, river, wetland and ditches.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In the Surface Waters Management plan the city lays out a goal of getting the impaired lakes within the area off of the Minnesota Pollution Control Impaired waters list.

In March of 2014, city staff, along with other stakeholder presented at a public meeting on Wakefield lake and nutrient loading. In the presentation the city provided information on past project and future plans for how staff can reduce the phosphorus levels in Wakefield lake and the Phalen Casey chain of lakes. Provided is a link to that presentation.

http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/documentcenter/view/10861
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
1 star - Action 4:

Adopt a shoreland ordinance for all river and lake shoreland areas.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City of Maplewood has a Wetlands Ordinance that has been in use for many years. A Shoreline Ordinance is included within that document and is consistent with the DNR rules concerning shoreline management.


Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
2 star - Action 6:

Implement an existing TMDL implementation plan.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City of Maplewood in partnership with the Ramsey Washington Watershed District and other stakeholders have been working to decrease the Nitrogen and phosphorus loads in the Phalen-Casey chain of lakes. The city and their partners have been working on projects to meet these nutrient load reduction goals.

There has also been projects done that help determine the amounts of runoff entering Wakefield Lake and what can be done to prevent this.

Link to Wakefield Lake TMDL study:
http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/DocumentCenter/View/10861

Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank

Efficient Water and Wastewater Systems {BP no.20}

2 star - Action 3:

Establish an on-going budget and program for decreasing inflow and infiltration into sewer lines and losses in drinking water systems.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
As described in the stormwater plan the city annually checks their sewer system for damage using cameras and other standard monitoring measures. This program includes a quarterly review of flow reports to identify critical I/I areas. The City is making annual investments to address I/I problems. These investments have included sewer main lining, sealing manholes, and the replacement of sections of sanitary sewer mains.The Living Streets program will also help identify critical I/I problems during construction projects.

With the new Living Streets program, extra care is taken to make sure there are updates to decrease the amount of storm run off infiltrating into sewer lines. This is done by increasing rain gardens to keep run off on site. This increased look at run-off occurs at all construction and reconstruction projects.


There is also grant money available to increase the umber of rain gardens along streets that are not being currently worked on.


The Citys current Capital Improvement Program (CIP) includes annual improvements to address illegal sump pump connections.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Steve Love (City Staff) | steve.love@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2404

Septic Systems {BP no.21}

1 star - Action 2:

Use a community process to address failing septic systems.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City of Maplewood has a program that follows the five-step process for addressing failing septic systems developed by the University of Minnesota's Onsite Sewage Treatment Program.

The City of Maplewood also has an ordinance regarding other aspects of Septic Systems from planning to clean up. Since these require permits, the city of Maplewood can help those involved find resources as well as proper guidelines.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
2 star - Action 3:

Clarify/establish one or more responsible management entities (RMEs) for the proper design, siting, installation, operation, monitoring and maintenance of septic systems.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In 2013 the City of Maplewood adopted a new SSTS ordinance that complies with the new rules of the MPCA. The city requires proper permitting for the management, operation, compliance inspections and maintenance of Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Steve Love (City Staff) | steve.love@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2404
3 star - Action 4:

Adopt a subsurface sewage treatment system ordinance based on the Association of Minnesota Counties' model ordinance.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood has an ordinance based on the Association of Minnesota Counties model ordinance that adopts the subsurface sewage treatment program outlined by the MPCA.

The ordinance was recently updated by staff to reflect new changes required by the MPCA that all cities must completed an update to Minnesota rules governing Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS) in 2008.

Major changes to the ordinance include:

1.Management Plans: Management plans are required for all new or replaced SSTS. A management plan describes operational and maintenance requirements and the frequency of each to ensure system performance, including a planned course of action to prevent an illegal discharge.
2.Operating Permit: An operating permit is required for SSTS with a pretreatment device, custom engineered design, design flow of more than 5,000 gallons per day. Operating permits specify system performance, operating, and maintenance requirements and schedules, monitoring locations, procedures and recording requirements.
3.Compliance Inspections: Compliance inspections are required for construction of a new system; modification, upgrade, or repair of existing systems; prior to issuance of building permits for bedroom additions; expansion or change in use of the building or property being served by the system that might impact performance of the system; and at time of property transfer. Compliance inspections ensure that an SSTS is working properly.
4.Maintenance: SSTS are required to be inspected and if needed be emptied every three years. The owner must submit the required MPCA Septic Tank Maintenance Reporting Form to the City. This will allow the City to create a system of tracking the required maintenance inspections.
5.Abandonment: Requires the abandonment of SSTS no longer in use.

On September 23, 2013, the City Council adopted a new SSTS ordinance which complies with those new rules.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304

Sustainable Consumption and Waste {BP no.22}

3 star - Action 1:

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.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2008
Implementation details:
The city has had a recycling in the parks program since 2011. Every trash bin in all Maplewood parks has a recycling bin placed next to it. The parks maintenance crew collect the recyclable material and brings the material to 3 larger recycling dumpster collection area.

The city has collected over 10,000 lbs of recyclable material since the start of the recycling in the parks program.

Maplewood did a waste sort at the city facilities in 2008 and found that a large majority of the material in the trash was recyclable or compostable. Another city campus waste sort was done during March of 2015. It was discovered that 71% of the cities waste could be reused, recycled, or composted. This will guide further decisions on waste management in the city.

Since that time the city has set up an internal city facility recycling program and collects around 5000 lbs of recyclable material a year.

For 2015, the city will be setting up a compostable waste program at the Maplewood Community Center in the new city facilities trash contract. The grant for this composting program is currently being reviewed by the county.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
1 star - Action 3:

Improve profitability, legal compliance and conserve resources through adoption of ordinance language, licensing and resource management contracts.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
City building are included in the City wide recycling program. They are charged a flat rate per unit (building)that is collected in the contact not based on volume like normal waste recovery contracts. In 2012, over 13 tons of recyclable material was collected in city parks and facilities by Tennis Sanitation.

The city of Maplewood also has the option for local businesses and schools to opt into a recycling program within the city. For assistance with implementation as well as grant funding for implementation the city works with BizRecycling who provides free services for businesses and institutions in Ramsey and Washington Counties.

The city is working on re-sizing bins as well as rolling out organics collection options with businesses.
The city of Maplewood also works with Minnesota Wastewise to decrease the amount of waste in city facilities.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Tennis Sanitation LLC; Biz Recycling; Minnesota Waste Wise
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
2 star - Action 4:

Publicize, promote and use the varied businesses/services collecting and marketing used, repaired and rental consumer goods, especially electronics, in the city/county.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city has a webpage devoted to recycling and collection of goods for the purpose of re-use of those materials. On that webpage they have a link to Ramsey counties's very expansive list of re-use, recycling, and safe disposal companies.

For 2013, instead of the traditional fall cleanup event the city partnered with Allied Waste/Republic Services, the city's trash collector to host the Fall Cleanup Campaign. For two weeks in October the vendor collected large bulky items curbside from residents for 50% reduced fee. In conjunction with the bulky trash item collection the city also provided residents a list of organization that would accept gently used furniture, clothes, and household material.

For all the city cleanup events the city has partnered with various organizations to promote reuse. The city has worked with Bridging, Goodwill, Disabled American Veterans, Re-cycle, Local Shredding Companies and a few small engine mechanics to recover as much material as possible from the waste stream.

Since 2011, Re-Cycle, the city' bike recycling vendor has recovered over 438 bikes for a total of 11,000 pounds of material collected at the annual cleanup events.

The city of Maplewood has also increased the amount of recycling available for businesses. During 2014 there were 16 new businesses signed up for the recycling program which diverted 30,000 lbs of recyclables from the waste stream.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
1 star - Action 5:

Arrange for a residential and/or business/institutional source-separated organics collection/management program.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City, in partner with the Minnesota Waste Wise organization has been providing technical assistance in the area of solid waste management to local churches and small businesses.

At no cost to the participating organization the city will conduct a site inspection and provide feedback to help better manage an organization's solid waste stream.

During a recent visit to Saint Jeromes school a opportunity for waste diversion. It was noted that a vast majority of the schools garbage was food waste. Waste Wise then helped the school set up a food-to-hogs program. The participating school has found the program to be very successful and is excited to reduce the volume of trash they are generating.

For 2014 Ramsey County began hosting a source separated organics collection points at their compost sites. The county has provided the city with free compostable bags to hand to residents. The city now provides those bag to residents at the city hall, the Maplewood Community Center, and the City Hall.

In addition to compost drop off, the city of Maplewood does have an ordinance that allows for backyard composting as well as the sale of composting containers that fit within that ordinance through the Recycling Association of Minnesota. The city will work with Ramsey County to deliver organics collection bins to be utilized during events. the city and Ramsey County will collect these bins and drop off the waste.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Ramsey County
For more information contact:
Elizabeth Hammond (City Staff) | elizabeth.hammond@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2302
3 star - 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:
On November 28, 2011, the Maplewood City Council voted to organize the City's residential trash hauling. The City previously had an organized recycling system and an open hauling trash system with nine residentially licensed trash haulers. Maplewood was the first City in 20 years to organize trash hauling under the old Solid Waste Management Statute. Because of Maplewood's experience organizing under the old statute which required cities to adopt a resolution of intent to organize just to begin a study, the Solid Waste Management Statute was amended to create a more fair and equitable system for cities to study their solid waste programs. Maplewood's organized trash hauling rolled out in October 2012 with Republic Services as the single-hauler, contract ending December 2017. Maplewood supplies the trash carts in our trash hauling system. The trash carts come in four different sizes. Based on a review of Maplewood's open hauling trash rates versus our organized rates, Maplewood residents are saving $1.6 million per year compared to actual rates and $1 million per year compared to advertised rates. This equals a savings of 50% to 75% on most resident's previous open hauling trash bill. In addition, Maplewood's organized trash has reduced truck traffic, reduced emissions, and has helped the City better manage its solid waste.


The Maplewood Trash Collection Plan will begin on October 1, 2012, with Allied Waste Services contracted to collect trash from all single-family residential homes (four units or less).

There is no opt out options for residents if they want to choose a different residential trash haulers. Residents can opt out of the residential program if they can prove they dispose of their waste at a place of employment or a if they want to share service with their neighbor.

Link to Maplewood Recycling:
http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/index.aspx?NID=1018
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
2 star - Action 7:

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.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Part of the new single hauler waste plan is a use rate, where, with the monitoring of computer chips in the garbage cans, the hauler records the frequency of that specific bin is collection and determines the residences trash fee based on that data with residence getting breaks if they are gone 3 weeks or more.
The price for pick up depends on the size of the bins. 95 gallon $13.32, 20 Gallon $9.52, and 20 gallon picked up every other week $7.02.

There is a decrease in cost to the resident if they choose bi-weekly trash pickup instead of weekly.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304

Local Air Quality {BP no.23}

1 star - 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 Maplewood regulates outdoor wood burning with specific procedures that residence must follow. The standards are written into a recreational fire procedure.

Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
1 star - Action 3:

Decrease air emissions from vehicle idling, gasoline filling stations, business trucking, and pollutants/noise from stationary engines/back-up generators.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city of Maplewood has an Idling Policy in place for city vehicles.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Scott Schultz (City Staff) | scott.schultz@maplewoodmn.gov | (651) 249-2430

Resilient Economic & Community Development Resilient Economic and Community Development

Benchmarks and Community Engagement {BP no.24}

3 star - 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:
Implementation details:
Maplewood has had a Green Team since 2008. The Green Team is made up of a group of employees that serve as the steering committee for the Green Step Cities program. In 2015 the Green Team focused on organics and energy with the implementation of the City Hall Campus Organics Collection Program, Energize Maplewood! Pilot Challenge, participation in the Power Down plug load study, and several Green Team events. The Green Team presents an annual Sustainability Report to the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission and City Council yearly. These presentations are broadcast live and replayed on the City's cable television channel. The annual sustainability report is also posted on the City's website.

The City of Maplewood is participating in the Partners in Energy Program with Xcel Energy. Through the program the City formed an Energy Action Team, made up of City residents, business owners, Council, Commission, and staff members. The Energy Action Team reviewed the City's energy data from Xcel Energy including energy used, programs participated in, dollars spent. With this information the Energy Action Team created energy actions that can be achieved over a two to three-year period. The energy actions are outlined in the plan called Energize Maplewood! which was adopted by the City Council in April 2015. Since that time the City has implemented two of the energy actions including the residential energy challange (Energize Maplewood! Team Energy Challange) and offering energy audits and energy efficiency improvements to businesses and churches (Building Tune Up Program). Xcel Energy is tracking the energy actions and energy reductions taken. The City will report on these goals.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
2 star - Action 2:

Communicating Progress on Goals: Organize goals/outcome measures from all city plans (social, environmental, economic) and report to community members data that show progress toward meeting these goals.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City reports goals/outcomes measures yearly on sustainability initiatives and stormwater management.
Sustainability: The Sustainability Chapter of Maplewood's 2030 Comprehensive Plan outlines how the City will improve on the natural and built environment by using best practices for sustainability. Property values and the City's overall marketability will rise over time by improving upon these environments. The vision for sustainability as outlined in the Chapter states: "The City of Maplewood, in order to ensure stewardship of its environment, will promote sustainable development and practices for the preservation, design, and maintenance of its natural and built environments. Developments and practices should maintain or enhance economic opportunity and community well-being while protecting and restoring the natural environment that people, economies, and ecological systems depend on." The annual Sustainability Report is provided to the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission and City Council as an update on the City's sustainability goals and to obtain comment and feedback on strategies needed to continue the mission. The report identifies specific actions taken by departments and how performance can be improved in the coming year. The Sustainability Report is broadcast live and rerun on the City's government television network. The report is published on the City's sustainability webpage.
Stormwater Management: As part of Maplewood's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, the City of Maplewood is required to prepare an annual report detailing the progress made in the previous year toward satisfying the minimum control measures including: Public Education and Outreach; Public Participation and Involvement; Illicit Discharge, Detection and Elimination; Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control; Post-Construction Storm Water Management; Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping. The stormwater report presented to the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission yearly, published as a public hearing, and broadcast live and rerun on the City's government television network.

Sustainability Report:

2011 Sustainability Report: http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=2358
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
The city's contracted recycling hauler, Tennis Sanitation, sends out an annual report to all multi-family residence with the total quantity of waste collected from that building during the year.

The City of Maplewood is participating in the Regional Indicators Initiative project. The project measures annual performance metrics for 20 Minnesota cities that are committed to increasing their overall efficiency and level of sustainability. The project addresses two crucial components of planning for sustainability—carbon baseline assessments and annual indicators. Four primary indicators were collected through the activities generated by the people who live, work, learn, travel, visit, and recreate within each city’s geographical boundaries including:

Energy: Total energy consumed for electricity production and the stationary combustion of natural gas and other fuels (coal, fuel oil, diesel, gasoline, propane) primarily for space heating.
Water: Potable water consumed.
Waste: Municipal solid waste managed via recycling, composting, combustion, and landfilling.
Travel: On-road vehicle miles traveled. The project is supported by the Urban Land Institute whose mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities.
Descriptive File: view file
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
2 star - Action 3:

Measuring Outcomes: Engage community members and partners in identifying, measuring, and reporting progress on key sustainability and social indicators/ including energy use/greenhouse gas emissions, social vitality/social inclusion outcome measures.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In Maplewood, the Green Team and Environmental & Natural Commission engages community members in a public process for city council adoption of and commitment to measure and report on progress toward sustainability indicators which are discussed in their yearly sustainability report to the board which is available online for all city residents to view.

The Sustainability reports shows what actions and best practices the city has worked on over the course of the last year and what the outcomes from those actions.

The City of Maplewood is currently involved in the Partners in Energy program. Partners in Energy is a two-year community support program sponsored by Xcel Energy. It offers communities the tools and resources necessary to develop and implement an Energy Action Plan that outlines short- and long-term energy goals.

The Maplewood City Council approved the Partners in Energy Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the formation of an Energy Action Team on November 24, 2014. The MOU approves the initial planning phase of the program, which will be carried out from January to April 2015. Phase Two will begin in May 2015 and involves the implementation of the Energy Action Plan which was approved by the council in April of 2015.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
1 star - Action 4:

Public Education for Action: Conduct or support a broad sustainability education and action campaign, building on existing community relationships, networks & events involving:

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood continually conducts sustainability education and campaigns. The latest large scale sustainability campaign is the Maplewood Partners in Energy campaign. This program will have many different facets in which existing energy programs will be available for different groups within the city of Maplewood. While the program will work with the entire community, the main focus areas will include congregations, neighborhoods, and local businesses. While this partnership focuses energy there are other opportunities to increase information available about other sustainable practices such as stormwater management,local food production, and increased business access to sustainable practice information.

The Nature Center offers a wide variety of programming, including sustainability education. One program example includes naturalists visiting a neighborhood to conduct on-site buckthorn (invasive species) education and training. Neighbors come together as a group for the training and then work together to remove buckthorn in the neighborhood. The City then coordinates buckthorn curbside collection with our public works crew for easy disposal.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304

Green Business Development {BP no.25}

2 star - Action 1:

Grow new/emerging green businesses and green jobs through targeted assistance and new workforce development.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
On June 21, 2011, the City approved a loan to St. John's Hospital for building improvements. The loan is part of a wider St. Paul Port Authority (SPPA) program called the Trillion BTU program. The program hopes to save one trillion BTUs of energy by providing large businesses with loans for energy efficiency improvements to their facilities. The $400,000 loan came from the City's general fund and the Economic Development Authority (EDA). The St. Paul Port Authority matched the $400,000 loan and X-Cel energy provided the final $75,000 in funding as a rebate.

St. John's Hospital is expected to repay the loan over a 5 to 10 year period.

In 2009 the City provided the Maplewood Mall with a sub grant of $10,000 for 107 parking lot lighting retrofits. The sub grant helped create a new green job at the mall and has an estimated savings of 135,802 kWh's a year.

Within the Partners in Energy, which the city of Maplewood is involved in with Xcel Energy, there are grants available for businesses to receive recommissioning studies. These recommissioning studies will receive a rebate from Xcel energy. This rebate will then be used to help implement changes within the businesses. This program will also help businesses receive information about other sustainability programs like stormwater, and waste prevention.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Saint Paul Port Authority, Xcel Energy
For more information contact:
Michael Martin (City Staff) | michael.martin@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2303
2 star - Action 2:

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.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City has provided the MN Waste Wise program a list of manufacturers and businesses located within the city so the Waste Wise program can reach out to these companies.

When Waste Wise starts setting up meetings with these different companies the city will have a representative present to discuss promotional opportunities, web spotlight, newsletter, etc. to spotlight the companies and their sustainability actions. The city has also actively promoted the Minnesota Waste Wise program on their website.

City staff and Waste Wise staff have now visited over 12 businesses and churches to do waste and energy audits. The response have been very positive with some businesses saving over $800 a year in trash hauler fees.

Xcel Energy will be a major assistance provider during the business outreach program aspect of the Partners in Energy partnership which will begin in May of 2015. This program will run for 18 months and focus on assisting many different businesses with energy conservation measures.

Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Minnesota Waste Wise; Xcel Energy
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
1 star - Action 3:

Promote sustainable tourism in your city, and green tourism resources to tourism and hospitality businesses in/around the city.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In 2012 many improvements were made to the parking lot at the Maplewood Mall with the goal of better stormwater filtration and pollutant management. The construction was completed last summer and the Mall now offers tours of their facility to spotlight the new sustainable upgrades to the location. The city of Maplewood, in partner with the Maplewood Mall management team, believe that the mall can be used as a training tool for sustainability in large business development areas.

During summer months, the Maplewood Nature Center promotes and organizes tours of the many local community gardens in the city as well as providing tours and other activities for all visitors to the center.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
1 star - Action 4:

Strengthen value-added businesses utilizing local "waste" material.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
For cleanup events, the city partners with Re-cycle, a group of bike coops in the metro area to recycle and recover all bikes and parts from bikes. To date Re-cycle has collected over 301 bikes at the event with a total weight of over 7,450 lbs.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
1 star - Action 5:

Lower the environmental and health risk footprint of a brownfield remediation/redevelopment project beyond regulatory requirements; report brightfield projects.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The East Metro Public Safety Training Center constructed along a part of Century ave in east Maplewood. The facility is located on a 20 acre parcel of land that the MnDOT currently owns. The initial phase called for a Response Action Plan (RAP). The RAP, now completed, called for the removal and replacement of soil at the site because of pollution and soil degradation. Clean fill was trucked to the site to replace the material that was removed.

The Site redevelopment is budgeted at upwards of $400,000 with another $250,000 in Marshland improvements at the site.

The site is used to train and maintain training for more than 1,400 firefighters (both paid-per-call and full-time) and 3,000 public safety officers who cover a population of 716,158 people in Ramsey and Washington counties.

Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
1 star - Action 6:

Promote green businesses that are recognized under a local, regional or national program.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The Garden Fresh Farms aquaponic facility is located within Maplewood and has been certified as a Minnesota Grown Company. The company, which grows vegetables from fish waste, has been spotlighted in the city's quarterly natural resources newsletter and is included on the city's local foods webpage.The city of Maplewood will also be working with businesses to host workshops that will encourage the growth of green business practices by the access to information. These workshops will be during the fall and late summer of 2015 in city facilities.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
1 star - Action 7:

Conduct or participate in a buy local campaign for community members and local businesses.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city promoted business which practice sustainable local food production. To promote these sustainability practices the city provided a local foods brochure to all residential households which was included in the spring Maplewood Seasons.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:

Renewable Energy {BP no.26}

2 star - Action 1:

Adopt wind energy and/or biomass ordinances that allow, enable, or encourage appropriate renewable energy installations.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood has an ordinance that addresses and includes solar and geothermal energy standards. An ordinance that also includes wind energy has been adopted as of October, 2011 by the city council and is now in use. The purpose of the ordinance is to "encourage
renewable energy systems that have a positive impact in energy conservation, with limited
adverse impact on the community." (Renewable Energy Ordinance, 2011)
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
2 star - Action 2:

Promote resident/business purchases and/or generation of clean energy by:

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city of Maplewood has many different ways that they distribute information about renewable energy generation within the community. They have information on the website, in monthly newsletters, and in brochures available in some public building. With the roll-out of the Partners in Energy plan during May 2015, the city of Maplewood will be working with Xcel Energy to include energy saving tips within Xcel distributions such as newsletters and bill inserts. The Partners in Energy plan will also see home improvement stores in Maplewood, such as Home Depot and Menards, will host DIY workshops on a wide range of topics for Maplewood residents.

Maplewood continued its promotion of clean energy with Partners in Energy through 2016 and 2017 with the Home Energy Challenge and the Solar Top 40. The Solar Top 40 used the U of M solar analysis tool to identify solar potential for businesses and some residents. Maplewood also offered a Solar Power Hour in 2018 and 2019, which offers residents the opportunity to gain lower-cost solar installations through a group buy program.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Xcel Energy
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
1 star - Action 5:

Install a public sector/municipally-owned renewable energy technology, such as solar electric (PV), wind, biomass, solar hot water/air, or micro-hydro.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In Maplewood, there are three locations that have had solar cells installed as of 2019. The locations include the Nature Center, the Community Center, and City Hall The solar photovoltaic electrical systems installed by the City of Maplewood include two systems of approximately 39.96 kilowatts in nameplate capacity and a third that produces approximately 47,600 kWh annually. One of the systems is located on the rooftop of the city-owned Community Center building at 2100 White Bear Avenue in Maplewood, one is a solar awning on the south side of the Nature Center at 2659 E 7th St., and the other system is ground-mounted on a site adjacent to City Hall at 1830 County Road B East in Maplewood. All systems are grid connected through an agreement with Xcel Energy as the local utility provider, which also provided Solar Rewards and Made-in Minnesota Bonus rebates for the project. The energy produced by these photovoltaic panels is recorded within the cities B3 software.

The city of Maplewood also entered into a 25-year subscription to community solar in 2016. The City subscribed to 856,290 kWh, which is approximately 34 percent of the City's overall electrical use. The solar garden is located in Scandia, MN.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Xcel
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304

Local Food {BP no.27}

2 star - 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:
Implementation details:
Maplewood has a community garden located in Edgerton Park that can be rented out for gardening. The garden is attended by community members and local school children to promote local gardening practices. Some of the community members involved are residents of near-by high density, multi-cultural housing residents that are involved with the gardens. They are allowed plots as well as information concerning best gardening practices. This education is coordinated by both Maplewood and North St. Paul Parks and Recreation. A local church, the First Evangelical free church, in Maplewood also hosts a community garden.

Maplewood promotes many other local food and gardening programs and informational resources. These include working with Ramsey county Master gardeners and Gardening Matters.

Maplewood has an ordinance that allows for residents in single family residential areas to have up to 10 hens on a property. These chickens must have a permit from the city, consent from 60% of neighbors, a spacious coop and run, as well as yard specifications that allow for healthy animals.



Link to aerial view of community gardens.
http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=1877
Link to chicken ordinance
http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/index.aspx?nid=1012
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
3 star - 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: Unknown
Implementation details:
The city of Maplewood host a farmers market every Wednesday at Aldrich Arena from 8 am to 12 between May through October.

The city's green team, in partner with the wellness committee, ran a local foods campaign throughout 2012. The final part of the local foods campaign was a spotlight of local produce and produce growers in Maplewood in the seasons publication.

Maplewood installed a community garden within a City park. Edgerton Community Garden has 70 plots that are available for the general public to rent for the season. Maplewood manages the garden, maintaining the grounds, coordinating registration, and hosting volunteer and gardening opportunities.

Maplewood has an agreement with Urban Roots to manage three acres of city park land as a native seed garden. Urban Roots planted the native seeds in approximately 2019. The plants are now mature enough to harvest the seed, which is used in restoration project in Maplewood as well as other areas of the east metro. Maplewood coordinates events and service projects at the garden to do education and outreach with the community.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
1 star - Action 4:

Measurably increase institutional buying and sales of foods and fibers that are local, Minnesota-grown, organic, healthy, humanely raised, and grown by fairly compensated growers.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city initiated a local foods campaign in the summer of 2012 in partner with the city's internal wellness committee. The final action for the campaign was a spotlight on local organic foods. A local foods brochure was included in the seasons. The city also created a website dedicated to local food production in the area.

In 2019, a local affordable food guide was created for Maplewood that will be distributed through various local institutions.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304

Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience {BP no.29}

1 star - Action 1:

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.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In Ramsey County, both emergency management and homeland security are coordinated in a comprehensive program under the Ramsey County Emergency Management and Homeland Security department (RCEMHS). RCEMHS works with local municipalities (including Maplewood), neighboring counties in the metro region, private and non-profit organizations, and state and federal partners to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from incidents ranging from tornadoes to terrorism.

Maplewood's Emergency Management Team is made up of emergency management, police, fire, and public works departments. The function of emergency management is to prepare and maintain state and federally approved Emergency Disaster plans; assist businesses and other departments within the city with developing contingency emergency plans; locate and secure resources from within and outside the city; regularly execute drills to ensure the highest possible state of readiness; develop and maintain volunteer groups with appropriate training to assist in situations; disseminate information regarding disaster and emergency preparedness; and maintain outdoor warning sirens.

Maplewood's Emergency Management Team consults with the county to review the Hazard Mitigation Plan and identify who is responsible for City preparedeness.

Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Ramsey County
For more information contact:
Michael Mondor (City Staff) | michael.mondor@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2802
2 star - Action 2:

Integrate climate resilience into city or tribal planning, policy, operations, and budgeting processes.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2021
Implementation details:
2023/2024 - Climate Mitigation: Maplewood is in the process of drafting a Climate Mitigation Plan that will guide the City toward reduced emissions and will serve as a compliment to the City's Climate Adaptation Plan. The first phase of the project included climate mitigation outreach and education in 2023, followed by the creation of a draft plan with Maplewood stakeholders. Part of the outreach was the creation of a Climate Mitigation survey that will help shape the City's greenhouse gas reduction priorities. In 2024 the City will begin drafting the Climate Mitigation Plan with the assistance of a consultant and stakeholders.

2021 - Climate Adaptation: Maplewood adopted a Climate Adaptation plan on May 24, 2021. The strategies and actions contained in the plan will increase Maplewood’s resilience to climate impacts and help prioritize sustainable uses of land and water, reduce waste, and support improved equity and livability.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
paleBLUEdot, LLC
For more information contact:
Shann Finwall (City Staff) | shann.finwall@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2304
1 star - Action 3:

Increase social connectedness through engagement, capacity building, public investment, and opportunities for economically vulnerable residents to improve their economic prosperity and resilience to climate change.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
1. The City of Maplewood's Nature Center holds workshops and educational opportunities to teach residents practical skills in urban agriculture as part of the Edgerton Community Garden programming; trees as part of the City's requirements as a Tree City USA; and raingardens as part of our ongoing efforts to improve water quality through stormwater best practices.

2. In 2016 Maplewood began a partnership with Ramsey County to promote and offer space for monthly Fix It Clinics. The free events allow residents to get items repaired such as small equipment (such as a lamp or desktop radio) and small sewing projects (such as mending ripped pants). This allows residents to save money and reduces waste.

3. In 2015 Maplewood held a series of workshops at the Maplewood Community Center designed to build partnerships with local businesses. One of the workshops help in the spring of 2015 was a career day. Students from local high schools and collages were offered an opportunity to meet with local business staff to discuss their career goals, and get advice on moving forward with their education and career paths.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Number of events and attendees at workshops, educational opportunities, Fix It Clinics, and Career Day events.

Descriptive File:
Maplewood Nature Center, Ramsey County, Maplewood Community Center
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
1 star - Action 5:

Protect public buildings and natural/constructed infrastructure to reduce physical damage and sustain their function during extreme weather events.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2017
Implementation details:
All stormwater assets (basins, outlets, treatment devices, culverts, lift stations, inlets, pipes, manholes) are mapped and assigned a condition and value in the Cartegraph system. When creating new assets or updating existing assets (location or attributes) all changes get auto-updated to GIS map. Program tracks asset issues and tasks (integrated into daily operations and inspection forms on I-Pads for example). An issue can be reported internally or externally from citizens (example - citizen takes a photo of flooding on smart phone app and the correct staff person is alerted and prioritizes the task).
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Knowing the value and condition of our infrastructure assets, including stormwater assets, allows the city to make prudent financial decisions based on a holistic data driven approach.

Why cities should implement asset management system:

1) Implement an asset management system that shows the location, condition, value, and other pertinent information of the city’s infrastructure assets across all departments in one user friendly system (also contains a work flow component).
2) Provides real-time reflection of citywide asset conditions and value. Accurate tracking will better inform maintenance, preservation, and replacement (life cycle) decisions.
3) Implement a system that also provides residents and business owners a mechanism to report deficient infrastructure (potholes, broken playground equipment, etc.) and receive real-time updates on progress.
Descriptive File: view file
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
1 star - Action 6:

Reduce the urban heat impacts of public buildings, sites, and infrastructure and provide resiliency co-benefits.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Maplewood encourges the use of rain gardens on both public and private lands to better manage stormwater and increase resilience. Rain gardens located in the right-of-ways were created as part of a street reconstruction project. Maplewood adopted a Living Streets Policy in 2013. The policy promotes the use of rain gardens and other stormwater best practices to decrease stormwater runoff from all new street reconstruction projects. Since 1996, the city has installed over 700 boulevard raingardens and over 60 city rain gardens as part of street reconstruction projects. Maplewood encourages residents and developers to construct raingardens on private property.

The Maplewood Nature Center holds workshops for residents on installing and maintaining raingardens. One program that is held yearly is the raingarden rehab program, designed to help residents with existing, poorly functioning raingardens to make improvements to their raingardens.

Service learning, such as planting many of the City’s large rain gardens, is an important component of the Nature Center’s programs. In 2015 naturalists worked with several classes from Weaver Elementary to replant the large rain garden on Manton, north of Frost Avenue.

The City partners with Century College to conduct service projects throughout the City. One service project consistently offered is native plantings in newly constructed or refurbished raingardens.

The City of Maplewood partners with Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District on promoting their stormwater best practice cost share grant and programs.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Number of attendees at raingarden events, number of raingardens in the city.
Descriptive File:
Maplewood Nature Center, Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District
For more information contact:
Carole Gernes (City Staff) | carole.gernes@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2416
1 star - Action 7:

Protect water supply and wastewater treatment facilities to reduce physical damage and sustain their function during extreme weather events.

Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In January 2016 Maplewood launched the Energize Maplewood! Team Energy Challenge. This is one of the City's energy actions outlined in the Energize Maplewood! Energy Action Plan. The plan was drafted as part of the Partners in Energy Program, which is sponsored by Xcel Energy. The Team Energy Challenge includes 100 households that have formed teams to reduce energy use through conservation, energy efficiency improvements and utility rebate programs. Another component of the challenge is education, outreach, and special events.

At Fish Creek, the City's newest neighborhood preserve, partners and contractors restored over 22 acres of grassland to native prairie vegetation, and volunteers planted trees and prairie plugs.

The City works with school groups on service learning projects. Students from Century College and public schools in the area volunteer to plant trees and plant native plants or improve raingardens throughout the City.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Number of people participating in the energy challenge, number of energy efficiency improvements made, reduction in energy use. Number of people participating in programs to improve community assets (community gardens, urban trees, stormwater green infrastructure). Number of trees planted, raingardens planted or improved, or food produced from community gardens.
Descriptive File:
Xcel Energy, Maplewood Nature Center
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank