Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs.
City Detail
Background Information
City of Mora
County: Kanabec
GreenStep City status and date: STEP 2 (
)
City Assessment Files and City Performance Metrics
City councils pass a resolution to join the GreenStep program and are recognized at Step 1. Step 2 and Step 3 recognition levels reflect completed city actions, reported and rated below with stars (1 star = good, 2 stars = better, 3 stars = best). The Assessment File below summarizes completed city actions in a short Word file. Step 4 recognition is awarded to cities who report a minimum number of core metrics for the previous calendar year. These metrics aim to show the aggregate, quantitative results of taking multiple GreenStep actions. Step 5 cities show improvement in the Step 4 metrics. See yearly data for Steps 4&5. Additional city data can be found by reviewing information on B3 Benchmarking and Regional Indicators Initiative.
Assessment File
2024 - click to view assessment
Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed
Completed actions are denoted by stars.
Total completed actions: 18: 13
: 4
: 1
Buildings and Lighting
Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}
- Action 2:
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: Unknown
Implementation details:
The City of Mora has made several upgrades to city-owned buildings. The lighting systems have been upgraded from standard fluorescent lights to energy-efficient LED bulbs/fixtures. Automatic sensors have been installed to reduce power consumption. HVAC Thermostats are set based on whether a space is occupied at City Hall and other buildings. The Mora Aquatic Center has water saver faucets and a set timer to reduce water use and prevent water waste.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
Efficient Existing Private Buildings {BP no.2}
- Action 1:
Create or participate in a marketing/outreach/incentive program to promote/achieve residential energy/water use reduction and energy efficiency.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: Unknown
Implementation details:
Residential rebates and energy saving strategies are available on an on-going basis and are promoted routinely.
Residents can see their energy usage by logging in to their accounts and can look at the household comparison report on their utility bill.
Residents can see their energy usage by logging in to their accounts and can look at the household comparison report on their utility bill.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Unknown Unknown (City Staff) | alison.holland@me.com | 320-679-1511
Unknown Unknown (City Staff) | alison.holland@me.com | 320-679-1511
Land Use
Comprehensive, Climate and Energy Plans {BP no.6}
- Action 1:
Adopt a comprehensive plan or (for Category B & C cities) adopt a future land use plan that was adopted by the county or a regional entity.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2021
Implementation details:
Comprehensive plan was updated in 2021 (plans were also in place previously).
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Natasha Segelstrom (City Staff) | n.segelstrom@cityofmora.clom | (320) 364-1173
Natasha Segelstrom (City Staff) | n.segelstrom@cityofmora.clom | (320) 364-1173
- 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: 1997
Implementation details:
§ 153.045 CONFORMITY WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
The proposed subdivision shall conform to the Comprehensive Plan and policies as adopted by the city.
(Ord. 274, passed 4-15-1997) Penalty, see § 153.999
The proposed subdivision shall conform to the Comprehensive Plan and policies as adopted by the city.
(Ord. 274, passed 4-15-1997) Penalty, see § 153.999
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Unknown Unknown (City Staff) | alison.holland@me.com | 320-679-1511
Unknown Unknown (City Staff) | alison.holland@me.com | 320-679-1511
Resilient City Growth {BP no.7}
- 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: 2010
Implementation details:
The city ordinance includes zoning districts and a zoning map. The zoning includes a central business district that has area, frontage, and height unspecified. Front and side yard have zero setbacks, while rear have a zero setback, except in the case of abutting residential, in which case the setback is 20 feet.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
Transportation
Mobility Options {BP no.12}
- 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: Unknown
Implementation details:
a. Produce/distribute route maps, signage or a web site.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
Environmental Management
Sustainable Purchasing {BP no.15}
- Action 1:
Adopt a sustainable purchasing policy or administrative guidelines/practices directing that the city purchase at least:
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: unknown
Implementation details:
For sustainable purchases, the City has partnered with the local school district to order bulk copy paper. These products are part of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and are manufactured for exclusive use by schools and governments. The sustainable purchase reduces the total cost per unit with bulk orders and minimizes the total number of shipments.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
- 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: unknown
Implementation details:
The city has reduced its environmental footprint by purchasing iPads for the City Council and Public Utilities Commissioners to use for meeting packets. This has reduced the number of printed packets for 28 regularly scheduled meetings, reducing over 10,000 pages. The average packet length of 100 pages per meeting.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}
- Action 7:
Conduct a tree inventory or canopy study for public and private trees.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2022
Implementation details:
A canopy study was conducted in 2022 for the City of Mora, MN by a community volunteer using iTree and in consultation with Deanna Pomije, District Manager of the Kanabec Soil and Water Conservation District, and Tony Miller, Forestry Specialist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
Kanabec Soil and Water Conservation District and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
For more information contact:
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
Parks and Trails {BP no.18}
- 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: 2021
Implementation details:
A 2022 project to reconstruct the Hwy 65 bridge over the Snake River will include the installation of a new, multi-use trail along the west side of the road that connects to S Union St. This will Improve pedestrian crossing at Division St.
(Updated storm water drainage to Snake River also included in the project.)
The City of Mora owns a 0.75 acre-plot of land in the Fox Run development and has a multi-phase plan for developing the green space into a park. Phase 1 is planned for summer-fall 2022: parking lot, playground, pavilion.
(Updated storm water drainage to Snake River also included in the project.)
The City of Mora owns a 0.75 acre-plot of land in the Fox Run development and has a multi-phase plan for developing the green space into a park. Phase 1 is planned for summer-fall 2022: parking lot, playground, pavilion.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
MnDOT
For more information contact:
Jeff Krie (City Staff) | j.krie@cityofmora.com | (320) 679-1511
Jeff Krie (City Staff) | j.krie@cityofmora.com | (320) 679-1511
- 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: 1997
Implementation details:
§ 153.096 PUBLIC SITES AND OPEN SPACE DEDICATION.
(2) In all new residential subdivisions, including planned unit development and mobile home parks, a minimum of five percent (5%) of the gross area subdivided shall be dedicated for public recreation space or other public use. The dedicated percent of the gross area subdivided shall be in addition to property dedicated for streets, alleys, easement, or other public ways. No areas may be dedicated for public use until such areas have been approved by the governing body as suitable and necessary for the public health, safety, convenience, and general welfare. When the subdivision is too small for practical dedication of public land or if no land in the subdivision is suitable or required for such use, the subdivider may be required to pay a fee as specified in a published fee schedule established by resolution of the governing body. Such money as may be collected shall be used for park land acquisition and park development.
(2) In all new residential subdivisions, including planned unit development and mobile home parks, a minimum of five percent (5%) of the gross area subdivided shall be dedicated for public recreation space or other public use. The dedicated percent of the gross area subdivided shall be in addition to property dedicated for streets, alleys, easement, or other public ways. No areas may be dedicated for public use until such areas have been approved by the governing body as suitable and necessary for the public health, safety, convenience, and general welfare. When the subdivision is too small for practical dedication of public land or if no land in the subdivision is suitable or required for such use, the subdivider may be required to pay a fee as specified in a published fee schedule established by resolution of the governing body. Such money as may be collected shall be used for park land acquisition and park development.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Unknown Unknown (City Staff) | alison.holland@me.com | 320-679-1511
Unknown Unknown (City Staff) | alison.holland@me.com | 320-679-1511
Surface Water {BP no.19}
- 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: Unknown
Implementation details:
Shoreline Management city code in place.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Unknown Unknown (City Staff) | alison.holland@me.com | 320-679-1511
Unknown Unknown (City Staff) | alison.holland@me.com | 320-679-1511
- Action 8:
Reduce flooding damage and costs through the National Flood Insurance Programs and the NFIP’s Community Rating System.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2021
Implementation details:
§ 152.002 FINDINGS OF FACT AND PURPOSE.
(A) This chapter regulates development in the flood hazard areas of the City of Mora. These flood hazard areas are subject to periodic inundation, which may result in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base. It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare by minimizing these losses and disruptions.
(B) National Flood Insurance Program Compliance. This chapter is adopted to comply with the rules and regulations of the National Flood Insurance Program codified as 44 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 59 -78, as amended, so as to maintain the community's eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program.
(C) This chapter is also intended to preserve the natural characteristics and functions of watercourses and flood plains in order to moderate flood and stormwater impacts, improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, protect aquatic and riparian habitat, provide recreational opportunities, provide aesthetic benefits and enhance community and economic development.
(Ord. 481, passed 2-16-2021)
(A) This chapter regulates development in the flood hazard areas of the City of Mora. These flood hazard areas are subject to periodic inundation, which may result in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base. It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare by minimizing these losses and disruptions.
(B) National Flood Insurance Program Compliance. This chapter is adopted to comply with the rules and regulations of the National Flood Insurance Program codified as 44 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 59 -78, as amended, so as to maintain the community's eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program.
(C) This chapter is also intended to preserve the natural characteristics and functions of watercourses and flood plains in order to moderate flood and stormwater impacts, improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, protect aquatic and riparian habitat, provide recreational opportunities, provide aesthetic benefits and enhance community and economic development.
(Ord. 481, passed 2-16-2021)
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Unknown Unknown (City Staff) | alison.holland@me.com | 320-679-1511
Unknown Unknown (City Staff) | alison.holland@me.com | 320-679-1511
Resilient Economic and Community Development
Benchmarks and Community Engagement {BP no.24}
- Action 1:
Inclusive and Coordinated Decision-Making: Use a city commission or committee to lead, coordinate, report to and engage community members on the identification and equitable implementation of sustainability best practices.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2022
Implementation details:
A community volunteer was appointed to coordinate the effort. A small working group of city staff have participated in action documention; news article/media to community members referencing GreenStep program participation was published in April 2022; city website has a link to city's GreenStep web page and summary of sustainability initiatives.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
- 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: 2022
Implementation details:
On Tuesday, October 11, 2022, Minnesota Energy Resources hosted a one-day community weatherization event in partnership with the Mora Regency mobile home park, the Clean Energy Resources Team, and Lakes and Pines Community Action Council.
Kanabec County hosts an annual Clean Up Day & Hazardous Waste Collection Day in partnership with University of Minnesota Extension's 4-H program at East Central Solid Waste. In 2022, it was held October 15 from 8:00am - 12:00pm.
The City of Mora was awarded grant funds from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) for residential rehabilitation projects in 2020. The grant funds are being used for the rehabilitation of owner-occupied single-family homes within a defined target area and rental housing throughout the city. Eligible projects include repairs to improve health and safety issues such as plumbing, heating, electric, and lead hazards; installation or repair of handicap accessible ramps; doors and bathroom fixtures; or repairs to building structure such as the foundation, windows, doors, siding or roofing. Outreach around these opportunities and implementation of the grant is still ongoing as of February 2023.
Kanabec County hosts an annual Clean Up Day & Hazardous Waste Collection Day in partnership with University of Minnesota Extension's 4-H program at East Central Solid Waste. In 2022, it was held October 15 from 8:00am - 12:00pm.
The City of Mora was awarded grant funds from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) for residential rehabilitation projects in 2020. The grant funds are being used for the rehabilitation of owner-occupied single-family homes within a defined target area and rental housing throughout the city. Eligible projects include repairs to improve health and safety issues such as plumbing, heating, electric, and lead hazards; installation or repair of handicap accessible ramps; doors and bathroom fixtures; or repairs to building structure such as the foundation, windows, doors, siding or roofing. Outreach around these opportunities and implementation of the grant is still ongoing as of February 2023.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
Green Business Development {BP no.25}
- 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: Unknown
Implementation details:
Mora Municipal Utilities participates in, promotes, and reports on utilization of energy rebates for business customers on an on-going basis.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
- 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: Unknown
Implementation details:
The Mora Area Chamber of Commerce has "Chamber Cash" that can be bought by anyone and used only at local chamber member businesses. It’s a great way to ensure that money stays in our community. The City, school district, and healthcare system are all supporters of the initative, purchasing Chamber Cash throughout the year. The Chamber also has a scavenger hunt on small business Saturday and the winners receive chamber cash. The scavenger hunt also serves to get people into the businesses on that day.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
Mora Area Chamber of Commerce
For more information contact:
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
Renewable Energy {BP no.26}
- Action 7:
Become a solar-ready community, including adopting ordinance/zoning language and an expedited permit process for residents and businesses to install solar energy systems.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
An ordinance was passed October 16, 2018 to "encourage the use and development of renewable energy systems, including solar energy systems, that have a positive impact on energy conservation with limited adverse impact on nearby properties."
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357
Alison Holland (Community Volunteer) | alison.holland@me.com | 6123906357