City Detail

Background Information

City of New Germany
County: Carver
Population: 407
GreenStep City category: C
Full-time equivalent city staff (approx.): 1
Participating township, county, school:

GreenStep Coordinator

Twyla Menth
City Staff
ngcityhall@gmail.com
952-353-2488
City web page relating to sustainability/GreenStep activities:
cityofnewgermany.com
GreenStep City resolution: Click here to view the file.
GreenStep City status and date: STEP 2 ( )

City Assessment Files and City Performance Metrics

City councils pass a resolution to join the GreenStep program and are recognized at Step 1. Step 2 and Step 3 recognition levels reflect completed city actions, reported and rated below with stars (1 star = good, 2 stars = better, 3 stars = best). The Assessment File below summarizes completed city actions in a short Word file. Step 4 recognition is awarded to cities who report a minimum number of core metrics for the previous calendar year. These metrics aim to show the aggregate, quantitative results of taking multiple GreenStep actions. Step 5 cities show improvement in the Step 4 metrics. See yearly data for Steps 4&5. Additional city data can be found by reviewing information on B3 Benchmarking and Regional Indicators Initiative.

Assessment File
2023 - click to view assessment

Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed

Completed actions are denoted by stars.

Total completed actions: 7
1 star actions: 5
2 star actions: 1
3 star actions: 1

Buildings and Lighting Buildings and Lighting

Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}

2 star - Action 2:

Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: tm
Implementation details:
We have upgraded the City Hall and Office to led lighting. Project was $3400.00
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Hopefully, we will see some savings on the electric bill.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Twyla Menth (City staff) | ngcityhall@gmail.com | 952-353-2488
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.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: tm
Implementation details:
updated exit lights to LED in the City Hall. Replaced two furnaces with energy efficient units furnaces and replaced one air conditioner.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Energy efficient equipment. The old equipment was 20 plus years old and not energy efficient equipment.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Twyla Menth (City staff) | ngcityhall@gmail.com | 952-353-2488

Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals {BP no.4}

3 star - Action 3:

Replace the city's existing street lighting with Dark Sky-compliant LEDs, modifying any city franchise/utility agreement and adding smart grid attributes.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2016
Implementation details:
Excel Energy upgraded the street lights to LED street lights.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
More energy efficient
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
Xcel
For more information contact:
Twyla Menth (City staff) | ngcityhall@gmail.com | 952-353-2488

Land Use Land Use

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

1 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.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: tm
Implementation details:
We have our own and also follow the County Comp plan
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Twyla Menth (City staff) | ngcityhall@gmail.com | 952-353-2488
1 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.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: tm
Implementation details:
Map of the City shows all zoning areas. We are in the process of updating the map with updating the Comp Plan.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Twyla Menth (City staff) | ngcityhall@gmail.com | 952-353-2488

Environmental Management Environmental Management

Sustainable Purchasing {BP no.15}

1 star - Action 1:

Adopt a sustainable purchasing policy or administrative guidelines/practices directing that the city purchase at least:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: tm
Implementation details:
This Purchase Policy is designed to provide guidance to the staff involved in the purchasing process. They set forth the authorities and responsibilities of those participating in the system and outline the requirements of pertinent statues and regulations.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Twyla Menth (City staff) | ngcityhall@gmail.com | 952-353-2488

Stormwater Management {BP no.17}

1 star - Action 3:

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

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: tm
Implementation details:
Best practice for storm water management
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Twyla Menth (City staff) | ngcityhall@gmail.com | 952-353-2488