Enter/update building information into the MN B3 Benchmarking database, and routinely enter monthly usage data for all city-owned buildings/infrastructure that consume energy/water.
- Action 1:City Detail
Background Information
City Assessment Files and City Performance Metrics
City councils pass a resolution to join the GreenStep program and are recognized at Step 1. Step 2 and Step 3 recognition levels reflect completed city actions, reported and rated below with stars (1 star = good, 2 stars = better, 3 stars = best). The Assessment File below summarizes completed city actions in a short Word file. Step 4 recognition is awarded to cities who report a minimum number of core metrics for the previous calendar year. These metrics aim to show the aggregate, quantitative results of taking multiple GreenStep actions. Step 5 cities show improvement in the Step 4 metrics. See yearly data for Steps 4&5. Additional city data can be found by reviewing information on B3 Benchmarking and Regional Indicators Initiative.
Assessment File
Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed
Completed actions are denoted by stars.
Total completed actions: 46
Buildings and Lighting
Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}
John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs.
- Action 2:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Invest in larger energy efficiency projects through performance contracting or other funding or through smaller retro-commissioning/retrofit projects in city-owned/school buildings.
- Action 3:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Implement IT efforts and city employee engagement to reduce plug loads, building energy use and workflow efficiency.
- Action 4:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Efficient Existing Private Buildings {BP no.2}
Create or participate in a marketing/outreach/incentive program to promote/achieve residential energy/water use reduction and energy efficiency.
- Action 1:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
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.
- Action 5:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals {BP no.4}
Use LED/solar-powered lighting for a flashing sign or in a street, parking lot or park project.
- Action 5:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Land Use
Comprehensive, Climate and Energy Plans {BP no.6}
Adopt a comprehensive plan or (for Category B & C cities) adopt a future land use plan that was adopted by the county or a regional entity.
- Action 1:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Demonstrate that regulatory ordinances comply with the comprehensive plan including but not limited to having the zoning ordinance explicitly reference the comprehensive plan as the foundational document for decision making.
- Action 2:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
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.
- Action 3:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Resilient City Growth {BP no.7}
Eliminate barriers and actively encourage higher density housing by including in the city zoning ordinance and zoning map:
- Action 1:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Achieve higher intensity commercial/industrial land uses through at least one of the following strategies:
- Action 3:b. Use density and floor area ratio (FAR) bonuses in selected residential zoning districts. Completed, Included in TOD Zoning Overlay District.
d. Allowing accessory dwelling units, single-room occupancy housing, senior housing, co-housing or tiny houses / apartments by right in selected zoning districts. Completed. Single Room Occupany = Studio / Efficiency Unit is allowed in selected zones.
John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Mixed Uses {BP no.8}
Locate or lease a property for use as a school, city building or other government facility that has at least two of these attributes:
- Action 2:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Have a downtown zoning district that emphasizes small and destination business, entrepreneurial spaces, and allows or requires residential and residential-compatible commercial development.
- Action 5:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Incorporate form-based zoning approaches into the zoning code, in those areas where a diverse mix of uses is desired.
- Action 6:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Transportation
Living & Complete Streets {BP no.11}
Adopt a complete streets policy, or a living streets policy, which addresses landscaping and stormwater.
- Action 1:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Modify a street in compliance with the city's complete streets policy.
- Action 3:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Identify, prioritize and remedy complete streets gaps and lack of connectivity/safety within your road network by, for example, bike/pedestrian plan, adding a bike route/lane, truck route, sidewalk or mid-block alley.
- Action 4:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Mobility Options {BP no.12}
Increase walking, biking and transit use by one or more of the following means:
- Action 1:b. Document increased bike facilities, such as racks, bike stations or showers. Multiple Bike Racks are available in our Downtown area.
c. Add bus infrastructure, such as signage, benches, shelters, park and ride lots, and real-time arrival data-streaming. Benches are provided at many bus stops and the City is working with Met Transit to have a new park and ride structure at the Robbinsdale Station as part of the Blue Line LRT Extension project.
John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Prominently promote mobility options: public transit; paratransit/Dial-A-Ride; cab services; rental cars; bike lanes; trails; airports.
- Action 3:Kayla Kirtz (City Staff) | kkirtz@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-233-5654
Environmental Management
Sustainable Purchasing {BP no.15}
Adopt a sustainable purchasing policy or administrative guidelines/practices directing that the city purchase at least:
- Action 1:Kayla Kirtz (City Staff) | kkirtz@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-233-5654
Purchase energy used by city government - via the municipal utility, green tags, community solar garden, 3rd party - with a higher renewable percentage than required by Minnesota law.
- Action 2:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}
Certify as a Tree City USA.
- Action 1:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Adopt best practices for urban tree planting/quality; require them in private developments and/or use them in at least one development project.
- Action 2:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Budget for and achieve resilient urban canopy/tree planting goals.
- Action 3:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Maximize tree planting along your main downtown street or throughout the city.
- Action 4:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Adopt a tree preservation or native landscaping ordinance.
- Action 5:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Build community capacity to protect existing trees by one or more of:
- Action 6:b. Supporting volunteer forestry efforts. Completed. The City uses "Citizen Pruner" groups who have been trained by U of M staff.
c. Adopting an EAB management plan / climate adaptation plan for the urban forest. Completed. The City has a detailed tree inventory, plants a diverse range of species and proactively treats for Emerald Ash Borer.
John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Stormwater Management {BP no.17}
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.
- Action 4:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Adopt and implement guidelines or design standards/incentives for at least one of the following stormwater infiltration/reuse practices:
- Action 5:b. Rainwater harvesting practices. Completed. The City has partnered with Shingle Creek Watershed to install a cistern for rainwater reuse.
d. Pervious/permeable pavement or pavers. Completed. The City has partnered with Shingle Creek Watershed and University of MN to install porous asphalt and monitor effectiveness.
e. Green roofs / green walls. In process. The City's new Centralized Water Treatment Plant will include a green roof over the administrative portion of the building.
f. Tree trenches / tree boxes. Completed. New developments in the downtown have provided streetscape trees in a Stockholm Soil configuration to provide enhanced growing conditions and reduce pavement uplift.
John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Improve smart-salting by reducing chloride use in winter maintenance and dust suppressants to prevent permanent surfacewater and groundwater pollution.
- Action 6:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Surface Water {BP no.19}
Conduct or support multi-party community conversations, assessments, plans and actions around improving local water quality and quantity.
- Action 2:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Implement an existing TMDL implementation plan.
- Action 6:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Efficient Water and Wastewater Systems {BP no.20}
Plan and budget for motor maintenance and upgrades to assure the most energy efficient, durable and appropriate equipment is available when upgrades or breakdowns occur.
- Action 2:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Establish an on-going budget and program for decreasing inflow and infiltration into sewer lines and losses in drinking water systems.
- Action 3:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Optimize energy and chemical use at drinking water/wastewater facilities and decrease chloride in wastewater discharges.
- Action 4:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Create a demand-side pricing program to reduce demands on water and wastewater systems.
- Action 7:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Sustainable Consumption and Waste {BP no.22}
Arrange for a residential and/or business/institutional source-separated organics collection/management program.
- Action 5:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Local Air Quality {BP no.23}
Replace small internal combustion engine lawn and garden equipment (e.g. lawnmowers, weed whips, etc.) with lower polluting equipment.
- Action 1:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Install, assist with and promote publicly available EV charging stations or public fueling stations for alternative fuel vehicles.
- Action 5:John Tingley (City Staff) | jtingley@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-531-1253
Resilient Economic and Community Development
Benchmarks and Community Engagement {BP no.24}
Inclusive and Coordinated Decision-Making: Use a city commission or committee to lead, coordinate, report to and engage community members on the identification and equitable implementation of sustainability best practices.
- Action 1:Kayla Kirtz (City Staff) | kkirtz@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-233-5654
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.
- Action 2:Kayla Kirtz (City Staff) | kkirtz@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-233-5654
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.
- Action 3:Kayla Kirtz (City Staff) | kkirtz@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-233-5654
Green Business Development {BP no.25}
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.
- Action 2:The City of Robbinsdale also works with MNimize, a partnership of Hennepin County and the Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation, to connect food service businesses in Robbinsdale with waste audits. The City promotes MNimize services on their social media and newsletters, and conducts direct outreach via email and door-knocking to inform businesses of the service. If businesses express interest then they are connected directly with MNimize.
The City of Robbinsdale is also currently involved in the Partners in Energy planning process, and once the Energy Action Plan is finalized and implementation begins, the City will be conducting various forms of outreach to connect businesses with energy and utility programs.
Kayla Kirtz (City Staff) | kkirtz@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-233-5654
Conduct or participate in a buy local campaign for community members and local businesses.
- Action 7:The City issued a letter of support for Small Business Saturday in November 2022, and the City is participating in a "Love Local" campaign that encourages residents and visitors to shop local. The City is promoting this campaign on our social media platforms and in our print and digital newsletters. The City has created promotional materials for local businesses to use in their own social media. The City is distributing window clings for businesses to display in their storefronts that promote the "Love Local" message and display our city logo.
Kayla Kirtz (City Staff) | kkirtz@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-233-5654
Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience {BP no.29}
Prepare to maintain public health and safety during extreme weather and climate-change-related events, while also taking a preventive approach to reduce risk for community members.
- Action 1:Robbinsdale is also included in Hennepin County’s 2018 All-Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Plan identifies vulnerable populations and characteristics of Robbinsdale and identifies the City’s top 3 mitigation priorities. The plan includes goals, actions, and priorities to plan for hazard mitigation and resiliency. This plan is updated on a regular basis.
The City utilizes several resources to communicate potential and impending emergencies with residents, businesses, and visitors. The City uses Tip411 to notify subscribers of hazardous weather, road closures, critical incidents, and other real time information about emergencies that could threaten the health and safety of our residents, businesses, and visitors. Tip411 can be accessed via app, phone call, email, or text. The City also posts real time alerts about emergencies and other pertinent information on our website banner. Additionally, the City has several social media outlets with which we post emergency notifications and updates. The City also uses social media frequently to share resources from Hennepin County about shelters, warming spaces, tornado drills, severe weather, etc.
North Memorial Hospital is located in Robbinsdale and is verified as a Level I Adult Trauma Center with air medical transport service. Robbinsdale’s water treatment plant has a backup power generator in the case of power loss.
Robbinsdale annually updates the Capital Improvement Plan to account for infrastructure updates and improve the resiliency of the City. The Comprehensive Plan is updated every ten years and plans for the updates and improvements to a variety of City resources including land use, housing, transportation, resiliency, parks and trails, and water, sewer, and solid waste. The City is in the process of creating an Energy Action Plan which will plan for energy use and production in changing climatic conditions and foster stronger social and economic vitality. All City plans are available publicly in presentations to the City Council and on the City website.
Kayla Kirtz (City Staff) | kkirtz@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-233-5654