Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs.
- Action 2: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: 54Buildings and Lighting
Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}
Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Efficient Existing Private Buildings {BP no.2}
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:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals {BP no.4}
Coordinate traffic signals and/or optimize signal timing to minimize car idling at intersections yet maintain safe and publicly acceptable vehicle speeds.
- Action 4:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Use LED/solar-powered lighting for a flashing sign or in a street, parking lot or park project.
- Action 5:outes-To-School.
The city installed Solar-powered lighting along the bike trail which connects Sartell City Hall to Bernicks Ice Arena and an adjacent residential development along the Watab River.
Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
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:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
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:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
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:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Include ecological provisions in the comprehensive plan that explicitly aim to minimize open space fragmentation and/or establish a growth area with expansion criteria.
- Action 4:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
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.
- Action 5:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
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: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:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
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.
- Action 3:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
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:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
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).
- Action 7:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Efficient Highway- and Auto-Oriented Development {BP no.9}
Participate in regional economic development planning with representatives from surrounding townships, cities, the county and business interests to:
- Action 2:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Design for Natural Resource Conservation {BP no.10}
Conduct a Natural Resource Inventory or Assessment (NRI or NRA); incorporate protection of priority natural systems or resources such as groundwater through the subdivision or development process.
- Action 1:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
For cities outside or on the fringe of metropolitan areas, conduct a build-out analysis, fiscal impact study, or adopt an urban growth boundary and a consistent capital improvement plan that provides long-term protection of natural resources and natural systems, and agricultural practices outside the boundary.
- Action 2:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Transportation
Living & Complete Streets {BP no.11}
Adopt a complete streets policy, or a living streets policy, which addresses landscaping and stormwater.
- Action 1:Sartell adopted a resolution of support in 2010 for the St. Cloud Area Sustainability Plan (2014)This plan encourages transportation planning that is sensitive to the natural environment and surrounding neighborhoods. Another Best Practice identified in the plan includes sustainable multi-modal transportation.
The 2040 St. Cloud Area Planning Organization has an entire chapter devoted to non-motorized transportation.
Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
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:The city was recently awarded grant money through the Transportation Alternatives Program. Gaps in the sidewalk network were identified in the city's SRTS plan. These gaps formed the basis for the grant request. The city was successful in obtaining grant money for the request as a result over 1200feet of sidewalk will be created in an area adjacent to the Middle and Elementary Schools. This connection will result in increased safety for pedestrians and encourage students in the area to walk to and from school.
Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Identify and remedy street-trail gaps between city streets and off-road trails/bike trails to better facilitate walking and biking.
- Action 5:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
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.
- Action 6:During the 2015 reconstruction of Pinecone RD a major artery within the city the city completed 3 roundabouts. The roundabouts are located at the following intersections: Pinecone Rd N & 2nd ST; Pinecone Rd & Heritage Dr; Pinecone Rd and Scout Dr. The city also has plans to implement more roundabouts within the next couple of years. See link: http://www.sctimes.com/story/news/local/2014/12/09/sartell-plans-roundabouts-pinecone-road/20169301/
Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Mobility Options {BP no.12}
Increase walking, biking and transit use by one or more of the following means:
- Action 1:During the development of Epic Center (Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, other retail clusters) the city worked with Metro Bus to develop new routes to accommodate the shopping area. Now the area serves as a transit Hub station for Buses. The Hub connects riders to other destinations in the St. Cloud Area.
Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Conduct an Active Living campaign such as a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program.
- Action 2:The city has a map on its website showing existing bike and sidewalk paths-see link.
Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Prominently promote mobility options: public transit; paratransit/Dial-A-Ride; cab services; rental cars; bike lanes; trails; airports.
- Action 3:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Add/expand public transit service.
- Action 6:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Efficient City Fleets {BP no.13}
Phase in bike, e-bike, foot or horseback modes for police, inspectors and other city staff.
- Action 4:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Document that the local school bus fleet has optimized routes, start times, boundaries, vehicle efficiency and fuels, driver actions to cut costs including idling reduction, and shifting students from the bus to walking, biking and city transit.
- Action 5:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Demand-Side Travel Planning {BP no.14}
For cities with regular transit service, require or provide incentives for the siting of retail services at transit/density nodes.
- Action 2:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
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:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Establish purchasing preferences that support local, Minority, Disability, and Women-Owned businesses and, working with a local business association, develop a list of locally-produced products and suppliers for common purchases.
- Action 3:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Lower the environmental footprint of meetings and events in the city.
- Action 7:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}
Adopt a tree preservation or native landscaping ordinance.
- Action 5:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Build community capacity to protect existing trees by one or more of:
- Action 6:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Stormwater Management {BP no.17}
Improve smart-salting by reducing chloride use in winter maintenance and dust suppressants to prevent permanent surfacewater and groundwater pollution.
- Action 6:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Parks and Trails {BP no.18}
Make improvements within your city's system of parks, offroad trails and open spaces.
- Action 1:The city acquired Sauk River Regional Park located on the contingence of the Sauk and Mississippi River. The park has natural trails and will be connected to other destinations in the community including the adjacent retail development "Epic Center". Currently Sauk River Regional Park has existing trails which connect users to St.Cloud's Whitney Park. Whitney Park houses the Whitney Senior Center and various recreational opportunities.
Through the city's Safe-Routes-To-School plan the missing connections around the elementary and middle schools have been identified. During the 2014 Transportation Alternatives Program grant the city received grant funds to construct an additional 1200' of sidewalk. The additional sidewalk will create connections and complete some missing gaps in and around the school area.
Through the city's subdivision ordinance street gaps continue to be filled because of the requirement of constructing a sidewalk on at least one side of the street in all new development.
Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Plan and budget for a network of parks, green spaces, water features and trails for areas where new development is planned.
- Action 2:Sartell's Comprehensive Plan Chapter 7 Parks and Open Space also details planned park improvements and trail upgrades. The city has an Park Commission board which meets regularly and recommends new park improvements to be added to the Financial Management Plan and for Council consideration.
Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Achieve minimum levels of city green space and maximize the percent within a ten-minute walk of community members.
- Action 3:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
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:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Adopt a shoreland ordinance for all river and lake shoreland areas.
- Action 4:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Septic Systems {BP no.21}
Report to landowners suspected noncompliant or failing septic systems as part of an educational, informational and financial assistance and outreach program designed to trigger voluntary landowner action to improve septic systems.
- Action 1:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Sustainable Consumption and Waste {BP no.22}
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.
- Action 1:Schools located in the Sartell/St. Stephen school district have lessened their waste generated dramatically by: recycling all leftover foods from student trays and scrapes from the kitchen into 55 gallon barrels. The barrels are picked up weekly by a hog farming operation in St. Francis. The schools also recycle tin cans and card board along with plastic containers and aluminum cans. Very rarely are paper disposable items used at the schools. The schools utilize washable lunch trays and silverware if disposable material needs to be used. The schools make sure they use all biodegradable products.
Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Improve recycling services and expand to multi-unit housing and commercial businesses.
- Action 6:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
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.
- Action 7:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Adopt a construction and demolition (C&D) ordinance governing demolition permits that requires a level of recycling and reuse for building materials and soil/land-clearing debris.
- Action 8:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Local Air Quality {BP no.23}
Reduce residential burning of wood and yard waste and eliminate ‘backyard’ trash burning.
- Action 2:The city also has ordinances on storage of firewood, barbecues and deck fires.
Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Decrease air emissions from vehicle idling, gasoline filling stations, business trucking, and pollutants/noise from stationary engines/back-up generators.
- Action 3:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
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:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
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:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Public Education for Action: Conduct or support a broad sustainability education and action campaign, building on existing community relationships, networks & events involving:
- Action 4:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Planning with a Purpose: Conduct a community visioning and planning initiative that engages a diverse set of community members & stakeholders and uses a sustainability, resilience, or environmental justice framework such as:
- Action 5:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Engaging the Next Generation: Engage wide representation of community youth and college students by creating opportunities to participate in city government (including commissions).
- Action 6:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Local Food {BP no.27}
Create, assist with and promote local food production/distribution within the city:
- Action 3: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:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Reduce the urban heat impacts of public buildings, sites, and infrastructure and provide resiliency co-benefits.
- Action 6:Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316