City Detail

Background Information

City of Shorewood
County: Hennepin
Population: 7783
GreenStep City category: B
Full-time equivalent city staff (approx.): 20
Participating township, county, school: Minnetonka School District
Westonka School District

GreenStep Coordinator

Eric Wilson
City Staff
ewilson@ci.shorewood.mn.us
952.960.7906
City web page relating to sustainability/GreenStep activities:
https://ci.shorewood.mn.us/environment_/sustainability/index.php
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: 29
1 star actions: 13
2 star actions: 11
3 star actions: 5

Buildings and Lighting Buildings and Lighting

Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}

2 star - Action 1:

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.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2021
Implementation details:
The city has implemented an automatic updating of the benchmarking database for all city buildings.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952.960.7906
3 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: 2017
Implementation details:
Completed.
The city retrofitted all city hall and community center lighting to LED, added programmable thermostats and put motion detector lights in closets and bathrooms where lights do not need to remain on during the day.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952-960-7906
2 star - Action 4:

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

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
City employees will turn off computers, monitors and printers when leaving for the day. All charging devices will be unplugged from the wall when not in use. Office lights will be turned off when leaving the office for meetings, lunch, or during the day.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Electronic measurement will be taken with a device to estimate computer electrity usage during the month of January, 2012.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952-960-7906

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.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
City of Shorewood is a Xcel Partners in Energy city. Through this program we are promoting and encouraging water and energy savings to residents and paying 50% of the first 25 home energy audits. We are also promoting WindSource and encouraging sign ups.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
Xcel Energy
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952-960-7906
1 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.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
All city building lighting systems have been retrofitted with LED lighting, including city hall, Shorewood Community and Event Center, Public Works facility, and park lighting.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952.960.7906
1 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.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Shorewood has implemented a watering ban ordinance and a water utility rate structure that encourages conservation of water.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952.960.7906
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.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
The city of Shorewood began offering a water efficiency rebate program in 2020. The program offered utility bill rebates to residents for the purchase of WaterSense toilets, irrigation controllers and irrigation sprinkler system bodies and EnergyStar clothes washers.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952.960.7906

Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals {BP no.4}

1 star - Action 2:

Purchase LEDs for all future street lighting and traffic signals.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
While Xcel Energy is in charge of the street lighting and has switched to LED, dark sky compliance street lights, the city is in charge of traffic signals. LED bulbs ar being used for all traffic signals the city is in charge of.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952.960.7906
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: 2019
Implementation details:
Xcel Energy is in charge of the street lights in Shorewood. All street lights have been converted by Xcel to dark sky-compliant LED bulbs.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952.960.7906
2 star - Action 5:

Use LED/solar-powered lighting for a flashing sign or in a street, parking lot or park project.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
LED solar powered flashers were added to four stop signs in the city. Solar powered speed signs were installed on two streets.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
3 star - Action 8:

Replace the city's existing traffic signal indications with LEDs.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Shorewood is responsible for two semaphores on State Highway 7. Both of those lights have been updated to use energy efficient LED lighting technology
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952.960.7906

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:
Implementation details:
Shorewood adopted its first Comprehensive Plan in 1981 and has updated it over the years. The most recent update was in 2009.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952.960.7906

Mixed Uses {BP no.8}

1 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:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Shorewood's "public campus" includes a renovated City Hall, a public works facility and a public safety facility, all located adjacent to a commercial shopping, with direct access to the city's trail system and accessible by existing regular transit service
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952.960.7906

Transportation Transportation

Mobility Options {BP no.12}

2 star - Action 1:

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

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Added several trails and sidewalks throughout the city to increase safe access to parks, school, and business district.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952.960.7906
2 star - Action 2:

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

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2015
Implementation details:
Participate and promote healthy living through the Hennepin County Step to It Challenge. Encourage residents and city staff to get active and track "steps" for the month of May each year.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
Hennepin County
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952-960-7906

Environmental Management Environmental Management

Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}

1 star - Action 5:

Adopt a tree preservation or native landscaping ordinance.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Several years ago Shorewood adopted a Tree Preservation and Reforestation ordinance which attempts to protect existing trees and replaces trees lost to construction activities.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952.960.7906
1 star - Action 6:

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

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
The city contracts with Davey Tree Experts to do free disease tree check-ups on Shorewood properties for Elm, Ash and Oak trees. Davey Tree Experts evaluates all Shorewood public property trees and determines best practices for protecting the tree from future disease, trimming, removing and/or replacing trees.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
Davey Tree Experts
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952.960.7906

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:
Implementation details:
Shorewood's Subdivision Code allows residential streets to be 24 feet in width.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952.960.7906

Parks and Trails {BP no.18}

1 star - Action 1:

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

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
Added additional sidewalks and trails to the new Minnetonka Country Club development. Added an off road pedestrian sidewalk along the length of Smithtown Road. This also passes by Minnewashta Elementary school.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952-960-7906

Surface Water {BP no.19}

1 star - Action 4:

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

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Shorewood first adopted Shoreland Management regulations in the 1980's. The regulations have been approved by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and have been updated and continually implemented.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952.960.7906

Efficient Water and Wastewater Systems {BP no.20}

1 star - Action 3:

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

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Shorewood budgets annually for inflow and infiltration improvements to the sanitary sewer system. In addition the City completed a sump pump inspection program.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952.960.7906

Sustainable Consumption and Waste {BP no.22}

2 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.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
The city has an active park (public space) recycling program. Recycling containers are in all five city parks and the recycling of beverage containers is collected by the city recycling contractor. All city events at the Shorewood Community and Event center include recycling and organics recycling. All paper towel and kitchen food waste at city hall is recycled through the organics recycling program.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952-960-7906
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.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city provides reuse information on the web site and publishes information in support of reuse month in the newsletter. The web site also includes information about reduce/reuse/recycle programs including places to take problem materials.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
http://www.ci.shorewood.mn.us
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952-960-7906
1 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.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In 2010, Shorewood implemented a rewards program for residents participating in recycling.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952.960.7906

Local Air Quality {BP no.23}

2 star - Action 2:

Reduce residential burning of wood and yard waste and eliminate ‘backyard’ trash burning.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Four years ago Shorewood adopted regulations pertaining to the use of outdoor woodburning boilers.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952.960.7906

Resilient Economic & Community Development Resilient Economic and Community Development

Benchmarks and Community Engagement {BP no.24}

1 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.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2017
Implementation details:
The city has provided a link on the front page of the web site to GreenStep cities. Updates will be provided twice each year in the newsletter as information is available.

The city established an energy committee to work with Xcel Energy Partners in Energy program to further the clean energy agenda in the city. A plan has been activated and we will begin implementation of energy goals in late 2017.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
http://www.ci.shorewood.mn.us
Xcel Energy
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952-960-7906
2 star - Action 6:

Engaging the Next Generation: Engage wide representation of community youth and college students by creating opportunities to participate in city government (including commissions).

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
The city added a youth position on the city recycling committee. This position is filled by a volunteer high school student to represent youth in talks about how to improve recycling participation and effectiveness in the city.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952-960-7906

Renewable Energy {BP no.26}

2 star - Action 2:

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

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
Shorewood is an Xcel Partners in Energy city. Through the program we have encouraged WindSource participation by residents, have promoted recycling of old appliances, have offered the 50% buydown on the price of home energy audits for 50 households, and continues to promote energy conservation and clean energy.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
Xcel Energy
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952-960-7906
3 star - 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.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
Shorewood is a SolSmart Bronze city, participating with the SolSmart program to ease the installation of solar on buildings throughout the city.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Moore (City staff) | jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us | 952-960-7906