Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs.
City Detail
Background Information
City of Vergas
County: Otter Tail
GreenStep City status and date: STEP 1 (
)
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
2025 - click to view assessment
Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed
Completed actions are denoted by stars.
Total completed actions: 12: 10
: 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: 2017
Implementation details:
Municipal building all have LED lighting
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Stephanie White (City Staff) | swhite@braham.com | 320-496-8711
Stephanie White (City Staff) | swhite@braham.com | 320-496-8711
- 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.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2024
Implementation details:
Received RSDP and ESMC energy grant for municipal building energy efficiency and integration of clean energy. Entails energy consumption use and trending, energy audit, and building audit. Data analysis in process with climate action plan to be developed.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Pending part of grant. To be completed by May 2025
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
RDSP, ESMC, CERTS, WSIF
For more information contact:
Julie Bruhn (Community Volunteer) | jojubruhn@gmail.com | 701-371-7671
Julie Bruhn (Community Volunteer) | jojubruhn@gmail.com | 701-371-7671
- Action 4:
Implement IT efforts and city employee engagement to reduce plug loads, building energy use and workflow efficiency.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
Implemented a number of automations for efficiency and paper reduction.
Tablets for City Council vs paper packets
Munibilling vs sending out utility statements
GIS (Geographic Information System)
Electronic time card system
SCADA 24 hour alarm system to monitor water plant and lift station
Tablets for City Council vs paper packets
Munibilling vs sending out utility statements
GIS (Geographic Information System)
Electronic time card system
SCADA 24 hour alarm system to monitor water plant and lift station
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Lammers (City Staff) | jlammers@cityofvergas.com | 218 841 0804
Julie Lammers (City Staff) | jlammers@cityofvergas.com | 218 841 0804
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: 2024
Implementation details:
Promotion and Posting of Solar Energy Cooperative
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Lammers (City Staff) | jlammers@cityofvergas.com | 218 841 0804
Julie Lammers (City Staff) | jlammers@cityofvergas.com | 218 841 0804
Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals {BP no.4}
- Action 1:
Require energy efficient, Dark-Sky compliant new or replacement outdoor lighting fixtures on city-owned/private buildings and facilities.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
Street lights LED
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Lammers (City Staff) | jlammers@cityofvergas.com | 218 841 0804
Julie Lammers (City Staff) | jlammers@cityofvergas.com | 218 841 0804
- Action 2:
Purchase LEDs for all future street lighting and traffic signals.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 12/10/24
Implementation details:
Current and future purchase of street lights are LED
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Lammers (City Staff) | jlammers@cityofvergas.com | 218 841 0804
Julie Lammers (City Staff) | jlammers@cityofvergas.com | 218 841 0804
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: 2022
Implementation details:
Comprehensive Plan established in 2022 that includes land use, transportation, public facilities, and parks & open spaces
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Bruhn (Community Volunteer) | jojubruhn@gmail.com | 701-371-7671
Julie Bruhn (Community Volunteer) | jojubruhn@gmail.com | 701-371-7671
Environmental Management
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: 2020
Implementation details:
Through fund raising and state grant established a walking trail from downtown to the lake park and added a boardwalk, floating bridge, that added walking trail along the lake.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Lammers (City Staff) | jlammers@cityofvergas.com | 218 841 0804
Julie Lammers (City Staff) | jlammers@cityofvergas.com | 218 841 0804
- 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: 2010
Implementation details:
Adopted city ordinance (152.105 Dedication requirements) which requires as a condition of subdivision approval that any proposed subdivision will dedicate a portion for conservation purposes or public use as parks, playgrounds, trails, wetlands, open space
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Lammers (City Staff) | jlammers@cityofvergas.com | 218 841 0804
Julie Lammers (City Staff) | jlammers@cityofvergas.com | 218 841 0804
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: 2024
Implementation details:
Implemented a shoreline inspection and permitting agreement with Otter Tail County to provide for orderly development of shoreline area to preserve and protect shoreline and natural resources
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Julie Lammers (City Staff) | jlammers@cityofvergas.com | 218 841 0804
Julie Lammers (City Staff) | jlammers@cityofvergas.com | 218 841 0804
Sustainable Consumption and Waste {BP no.22}
- Action 2:
Address concerns over consumer products and packaging through encouragement/implementation of one or more of:
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: several years ago
Implementation details:
City site for recycling and compost
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Stephanie White (City Staff) | swhite@braham.com | 320-496-8711
Stephanie White (City Staff) | swhite@braham.com | 320-496-8711
Resilient Economic and Community Development
Renewable Energy {BP no.26}
- Action 5:
Install a public sector/municipally-owned renewable energy technology, such as solar electric (PV), wind, biomass, solar hot water/air, or micro-hydro.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2024
Implementation details:
Participating in West Central Initiative Municipal Building Solar Cooperative
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
West Central Initiative Foundation (WCIF)
For more information contact:
Julie Bruhn (Community Volunteer) | jojubruhn@gmail.com | 701-371-7671
Julie Bruhn (Community Volunteer) | jojubruhn@gmail.com | 701-371-7671