Enter/update government-owned building information and monthly usage data into the MN B3 Benchmarking database, and utilize building/energy audits to identify potential improvements.
- 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: 51Buildings and Lighting
Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}
Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs.
- Action 2:* Inside the West St Paul Ice Arena converted to LED
* Inside and outdoor lighting at West St Paul Pool converted to LED
* Indoor Dome lighted converted to LED
Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
Install for one or more city-owned/school buildings one of the following efficiency measures:
- Action 7:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
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:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
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:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
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.
- Action 6:Kristy Otte (Community Volunteer) | dr.otte2013@gmail.com | 6512076303
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:Kristy Otte (Community Volunteer) | dr.otte2013@gmail.com | 6512076303
Replace the city's existing traffic signal indications with LEDs.
- Action 8:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
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:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
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:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
Mixed Uses {BP no.8}
Organize or participate in a community planning/placemaking/design process for the city/a mixed-use district, including specific community engagement practices that engage cultural and income diverse community members.
- Action 1:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
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:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
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:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
Efficient Highway- and Auto-Oriented Development {BP no.9}
Establish design goals for at least one highway/auto-oriented corridor/cluster.
- Action 1:Kristy Otte (Community Volunteer) | dr.otte2013@gmail.com | 6512076303
Adopt infrastructure design standards that protect the economic and ecologic functions of the highway corridor through clustering of development, native plantings and incorporating access management standards.
- Action 3:Kristy Otte (Community Volunteer) | dr.otte2013@gmail.com | 6512076303
Transportation
Living & Complete Streets {BP no.11}
Adopt a complete streets policy, or a living streets policy, which addresses landscaping and stormwater.
- Action 1:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
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:Pedestrian Bicyclist Plan
Kristy Otte (Community Volunteer) | dr.otte2013@gmail.com | 6512076303
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:In 2017 the City partnered with Dakota County to construct a roundabout at Wentworth and Oakdale Ave. This busy intersection had historically seen a higher than normal number of vehicle accidents. The roundabout project also included pedestrian crossings, median refuge, and lowered speed limits to make it much safer for vehicles and pedestrians. Another roundabout project is planned for the Oakdale and Thompson Ave intersection for 2022.
Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
Mobility Options {BP no.12}
Increase walking, biking and transit use by one or more of the following means:
- Action 1:* Completing a Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan in 2011
* Multiple Trail Gap studies, using SHIP funding, including; Garlough and Marthaler Park Study in 2017 and the Oakdale/Thompson Ave Study in 2020
* Listing Transportation options and schedules on the City Website and at City Hall
* Dedicating park facilities to a Metro Transit Park and Ride Lot (WSP Sports Complex)
* Listing Trail Maps on City website
* Adding a bike rack at City Hall in 2018
* 73 Walk Score
Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
Conduct an Active Living campaign such as a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program.
- Action 2:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
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:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
Lower the environmental footprint of meetings and events in the city.
- Action 7:Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@wspmn.gov | 16515524118
Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}
Certify as a Tree City USA.
- Action 1:Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@wspmn.gov | 16515524118
Build community capacity to protect existing trees by one or more of:
- Action 6:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
Stormwater Management {BP no.17}
Adopt by ordinance one or more of the following stormwater infiltration/management strategies to reduce impervious surface:
- Action 3:Kristy Otte (Community Volunteer) | dr.otte2013@gmail.com | 6512076303
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:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
Parks and Trails {BP no.18}
Make improvements within your city's system of parks, offroad trails and open spaces.
- Action 1:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
Achieve minimum levels of city green space and maximize the percent within a ten-minute walk of community members.
- Action 3:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
Create park/city land management standards/practices that maximize at least one of the following:
- Action 5:NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of West St.
Paul, Minnesota:
1. The City shall undertake its best efforts to become a Bee-Safe City by
implementing best management practices in the use of plantings and
pesticides in all public spaces within the city.
2. The City shall refrain from the use of systemic pesticides known to be
harmful to pollinators, specifically but not limited to those that contain
neonicotinoid.
3. The City shall undertake its best efforts to plant flowers favorable to
bees and other pollinators in the City’s public spaces.
4. The City shall designate Bee-Safe areas in which future City plantings
are free from systemic pesticides including neonicotinoids.
5. The City shall undertake best efforts to communicate to West St. Paul
residents the importance of creating and maintaining a pollinatorfriendly habitat.
6. The City shall publish a Bee-Safe City Progress Report on an annual
basis.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of West St. Paul urges all West St. Paul
property owners, residents, businesses, institutions, and neighborhoods to become more
pollinator-friendly by adopting practices including:
Committing to not use pesticides, including systemic insecticides, on their
property;
Avoid planting flowering plants that are treated with systemic insecticides;
Planting more pollinator forage on their property and use organic or chemicalfree lawn and landscaping practices.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of West St. Paul this 22th day of February, 2016
Kristy Otte (Community Volunteer) | dr.otte2013@gmail.com | 6512076303
Develop a program to involve community members in hands-on land restoration, invasive species management and stewardship projects.
- Action 8:Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@wspmn.gov | 16515524118
Surface Water {BP no.19}
Consistently monitor surface water quality/clarity and report findings to community members.
- Action 1:Assessments and monitoring in stormwater basins and local ponds/lakes; See comprehensive plan
Kristy Otte (Community Volunteer) | dr.otte2013@gmail.com | 6512076303
Adopt and publicly report on measurable surface water improvement targets for lake, river, wetland and ditches.
- Action 3:Goals
1. To protect, enhance, and restore the natural environment through sound land stewardship
practices in order to maintain a proper balance between human and environmental qualities.
2. To preserve significant open spaces and natural systems.
Kristy Otte (Community Volunteer) | kristy.otte@isd197.org | 651-207-6303
Adopt a shoreland ordinance for all river and lake shoreland areas.
- Action 4:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
Efficient Water and Wastewater Systems {BP no.20}
Establish an on-going budget and program for decreasing inflow and infiltration into sewer lines and losses in drinking water systems.
- Action 3:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
Septic Systems {BP no.21}
Adopt a subsurface sewage treatment system ordinance based on the Association of Minnesota Counties' model ordinance.
- Action 4:1. The City of West St. Paul is in agreement with the Metropolitan Council’s
population, housing, employment, and wastewater flow projections
through the year 2040.
2. The City of West St. Paul will implement the inflow and infiltration (I/I)
reduction activities outlined in the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding
between the City and the Metropolitan Council.
3. No new development will be permitted in the City unless connection to
the central sewer system is available and utilized.
4. All existing on‐site sewer systems will be converted to connection to the
central sewer system when the need for reconstruction arises.
5. The City has adopted MN Rules 7080 and Dakota County Ordinance 113
by reference to regulate the City’s remaining on‐site septic systems.
Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
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:Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@wspmn.gov | 16515524118
Address concerns over consumer products and packaging through encouragement/implementation of one or more of:
- Action 2:Kristy Otte (Community Volunteer) | kristy.otte@isd197.org | 651-207-6303
Publicize, promote and use the varied businesses/services collecting and marketing used, repaired and rental consumer goods, especially electronics, in the city/county.
- Action 4:Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@wspmn.gov | 16515524118
Arrange for a residential and/or business/institutional source-separated organics collection/management program.
- Action 5:WSP city website "Residents' removal of tree & yard waste - Call your rubbish hauler to arrange for pick-up or take yard & tree waste to a compost site. Two compost sites are close to WSP: South St. Paul Compost Site: 651-554-3204 and Gertens Retail Site: 651-450-1501. Call first for hours of operation, materials accepted and if there is a fee. For more, please visit the Residential Compost Sites in Dakota County website."
Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
Improve recycling services and expand to multi-unit housing and commercial businesses.
- Action 6:Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@wspmn.gov | 16515524118
Local Air Quality {BP no.23}
Reduce residential burning of wood and yard waste and eliminate ‘backyard’ trash burning.
- Action 2:Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@wspmn.gov | 16515524118
Install, assist with and promote publicly available EV charging stations or public fueling stations for alternative fuel vehicles.
- Action 5:Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@wspmn.gov | 16515524118
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:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
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:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
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:Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
Conduct or participate in a buy local campaign for community members and local businesses.
- Action 7:From 2015-2017 the entire Robert Street corridor underwent a complete reconstruction project. This kept much of the road closed or detoured at times and thus kept local residents from using the street. The City developed and promoted the "Shop Robert Street" campaign to promote local businesses, letting residents know they were still open for business.
During the past year while many businesses were closed or limited due to COVID restrictions, the City used a branding effort "#ShopWestStPaul". This was used in all website and social media posts that shared local and state restrictions and guidelines, in an effort to promote local business and remind people that businesses in West St Paul were still open for business.
Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
Local Food {BP no.27}
Facilitate creation of home/community gardens, chicken & bee keeping, and incorporation of food growing areas/access in multifamily and residential developments.
- Action 2:Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@wspmn.gov | 16515524118
Create, assist with and promote local food production/distribution within the city:
- Action 3:Also, the local school district uses part of the City's park for a school forest in return the City has an easement next to Garlough Elementary for a community garden.
Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@wspmn.gov | 16515524118
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:Residents of West St. Paul can sign up for Emergency Alert Notifications through Dakota County to keep them aware of emergency situations. The notification system allows you to specify how you would like to receive the emergency notification, such as your home, cell, email, text message, hearing impaired devices, and more.
Dave Schletty (City Staff) | DSchletty@wspmn.gov | 651-552-4152
Integrate climate resilience into city or tribal planning, policy, operations, and budgeting processes.
- Action 2:Paul, Minnesota:
1. The City shall undertake its best efforts to become a Bee-Safe City by
implementing best management practices in the use of plantings and
pesticides in all public spaces within the city.
2. The City shall refrain from the use of systemic pesticides known to be
harmful to pollinators, specifically but not limited to those that contain
neonicotinoid.
3. The City shall undertake its best efforts to plant flowers favorable to
bees and other pollinators in the City’s public spaces.
4. The City shall designate Bee-Safe areas in which future City plantings
are free from systemic pesticides including neonicotinoids.
5. The City shall undertake best efforts to communicate to West St. Paul
residents the importance of creating and maintaining a pollinatorfriendly habitat.
6. The City shall publish a Bee-Safe City Progress Report on an annual
basis.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of West St. Paul urges all West St. Paul
property owners, residents, businesses, institutions, and neighborhoods to become more
pollinator-friendly by adopting practices including:
Committing to not use pesticides, including systemic insecticides, on their
property;
Avoid planting flowering plants that are treated with systemic insecticides;
Planting more pollinator forage on their property and use organic or chemicalfree lawn and landscaping practices.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of West St. Paul this 22th day of February, 2016"
Kristy Otte (Community Volunteer) | dr.otte2013@gmail.com | 6512076303
Protect water supply and wastewater treatment facilities to reduce physical damage and sustain their function during extreme weather events.
- Action 7:(2001 Code, § 450.13)
Kristy Otte (Community Volunteer) | dr.otte2013@gmail.com | 6512076303