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NRC Packet 07122023Wednesday July 12, 2023 6:00 p.m. 1.Call to Order 2.Roll Call 3.Adopt Agenda 4.Approval of Minutes a.Approval of June 14, 2023 Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 5.Public Comment Period (for items not on the agenda) 6.New Business a.Workplan Report: Quarter 2 b.Planning for Q3 Work Session c.Green Steps Project Priorities d.Partners in Energy Program 7.Old Business a.Committee Reports – Workplan•Ordinance and Policy Development•Education and Outreach•Urban Forestry•Green Steps•Sustainability 8.Staff Announcements 9.Commission Comments 10.Adjourn Alternative formats or auxiliary aids are available to individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact City Hall at 651-452-1850 or cityhall@mendotaheightsmn.gov. 1 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Wednesday, June 14, 2023- 6:00 P.M. Mendota Heights City Hall-Council Chambers DRAFT Minutes The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission was held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at Mendota Heights City Hall; 1101 Victoria Curve. 1.Call to Order Chair Swank called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. 2.Roll Call Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter called the roll. Commissioners present: Swank, Husbands, Stein, and Fahnhorst. Commissioners Absent: McCaslin, Tupper, and Student Commissioner Byrnes. Staff present: Natural Resources Coordinator Krista Spreiter and Assistant City Administrator Kelly Torkelson. 3.Adopt Agenda Motion to approve the agenda by Stein, second by Fahnhorst. Motion passed 4-0. 4.Approval of Minutes Approval of May 10, 2023 Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes Motion to approve the minutes by Husbands, second by Fahnhorst. Motion passed 4-0. Approval of June 1, 2023 Natural Resources Commission Work Session Meeting Minutes Motion to approve the minutes by Stein, second by Fahnhorst. Motion passed 4-0. 5.Citizen Comment Period (for items not on the agenda) NA 6.New Business a.Summer Recycling Events Update Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter shared information on the past and upcoming 2023 recycling events, per the memo from Recycling Coordinator Courtney Selstad. Chair Swank clarified how these events are being promoted and shared; through the City’s website and City’s social media accounts. b.Quarterly Work Session Scheduling Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter proposed regular quarterly work sessions to focus on the work plan goals. She presented two proposed schedule options for the Commission to choose from. 4a.2 Chair Swank noted there may be a conflict with the Education and Outreach Committee meeting dates. Commissioners shared their preferences for scheduling. c.Natural Resources Commissioner Resignation Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter shared that Commissioner Rachel Quick has resigned from the Commission. Her term was set to expire in 2024, City Council has authorized staff to advertise and interview for the open commission seat, with an anticipated appointment of a new commission member in early August. 7.Old Business a.Pollinator Awareness Month Report Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter provided a recap of the program held in May. Chair Swank and Commissioner Stein thanked staff for the work on this program, as well as commissioners who supported the efforts. b.Budget Planning- Green Steps Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter provided a recap from the June 1 work session regarding budget priorities. Priority best practices determined from commissioner responses include; efficient existing public building, design for natural resources conservation, living and complete streets, efficient city fleets, community forests and soils, stormwater management, surface water, benchmarks and community engagement, climate adaptation, and community resilience. Commissioner Husbands asked the next steps for translating the priorities to the actual budget. Coordinator Spreiter stated they’ll bring the recommendations to City Council next. Assistant City Administrator Torkelson noted this is wide ranging in scope, which brings up several applications for prioritization. Staff can also use this budget planning to see if any priorities can be integrated into other projects, or if there are opportunities to make some items staff initiatives, rather than budget items. Commissioner Husbands asked if the commission should prioritize the list further for City Council, and/or if they should create a strategic plan that creates specific asks. Chair Swank provided more information on the Green Steps program and how the steps are laid out, and how the Green Steps committee will work to determine specific tasks to take on. Commissioner Husbands noted her concern regarding setting specific budget priorities now, so that they can be assailant in 2024, and that the Commission isn’t funded yet. Chair Swank suggested the Commission gives themselves some grace, as they’re still a brand-new group that might not be ready to provide specific asks yet. Commissioner Stein noted that these reflect the committee’s work and priorities, which is good to see. He noted he agrees that specificity is usually more effective. 3 Assistant City Administrator Torkelson reminded commissioners that they can present any sort of specific or non-specific asks to the City Council. She encouraged the Commission to look at how this budget can lay the groundwork for future action plans, but noted the process can be slow at times. She noted the priorities direction should be determined at the meeting tonight, as to get on the City Council’s agenda in August. Assistant City Administrator Torkelson noted that are looking at how to categorize the Natural Resources budget to be easily prioritized and managed; Commissioner Stein advocated for the prioritization growing from the work of the subcommittees. Chair Swank agreed that prioritization could be done by subcommittees. Motion to provide a recommendation to City Council as presented tonight by Fahnhorst, second by Stein. Motion passed 4-0. c.Budget Planning- Natural Resources Management Plan Projects Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter noted priority projects determined by a survey taken by commissioners. Priority projects in order include; Valley Park Pollinator Corridor, Valley Park Forest Enhancement North, Valley Park Northwest Forest Enhancement, Valley Park East Forest Enhancement, Valley Park South Central Forest Enhancement, and Valley Park South Oak and Aspen Knoll Forest Enhancement. Other projects to consider include; maintaining current restoration areas, climate action plan, Valley Park strategic natural resources plan, additional natural resources staffing, and increasing the natural resources budget 5% annually. Commissioner Fahnhorst asked for clarification on a budget figure on the Natural Resource Management Plan list. Coordinator Spreiter noted the budget figure in question might be a typo and she’ll revisit the issue. Commissioner Stein suggested being vigilant and spending some budget on follow-up to restoration projects. Coordinator Spreiter confirmed there would need to be a budget item created for existing restoration projects, but there is a planned budget for maintenance of existing restoration projects. Chair Swank agrees with the idea to provide budget to this type of preservation. She asked how many of the projects are anticipated to be funded by grants. Coordinator Spreiter noted there are some projects that have already been partially funded by grants, and there is often less grant funding available for restoration projects. Commissioner Stein suggested adding one more budget item to the current list; to uphold the restoration work already accomplished. Commissioner Fahnhorst suggested exploring the use of a stewardship account that would allocate a percentage of the allotted funds for continual maintenance of projects. 4 Commissioner Husbands asked for clarification of the stewardship account use for grants or City funds. Commissioner Fahnhorst clarified it could be both, if accounted appropriately. He noted the purpose of the percentage breakdown is to hold a rough correct proportion for projects. Assistant City Administrator Torkelson noted that staff would have to create a policy for a budget process change as presented by the Commission. She noted that City Council also has the goal of maintaining projects. The Commission has directed staff to determine if a stewardship account can be created and used moving forwards in the budgeting process. Motion to recommend priority projects to City Council as presented by Fahnhorst, second by Stein. Motion passed 4-0. d.Committee Reports – Workplan •Ordinance and Policy Development Commissioner Fahnhorst reported the committee is collaborating on a document that will address a tree ordinance first, with waters and other ordinances to follow. This document will be sent to the remainder of the Commission to be reviewed and edited. The goal is to discuss more at the regular July Commission meeting and then dive into the details at the September Worksession meeting. Commissioner Stein added that it’s important for the Commission to adhere to the deadlines. Staff will send reminders of upcoming deadlines. •Education and Outreach No meeting was held. Chari Swank noted the committee is looking to participate at the upcoming Parks Celebration Event in August. •Urban Forestry Commissioner Husbands reported the committee discussed the tree budget, a tree giveaway, a planting demonstration, and generally embracing the forestry portion of “urban”. She shared initial details of the tree giveaway plan. Coordinator Spreiter noted that trees should be planted in the fall and could give a proposed date soon. Commissioner Husbands noted, due to the logistics, the tree planting project may not be ready this year. Coordinator Spreiter noted that the budget allotted for this would carry over into next year or could be used towards other needs. •Green Steps Chair Swank noted this committee will start meeting regularly again. •Sustainability 5 Commissioner Stein reported of an upcoming presentation with a representative from Xcel Energy to be held on July 10. A presentation will be given on Xcel’s “Partners in Energy” Program. Another goal is to set up the City and its residents to take advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act rebates and incentives. Coordinator Spreiter noted that if other Commission members wanted to attend the July 10 presentation they would publish a notice of quorum. This presentation could also be recorded and shared with the Commission members. 8.Staff Announcements Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter noted a new volunteer opportunity for a curb-cut raingarden planting in the Ivy Hills neighborhood on June 23. Interested volunteers can visit the City’s’ website. She added the City is hosting a workshop series for “Landscaping for Clean Water” through the Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization on June 20th and June 22nd. Coordinator Spreiter encouraged interested residents to apply for the open Commission position. Applications are due July 7. She also reminded all of City Hall being closed on June 19, July 3, and July 4. 9.Commission Comments Chair Swank encouraged interested resident to apply for the open Commission position and noted they can reach out to staff or commission members for any questions. 10.Adjourn Motion to adjourn the meeting by Stein, second by Husbands. Motion passed 4-0. Chair Swank adjourned the meeting at 7:19pm. 6 DATE: July 12, 2023 TO: Natural Resources Commission FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Coordinator SUBJECT: Workplan Status Report Quarter 2 Background A work plan can guide accountability and resource allocation for the Commission and help to move through commission priorities. Included in the packet materials is the work plan for the 2023 calendar year. It includes initiatives under each of the five identified goals, divided into a quarterly timetable. The Commission has now moved into Quarter 3 of this timetable. Below are goals of the 2023 Work Plan and an update on their subsequent initiatives within Quarter 2: Goal 1: Ordinance and Policy Development •Prioritize tree ordinance, landscape ordinance, weed ordinance, as well as any other ordinances the commission is interested in developing. The Goal 1 committee has requested feedback from the Commission within a document the committee is collaborating on, regarding priority proposed ordinances. These include a Tree Preservation ordinance, Surface Water Ordinance, and Weed Ordinance. A consensus has been reached that the Commission will focus on developing a proposed Tree Preservation Ordinance. •Review Planning Review Checklists to offer natural resources considerations. Put on hold until City Planner position is filled. Goal 2: Education and Outreach •Volunteer at Touch-a-Truck. It was determined this event was not appropriate for attendance as it was not confirmed that an Electric Vehicle would be present. •No Mow May. The Commission completed Pollinator Awareness Month in-lieu-of No Mow May. Goal 3: Urban Forestry Awareness and Opportunities •Buckthorn Removal Event. Not Completed. •Coordinate with Parks and Recreation Commission to identify collaboration opportunities between PRC and NRC. Completed. •Host tree planting event. Not Completed. Not recommended by Staff due to drought conditions. Possibility to move this initiative to Quarter 3 or 4. 6a.7 Goal 4: Green Steps •Update reporting measurements to reflect City’s current step status. Completed. •Identify opportunities for step advancement. The Committee along with the Natural Resources Commission has identified priority Best Practices and Staff is working with the Commission to propose action items. Goal 5: Sustainability •Review peer community sustainability efforts to identify opportunities in MH. Completed. The Committee is hosting a presentation open to the Commission and City Council given by Xcel energy on their Partners In Energy program. Requested Action Information only. 8 Natural Resources Commission Work Plan 2023 Timeline Goal Initiative Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Goal 1: Ordinance Policy and Development Review peer community ordinances to identify gaps and opportunities for Mendota Heights NR ordinances X X Goal 1: Ordinance Policy and Development Prioritize tree ordinance, landscape ordinance, weed ordinance, as well as any other ordinances the commission is interested in developing X Goal 1: Ordinance Policy and Development Review Planning Review Checklists to offer natural resources considerations X X X Goal 1: Ordinance Policy and Development Coordinate with city staff to review and propose city ordinance(s) to city council X X Goal 1: Ordinance Policy and Development Review existing city ordinances to identify proposed amendments X X Goal 2: Education and Outreach Develop engagement materials aimed at children to educate on natural resources topics: i.e. coloring book or puzzle to hand out while tabling X Goal 2: Education and Outreach Volunteer at Frozen Fun Fest X Goal 2: Education and Outreach Volunteer at Touch a Truck X Goal 2: Education and Outreach No Mow May X Goal 2: Education and Outreach Volunteer at Park Celebration X Goal 2: Education and Outreach Host site tour of natural resources site X X Goal 2: Education and Outreach Develop and administer award/recognition program for community stewardship efforts X X Goal 3: Urban Forestry Awareness and Opportunities Develop Tree of the Month program X Goal 3: Urban Forestry Awareness and Opportunities Buckthorn removal event X X Goal 3: Urban Forestry Awareness and Opportunities Coordinate with Parks and Recreation Commission to identify collaboration opportunities between PRC and NRC X Goal 3: Urban Forestry Awareness and Opportunities Host tree planting event X Goal 4: Green Steps Update reporting measurements to reflect City's current step status X X Goal 4: Green Steps Onboard new Recycling/Sustainability Coordinator to lead city Greensteps initiative X Goal 4: Green Steps Identify opportunities for step advancement X Goal 4: Green Steps Identify performance measurements and support structures necessary to prepare for Step 4 X X Goal 4: Green Steps Advance to Step 3 in the Green Steps program X X Goal 5: Sustainability Review city energy usage to identify opportunities for improvement X Goal 5: Sustainability Host residential energy saving education event X Goal 5: Sustainability Review peer community sustainability efforts to identify opportunities in MH X X 6a1.9 DATE: July 12, 2023 TO: Natural Resources Commission FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Coordinator SUBJECT: Planning for Q3 Work Session Background Work sessions are informal meetings in which official action cannot be taken; rather they are used as a tool for city commissions to allow for informal discussion focused on key areas or topics. At the June 14th regular commission meeting, the Commission reached consensus that regular, quarterly work sessions could be scheduled as a way to work through the Commission’s annual work plan, as well as provide a time for focused discussion on key tasks or goals as needed. Quarterly work sessions will be held in the last month of the quarter. The two dates that quarterly work sessions are to be held in 2023 are: •September 27th, 2023 at 6PM •December 13th, 2023 at 4PM The Goal 1, Ordinance and Policy Development committee, suggested that the first quarterly work session may be used to work to further its goal of developing a Tree Preservation ordinance at the previous Commission meeting. The Commission may use this time to discuss and propose topics for the September 27th quarterly work session. Requested Action Information only. The Commission is invited to discuss work session topics and provide feedback. A general consensus and direction to Staff should be provided. 6b.10 DATE: July 12, 2023 TO: Natural Resources Commission FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Coordinator SUBJECT: Green Steps Project Priorities Background At the June 1st work session, the commission discussed and reviewed best practices from the GreenStep 29 Best Practices and established the following best practices as priorities: Efficient Existing Public Building, Design for Natural Resource Conservation, Living and Complete Streets, Efficient City Fleets, Community Forests and Soils, Stormwater Management, Surface Water, Benchmarks and Community Engagement, and Climate Adaption and Community Resilience. The Natural Resources Commission recommended these nine Best Practices of the 29 GreenStep Best Practices as priority areas to help direct Staff and City Council in establishing goals and corresponding tasks for the 2024 calendar year at their regular meeting on June 14th. Staff has gathered information on the status of these best practices within the framework of the Green Steps program, shown in the attached spreadsheet. The Commission can propose best practice action items that have not been completed to be prioritized based on this framework, or propose new action items that may not be listed within the Green Steps program. Requested Action Information only. The Commission is invited to discuss action items to be recommended under each priority area. 6c.11 Priority Area Action Item Description Staff Contact Status Budget Impact Required for GreenStep 3 NRC priority area (1) Efficient Existing Public Buildings B3 Benchmark Reporting Report on City Facility Energy Usage Courtney Selstad New Action Yes Yes (1) Efficient Existing Public Buildings Street Light LED upgrades Upgrade City Street Lights to LED lights Ryan Ruzek Implementation Yes (1) Efficient Existing Public Buildings Ice Rink LED conversion Upgrade Ice Rink Lights to LED lights Meredith Lawrence Implementation Yes (10) Design for Natural Resources Natural Resources Management Plan (#1, #7)Krista Spreiter Completed Yes (10) Design for Natural Resources NRC Goal 1 Committee Ordinance Development (#3)Krista Spreiter New Action None Yes (10) Design for Natural Resources Conservation Easements (#5)Krista Spreiter Completed; on-going None Yes (10) Design for Natural Resources Oheyawahe/Pilot Knob Preservation Site (#6)Krista Spreiter Completed; on-going Yes (11) Complete Streets Adopt Complete Streets Policy Ryan Ruzek and Krista Spreiter New Action Yes Yes (13) Efficient City Fleet Electric Vehicle Chargers at City Hall and Golf Course Ryan Ruzek and Meredith Lawrence New Action Yes (13) Efficient City Fleet Electric Vehicle Fleet Assessment Ryan Ruzek Implementation None Yes (15) Sustainable Purchasing Adopt Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines Kristen Shabacker New Action Yes No (16) Community Forests and Soils Tree Planting and Maintenance Ryan Ruzek and Krista Spreiter Completed; on-going Yes (17) Stormwater Management Ryan Ruzek and Krista Spreiter Completed; on-going Yes (19) Surface Water Curbcut rain gardens Krista Spreiter Completed; on-going Yes (19) Surface Water Lake Augusta Feasibility Study and Next Steps Ryan Ruzek and Krista Spreiter Implementation Yes (19) Surface Water Shoreland Ordinance Krista Spreiter New Action None Yes (22) Sustainable Consumption and Waste Organics Collection Courtney Selstad/ Meredith Lawrence New Action No No (24) Benchmarks and Community Development City webpage-Greensteps Kelly Torkelson New Action None No Yes (29) Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience Partners in Energy Plan Krista Spreiter New Action None No Yes 12 6c1. Category Priority Area Best Practices Notes 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.REQUIRED FOR STEP 3 2. Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs. 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. 4. Implement IT efforts and city employee engagement to reduce plug loads, building energy use and workflow efficiency. 5. Document that the new construction or major remodeling of a public building has met the SB 2030 energy standard or has met or qualified under a green building or energy framework. 6. Improve the operations & maintenance of city-owned/school buildings and leased buildings by using a customized online energy efficiency tool, asset management tool, green building framework or green lease. 7. Install for one or more city-owned/school buildings one of the following efficiency measures: a. A ground-source, closed loop geothermal system. b. A district energy/microgrid system.c. A rainwater harvesting system for building water use. 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. For cities within metropolitan areas, incorporate woodland best management practices addressing protection of wooded areas into zoning or development review. 4. Adopt a conservation design policy; use a conservation design tool for pre-design meetings with developers and for negotiating development agreements in cities with undeveloped natural resource areas. 5. Preserve environmentally sensitive, community-valued land by placing a conservation easement on city lands, and by encouraging/funding private landowners to place land in conservation easements. 6. Conserve natural, cultural, historic resources by adopting or amending city codes and ordinances to support sustainable sites, including roadsides, and environmentally protective land use development. 7. Support and protect wildlife through habitat rehabilitation, preservation and recognition programs. 1. Adopt a complete streets policy, or a living streets policy, which addresses landscaping and stormwater.REQUIRED FOR STEP 3 2. Adopt zoning language or approve a skinny street/development project that follows green street and/or walkable streets principles. 3. Modify a street in compliance with the city's complete streets policy. 4. 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. 5. Identify and remedy street-trail gaps between city streets and off-road trails/bike trails to better facilitate walking and biking. 6. 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. 1. Efficiently use your existing fleet of city vehicles by encouraging trip bundling, video conferencing, carpooling, vehicle sharing and incentives/technology. 2. Right-size/down-size the city fleet with the most fuel-efficient vehicles that are of an optimal size and capacity for their intended functions. 3. Phase-in operational changes, equipment changes including electric vehicles, and no-idling practices for city or local transit fleets. 4. Phase in bike, e-bike, foot or horseback modes for police, inspectors and other city staff. 5. 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. 6. Retrofit city diesel engines or install auxiliary power units and/or electrified parking spaces, utilizing Project GreenFleet or the like. 1. Certify as a Tree City USA. 2. Adopt best practices for urban tree planting/quality; require them in private developments and/or use them in at least one development project. 3. Budget for and achieve resilient urban canopy/tree planting goals. 4. Maximize tree planting along your main downtown street or throughout the city. 5. Adopt a tree preservation or native landscaping ordinance. Buildings and Lighting (1) Efficient Existing Public Buildings Land Use (10) Design for Natural Resources (11) Complete Streets (13) Efficient City Fleet Transportation (16) Community Forests and Soils 13 6. Build community capacity to protect existing trees by one or more of:a. Having trained tree specialists.b. Supporting volunteer forestry efforts.c. Adopting an EAB/forest management plan or climate adaptation plan for the urban forest. 7. Conduct a tree inventory or canopy study for public and private trees. 1. Adopt and use Minnesota's Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS). 2. Complete the GreenStep Municipal Stormwater Management Assessment. 3. Adopt by ordinance one or more of the following stormwater infiltration/management strategies to reduce impervious surface: a. A narrower streets provision that permits construction of 24-foot roads for public, residential access and subcollector streets (with fewer than 400 average daily trips). b. Use of pervious pavements for streets, trails, parking areas and sidewalks.c. For sites less than one acre, retain the water quality volume of 1.1 inches of runoff from all impervious surfaces for new and fully-redeveloped construction sites.d. For non-MS4 permittees, adopt an illicit discharge prohibition rule or ordinance and an erosion and sediment control ordinance. Sponsor a robust Adopt-a-Drain program 4. 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. 5. Adopt and implement guidelines or design standards/incentives for at least one of the following stormwater infiltration/reuse practices:a. Rain ardens/infiltration practices.b. Rainwater harvesting practices.c. Green alleys or green parking lots.d. Pervious/permeable pavement or pavers.e. Green roofs / green walls.f. Tree trenches / tree boxes.g. Incorporate compost and/or native plants into landscape design. 6. Improve smart-salting by reducing chloride use in winter maintenance and dust suppressants to prevent permanent surfacewater and groundwater pollution. 1. Consistently monitor surface water quality/clarity and report findings to community members. 2. Conduct or support multi-party community conversations, assessments, plans and actions around improving local water quality and quantity. 3. Adopt and publicly report on measurable surface water improvement targets for lake, river, wetland and ditches. 4. Adopt a shoreland ordinance for all river and lake shoreland areas. 5. Adopt goals to revegetate shoreland and create a local program or outreach effort to help property owners with revegetation. 6. Implement an existing TMDL implementation plan. 7. Create/assist a Lake Improvement District. 8. Reduce flooding damage and costs through the National Flood Insurance Programs and the NFIP’s Community Rating System. Environmental Management (15) Sustainable Purchasing 1. Adopt a sustainable purchasing policy or administrative guidelines/practices directing that the city purchase at least:a. EnergyStar and EPEAT certified equipment and appliances.b. Paper containing post-consumer recycled content.REQUIRED FOR STEP 3 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. Public Education for Action: Conduct or support a broad sustainability education and action campaign, building on existing city & community relationships, networks & events involving: a. The entire community, community leaders b. Homeowners, manufactured home communities, landlords and tenants c. Community-based organizations, block clubs, neighborhood associations, front yards/sidewalks d. Congregations. e. Schools, colleges. 5. 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: a. Strong Towns, Resiliency, Transition, Appreciative Inquiry. b. Eco-municipalities, Smart Cities, Healthy Communities. c. Environmental Justice, Race Equity, quitable Development. 6. Engaging the Next Generation: Engage wide representation of community youth and college students by creating opportunities to participate in city government (including commissions). 7. Expanding Community Engagement: Engage Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), renters, low-income, new Americans, differently abled and other traditionally under- represented community members by encouragement, and support to participate in current and new opportunities in city government. (24) Benchmarks and Community Development Resilient Economic and Community Development (17) Stormwater Management (19) Surface Water Environmental Management 14 1. 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. 2. Integrate climate resilience into city or tribal planning, policy, operations, and budgeting processes. 3. Increase social connectedness through engagement, capacity building, public investment, and opportunities for economically vulnerable residents to improve their economic prosperity and resilience to climate change. 4. Encourage private sector action and incentivize investment in preventive approaches that reduce risk and minimize impacts of extreme weather and the changing climate for human health and the built environment. 5. Protect public buildings and natural/constructed infrastructure to reduce physical damage and sustain their function during extreme weather events. 6. Reduce the urban heat impacts of public buildings, sites, and infrastructure and provide resiliency co-benefits. 7. Protect water supply and wastewater treatment facilities to reduce physical damage and sustain their function during extreme weather events. 8. Improve local energy resilience by minimizing fuel poverty, installing distributed renewable energy systems, and developing microgrids that can improve energy system resiliency. Environmental Management (15) Sustainable Purchasing 1. Adopt a sustainable purchasing policy or administrative guidelines/practices directing that the city purchase at least:a. EnergyStar and EPEAT certified equipment and appliances.b. Paper containing post-consumer recycled content.REQUIRED FOR STEP 3 (29) Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience 15 DATE: July 12, 2023 TO: Natural Resources Commission FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Coordinator SUBJECT: Partners In Energy Program Background As part of the Goal 5, Sustainability Committee work, the Sustainability Committee has conducted research on Xcel Energy’s Partners In Energy program, and how this program may be able to be incorporated into the City and Community to help reduce energy use, provide climate change adaption, and increase and plan for sustainability. The Sustainability Committee has invited the Natural Resources Commission, as well as members of the City Council, to attend a presentation that will be given by Xcel Energy on the Partners In Energy program on July 10th at 4p. If Council Members or Commissioners are unable to attend the presentation on July 10th, a recording of the presentation can be provided by request. The Xcel Energy Partners in Energy program is a program that assists communities in Minnesota to develop and implement an energy plan. This program is able to tailor its services to each community’s goals and needs to create a plan that allows communities to make wise energy decisions. As part of this plan, the City may be able to coordinate with citizens, businesses, and government facilities, to promote renewables, encourage and implement energy conservation, or work toward greenhouse gas reduction goals. Partners in Energy helps identify local priorities and then structures a path that leverages all resources available. Requested Action Information only. 6d.16 AVERAGE SAVINGS PER COMMUNITY IN 2019 Electricity 5.2 Million kWH Greenhouse Gas Equivalent to removing 502 cars off the road TOTAL PARTICIPANTS IN 2019 Energy Efficiency Programs 43,500 Renewable Energy Programs 24,500 56 COMMUNITIES SERVED SINCE 2014 Partners in Energy provides the tools and resources to support communities in achieving their energy goals. The program offerings include support to develop an energy action plan or electric vehicle plan, tools to help implement your plan and deliver results, and resources designed to help the communities we serve stay informed and achieve their energy goals. Planning support Partners In EnergyHow can Partners in Energy energize your community? DEVELOP AN ENERGY ACTION PLAN ADVANCESyour economic development path FOSTERSa collaborative, energy-savvy communityPROVIDES a leadership platform ENGAGES and educates community members LAUNCHES your energy and sustainability goals FACILITATE WORKSHOPS Access to the ONLINE PORTAL Access to MARKETING TOOLKITS Begin a new STRATEGY SCENARIO PLANNING OUTREACH SUPPORT Access to OFFICE HOURS DOCUMENTING ENERGY PLAN JOINT MARKETING ENERGY EXPERTISE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TRACKING AND REPORTING PROJECT MANAGEMENT ESTABLISHING BASELIINES RECRUITING STAKEHOLDERS GOAL SETTING Partners In EnergyHow can Partners in Energy energize your community? DEVELOP AN ENERGY ACTION PLAN ADVANCESyour economic development path FOSTERSa collaborative, energy-savvy communityPROVIDESa leadershipplatform ENGAGESand educates community members LAUNCHES your energy and sustainability goals FACILITATE WORKSHOPS Access to the ONLINE PORTAL Access to MARKETING TOOLKITS Begin a new STRATEGY SCENARIO PLANNING OUTREACH SUPPORT Access to OFFICE HOURS DOCUMENTING ENERGY PLAN JOINT MARKETING ENERGY EXPERTISE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TRACKING AND REPORTING PROJECT MANAGEMENT ESTABLISHING BASELIINES RECRUITING STAKEHOLDERS GOAL SETTING Implementation support INFORMATION SHEET MINNESOTAPARTNERS IN ENERGY HELPING COMMUNITIES BUILD AN ENERGY FUTURE 6d1.17 xcelenergy.com | © 2020 Xcel Energy Inc. | Xcel Energy is a registered trademark of Xcel Energy Inc. | 20-04-302 Additional resources to boost results In addition to our team, tools and resources, we provide opportunities for you to interact and network with other communities participating in Partners in Energy. Keeping graduates energized We invite communities that have participated to stay engaged. Since you’ve developed a blueprint for your energy future, we have resources to keep your momentum going and keep you up to date with what’s new at Xcel Energy. COMMUNITY SUMMITS Attend in-person events with other communities to share best practices. We provide educational opportunities that feature experts on current energy topics and opportunities to learn from each other. OFFICE HOURS Attend monthly webinars that cover trending topics, plus access to and examples of initiatives and activities happening in Partners in Energy communities. Ask questions and share experiences. ONLINE PORTAL Get access to documents related to your community’s work, and examples of other community goals, strategies, and collateral. It connects you to a variety of community program materials, a collateral library, toolkits for outreach and education, as well as collaboration forums. Access to MARKETING TOOLKITS + + + Begin a new STRATEGY Access to OFFICE HOURS Access to the ONLINE PORTAL Access to MARKETING TOOLKITS Begin a new STRATEGY Partners In EnergyHow can Partners in Energy energize your community?DEVELOP AN ENERGY ACTION PLANADVANCESyour economic development path FOSTERSa collaborative, energy-savvy communityPROVIDESa leadershipplatform ENGAGESand educates community membersLAUNCHESyour energy and sustainability goalsFACILITATE WORKSHOPSAccess to theONLINE PORTAL Access toMARKETING TOOLKITS Begin a newSTRATEGYSCENARIO PLANNINGOUTREACH SUPPORTAccess to OFFICE HOURS DOCUMENTING ENERGY PLANJOINTMARKETINGENERGY EXPERTISE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TRACKING AND REPORTINGPROJECT MANAGEMENTESTABLISHING BASELIINESRECRUITING STAKEHOLDERSGOAL SETTINGPartners In EnergyHow can Partners in Energy energize your community?DEVELOP AN ENERGY ACTION PLANADVANCESyour economic development path FOSTERSa collaborative, energy-savvy communityPROVIDESa leadershipplatform ENGAGESand educates community membersLAUNCHESyour energy and sustainability goalsFACILITATE WORKSHOPSAccess to theONLINE PORTAL Access toMARKETING TOOLKITS Begin a newSTRATEGYSCENARIO PLANNINGOUTREACH SUPPORTAccess to OFFICE HOURS DOCUMENTING ENERGY PLANJOINTMARKETINGENERGY EXPERTISE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TRACKING AND REPORTINGPROJECT MANAGEMENTESTABLISHING BASELIINESRECRUITING STAKEHOLDERSGOAL SETTING Access to MARKETING TOOLKITS + + + Begin a new STRATEGY Access to OFFICE HOURS Access to the ONLINE PORTAL Access to MARKETING TOOLKITS Begin a new STRATEGY Join us Apply in January or July. Applications available at xcelenergy.com/PartnersInEnergy. Questions: PartnersinEnergy@xcelenergy.com or 800.369.4362. 18