HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2011-037 Green Step Cities SNA,Z1t RESOLUTION NO 2011-37
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A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF EDINA
O� e b TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MINNESOTA GREENSTEP CITIES PROGRAM
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The GreenStep Cities program aims to provide Minnesota cities a clear pathway to greater sustainability based
upon implementing best practices specific to Minnesota cities of differing sizes and capabilities. Due to the
multiple environmental, economic and social dimensions of the best practices, leadership from a city's council
is needed to oversee their implementation and coordination/integration with other city and community
activities and with other governmental jurisdictions (such as surrounding townships) as appropriate.
WHEREAS, uncertainty in energy prices and the transition away from fossil fuel energy sources present
new challenges and opportunities to both the City of Edina and to the economic health of its citizens and
businesses; and
WHEREAS, climate changes have been observed in Minnesota and have the potential to negatively
impact local, regional and state economies; infrastructure development; habitat; ecological communities;
including native fish and wildlife populations; spread invasive species and exotic diseases; reduce drinking;
water supplies and recreational opportunities; and pose health threats to our citizens, and
WHEREAS, local governments have the unique opportunity to achieve both energy use and
climate change gas reductions through building and facilities management; land use and
transportation planning; environmental management; and through economic and community developmena,
and
WHEREAS, efforts to address energy and climate issues provide an opportunity to move toward energy
self-reliance and greater community resiliency, provide environmentally healthy and cheaper to operate
public buildings; encourage new economic development and local jobs; and support local food and renewable
energy production, and
WHEREAS, the City of Edina has completed their Carbon Emissions Benchmark for the year 2007 and
submitted the results to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP); and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Session Laws 2008, Chapter 356, Section 13 directed the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency ("MPCA") and Office of Energy Security in the Department of Commerce ("Office of Lnergy
Security"), in collaboration with Clean Energy Resource Teams ("CERTs"), to recommend municipal actions ;and
policies that work toward meeting the State's greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals; and
WHEREAS, the Next Generation Act of 2007, Minnesota Session Laws 2007 - Chapter 136:
(1) sets State greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals of cutting emissions to 15 percent below 2005 levels
by 2015, 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2025, and 80 percent below 2005 levels by 20501-
(2)
050;(2) sets a State energy conservation goal of achieving annual energy savings equal to 1.5 percent of annual
retail energy sales of electricity and natural gas;
(3) establishes an energy policy goal that the per capita use of fossil fuel as an energy input be reduced by 7 S
percent by the year 2015, through increased reliance on energy efficiency and renewable energy alternatives,
• (4) establishes an energy policy goal that 25 percent of the electricity used in the state be derived from
renewable energy resources by the year 2025; and
City Hall 952-927-8861
4801 WEST 50TH STREET FAX 952-826-0390
EDINA, MINNESOTA, 55424-1394 www.CityofEdina.com TTY 952-826-0379
WHEREAS, a broad coalition of public and private stakeholders including the League of
Minnesota Cities, the MPCA, Office of Energy Security and CERTs responded to the 2008 legislation by
establishing the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program to provide a series of sustainable development best
practices focusing on local government opportunities to reduce energy use and greenhouse gases; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program assists in facilitating technical assistance for the
implementation of these sustainable development best practices; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program provides cost-effective sustainable development
best practices in the following five categories: (1) Buildings and Lighting; (2) Transportation; (3) Land Use; (4)
Environmental Management; and (5) Economic and Community Development;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Edina does hereby authorize the
City of Edina (the "City") to participate in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program. Be it further resolved that
the City:
1. Appoints the Edina Energy and Environment Commission to serve as the city's GreenStep coordinator
to facilitate best practice implementation; and
2. Will facilitate the involvement of community members, civic, business and educational organizations,
and other units of government as appropriate, the Edina City Council, the Edina Energy and
Environment Commission, the Edina Planning Commission, the Edina Transportation Commission, the
Bike Edina Task Force, the Edina Community Health Committee and the Edina Park and Recreation
Board, as well as Edina city staff in the planning, in the promoting and implementing of GreenStep
Cities best practices; and
3. Plans to take actions to implement the following best practices:
#1 Public Buildings & Lighting, #2 Efficient Private Existing Buildings & Lighting, #6 Comprehensive
Plan, #11 Complete Streets, #12 Mobility Options, #15 Purchasing, #16 Urban Forests, #17 Efficient
Stormwater Management, #18 Green Infrastructure, #19 Surface Water Quality, #22 Solid Waste, #23
Local Air Quality, #24 Benchmanrs & Community Engagement (counts as two best practices), #25
Green Business Development, and #26 Renewable Energy, and
4. Will claim credit for having implemented and will implement in total at least 16 required and optional
GreenStep best practices that will result in energy use reduction, economic savings and reduction in
the community's greenhouse gas footprint. A summary of the city's implementation of best practices
will be posted on the Minnesota GreenStep Cities web site.
ADOPTED this 18th day of January, 2011.
Attest:
3
Debra A. Mangen, City Cle k James B. Hovland, Mayor
STATE OF MINNESOTA )
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN )SS
CITY OF EDINA )
CERTIFICATE OF CLERK
I,the undersigned duly appointed and acting City Clerk for the City of Edina,do hereby certify that the attached and foregoing Resolution is a true and
correct copy of the Resolution duly adopted by the Edina City Council at its Regular Meeting of January 18,2011,and as recorded in the Minutes of said
Regular Meeting.
WITNESS my hand and seal of said City this day of__ 20
I,
City Clerk