8.2. SR 07-21-2014 City of
Elk Request for Action
River
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 8.2
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
General Business July 21, 2014 Kristin Mroz, Environmental Technician
Item Description Reviewed by
Energy City Commission Action Plan Jeremy Barnhart,Deputy Director COD
Reviewed by
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Action Requested
Approve,by motion,the Energy City Commission 2024 10-year Action Plan.
Background/Discussion
Our designation as "Energy City"is a unique asset when it comes to promoting Elk River as a healthy,
prosperous, and sustainable place to live and work. The Energy City Commission has developed an
ambitious, necessary, and achievable 10-year Action Plan to challenge residents,businesses, and city leaders
to create a better future for the next generation.
Taking the same format as the City Council's Vision and Action Plan document,this plan sets a clear vision
of that future,with concrete targets and the steps and metrics needed to achieve each goal and measure
progress. By focusing resources on select tasks, the Commission believes the results will improve our
quality of life,increase our competitiveness in the future, and enable us to become the leader in energy
efficiency in Minnesota.
The plan is divided into four goals, each with identifiable objectives,high priority action tasks, and timelines
for completion. Together,the goals address promotion of the city, economic development, education
through demonstrations, and resident and businesses community engagement. The goals are centered on
three areas of focus: reducing carbon,managing waste more efficiently,and reducing human impacts on the
environment. Our goal is to encourage businesses and homeowners to act at a local level and to think about
the impact on the global environmental. Energy efficiency and environmental sustainability affects the
impact we have on the environment, as well as our local economy,health,resources, jobs, and culture.
This document will be reviewed biennially to adjust for completeness, resource availability, and validation
and congruence with community goals.
Financial Impact
None
Attachments
■ Energy City 2024 Action Plan
P a w E A E U s r
NaA f RE]
WA
City of City of Elk River - Energy City 2024 Action Plan
Elk --=-
River
Our goal is to make Elk River the most energy responsible city in Minnesota
Ambitious,necessary,and possible—this is the Energy City Action Plan for the City of Elk River. This plan outlines the steps toward realizing a healthy,prosperous and
sustainable future for our city. It challenges residents,business,and city leaders to create a better future for the next generation.
This plan sets out a clear vision of that future,with concrete targets and the steps and metrics needed to achieve each one of them. Between now and 2024 there will be
much to learn and accomplish to achieve our goal of making Elk River the most environmentally friendly and energy responsible city in Minnesota. But the Energy City
Commission has little doubt that the results will improve our quality of life and make us even more competitive in the future economy,while enabling us to live a better
balance with Earth's natural systems,truly being Powered by Nature.
The Energy City Action Plan is divided into 4 goals with each one having identifiable objectives and high priority action tasks. Together,these 4 goals address promoting
the City of Elk River,economic development within Elk River,education through demonstrations,and engaging the residents and businesses of the community.The goals
of this plan are centered on three areas of focus:reducing carbon,managing waste more efficiently,and reducing human impacts on the environment.
Summaries of each goal are provided in the following pages,highlighting targets,and the strategies to accomplish the goals.This document shall be reviewed biennially for
validation and congruence with annual budgets.At that time,amendments may be approved by the Energy City Commission.In 2024,the Energy City Action Plan will be
amended as needed and re-approved by the Commission and City Council.
Goal 1:Promote the City of Elk River as the"Energy City"-The City of Elk River was established as the"Energy City"in 1997 and received a federal
trademark in 2008. This designation reinforces it's standing within the state and region as a hub of energy technology,renewable energy manufacturing,
renewable energy demonstrations,recycling,use of green products,and education. Percent complete
Objective High Priority Action Tasks 25 50 75 100
.........................:.........................:...................... ....................
Promote Elk River as center for"Green"and Environment/Economic
Al Expand the"Energy City"campaign by promoting 2 expos,lectures,conferences,and/or events yearly
"Lean"manufacturing Development
Identify and promote 4 sources of energy and water efficient and cost-effective building materials annually(as long as
A2 they do not have negative impacts on the longevity of a building)to alleviate environmental impacts on new construction
or remodeling projects Envionment/Building
Develop and maintain City's reputation as g.................................................................................................
A3 supportive of Sustainable("Green")Building Participate in 2"green"city competition by 2024(Land Lab,Green Step Cities,Living Cities,Cities of the Future,etc.)
Environment
practices
Encourage businesses to reduce their solid waste impact by 5%per incedent when remodeling,building,or
A4 deconstructing structures by donating,recycling,or re-using materials.Require all businesses to record and report all Environment/Building/Planning/
solid waste abated during remodeling,building,or deconstructing by 2024 Economic Development
Work diligently with new development areas to maximize the preservation of prime vegetative communities(woodland
A5 stands,prairie areas,vistas,etc.)through sustainable expansion of the community through educational programs and Enviroment/Parks and Recreation/
Invest in the community in a way that is incentives annually Planning/Building
sustainable for the community,which is .........................................................................€........................
A6 focused on providing services at the lowest Work with area agencies,residents,businesses,and community organizations to plant 500 trees and 100 acres of native Environment/Parks and Recreation/
cost and that characterized the City of Elk vegetation throughout the city by 2024 ED
River"Powered by Nature"theme Educate the public through 2 public meetings annually on land development and redevelopment through promotion of
A7 sustainable land use.(Areas of special concern are wetland protection,storm water management,low impact landscaping,
etc.) Environment
A8 Complete a bike trail between Downtown Elk River and the Elk river Northstar Station by 2024 Planning/Parks and Rec/Engineering
A9 Contract a bike share business to provide bikes at the Elk River Station and downtown for commuters and tourists
Support public transportation and active coming into Elk River by 2024 Parks and Recreation
......................................................................... ....
A10 transportation planning Promote walking and biking in the City of Elk River by conducting a study on sidewalks and trails(mileage,links,safety,
etc.)by 2018 Planning/Parks and Recreation
...........................................................................:.........................
All Implement 50%of the recommendations from the sidewalk/trail study by 2024,including connections through private
areas Planning/Parks and Recreation
Goal 2:Economic Development of the"Energy City"-As a leader in the state for energy efficient products and services,the city should continue to develop
incentives,training,and resources for the expansion of the economic base.
Percent complete
Objective High Priority Action Tasks 25 50 75 100
131 Increase the number of"Green Collar"jobs Develop and expand a microloan program to encourage 50 new green collar jobs by 2024 Economic Development
........................%..........................................................................,
B2 Increase by 5 the number of companies that are actively manufacturing products or components of products that are
Increase the number of companies that are actively directly or indirectly used in renewable energy or energy efficiency by 2024 Economic Development
......................................................
...................:.....
engaged in reducing their environmental impacts """"""""'
133 Provide training to 10 business owners and employees anually on reducing environmental impacts Environment/Economic Development
........................:.........................:...................... ....................
134 Provide expertise of governmental policies, Create and maintain a list of local,state,federal,and/or non-governmental grants and incentives available for"green"
procedures,and codes that reduce barriers and building practices by 2015,updated annually Environment
135 provide incentives to participating residents, Review all local policies,procedures,and codes to reduce barriers for"green"building practices biennially Building/Environment
................................
businesses,and community organization to Environment/Energy City
136 incentivize"green"building Independently review the Energy City website to be a more user friendly and interactive tool for users periodically Commission
N:\Public Bodies\Agenda Packets\07-21-2014\Final\x8 2 at1 Energy City Action Plan 07/17/2014
Goal 3:Showcase Ideas of the"Energy City"-The city historically has been home to green and renewable energy products and services. Water,wind,
sunlight,gas,geothermal,and solid waste have powered the community for ages. "Green"homes,businesses,and products are respected worldwide. The
"Energy City"will aid,create,promote,endorse,sponsor,and facilitate the next generation of ideas. Percent complete
Objective High Priority Action Tasks 25 50 75 100
.........................:.........................:...................... ....................
C1 Identify 60 new participants(businesses,builders,and homeowners)in the"High 5"program by 2024.Identify 10 new
participants by 2016,identify 10 more by 2018,etc. Environment
C2 Obtain a rating of"double high 5"(25 points)or higher by 25%of participants by 2024 Environment
C3 City Hall(and other city owned buildings)will participate in the"High 5"program and work to achieve the highest rating
by 2024 All departments
Obtain 4 new participants each year in the"Project Conserve"home and business energy and thermal auditing program
C4 Promote and utilize sustainable Green by 2024 Elk River Municipal Utilities
building techniques,materials,and practices
:........................:.........................:........................:........................:
C5 Provide 10 tours to school groups,residents,businesses,investors,and/or fellow local,state,federal,and international Environment/Energy City
governmental and non-governmental employees annually Commission
C6 Adopt"Green"standards/guidelines for all large purchases((ex:electronics(printers,printing supplies),wood products,
food,cleaning products,paints/coatings/adhesives,carpets,furniture,paper products))by the City by 2024
Environment/Finance/Maintenance i
C7 Achieve the next Step in the GreenStep Cities Program by 2024 All departments
C8 Explore neighborhood energy systems(PV Systems,Water Collection Systems)and make a plan for improvements by
Identify and promote renewable energy 2024 Elk River Municipal Utilities
C9 resources Explore District Heating Systems and make a plan for developments by 2024 Elk River Municipal Utilities
........................:.........................}........................;........................{
FC 0 1 Achieve 15%above State/Federal mandates of renewable energy city-wide by 2024 Elk River Municipal Utilities
Goal 4:Public Engagement in the"Energy City"-Good ideas are nothing if they are not pushed to the users and decision makers. The"Energy City"will
develop and manage educational programs to promote the city's goals and work toward the continuing education of the public with respect to energy technology,
energy manufacturing,energy demonstrations,recycling,use of green products and education. Percent complete
Objective High Priority Action Tasks 25 50 75 100
D1 100%of new residents and businesses will receive educational materials about recycling and organics recycling within the Environment/Elk Diver Municipal utilities/
City of Elk River Economic Development
........................:.........................:........................ ....................
Environment/Elk River Municipal
D2 Increase residential curb-side recycling to 95%of housholds and residential curb-side organics to 25%by 2018 Utilities p
Develop education and enforcement programs .................................................................................................
D3 to keep recyclables out of the waste stream Develop enforcement policies for recycling and organics by residents and businesses by 2024 Environment
D4 Add 15 new solar trash and recycling compactors to City owned property by 2024 Environment/Parks and Recreation
........................................................................ ....................
D5 Provide solid waste,recycling,and organics recycling receptacles for community events.25%of community event will
provide the receptacals by 2016,50%by 2018,etc. Environment/Parks and Recreation
Promote implementation of water conservation practices(rain gardens,bioswales,green roofs,porous pavement,
D6 Develop and implement enhanced water greenways,wetlands,and stormwater tree trenches,low maintenance native landscaping,grey water systems,etc.)by
education,incentive,and conservation educating residents,businesses,and City of Elk River employees by 2024
Environment
programs ...............................................................................................
D7 By 2018,develop one public demonstration site for porous pavement and provide education for area businesses and
homeowners to do the same Environment
D8 Apply for on average 1.5 grant(s)a year for use of"Energy City"funding of energy technology,energy manufacturing,
energy demonstrations,recycling,use of green products,and/or education Environment
...........................................................................:.........................
Solicit gifts and contributions Advertise and support the adoption program(adopt a park,stormpond,wetland,greenspace,etc.)and have 6 adoptions
D9 b 2018
Y Parks and Recreation
D10 Enroll in the"Resilient Communities Partnership"with the UMN by 2024 Environment
N:\Public Bodies\Agenda Packets\07-21-2014\Final\x8 2 at1 Energy City Action Plan 07/17/2014