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10.1. SR 06-04-2018 Request for Action To Item Number Mayor and City Council 10.1 Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Work Session June 4, 2018 Amanda Bednar, Environmental Coordinator Item Description Reviewed by Energy City Commission 10 Year Action Plan Tom Sagstetter, Conservation & Key Accounts Manager Reviewed by Cal Portner, City Administrator Action Requested Provide direction to staff and the Energy City Commission (ECC). Background/Discussion The Energy City Commission has 11 members who promote Elk River as a hub of energy technology, energy manufacturing, energy demonstrations, recycling, use of green products, and the adoption of sustainable living practices. The Commission created a 10-year Action Plan in 2014 and has since updated it to better meet the goals and expectations of the group. Many of the goals have been accomplished and staff continues working on better ways to track city accomplishments. The ECC is looking for more direction and clear goals from City Council and Council expectations for the Commission. The Action Plan has been shared with the City Council and city department directors in the past and it’s important to understand the long-term objectives in the planning and budgeting process. The ECC feels the Council would benefit by having some detailed discussion on the goals, objectives, and budgeting process prior to finalizing the 2019 city budget. The ECC would welcome any recommendations Council would provide as they pertain to goals, tracking metrics, and budgeting process. The Action Plan has been shared with city department directors to get their feedback on items that affect their departments. The Commission members are very passionate about Energy City and have expressed their willingness to meet more frequently and spend more time on city projects. Staff is looking for more direction and desired outcomes from City Council. Financial Impact None Attachments  Updated 10-year Action Plan The Elk River Vision A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity 10 Year Action Plan was developed by the Energy City Commission and created as goals and priorities for Energy City. The majority of the items listed are already being done by various city departments in some way. We'd like to discuss areas of focus and priorities for the future. Additionally we are looking for ways to track and highlight the successes of many departments. We'd also like to discuss how we communicate this information to the public and internally among staff. GOAL 1: Promote the City of Elk River as the “Energy City” - The City of Elk River was established Participant Contributors as the “Energy City" in 1996 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. A1Expand the "Energy City" campaign by promoting 2 expos, lectures, conferences, and/or events yearlyEnvr and ERMU A2Identify and promote 4 sources of energy and water efficient and cost-effective building materials annually (as long Building & Planning as they do not have negative impacts on the longevity of a building) to alleviate environmental impacts on new construction or remodeling projects A3Participate in 2 "green" city competitions by 2024 (Land Lab, Green Step Cities, Living Cities, Cities of the Future, Envr and ERMU etc.) A4Encourage & educate businesses to reduce their solid waste impact when remodeling, building or deconstructing Building & Envr structures by donating, recycling, or re-using materials. A5 A6Work diligently with new development areas to maximize the preservation of prime vegetative communities with Planning diversify to encourage landscape sustainability. Increase public outreach of sustainable landscapes that are specific to its site, includes a variety of species adapted to the local climate, and uses minimal fertilizers and pesticides. Encourage public participation in programs and incentives supporting this objective. A7Work with area agencies, residents, businesses, and community organizations to plant 500 trees and 100 acres of Parks and Planning native vegetation throughout the city by 2024 A8Educate the public through 2 public meetings annually on land development and redevelopment through Planning, Economic Development, Envr promotion of sustainable land use. (Areas of special concern are wetland protection, storm water management, low impact landscaping, etc.) A9Complete a bike trail between Downtown Elk River and the Elk River Northstar Station by 2024Parks & Economic Development A10Contract with a bike share business to provide bikes at the Elk River Station and downtown for commuters and Parks & Economic Development tourists coming into Elk River by 2024 A11Promote walking and biking in the City of Elk River by conducting a study on sidewalks and trails (mileage, links, Parks & Economic Development safety, etc.) by 2018 A12Implement 50% of the recommendations from the sidewalk/ trail study by 2024, including connections through Parks & Economic Development private areas A13Invest in public electric vehicle charging stations. Convert at least 1 fleet vehicle to an EV based on 2017 results of Completed Fleet Carma pilot program. GOAL 2: Economic Development of the "Energy City" - As a leader in the state for energy efficient Participant Contributors products and services, the city should continue to develop incentives, training, and resources for the expansion of the economic base. B1Develop and expand a microloan program to encourage 50 new green collar jobs by 2024Economic Development B2Increase by 5 the number of companies that are actively manufacturing products or components of products that Economic Development are directly or indirectly used in renewable energy or energy efficiency by 2024 B3Provide training to 10 business (owners and employees) annually on reducing environmental impactsEnvr and ERMU B4Maintain a list of local, state, federal, and/or non-governmental grants and incentives available for "green" building Building & ENVR practices by 2015, updated annually B5Review all local policies, procedures, and codes to reduce barriers for "green" building practices biennially Building B6Independently review the Energy City website to be a more user friendly and interactive tool for users periodicallyCompleted GOAL 3: Showcase Ideas of the “Energy City” - The City historically has been home to green and Participant Contributors 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. C1Encourage businesses and residents to participate in ERMU Phone Audits. Distribute ERMU Energy Guides to ERMU, Building and Planning businesses and residents; monitor and report survey results. C2Provide 10 tours to school groups, residents, businesses, investors, and/or fellow local, state, federal, and Envr and ERMU international governmental and non-governmental employees annually C3Adopt "Green" standards/guidelines for all large purchases ((ex: electronics (printers, printing supplies), wood Finance and Building Maintenance products, food, cleaning products, paints/coatings/adhesives, carpets, furniture, paper products)) by the City by 2024 C4Achieve the next Step in the GreenStep Cities Program by 2024Envr C5Explore neighborhood energy systems (PV Systems, Water Collection Systems) and make a plan for improvements Planning, Envr and ERMU by 2024 C7Achieve 15% above State/Federal mandates of renewable energy city-wide by 2024ERMU C8Construct a solar demonstration site (rooftop, ground mount, or other) by 2024.Parks and Envr - Solar Picnic table GOAL 4: Public Engagement in the “Energy City” - Good ideas are nothing if they are not pushed Participant Contributors 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. D1100% of new residents and businesses will receive educational materials about recycling and organics recycling ERMU and Envr within the City of Elk River D2Increase residential curb-side recycling to 90% of households and residential organics to 25% by 2020. Encourage Envr business recycling and waste reduction via resources and direct contact with businesses. D5Provide solid waste, recycling, and organics recycling receptacles for community events. 25% of community event Parks will provide the receptacles by 2016, 50% by 2018, etc. D6Promote implementation of water conservation practices (rain gardens, bio swales, green roofs, porous pavement, Planning, Stormwater, Envr greenways, wetlands, and stormwater tree trenches, low maintenance native landscaping, grey water systems, etc.) by educating residents, businesses, and City of Elk River employees by 2024 D7By 2018, develop one public demonstration site for porous pavement, a rain garden, green roof, and other water Parks conservation practice; Provide education for area businesses and homeowners to do the same. D8Apply for on average 1 grant a year for use of "Energy City" funding of energy technology, energy manufacturing, Envr energy demonstrations, recycling, use of green products, and/or education D9Advertise and support the adoption program (adopt a park, storm pond, wetland, greenspace, etc.) and have 6 Parks, Envr and Stormwater adoptions by 2018 D10Enroll in the Sustainable Communities partnership with the University of St. Thomas by 2024Complete Completed annually Priorities for long term/multiple years