HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-01 signedCITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
RESOLUTION 11 -01
JANUARY 12, 2011
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MINNESOTA GREENSTEP CITIES PROGRAM
WHEREAS, uncertainty in energy prices and the transition away from fossil fuel energy
sources present new challenges and opportunities to both the City of Falcon Heights 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 development; 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 Falcon Heights strives to be a leader in municipal efforts to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions; 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 Energy 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 2050;
(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 15 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
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
goverrunent 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 Falcon Heights
does hereby authorize the City of Falcon Heights (the "City ") to participate in the
Minnesota GreenStep Cities program. Be it further resolved that the City:
Appoints City Administrator Justin Miller to serve as the city's GreenStep coordinator to
facilitate best practice implementation; and
Will facilitate the involvement of coirununity members, civic, business and educational
organizations, and other units of government as appropriate in the planning, promoting
and implementing of GreenStep Cities best practices; and
Plans to take actions to implement the following best practices:
• Public Buildings
• Private Buildings
• Comprehensive Plan
• Higher Density
• Complete Green Streets
• Mobility Options
• Environmental Purchasing
• Urban Forests
• Green Infrastructure
• Local Air Quality
• Benchmarks and Community
Engagement
• Green Business Development
• Local Food
Will claim credit for having implemented and will implement in total at least 12 of the
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
surrunary of the city's implementation of best practices will be posted on the Minnesota
GreenStep Cities web site.
Moved by: !�Q((�S Approved by
Peter Lindstrom, Mayor
January 12, 200111
LINDSTROM ,S In savor Attested by:
HARRIS Justin Miller
LONG City Administrator
MERCER - TAYLOR January 12, 2011
GOSLINE U Against