HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 486-10 •
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, local governments have the unique opportunity to achieve both energy use
and climate change gas reductions through: (a) building and facilities management; (b) land use
and transportation planning; (c) environmental management; and (d) economic and community
development; and,
WHEREAS, efforts to address energy and climate issues provide an opportunity to: (a)
move toward energy self-reliance and greater community resiliency; (b) provide environmentally
healthy and cheaper-to-operate public buildings; (c) encourage new economic development and
local jobs; and (d) support local food and renewable energy production; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Rochester has a strong commitment to addressing energy
conservation, greenhouse gas emissions, and other energy-related issues,demonstrated by its:
(a) commitment to transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities; (b) investment in alternative energy
sources and energy conservation; (c) adoption of facilities management practices; and (d)
appointment of the Energy Commission; and,
WHEREAS, Rochester is interested in sharing practices and accessing technical
expertise available in state and local agencies throughout Minnesota to further its energy
+conservation goals.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Rochester Common Council that it
does hereby authorize the City of Rochester to participate in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities
Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council take the following actions:
1. Appoints its Energy Management Team to serve as the City's GreenStep
coordinator to facilitate best practice implementation.
2. Assigns the Rochester Energy Commission, consistent with R.C.O.
§19A.03, to facilitate the involvement of community members, civic,
business, and educational organizations, and other units of government as
appropriate in the planning, promotion and implementation of GreenStep
Cities best practices.
3. Indicates its intent to take actions in the implementation of the following best
practices as described in the GreenStep Cities Program:
A. Work with utilities and others to assess and finance energy and
• sustainability improvements for existing City-owned structures;
B. Construct new buildings to meet or qualify .for a green building
standard;
C. Improve the efficiency of public lighting and signals;
• D. Continue to carry out comprehensive planning and implementation
reflecting energy efficiency in transportation and land use, including
energy conservation and alternative sources of energy;
E. Promote mixed use and mixed styles of housing in new development
and redevelopment;
F. Create a network of multimodal green street consistent with the
City's adopted Complete Streets Policy;
G. Promote active living and options to single-occupancy car travel
consistent with the City's longstanding commitment to providing for
pedestrian, bicycle and transit modes of travel;
H. Implement a City fleet investment, operations and maintenance plan;
I. Use travel demand management and transit-oriented design
consistent with the City's adopted Long Range Transportation Plan;
J. Increase City tree and plant cover;
• K. Continue to enhance City parks and trails;
L. Improve local water bodies through citizen education and shoreland
management;
M. Assess and improve drinking water and wastewater facilities;
N. Remove barriers to and encourage installation of renewable energy
generation capacity;
O. Adopt outcome measures for GreenStep and other City sustainability
efforts; and,
P. Engage community members in ongoing education, discussion and
campaigns.
4. Will implement and will claim credit for implementing the above 15
recommended, 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.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA, THIS 6114 A''�,OF VIECC b , 2010.
PRESIDENT OF SAID COMMON COUNCIL
ATTEST:
ITY CLERK
APPROVED THIS DAY OF 12010.
MAYOR OF SAID CITY
(Seal of the City of
• Rochester, Minnesota)
Resl Mupport.EnergyMgmt