12-10605r RESOLUTION NO. 10605
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF RICHFIELD 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 Richfield and
to the economic health of its citizens and businesses; and
WHEREAS, local governments have the unique opportunity to achieve energy
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 Richfield has recently completed a number of energy saving
building projects, including the new Municipal Center, Public Works Building and major
mechanical replacement at the Ice Arena: 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, 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.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Richfield City Council does hereby
authorize the City of Richfield (the "City") to participate in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities
program. Be it further resolved that the City:
• Appoints Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director, to serve as the City's
GreenStep coordinator to facilitate best practice implementation through a work
group of selected staff; and
• Will facilitate the involvement of the Community Services Commission,
community 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
• Will identify a short list of best practices for initial implementation by April 1,
2012; and
• Will claim credit for having implemented and will work toward implementing 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 by the City Council of the City of Richfield, Minnesota this 10th day of
January, 2012.
Pat Elliott, Mayor Pro Tempore
ATTEST:
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Nancy Gi , City Clerk