04-23-2023 WS City Council Agenda W O R K S E S S IO N
R IC H F IE L D MU N IC IPAL C E N TE R, B AR TH O LO ME W R O O M
MAY 23, 2023
5:45 P M
C all to order
1.C onsider recommended C limate A ction P lan (C A P ) prioritized actions for implementation in 2023-2025
A djournment
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. Requests must be made at least 96
hours in advance to the City Clerk at 612-861-9739.
AGENDA SECTION:Work Session Items
AGENDA ITEM #1.
WORK S E S S ION STAFF RE P ORT NO. 19
WORK SESSION
5/23/2023
RE P O RT P RE PA RE D B Y: Rachel L indholm, S ustainability S pecialist
D E PA RTME NT D IRE C TO R RE V IE W: A my Markle, Recreation S ervices D irector
5/16/2023
O THE R D E PA RTM E NT RE V IE W:
C ITY MA NA G E R RE V IE W: K atie Rodriguez, C ity Manager
5/17/2023
I T E M F O R WO RK S E S S IO N:
Consider recommended Climate Action Plan (C AP) prioritized actions for implementation in 2023-2025
E X E C UT IV E S UM M ARY:
Richfield's C A P identified over 70 actions for City staff to undertake in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions, increase community sustainability education, and develop the City's sustainability efforts.
For over 3 years, staff have been working on various actions according to the timelines identified in
the C AP and as capacity and funding allows. Over time, it became clear that the City would benefit
from a GH G inventory and working with a consultant to hone in on the most beneficial actions to
focus on.
Pale B L UE dot L L C has worked with staff for over 6 months on conducting the inventory, analyzing results,
and working together to identify high priority actions. These focus on both emission reduction and feasibility
of implementation from a staff/city perspective.
The overarching staff recommendation is to have Council and leadership "establish clear guidance and
direction for the participation in and support of the C A P implementation actions by all City of Richfield
departments". Under this umbrella, the three recommended actions (not in any order) are: 1) to continue and
fully implement recommendations from the municipal building energy audits (C A P Action 1.2.2); 2) Conduct
an Electric Vehicle Suitability/Fleet Assessment (C A P Action 1.3.2) and continue evaluating fleet for
E V/P HE V replacement opportunities; and 3) Establish a coordinated communication and education
campaign for all sections of the C A P (aligned with Strategic Plan initiative 3.3.1 and multiple C A P actions).
D IRE C T I O N NE E D E D:
Staff is seeking feedback before bringing the final recommended actions to a Council meeting for
official adoption and inclusion into the City's strategic plan.
Please send any questions prior to the work session to Rachel Lindholm at rlindholm@richfieldmn.gov.
B AC K G RO UND INF O RM AT I O N:
A.H IS TOR IC AL C ON T E X T
Richfield's C A P was written by staff and ratified by Council in October 2020.
Richfield's Strategic Plan (ratified in 2022) identified specific sustainability-related
actions: I mplement prioritized C A P initiatives and Create C A P education strategy for staff and
public.
Staff started working with pale B L UE dot L L C in late 2022 to create a timeline for C A P review,
conduct a greenhouse gas emissions inventory, .
I n early 2023, city staff and pale B L UE dot L L C worked together to identify the biggest
opportunities for emissions reduction and actions that would have fewer barriers to
implementation.
These recommendations will be presented to Council and officially adopted at a future council
meeting if approved.
B.P OL IC IE S (resolutions, ordinances, regulations, statutes, etc):
These actions come from the City's adopted Climate Action Plan. I ndividual actions are related to
various city ordinances and resolutions. This information will be detailed as these actions are worked on
by staff and shared with Council.
C.C R IT IC AL T IMIN G IS S U E S:
The recommended actions will take varying amounts of time to implement. I n order to meet the 2025
deadline in the Strategic Plan, staff would like to start working on the actions as soon as possible.
D.F IN AN C IAL IMPAC T:
None at this time. Financial information will be detailed as these recommended actions are undertaken
by staff and shared with Council via work sessions and other communications. Staff know that
implementing some of these actions will require funding and have already identified potential
funding sources like grants, franchise fees, and existing budgets. Other actions do not have costs
associated or are covered by partner organizations.
E.L E GAL C ON S ID E R AT ION:
None at this time. Any legal information will be detailed as these recommended actions are worked on by
staff and shared with Council.
ALTE R N AT IV E(S):
Council can recommend alternative actions to prioritize.
P R IN C IPAL PAR TIE S E X P E C TE D AT ME E TIN G:
AT TAC H ME N T S:
D escription Type
C limate A ction P lan P rioritization P P T P resentation
City of Richfield
GHG Inventory and 2023-
2025 CAP Action
Prioritization
Council Work
Session
5/23/23
Agenda
Introduction
The Process
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory
Climate Action Plan (CAP) Goal Suggestions
CAP Action Prioritization Suggestions
Q+A / Discussion
Introduction
Services:
climate planning
sustainability +
resilience consulting
renewable energy +
net zero planning
Our mission:
To hasten the transition to
an authentically
sustainable, no carbon
economy and to elevate the
public discourse.
Ted
Architect
Urban Planner
Renewable Energy
Consultant
Climate Planner
Colleen
Educator
Community
Engagement
Consultant
Climate Planner
Introduction
60+ Energy, Sustainability, and
Climate Projects in 23 states
Planning experience in last 5 years:
To support on-going Climate Action Plan (CAP)
implementation, paleBLUEdot:
1.Conducted Community-Wide GHG Emissions
Inventories for years 2013, 2017, and 2021
2.Identified suggested CAP goal refinements to support
on-going measurement and progress tracking
3.Reviewed all CAP Actions
4.Held two workshops with City staff
5.Identified suggested CAP Action priorities for 2023 –
2025 implementation
The Process
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory
Where the science tells us
we need to be
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory
Intent:
Support on-going CAP implementation through
identification of quantifiable goals.
Support implementation progress review by
establishing metrics
Support prioritization of actions
Climate Action Plan (CAP) Goal Suggestions
Climate Action Plan (CAP) Goal Suggestions
BUILDING STRATEGIES
Increase Community-Wide Energy Efficiency by 5% by 2030
Achieve 1% total High-Performance Building Stock
Community-wide Fuel Switching 5% by 2030
Increased Renewable Electricity (on-site and purchased) to 15%
TRANSPORTATION STRATEGIES
Reduce Community Wide Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) by 3% by 2030
Increase public transit commuting by 3.5% by 2030
Increase Electric Vehicle (EV) Utilization to 15% by 2030
WASTE STRATEGIES
Reduce Total Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) by 5% by 2030
Increase Organics Diversion from 0.2% to 10% of MSW by 2030
WATER STRATEGIES
Reduce Water Consumption 5% by 2030
Reduce Wastewater Generation 5% by 2030
Climate Action Plan (CAP) Goal Suggestions
Achieving these goal suggestions would result in
the following GHG emissions reductions by 2030:
2030 Projected
Emissions:
169,000
Metric Tons
(meets IPCC recommendations for
capping global warming to 2°C)
CAP Action Prioritization Suggestions
Intent:
Support CAP implementation by identifying priority actions and
focus areas for 2023 -2025.
How Prioritizations Were Made:
Through two workshop sessions with City staff:
•all CAP actions were reviewed
•progress to-date was considered
•Anticipated departmental leads for each action were identified
Overall Criteria Guiding Prioritizations
•Balanced workload across anticipated action leads
•Balanced progress in multiple sectors
•Preference for higher impact actions OR actions required to
support higher impact actions which follow
CAP Action Prioritization Suggestions
Result:
We suggest eight priority actions for consideration for 2023 -2025:
Building Energy Efficiency
Goal 1: Develop and Promote Energy Efficiency Efforts Energy Initiatives
Action 2.2: Conduct municipal building audits to find efficiency opportunities
(behavior change and technology implementation). Create building-specific
improvement plans, optimizing city operations to best conserve energy and
save money.
Goal 3: Encourage Sustainable Design and Building Practices
Action 1.1 : Evaluate projects for sustainable opportunities during
Administrative Review Committee (ARC) meetings. For projects with city
financial support or regulatory approval, develop an amenity point evaluation
system.
CAP Action Prioritization Suggestions
Result:
We suggest eight priority actions for consideration for 2023 -2025:
Transportation
Goal 1: Develop and Promote Energy Efficiency Efforts Energy Initiatives
Action 3.2: Conduct an Electric Vehicle Suitability Assessment (EVSA) and
establish a Fleet Electrification Implementation schedule. Plan should
include EV charging station need assessment and implementation plan.
Action 4.1: Work with partners like Move Minnesota and Commuter Services
to promote and incentivize alternative transportation for staff and residents.
CAP Action Prioritization Suggestions
Result:
We suggest eight priority actions for consideration for 2023 -2025:
Greenspace + Ecosystems
Goal 4: Strengthen and Expand Natural Resource Management
Landscaping and Urban Canopy Initiatives
Action 1.6: Create and implement natural resource management plans for
large greenspaces throughout the parks system.
Action 2.3: Conduct a community-wide ground cover study by census tract /
census block group to identify priority areas for increased tree canopy
coverage. Based on study, prioritize “target area” increases in tree canopy,
prairie restoration, and impervious surface reductions.
Example: https://cutt.ly/m6OdIw3
CAP Action Prioritization Suggestions
Result:
We suggest eight priority actions for consideration for 2023 -2025:
Supporting All Sectors and All Goals
Cross-Pollinating Action Recommendation
Action CP 1-1: City Council and Administration to establish clear guidance
and direction for the participation in and support of the CAP implementation
actions by all City of Richfield departments. Encourage continuing
education of municipal staff relevant to the Climate Action Plan.
Action CP 2-3: Establish a coordinated communication and education
campaign supporting the communication and educational needs of each of
the CAP sections.
CAP Action Prioritization Suggestions
Result:
We suggest eight priority actions for consideration for 2023 -2025
Within these, we suggest four focus areas:
1.Establish clear guidance for participation by all departments
in CAP implementation.
2.Municipal Building Audits.
3.Conduct an Electric Vehicle Suitability Assessment (EVSA).
4.Establish a coordinated communication and education campaign.
Q+A / Discussion