Agenda - Council - 02/11/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7.05: Consider Resolution #14-01-021 Authorizing the City to Participate in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program Assistant Planner/Environmental Coordinator Anderson described the voluntary Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program that is led by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MnPCA) but governed by a public/private partnership of State agencies and non -governmental agencies. He presented the recommendation of the Environmental Policy Board (EPB) and staff to participate in this Program. Michael Max, Environmental Policy Board (EPB) Chair, commented on the benefits of participating in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program to gain access to consultants, peer communities, and create a learning opportunity to train the community. Councilmember Tossey voiced this concern with the Program as it promotes many action items that would impact the rights and privileges of residents and private property owners and increase government control. Mayor Strommen stated there is a menu of options for action items and it would be up to the City in which Step to consider. Assistant Planner/Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated one of the benefits would be access to up to 40 hours of consultant assistance with expertise on technical issues and best practice items, potential additional access to grant funding, positive imagery, and networking with other communities. He stated it is a self -policing Program. Councilmember Riley stated his agreement with the comments of Councilmember Tossey and stated he would not support approval of a Program that included those items on the menu. Councilmember Backous questioned the real benefit of this Program as the City is already doing many of the action items and it is unlikely Ramsey could compete for the grant money unless it completed additional Steps in the Program. City Administrator Ulrich explained this is a structure by which the City can put into place conservation measures to save the City money, which has value, including gaining publicity, and interchange with other cities. He agreed the City has already taken on some of these action items and that some do not fit the culture of Ramsey. He stated if approved, he would suggest instituting guiding principles and removing items that do not fit the community' s values. Then the focus can be on conservation and cost savings and the additional mandate on the public and private properties can be removed. Councilmember LeTourneau stated he serves as liaison to the EPB and its discussion around this topic was on the great things this tool could bring to Ramsey in making the community better and the issue of civil liberties never came up. Councilmember LeTourneau stated if staff can come up with a means in how to apply it, the EPB is best positioned to be that guardian as they are excited to make Ramsey better through this lens. City Council / January 28, 2014 Page 10 of 13