Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 03/03/2014

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Adopted: XXXXXXXXX City of Ramsey GUIDING PRINCIPLES: GREENSTEP CITIES PARTICIPATION BACKGROUND An action item on the Environmental Policy Board's 2013 -2014 City Council approved Work Plan was to research the GreenStep Cities program and, if there were identifiable benefits to the City, forward a recommendation to the City Council to participate. A representative of the GreenStep Cities program attended the October, 2013 Environmental Policy Board (EPB) meeting to present information on this program. The following month, the EPB further discussed the merits of the program and identified multiple benefits to participating including access to additional resources, flexibility and choice in what actions may be implemented, that the program is voluntary and does commit the City to anything, and that the City can be recognized for its past, current and future accomplishments. Based on these benefits, the EPB unanimously recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City to participate in the GreenStep Cities program. PURPOSE Guide City participation in the GreenStep Cities program by specifically identifying a common goal and guiding principals to ensure that participation in this program remains focused on enhancing City operations and results in a more sustainable, and thus more cost efficient, City organization. The desired outcome of this document is to establish a clear and consistent framework to guide the City's participation in the GreenStep Cities program. The framework will ensure that any action or outcome will result in greater sustainability for the City organization and /or City operations. The EPB shall act in an advisory capacity regarding any potential action(s) the City may consider implementing. However, the City Council shall make all final policy decisions. GOAL To work toward establishing and implementing more sustainable and more cost effective measures for the City organization and City operations. VISION Participation in the GreenStep Cities program will provide access to additional resources to assist the City in its efforts to become a more sustainable organization. Resources may include both data and access to individuals with knowledge and experience in one or more of the best practices. This will assist the City by limiting the amount of Staff time that may otherwise be necessary in researching how a particular action may benefit the organization. Participation in the GreenStep Cities program may also provide businesses with access to additional resources and programs that may benefit them with potential energy efficiency projects. GUIDING PRINCIPLES Listed below are the guiding principles that the City will rely on as it contemplates any particular action within the GreenStep Cities program. HOW DOES ACTION RELATE TO THE CITY AND CITY OPERATIONS: The participation in this program is not intended to result in any additional regulations for the private sector. Thus, any potential action that may be considered by the City shall focus solely on the City organization and /or City operations. There shall be identifiable beneficial outcomes to justify implementation of any proposed action. Guiding Principles for Participation in the GreenStep Cities Program Page 1 of 2