Title
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING $1,000 IN FUNDING FROM THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES FOR WINNING THE 2022 SUSTAINABLE CITY AWARD.
Body
WHEREAS, the city of Duluth has made progress to develop and begin implementation of the Climate Action Work Plan (presented to Council on February 14, 2022) that identifies targeted strategies for decreasing greenhouse gas emissions (climate mitigation) and for becoming more resilient in preparation for a changing climate (climate adaptation) for both city government operations and in the community; and
WHEREAS, the League of Minnesota Cities presented the City of Duluth with the 2022 Sustainable City Award at the League’s Annual Conference, held in Duluth. The city was honored for its “Climate Action Work Plan” project; and
WHEREAS, the Sustainable City Award is presented annually to recognize sustainability efforts by a city among those participating in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program - a free, voluntary program designed to help cities meet environmental sustainability goals through the implementation of 29 best practices. The League partners with eight other organizations, including non-profits and state agencies, to administer the GreenStep Cities program.
RESOLVED, that the proper city officials are hereby authorized to accept an award stipend from the League of Minnesota Cities in the amount of $1,000.
FURTHER RESOVED, that Jen Carlson, City of Duluth Finance Director, is named the fiscal agent for accepting the award stipend for the purpose of supporting sustainable internships; funds will be deposited into Fund no. 110-110 -1103-4654.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The City of Duluth was recognized for their work on the Climate Action Work Plan (“CAWP”), created in response to the City of Duluth’s Climate Emergency Declaration. The CAWP outlines strategies and actions to be implemented from 2022 through 2027 that will help the city reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Led by Sustainability Officer Mindy Granley, the CAWP is the result of a year-long iterative process involving eleven different city departments and two outside consultants: Great Plains Institute and Common Spark Consulting. Departments collaborated on the CAWP through the creation of a city sustainability advisory team (C-SAT), which contributed to creating and prioritizing actions in the plan. Since the adoption of the CAWP, support and alignment across departments helped accelerate implementation of several action items. Recent progress includes:
• Adoption of a new vehicle replacement policy and gap-funding to support lower emission fleet purchases (fleet and sustainability)
• An MPCA grant for stormwater resiliency planning (public works and utilities)
• Funding identified for a city strategic facilities plan (property and facilities management)
• A technical assistance award to plan an energy pathway for the Lincoln Park neighborhood through the department of energy communities LEAP grant program (sustainability)
• Community forestry grants to replace trees killed by disease and acquire 83 acres of undeveloped forest for permanent protection (park maintenance)
• Several pending energy and infrastructure grant proposals (sustainability, public works and Utilities)
In addition to the League of Minnesota Cities award, the City of Duluth was acknowledged for maintaining its status as a Step 5 city in the Minnesota GreenStep program. Duluth is one of 147 participating cities and tribal nations in the 12-year-old challenge, assistance, and recognition program. Duluth joined the GreenStep Cities program in 2014 and first reached Step 5 in 2021.