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III.3. Sustainability Update; Larson CITY OF HOPKINS Memorandum To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members Mike Mornson, City Manager From: Mikala Larson, Sustainability Specialist Date: February 17, 2026 Subject: Sustainability Update _____________________________________________________________________ PURPOSE Staff will present the yearly update on sustainability initiatives and accomplishments across departments. The update will encompass recent efforts and awards, grant tracking, and updates on ongoing initiatives. This is for information only; no action is needed. INFORMATION Recent Efforts Hopkins Climate Solutions Plan The City’s climate action and resilience plan, the Hopkins Climate Solutions Plan, was adopted at the August 4, 2025 City Council meeting. The Plan was developed using grant funds from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and leveraged consultant and staff expertise, community stakeholder input, elected official direction, and data from a range of agencies, including at the local, regional, and state levels. The Hopkins Climate Solutions Plan establishes goals for greenhouse gas emission reduction, in line with county, state and international targets: 1. Reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 (from 2019 levels) 2. Achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 The Hopkins Climate Solutions Plan includes goals for increasing community resilience: 1. Strengthen infrastructure to withstand the stresses and shocks of climate hazards 2. Improve emergency preparedness for all community members 3. Enhance environmental and energy resilience 4. Foster community connections and well-being The development of the Plan resulted in over 300 community members engaging with climate and sustainability conversations, three community storytellers who crafted and shared their personal climate stories with the community and continue to do so, and the Hopkins Climate Champions, a group of engaged Hopkins residents who self-organized to foster conversations around sustainability and engage in sustainability efforts in the community. Engagement efforts prioritized underserved or disadvantaged communities, through locating events in environmental justice areas of concern and urban heat island Engineering areas in the community, engaging youth, seniors, and low-income residents, and engaging a majority of community members living in multifamily buildings. To accomplish the goals, a five-year workplan is included in the Plan. Through the community engagement process, five vision elements were identified as the most important elements to the community. The workplan is organized around these vision elements, and goes on to outline targets, objectives, and actions that support the larger goals of the Plan. The vision elements are: 1. Clean Air 2. Green City 3. Active & Connected Lifestyles 4. Zero Waste & Sustainable Living 5. Resilience to Hazards This Plan will be implemented over the next five years. Staff will share annual updates including progress towards the targets, and resources for community members to remain actively engaged. Achieving the 2030 targets will prepare the City of Hopkins to meet longer-term goals. Sustainability staff submitted a nomination to the American Planning Association’s Award for Sustainability Excellence, recognizing the Hopkins Climate Solutions Plan. Staff are awaiting feedback from the review committee. EV Infrastructure Needs and Location Assessment The City of Hopkins is participating in free technical assistance from Great Plains Institute, provided by SRF, to complete an EV infrastructure needs and location assessment. This project is in progress and expected to be completed by April 2026. Local Road and Research Board Technical Advisory Panel Sustainability staff participated in the Technical Advisory Panel for the MN Local Road and Research Board’s EV Charging Best Practices report. The report was published in October 2025 and covers EV planning and policies, charger siting and design, case studies, and more. The report is intended to be used by local governments across the state to expand and improve electric vehicle charging. Pumpkin Smash The City of Hopkins hosted its first Pumpkin Smash event, creating an opportunity for residents to responsibly discard their pumpkins after Halloween and the fall season. 1,900 pumpkins were collected then delivered to a Minnesotan farm to be used as animal feed for about 230 farm animals. Recent Awards Bicycle Friendly Community Bronze Status In 2025, the City of Hopkins renewed its application to retain bronze status as a Bicycle Friendly Community with the League of American Bicyclists. Bicycle Friendly America is a program that welcomes bicyclists by reviewing community bicycle networks and encouraging convenient and safe conditions for bicyclists through the 5 Es: engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation. The program provides opportunities for Hopkins to continue to be a vibrant destination for residents and visitors while encouraging sustainable transportation that reduces congestion while improving air quality and community health. GreenStep Cities City of Hopkins joined the GreenStep Cities program in 2010, and has achieved the highest level of recognition, Step 5, consecutively the past few years. In order to maintain this designation, the City reports on all required metrics, and improves in three or more Step 5-eligible metrics. GreenStep Cities reporting is changing for the 2025 reporting year, and Sustainability staff is evaluating how to align GreenStep reporting requirements with targets from the Hopkins Climate Solutions Plan. Tree City USA Community The City of Hopkins has been a recognized Tree City USA community since 1991. Tree City USA is a program which recognizes the City for ongoing efforts related to expanding and maintaining the tree canopy. Participation in Tree City USA requires the community to celebrate Arbor Day annually with a proclamation and celebration. The 2025 Arbor Day celebration centered around a tree planting at Alice Smith School during the school day, with a community-wide program later in the day. Sustainability Staff Recognized as Rookie of the Year The Sustainability Specialist was presented with the City of Hopkins Rookie of the Year award in 2025 for outstanding performance and dedicated service, alongside Angela Duchene in the Police Department. Grant Tracking In 2025, staff applied for over $530,000 in grant funding from state, county, regional, and non-profit entities. Staff was awarded just over $180,000 to complete proposed projects. Department of Commerce Solar on Public Buildings City of Hopkins was awarded two grants from the Department of Commerce Solar on Public Buildings grant. One grant will support the installation of a solar system at the Water Treatment Plant, which was recently completed, and one grant will support the installation of a solar system at Cottageville Park. The Water Treatment Plant is a ground-mounted solar array, while the Cottageville Park system is roof-mounted. Hennepin County Organics Drop-Off The City of Hopkins received a grant to implement an organics drop-off location at Downtown Park. This site will offer multifamily residents the option to recycle organics within close proximity to their home, ideally removing the need to drive to access organics recycling. Organics recycling is the collection of food scraps and compostable and paper products. The site is expected to open in May 2026. Metropolitan Council Water Efficiency Grant Sustainability staff has administered 69 water efficiency rebates to Hopkins applicants, totaling nearly $14,000 in rebates paid out. Rebates are available for eligible products, like Water Sense and Energy Star certified toilets, clothes washers, dishwashers, showerheads, irrigation sprinkler body, irrigation system audit or irrigation system controllers until June 2026. This program is funded in partnership with the Metropolitan Council and the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. MPCA Local Climate Action Grant Implementation Electric Bicycle Incentive Using grant funds from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, sustainability staff opened the Electric Bicycle Incentive Program and has processed 60 applications to the program, with $49,000 applied for and just over $20,000 in rebates paid to date. Staff is accepting waitlist applications. Many applicants share they would like to purchase an e- bike because they don’t own a car, to cut down on a car at their household, to commute to work or to run errands, for mobility reasons, or for leisure riding with family. MPCA Local Climate Action Grant Implementation Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Municipal Operations The City of Hopkins was awarded a grant to install LED lighting and solar lights along 11th Avenue South and in public spaces, including Valley Park, the trail north of Mainstreet, and at the yard waste site. This grant creates an opportunity for the City to pilot solar lighting in currently unlit public spaces in the community. MPCA Local Climate Action Grant Planning and Implementation Applications The 2025 Minnesota Legislature set aside funds for local climate action grants to help communities across Minnesota reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for climate change. Staff applied for both an implementation grant and planning grant under the program. The implementation project application requested nearly $50,000 to provide two end-of-trip facilities for bicyclists and scooter riders, and 26 e-bike rebates across income-qualified and non-income qualified applicants. The planning project application requested nearly $50,000 to create a carbon neutrality roadmap by conducting building audits across municipal facilities, to guide staff for implementing more efficient and electrification equipment. The City will be notified of award status later in the year. Ongoing Initiatives Community Engagement In 2025, City staff from Engineering, Public Works, and Planning departments engaged over 1,000 community members in climate-related conversations across 41 community events, tabling opportunities, organization’s meetings, and Hopkins Climate Solutions Plan engagement sessions. Heat Vulnerability Study The Heat Vulnerability Study was funded by a grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and assessed the climate vulnerability of properties along both the Blake Road and Excelsior Boulevard corridors. These areas are currently identified by the Metropolitan Council as areas which are extremely vulnerable to extreme heat and have less than the ideal tree canopy. The City, in partnership with LHB and Local Climate Solutions, developed and shared an online tool that documents the Heat Vulnerability Study including existing conditions, community sourced recommendations, and solutions leveraged by similar communities experiencing the same conditions. City staff continue to utilize the findings from the Heat Vulnerability Study to make decisions about programs, educate community members, and apply for grant funding. Hennepin County SCORE Multifamily Funding Hennepin County receives funding from the state’s Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment (SCORE) for the development and implementation of waste reduction and recycling programs. SCORE funds are based on revenue received by the State of Minnesota from the solid waste management tax (SWMT) on garbage services and are subject to change based on the SWMT revenue received by the state and funds allocated by the legislature. The City of Hopkins opted-in to receive Hennepin County SCORE Multifamily funding. The funds received will enable City staff to conduct education and provide recycling and organics resources to residents and property owners at multifamily properties. Hopkins Climate Solutions Fund The Hopkins Climate Solutions Fund (HCSF) was established in 2023, driven by inquiries from residents and businesses regarding incentive opportunities for sustainable improvements such as solar, EV infrastructure and energy system improvements, and direction from City Council to develop a green cost share program for sustainable property improvements. Staff worked with local consultant, Local Climate Solutions, to develop an equity-centered program that focuses on providing incentives for items which are likely to have the greatest impact on greenhouse gas mitigation and improving resiliency. The program aligns with existing rebates from utilities, non-profits, and other entities. City Council budgeted $125,000 for the program in 2025, with around $71,000 being paid out in rebates. 73 applications were received for the program across income- qualified residential, non-income qualified residential, and commercial applicants. 12 projects are available for income-qualified residential and residential applicants, including a Home Energy Squad Planner visit, insulation and air sealing, electric panel upgrade, cold climate air source heat pump system, heat pump or tankless water heater, solar energy system, or a solar battery backup system. There are five eligible projects available for commercial projects including LED lighting upgrades, solar energy system, solar battery backup, or Level 2 electric vehicle charging equipment. Renters are eligible to apply for the program, but need property owner approval on all project applications, except for electric bicycles. Sustainability staff has presented about the program at two national conferences: the Midwest Climate Resilience Conference in October 2025, and at the Urban Sustainability Directors Network Annual Conference in October 2024. Staff has held an annual contractor breakfast in partnership with the cities of Edina, Minneapolis, and St. Louis Park to educate contractors about the respective green cost share programs and promote the programs. HOURCAR In 2024, the City began hosting two HOURCAR EVie vehicles at it’s public housing building, Dow Towers, which provides low-income residents with access to electric car sharing at a reduced cost. The HOURCAR program continued in 2025. Partners In Energy City staff continue to collaborate with Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy Program (PiE) to implement community-defined goals from the Energy Action Plan (EAP), adopted by City Council in May 2024. City staff engaged with residents, businesses, and property owners at the Hopkins Activity Center, Fire Department Open House, Hopkins Library, and Hopkins Apartment Managers Association (HAMA) to encourage energy efficiency audits and appliance/equipment rebate programs that reduce energy use and utility costs. In 2025 the city partnered with Home Energy Squad, which conducted 59 visits to help Hopkins’ residents save on energy bills, including installing LED lighting, weather- stripping, smart thermostats, and high-efficiency water fixtures. To support energy equity goals in the EAP, city staff worked with PiE on a letter from the Mayor which was sent to 422 Low-Income Residential Classification (LIRC) residents and eight LIRC property owners and property managers to encourage participation in the Multifamily Building Efficiency (MFBE) Program, provide renter friendly opportunities to reduce utility costs, and advertise free LED lighting kits available at City Hall. In December 2025 Hopkins became a graduate of the PiE program. Since 2022, electricity use is down 13% in Hopkins and renewable energy participation already exceeds the EAPs goal. City staff will continue outreach on energy efficiency, renewable energy, electric vehicle programs and resources to engage local businesses and residents and avoid 40% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions by 2028. Pedestrian and Bicycle Planning In fall 2025, Hopkins executed a Safe Streets for All (SS4A) contract from the Federal Highway Administration to develop a comprehensive Safety Action Plan to incorporate a new era of travel behavior with light rail and update the City’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan. A variety of community engagement activities and events seeking to understand the community’s needs, opportunities and barriers to traveling safely in Hopkins will be coming soon! The Safety Action Plan’s recommendations and implementation strategy will serve as a roadmap to guide staff on funding opportunities and design recommendations that increase safety for all modes of travel in Hopkins. Pedestrian and bike rider engagement to promote sustainable transportation in Hopkins occurred at the Twin Cities Bike Ride and Fire Department Open House to continue the pursuit of external funding from the Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) in 2025 and future Regional Solicitation Program in 2026, to add a grade-separate bicycle facility to 17th Avenue when it gets reconstructed. Shared Micromobility Programming In 2025, staff from the cities of Hopkins, Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Saint Paul, and the University of Minnesota issued a request for applications for shared micromobility providers. Spin and Lime were selected to provide shared scooters and bicycles for rental with all parties that are part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Staff secured a contract with Spin which provided 295 rides across the city for a total trip distance of 428.8 miles and an average of 1.8 miles traveled per trip. Spin noted it was a challenging year to supply Hopkins with the number of devices that it intended due to supply chain and tariff constraints. Staff will continue to monitor and partner with MOU parties to look for opportunities to bring more shared micromobility service to Hopkins in 2026. Sustainable Building Policy To support Hopkins’ Energy Action Plan goal to encourage energy efficient development and ensure high quality housing, the City adopted a sustainable building policy on April 15, 2025. The policy establishes minimum sustainability criteria to reduce pollution and conserve resources to hold new development to higher sustainability and energy efficiency standards. Compliance is required if the new construction or redevelopment project includes 20 or more residential units and/or 10,000 square feet of non-residential space AND receives special land use approvals OR receives more than $300,000 in local funding sources that trigger the policy. In addition to delivering on goals contained in the Hopkins 2040 Comprehensive Plan and the City Council's Strategic Action Plan, this policy also enables the City's success in leveraging new development to advance sustainability by negotiating for sustainable project elements through the Planned Unit Development (PUD) process. In 2025 the City receive the first PUD application that triggers the policy. Footprint Development’s first phase at 501 Mainstreet was approved to provided Passive House certified housing units with 100% electric appliances, heat pump heating and cooling systems, triple pane windows, onsite rooftop solar, two electric vehicle charging stalls, transit passes, bike storage and trailers for residents and a car optional lifestyle that increases comfort and resilience while reducing energy and transportation costs for residents in Hopkins. Additional Capacity City staff is exploring opportunities to expand staff capacity in 2026 to maintain a high level of service while implementing existing and future initiatives. FUTURE ACTION Staff will continue implementing initiatives and is seeking feedback on the above programs and any further direction on sustainability programs and initiatives.