Lake Elmo highlights GreenSteps Step 5 and Gold Leaf actions; outlines tree, water and recycling programs

Lake Elmo planning staff provided a sustainability update to the Planning Commission on March 9, reporting that the city remains at GreenSteps Step 5 and recently received a Gold Leaf recognition for completing two actions in 2025.

Staff said the city earned Gold Leaf credit by completing a tree-steward community action in partnership with the Washington County Conservation District and by creating an internal green team to coordinate sustainability actions across departments. "The city of Lake Elmo joined the program in 2012 and we are currently at a step five," staff said, adding that Gold Leaf actions are intended to push local climate and sustainability efforts beyond baseline GreenSteps practices.

Ongoing and planned efforts described to commissioners include FuelCloud implementation to track fleet fuel use, University of Minnesota trials of low-input grasses to reduce irrigation demand, a water-rebate program in partnership with the Metropolitan Council, and a Washington County recycling grant to support local recycling outreach and park bins. Staff also described a boulevard-tree program (a tree fund and a planned distribution of trees to eligible residents) and noted the city will incorporate climate-planning requirements into its comprehensive plan update in 2026–27.

Commissioners asked for clarifications about specific GoldSteps actions and transportation-related items; staff encouraged commissioners to follow up by email for action-level details and offered to provide the green-team workplan included in the meeting packet. The city plans to continue public outreach on these programs and to report progress to the commission in future meetings.