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� f � Organizing steps to becoming recognized as a GreenStep City Of Minnesota's 855 cities, approximately 500 are under 1,000 in population, 83%are under 5,000 in population,and 35 have a population over 25,000. With such a diversity of cities, no one set of process steps will fit all cities in organizing work to become a GreenStep City. Depending on your city,work may start mostly at the city staff,city council or citizen commission level and fit well into existing plans and efforts, moving later to incorporate and leverage work efforts by civic organizations. Or the impetus for implementing GreenStep best practices may start with a civic group and be mostly done by community members and community organizations,with the city council in a supportive and active role as needed. Adapt this guide as best fits your city and the individuals who are working to make your city a GreenStep City. 1. Build community knowledge and interest o Anvone can start this:a city staff person,an interested citizen,a city commission or task force member,a mayor,city council member,business association member,civic association member, environmental or public health group, renewable energy advocate,etc. o Determine into which cate�orv your city fits.Cities with greater capac'rty for making civic improvements are able and challenged to implement more best practices and"harder" adions. Answer 11 simple questions to determine whether your city is in category A,B or C. o Become familiar with GreenStep best aractices and which of them other cities in Minnesota have implemented by,on the GreenStep web site,clicking on the"Who's doing it"tab on individual best practice actions. o Talk with kev qeoqle and or�anizations in your c'ity,discuss at existing meetings,and convene special meetings to discuss as appropriate. o Invite,as needed,a GreenStea arosram representative to come visit your city and talk about GreenStep.Send a message via the Contact page on the GreenStep web site to find out who might be available to visit your citizen's group,or c'ity staff,city commission,or city council. o Inventorv completed, alanned and desired best practice actions.Some cities find it important to prepare this inventory,at a very simple summary level or at a detailed level, before seeking a c'ity council resolution.Consider using a student intern or community volunteer to do this,or,for a more detailed inventory,send a message via the Contact web page to see if a RETAP member can help you,at no cost to your city. o Discuss with an official citv bodv.This could be a city council,a council committee,a city commission or task force,or some other group charged by city government to work on civic improvement. 2. Approve a city council resolution to join the GreenStep Cities program o Use the sample resolution on the GreenStep web site and modify it as needed in discussion with city council members or in a city council committee meeting. o Introduce a resolution to the citv council. Depending on the practice in your city,more or less detail will have to be spelled out in the proposed resolution.