City of La Crescent partners with Ideal Energy to add 100 kWh of Solar PV

Friday, October 4th, 2019

Contact: Jason Ludwigson, 507-313-9633

La Crescent, Minn. — The City of La Crescent recently completed two ground mounted solar PV projects in partnership with Ideal Energy. The solar PV arrays are located in Vetsch Park and adjacent to the La Crescent Animal Shelter. The combined solar PV projects add an additional 100 kWh of Solar PV capacity to the Xcel energy grid. These solar PV systems will help lower energy costs for the City of La Crescent and reduce CO2 emissions. Combined the systems will generate over 4.4 million kWh of electricity over the expected lifespan.

La Crescent Mayor Mike Poellinger states that this project, combined with other solar initiatives, and utility upgrades at City of La Crescent facilities have resulted in reduced energy costs. These are just two of the ways that the City of La Crescent is demonstrating its commitment to a sustainable future.

“This project is a win, win for the City of La Crescent,” said Sustainability Coordinator Jason Ludwigson. “Not only does it raise awareness of carbon free energy sources, it saves the City of La Crescent money. The installation of these Solar PV systems continues the tradition of environmental stewardship that is at the heart of what makes the City of La Crescent such a great place.”

These installations further the work that the City of La Crescent is doing as a Minnesota GreenStep City. Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a voluntary challenge, assistance and recognition program to help cities achieve their sustainability and quality-of-life goals. This free continuous improvement program, managed by a public-private partnership, is based upon a menu of 29 optional best practices. Each best practice can be implemented, as decided by city elected officials, staff and community members, by completing one or more actions at a 1, 2 or 3-star level, from a list of four to eight actions. These voluntary actions are tailored to all Minnesota cities, focus on cost savings and energy use reduction, and encourage civic innovation.

A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for October 28th, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.

WHAT IS SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL?

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a national and international movement to create safe, convenient, and fun opportunities for children to bicycle and walk to and from schools. The program has been designed to reverse the decline in children walking and bicycling to schools. Safe Routes to School can also play a critical role in reversing the alarming nationwide trend toward childhood obesity and inactivity.

La Crescent was awarded funding in July of this year to complete a city wide SRTS plan. A leadership team consisting of partnerships among many stakeholders that include educators, parents, students, city officials, engineers, planners, business and community leaders, health officials, and bicycle and pedestrian advocates will be working on this plan beginning in September, 2019 and ending in July of 2020.

The MnDOT is needing your Feedback on pedestrian sidewalks.  Please take a few minutes to fill out the following survey:

Sidewalk Survey

CITY OF LA CRESCENT

NOTICE OF RATE CHANGE

STATE WATER USER FEE

The Minnesota Legislature has approved an increase in the drinking water service connection fee from $6.36 annually to $9.72 annually effective January 1, 2020. This fee is passed through to the Minnesota Department of Health’s Drinking Water Protection Program. City Residents are charged this annual water user fee on their utility bill to pay for the last two quarters of the current year and the first two quarters of the next year. Due to the timing of the State rate increase, the following will be the 2019 Rate Calculations for city residents connected to water service:

7/1/19-12/31/19 = $3.18 (1/2 of the current rate of $6.36)

1/1/20-6/30/20 = $4.86 (1/2 of the new rate of $9.72)

Total rate to be collected in 2019 = $8.04

Starting in 2020, the annual rate charged will be $9.72.

The City of La Crescent has Heavy Duty totes for sale.  Great use for storage.  If you are interested please call 507-895-2595.  $8.50/tote.

Please click on the following links to learn how you can become part of the 2020 Census team:

Apply Online 2020 Census Jobs

Join the 2020 Census Team

Select the following link to read the press release regarding La Crescent being named a 2017 Tree City USA Tree City USA news release

Please click on the following link to see dates and times for hazardous waste drop off sites for 2018 and 2019

Hazardous Waste 2018 and 2019

La Crescent Bike Pedestrain Plan 2017 – Final

Planning for the Downtown of our future: La Crescent

The following ‘boards’ were presented at a Public Meeting on February 22. They represent a draft of ideas for Downtown Development. They are based on the recently completed La Crescent Comprehensive Plan and another Public Meeting in November where we asked questions, conducted a walking tour and learned from our consultants. The final ‘idea boards’ will guide the City Council, Staff and Committees in their work. Action is required to meet the citizens’ requests for more local retail and commercial options and a more ‘attractive’ and ‘active’ downtown. City aggregation of property, generation of policies, seeking out developers for specific projects, crafting our community image….all depend on a common vision, a common goal. The process of idea generation, public input and refining and adopting a vision is essential.

It is also essential that we do not just meet and share our ‘opinions’–an outside experienced professional opinion is required to introduce new ideas, new thinking and the knowledge of what has worked, or failed, in other communities. Jason Valerius and his team with MSA Professional Services from Madison, Wisconsin is guiding our process.

Our work is led by the Planning Commission with the assistance of the Economic Development Committee and the local Chamber of Commerce. The City Council will review and adopt the ideas and concepts and then it will be the direction we are headed. From then forward each of our decisions should be with an end goal in mind. We will not have a different future unless the next decision we make or the next building that is permitted is on the path toward a better future.

These boards are not the specific final outcome. No one can predict the future this precisely. But zoning, regulation, street reconstruction, redevelopment funding can be ‘aimed’ in the direction to support ‘the vision’.

Comments are encouraged as is your participation. If you would like be involved you can send your email address to [email protected] and you will be added to the emailing lists. If you have comments you may send them to [email protected]. You are also encouraged to share your perspective with me as the Chair of the La Crescent Planning Commission and feel invited to attend our meetings and participate and stay informed. 

Some themes are shown on the various board: narrowing the streets to gain more sidewalk for out-of-doors seating; use of ‘reverse’ angle parking; use of multistory mixed use (retail, commercial and housing) buildings; relocation and reconstruction sites for a City Hall/Library/Police/Governmental lease space; Downtown higher density housing; Grocery location; focus on prime redevelopment sites; residential reuse if a future decision was to relocate the Elementary School; and a location for a gathering ‘place’ at the ‘take-off’ of a bike and pedestrian bridge from 1st Street South to cross HWY 14/61.

On April 4th we will be discussing the next draft based on the February meeting. To get an email notice please send your email address. If you are already getting notices you will be informed.

Thank you for reviewing our work to date. On behalf of the many that are part of envisioning a bright future for La Crescent, Don.

Donald Smith / 608.792.9897 / [email protected]

Downtown Vision Adopted 2017

La Crescent Downtown Redevelopment Scenarios

La Crescent Downtown Streetscape Exhibit Boards

Notes from 2-22-17 Public Meeting

Parking Standards