City of Bemidji  

Date completed/entered:   04/02/2012

Implementation details:
There are eleven (11) sets of traffic signals on Trunk Highway 197 within the City of Bemidji. All of these signals are synchronized by MnDOT in order to minimize car idling at intersections. This reduces levels of pollution while at the same time ensuring safe vehicle speeds and spacing.

Outcome measures/metrics:

Descriptive links:             view file

For more information contact:
Caitlyn Schuchhardt (Community volunteer)   |   cschuchhardt@bemidjistate.edu   |   218-755-3765

Partners:
Cindy Hazelton, MN-DOT

Date completed/entered:   04/02/2012

Implementation details:
Bemidji contracts with MNDOT to maintain and operate all of the signals within the city boundaries. As you can see by the list below approximately 95% of all traffic signals within the city are outfitted with LED lamps.

Outcome measures/metrics:

Descriptive links:             view file

For more information contact:
Caitlyn Schuchhardt (Community volunteer)   |   cschuchhardt@bemidjistate.edu   |   218-755-3765

Partners:
Cindy Hazelton, MN-DOT

Date completed/entered:   11/02/2012

Implementation details:
The Minnesota Design Team visited Bemidji on September 14-16 of 2012. In addition to touring the Bemidji area, they held two events to connect with the Bemidji community. On Friday evening, community members gathered with the Minnesota Design Team to help develop our shared vision of Bemidji’s future and brainstorm ideas and practices that could be implemented in Bemidji. The MDT used this feedback from community members to prepare their presentation for Saturday evening. They first presented a slideshow at the Chief Theater, before moving to a nearby location where community members could see each slide/poster prepared and converse directly with Minnesota Design Team members on their thoughts about Bemidji’s future.

Outcome measures/metrics:
Input from the Minnesota Design Team visit is currently being utilized in the creation of the Greater Bemidji Area's Comprehensive Plan.

Descriptive links: http://www.minnesotadesignteam.org/Resources/Documents/Bemidji/Bemidji2012-9-15.pdf

For more information contact:
Caitlyn Schuchhardt (Community volunteer)   |   cschuchhardt@bemidjistate.edu   |   218-755-3765

Partners:
Mayana Rice and the Greater Bemidji Area Joint Planning Board

Date completed/entered:   11/02/2012

Implementation details:
a) There are a number of government facilities located in downtown Bemidji, including City Hall, the Bemidji Public Library, the Beltrami County Campus, Indian Health Services, and more. These facilities are in a thriving downtown area where they are adjacent to numerous local businesses. b) City Hall and the Bemidji Public Library both have bike racks to encourage access by biking. They are located in the downtown area, which is well connected by sidewalks and crosswalks to facilitate pedestrian access. A number of other governmental facilities are also located downtown to encourage pedestrian access, including the Beltrami County Office, Beltrami County Jail, Beltrami County Health and Human Services, Beltrami County Sheriff, as well as the Bemidji Fire Department. c) Paul Bunyan Transit will provide transit service to all government facilities in town through their Dial-A-Ride program.

Outcome measures/metrics:

Descriptive links:

For more information contact:
Caitlyn Schuchhardt (Community volunteer)   |   cschuchhardt@bemidjistate.edu   |   218-755-3765

Date completed/entered:   10/29/2012

Implementation details:
Bemidji has specific procedures for PUDs and CICs that emphasize mixed-use development. For example, on page XI-6 of section 1103D, the code specifies that "developers are encouraged to provide a mixed use, residential and commercial, development when replacing former high density, industrial and commercial uses." To see the full plan, click on the jpb's website above then click the left-hand tab "Ordinances, Maps & Agreements," the link to the most recent plan should be highlighted from there.

Outcome measures/metrics:

Descriptive links: http://www.jpbgba.org/

For more information contact:
Caitlyn Schuchhardt (Community volunteer)   |   cschuchhardt@bemidjistate.edu   |   218-755-3765

Date completed/entered:   02/06/2013

Implementation details:
The City of Bemidji passed a Complete Streets Resolution on January 11, 2011 (see attached file).

Outcome measures/metrics:
This commitment is recognized in both the Greater Bemidji Area Joint Planning Zoning Ordinance, Section 1010 on X-25, which deals with Non-Motorized Transportation, and also the Greater Bemidji Area Transportation Plan, which contains a section on Complete Streets on page 20. The GBAJPB Zoning Ordinance and the Transportation Plan can both be found on the Greater Bemidji Area Joint Planning Board's website under "Zoning Ordinance, Maps, and Agreements" or by following this link: http://www.jpbgba.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={4C86D582-7B17-49D5-AC6B-5054BCE63846}&DE={8F42DCF7-5690-4689-B686-48FF0BAE1AB9}

Descriptive links:             view file

For more information contact:
Caitlyn Schuchhardt (Community volunteer)   |   cschuchhardt@bemidjistate.edu   |   218-755-3765

Date completed/entered:   03/19/2013

Implementation details:
Bemidji has a series of biking and pedestrian trails that connect the city to key areas outside of town, such as Lake Bemidji State Park, the Paul Bunyan Trail, and the South Shore Development area (see attached route map). The Paul Bunyan Trail Bridge was opened and dedicated in September of 2012. This bridge, usable by both pedestrians and bicyclists, spans Hwy 197 and connects a major gap in the Paul Bunyan Trail and facilitates walking and biking across the highway. See attached map for bicycle and pedestrian trails.

Outcome measures/metrics:

Descriptive links:             view file

For more information contact:
Caitlyn Schuchhardt (Community volunteer)   |   cschuchhardt@bemidjistate.edu   |   218-755-3765

Partners:
Active Living Bemidji, MN Dept. of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Trails

Date completed/entered:   04/25/2013

Implementation details:
The City of Bemidji implemented traffic calming measures in the South Shore Development project by installing two roundabouts on the roads near the Sanford Center (along Event Center Dr and Grant Ave).

Outcome measures/metrics:

Descriptive links:

For more information contact:
Caitlyn Schuchhardt (Community volunteer)   |   cschuchhardt@bemidjistate.edu   |   218-755-3765

Date completed/entered:   10/22/2012

Implementation details:
Bemidji was recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a Bicycle Friendly Community at the Bronze level in October of 2012.

Outcome measures/metrics:

Descriptive links: http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/             view file

For more information contact:
Caitlyn Schuchhardt (Community volunteer)   |   cschuchhardt@bemidjistate.edu   |   218-755-3765

Partners:
Natalie Gille, Bike Alliance of MN

Date completed/entered:   02/06/2013

Implementation details:
Bemidji currently has a Safe Routes to School program, the details of which can be found in the attached file. Additionally, Bemidji strives to increase walking and biking in the community, improve general health, and encourage changing behaviors and attitudes toward physical activity through the Active Living Bemidji program, which is in its 4th year of implementation.

Outcome measures/metrics:

Descriptive links: www.activelivingbemidji.com             view file

For more information contact:
Caitlyn Schuchhardt (Community volunteer)   |   cschuchhardt@bemidjistate.edu   |   218-755-3765

Partners:
Josh Pearson, Active Living Bemidji Program Manager

Date completed/entered:   10/29/2012

Implementation details:
In spite of the challenges that come with being in greater Minnesota with less access to competitively priced alternatives for sustainable procurement, Bemidji has created an administrative policy that specifies the purchasing of EnergyStar and recycled paper for city functions whenever practicable.

Outcome measures/metrics:

Descriptive links:             view file

For more information contact:
Caitlyn Schuchhardt (Community volunteer)   |   cschuchhardt@bemidjistate.edu   |   218-755-3765

Date completed/entered:   10/30/2012

Implementation details:
Bemidji has been certified as a Tree City for 22 years.

Outcome measures/metrics:

Descriptive links: http://www.arborday.org/programs/treeCityUSA/treecities.cfm?chosenstate=Minnesota

For more information contact:
Caitlyn Schuchhardt (Community volunteer)   |   cschuchhardt@bemidjistate.edu   |   218-755-3765

Date completed/entered:   03/18/2013

Implementation details:
The City of Bemidji has four Parks and Recreation staff members that are certified Tree Inspectors. The Parks Department is also currently working on an emerald ash bore preparedness plan, with the help of Gary Johnson from the Dept. of Forest Resources at the University of Minnesota. They conducted a volunteer-driven tree inventory this summer and are currently waiting for the analysis.

Outcome measures/metrics:

Descriptive links:

For more information contact:
Caitlyn Schuchhardt (Community volunteer)   |   cschuchhardt@bemidjistate.edu   |   218-755-3765

Partners:
Department of Forest Resources at University of Minnesota

Date completed/entered:   04/25/2013

Implementation details:
The City of Bemidji has adopted an illicit stormwater discharge ordinance (see attached document) and the Greater Bemidji Area Joint Planning Board also has an ordinance on Storm Water Management, located in Section 912 on page IX-16, which can be found in the hyperlink.

Outcome measures/metrics:

Descriptive links: http://bit.ly/1809zD8             view file

For more information contact:
Caitlyn Schuchhardt (Community volunteer)   |   cschuchhardt@bemidjistate.edu   |   218-755-3765

Date completed/entered:   03/19/2013

Implementation details:
The Paul Bunyan Trail Bridge was opened and dedicated in September of 2012. This bridge, usable by both pedestrians and bicyclists, spans Hwy 197 and connects a major gap in the Paul Bunyan Trail and facilitates walking and biking across the highway. The Paul Bunyan Trail Bridge Project was a collaboration between the City of Bemidji and the MN Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Trails.

Outcome measures/metrics:

Descriptive links: http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/content/paul-bunyan-trail-bridge-dedicated-bemidji

For more information contact:
Caitlyn Schuchhardt (Community volunteer)   |   cschuchhardt@bemidjistate.edu   |   218-755-3765

Partners:
MN Dept. of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Trails

Date completed/entered:   05/01/2013

Implementation details:
The City of Bemidji requires parkland dedication fees for new subdivisions, as noted in Chapter 22 (Subdivisions), Article III of the City Code, “Dedication of Parks, Open Spaces, Trails, and Public Sites” (see attached PDF). This aligns with what has been laid out in the Master Park Plan that was adopted by the City Council in 2011, which works to identify areas where parks would be needed. Two maps from the Park Plan can be found through the attached hyperlink, and the full text of the Park Plan is available for viewing in hardcopy at City Hall in Bemidji.

Outcome measures/metrics:

Descriptive links: http://www.ci.bemidji.mn.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={B08AE579-7B72-4B94-A065-9A4B4E820825}             view file

For more information contact:
Caitlyn Schuchhardt (Community volunteer)   |   cschuchhardt@bemidjistate.edu   |   218-755-3765

Partners:
Marcia Larson, Bemidji Parks and Recreation

Date completed/entered:   05/01/2013

Implementation details:
The City of Bemidji has a “Park Partners” program (see uploaded brochure). Park Partners is a partnership between Bemidji Parks and Recreation and citizen volunteers to improve and maintain Bemidji’s natural environment, educate the community, and keep our parks and trails clean, green, and safe. Parks and Recreation has also utilizes community volunteers and Park Partners for special ongoing projects, such as various tree planting initiatives, the Community Tree Inventory (started in 2011), and the Cameron Park Shoreland Buffer project (begun in 2010, with additional plantings and extensions in 2011 and 2012). Volunteers from Minnesota Youth Core and Camp Rabideau Youth were also utilized in the planting of the shoreland buffer. The goal of the Cameron Park Shoreland Buffer project is to reduce run-off directly into the lake, reduce shoreline erosion, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce the amount of mowing required.

Outcome measures/metrics:

Descriptive links: http://www.ci.bemidji.mn.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B98AFBD94-DCEF-46B8-983A-79BE0ADA200D%7D             view file

Partners:
Marcia Larson, Bemidji Parks and Recreation

Date completed/entered:   10/31/2012

Implementation details:
Sustainable Tuesdays is a partnership program with the Indigenous Environmental Network, the Minnesota GreenCorps, the Rail River Folk School, and Bemidji State University’s Sustainability Office. The mission of Sustainable Tuesdays is to draw on the strengths of the diversity in our region to create a sustainable Bemidji. This program provides a variety of sustainable learning opportunities, ranging from workshops where community members learn sustainable practices to apply in their lives, to discussions focused on environmental issues in our region and the world. This program covers a range of topics, like energy conservation, local food, water quality, green living, and much more. Sustainable Tuesdays is a community event that is free and open to the public. Programming is offered every Tuesday from 5:30 to 7:30pm at the Rail River Folk School. The Green Living Bemidji blog contains an archive of Sustainable Tuesday events and includes weekly coverage of the programming. The Green Living Bemidji blog is shared on the Bemidji Pioneer’s website and is also shared on a weekly listserv to over 250 community members.

Outcome measures/metrics:

Descriptive links: http://greenlivingbemidji.areavoices.com

For more information contact:
Caitlyn Schuchhardt (Community volunteer)   |   cschuchhardt@bemidjistate.edu   |   218-755-3765

Partners:
Indigenous Environmental Network, Minnesota GreenCorps, Rail River Folk School, Bemidji State University Sustainability Office

Date completed/entered:   10/29/2012

Implementation details:
In section 1024 of the GBA's Zoning and Planning Ordinances, especially on page X-46, the code emphasizes the need to accommodate the community's sustainable energy needs by encouraging "wind energy conversion systems to be located on properties in a manner which minimizes potential negative impacts upon adjacent properties."

Outcome measures/metrics:

Descriptive links: http://www.jpbgba.org/

For more information contact:
Caitlyn Schuchhardt (Community volunteer)   |   cschuchhardt@bemidjistate.edu   |   218-755-3765

Partners:
Greater Bemidji Area Joint Planning Board

Date completed/entered:   04/25/2013

Implementation details:
The City of Bemidji has a display located in City Hall to showcase the green power purchasing programs offered by our local utilities, Otter Tail Power Company and Beltrami Electric Cooperative. Otter Tail Power Company has a program called TailWinds and Beltrami Electric Cooperative offers Infinity Wind Energy. Brochures with information about how customers can utilize these programs are located in this display, along with other resources about local renewable energy, such as the Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL) based in Pine River, MN.

Outcome measures/metrics:

Descriptive links:

For more information contact:
Caitlyn Schuchhardt (Community volunteer)   |   cschuchhardt@bemidjistate.edu   |   218-755-3765

Date completed/entered:   10/31/2012

Implementation details:
a) Bemidji is host to two different farmer’s markets: Bemidji’s Natural Choice Farmers Market and the Bemidji Area Farmers Market. Bemidji’s Natural Choice Farmer’s Market is located in Union Square parking lot (off 2nd St and Beltrami Ave) and is open twice a week (Saturdays from 8:30 to 3pm and Wednesdays from 11 to 4pm) from May through late October. The vendors include small-acreage, home based, family-businesses and farms located in and around the Bemidji area, and they provide fresh, high-quality local produce and other products. More information, including a list of vendors, can be found at http://naturalchoicemarket.org/. The Bemidji Area Farmer’s Market is located in the Pamida/Subway parking lot at 200 Paul Bunyan Drive South and is open seasonally on Sundays from 11 to 4, Tuesdays from 10-5, Thursdays from 12-6, and Saturdays from 9-3. The Bemidji Area Farmers Market is a non-profit corporation recognized by both state and federal government, serving the Greater Bemidji area. The market is operated by a board of directors made up of both market members and community minded individuals. They strongly encourage members to donate food products to the food shelf, soup kitchen and other like organizations. More information can be found at http://bemidjifarmersmarket.com/our-mission/. b) Bemidji supports a number of local CSAs who have partnerships with local community organizations. For example, a portion of Chill Creek Ridge’s CSA investments go to support the Rail River Folk School (http://chillcreekridge.csasignup.com/members/types). Farmucopia, another local CSA, also supports Harmony Foods Cooperative and will be providing produce to local schools through the Farm to School program (http://www.farmucopia-csa.com/author/admin/). Northern Light Farm (http://www.localharvest.org/northern-light-farm-M7072) is another prominent CSA in the Bemidji area. c) A campus garden began at Bemidji State University in the summer of 2011, giving students the option to grow their own organic food. There are a total of 28 plots, with the option of planting extra seeds on the outside of the fence for the public to use for free. The Gitigaan Garden is located across from the campus library on Birch Lane and 16th. The 2012 year was a great success, with all the plots filled. The City of Bemidji also provides community garden plots at Nymore Park.

Outcome measures/metrics:

Descriptive links:

For more information contact:
Caitlyn Schuchhardt (Community volunteer)   |   cschuchhardt@bemidjistate.edu   |   218-755-3765