Enter/update government-owned building information and monthly usage data into the MN B3 Benchmarking database, and utilize building/energy audits to identify potential improvements.
- Action 1:City Detail
Background Information
City Assessment Files and City Performance Metrics
City councils pass a resolution to join the GreenStep program and are recognized at Step 1. Step 2 and Step 3 recognition levels reflect completed city actions, reported and rated below with stars (1 star = good, 2 stars = better, 3 stars = best). The Assessment File below summarizes completed city actions in a short Word file. Step 4 recognition is awarded to cities who report a minimum number of core metrics for the previous calendar year. These metrics aim to show the aggregate, quantitative results of taking multiple GreenStep actions. Step 5 cities show improvement in the Step 4 metrics. See yearly data for Steps 4&5. Additional city data can be found by reviewing information on B3 Benchmarking and Regional Indicators Initiative.
Assessment File
Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed
Completed actions are denoted by stars.
Total completed actions: 31Buildings and Lighting
Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}
Patty Norgaard (Community Volunteer) | pattynorgaard@crosslake.net | 218-692-5370
Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs.
- Action 2:Patty Norgaard (Community Volunteer) | pattynorgaard@crosslake.net | 218-692-5370
Efficient Existing Private Buildings {BP no.2}
Describe energy/water efficiency outcomes and other green building practices at businesses and not-for-profit organizations located within/nearby the city.
- Action 4:Patty Norgaard (Community Volunteer) | pattynorgaard@crosslake.net | 218-692-5370
Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals {BP no.4}
Replace the city's existing street lighting with Dark Sky-compliant LEDs, modifying any city franchise/utility agreement and adding smart grid attributes.
- Action 3:Patty Norgaard (Community Volunteer) | pattynorgaard@crosslake.net | 218-692-5370
Land Use
Comprehensive, Climate and Energy Plans {BP no.6}
Adopt a comprehensive plan or (for Category B & C cities) adopt a future land use plan that was adopted by the county or a regional entity.
- Action 1:Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Demonstrate that regulatory ordinances comply with the comprehensive plan including but not limited to having the zoning ordinance explicitly reference the comprehensive plan as the foundational document for decision making.
- Action 2:Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Include requirements in comprehensive and/or other plans for intergovernmental coordination addressing regional land use and watershed / wellhead impacts, infrastructure, transportation, economic development and city/regional services.
- Action 3:Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Mixed Uses {BP no.8}
Organize or participate in a community planning/placemaking/design process for the city/a mixed-use district, including specific community engagement practices that engage cultural and income diverse community members.
- Action 1:Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Locate or lease a property for use as a school, city building or other government facility that has at least two of these attributes:
- Action 2:Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Design for Natural Resource Conservation {BP no.10}
Support and protect wildlife through habitat rehabilitation, preservation and recognition programs.
- Action 7:Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Transportation
Living & Complete Streets {BP no.11}
Identify, prioritize and remedy complete streets gaps and lack of connectivity/safety within your road network by, for example, bike/pedestrian plan, adding a bike route/lane, truck route, sidewalk or mid-block alley.
- Action 4:Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Implement traffic calming policy/measures, including lane conversions (road diets), roundabouts, low-speed streets, shared space and depaving, in at least one street redevelopment project.
- Action 6:Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Mobility Options {BP no.12}
Increase walking, biking and transit use by one or more of the following means:
- Action 1:A bike rental station is available in the heart of Crosslake. With the Pay-Per-Use bike share system, Riders use the free smartphone App to locate the bike station. Once at the station, they select a bike and use the App to access the bike. Information on roads and trails is provided.
Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Environmental Management
Sustainable Purchasing {BP no.15}
Adopt a sustainable purchasing policy or administrative guidelines/practices directing that the city purchase at least:
- Action 1:Patty Norgaard (Community Volunteer) | pattynorgaard@crosslake.net | 218-692-5370
Set minimum sustainability standards to reduce the impact of your concrete use, asphalt, roadbed aggregate, or other construction materials.
- Action 5:Patty Norgaard (Community Volunteer) | pattynorgaard@crosslake.net | 218-692-5370
Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}
Maximize tree planting along your main downtown street or throughout the city.
- Action 4:Patty Norgaard (Community Volunteer) | pattynorgaard@crosslake.net | 218-692-5370
Stormwater Management {BP no.17}
Adopt and use Minnesota's Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS).
- Action 1:Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Adopt by ordinance one or more of the following stormwater infiltration/management strategies to reduce impervious surface:
- Action 3:Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Parks and Trails {BP no.18}
Make improvements within your city's system of parks, offroad trails and open spaces.
- Action 1:Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Create park/city land management standards/practices that maximize at least one of the following:
- Action 5:Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Surface Water {BP no.19}
Conduct or support multi-party community conversations, assessments, plans and actions around improving local water quality and quantity.
- Action 2:Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Adopt a shoreland ordinance for all river and lake shoreland areas.
- Action 4:Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Efficient Water and Wastewater Systems {BP no.20}
Establish an on-going budget and program for decreasing inflow and infiltration into sewer lines and losses in drinking water systems.
- Action 3:Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Implement a wastewater plant efficiency project (co-generation, water reuse) or a program for local private business operations (water conservation, water reuse, business co-location).
- Action 6:Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Sustainable Consumption and Waste {BP no.22}
Improve/organize residential trash, recycling and organics collection by private and/or public operations and offer significant volume-based pricing on residential garbage and/or incentives for recycling.
- Action 7:Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Resilient Economic and Community Development
Benchmarks and Community Engagement {BP no.24}
Inclusive and Coordinated Decision-Making: Use a city commission or committee to lead, coordinate, report to and engage community members on the identification and equitable implementation of sustainability best practices.
- Action 1:Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Engaging the Next Generation: Engage wide representation of community youth and college students by creating opportunities to participate in city government (including commissions).
- Action 6:Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Green Business Development {BP no.25}
Strengthen value-added businesses utilizing local "waste" material.
- Action 4:Patty Norgaard (Community Volunteer) | pattynorgaard@crosslake.net | 218-692-5370
Conduct or participate in a buy local campaign for community members and local businesses.
- Action 7:Patty Norgaard (Community Volunteer) | pattynorgaard@crosslake.net | 218-692-5370
Local Food {BP no.27}
Create, assist with and promote local food production/distribution within the city:
- Action 3:A community garden with 60 plots is located next to the community center and is overseen by the City of Crosslake.
Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience {BP no.29}
Prepare to maintain public health and safety during extreme weather and climate-change-related events, while also taking a preventive approach to reduce risk for community members.
- Action 1:Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office notifies users directly of emergencies including requirements or recommendations for residents and property owners.
The following alerts are included in this system:
Community Events & Information
Weather Alerts (Flood, Winter, Non-Precipitation, Fire and Severe Weather)
In addition, with the construction of the new City Hall in 2019, the Crosslake Fire Chief worked to have an emergency shelter prepared in the basement being cognizant of need for a safe area for campers at the heavily used Crosslake Campground that is within city limits.
Patty Norgaard (Community Volunteer) | pattynorgaard@crosslake.net | 218-692-5370