Ideas in Action
St. Louis Park Builds ‘Net-Zero Energy’ Nature Center
St. Louis Park’s initiative was the winner of the League of Minnesota Cities 2021 Sustainable City Award, given in partnership…
North Branch Meets Demand for High-Speed Internet
North Branch leaders found a way to bring broadband to their large underserved area.

Spring Grove Partnership Provides Outdoor Classrooms
Spring Grove and the school district worked together to make the outdoor classroom a reality and give the K-12 school…

South Metro Fire Department Makes Mental Health a Priority
PAR360 Mental Health Initiative is a program to help firefighters manage their mental health issues and keep them and their…
Sartell Winter Road Program Saves Money, Reduces Runoff
The City of Sartell received a 2021 League of Minnesota Cities City of Excellence Award for its winter road pretreatment…
Mankato Improves Firefighter Recruitment and Retention
The City of Mankato launched an innovative initiative in the 1990s to attract more firefighters to the fold — a…
Eagan’s New Fire Department Model Brings Great Results
Cities feeling the effects of a declining volunteer staffing pool should create a fire department staffing road map for the…
Shakopee Ordinance Reduces Gift Card Fraud
A new Shakopee ordinance reduced fraudulent activity, and the initiative was the winner of a League of Minnesota Cities 2020…
Hopkins Fire Program Boosts Safety for Kids and Families
The Sound Off program revitalized the fire safety education programs of the Hopkins Fire Department and engaged teachers in providing…
Organics Recycling Is a Hit in Columbia Heights
Columbia Heights' new yard waste and organics recycling program is the winner of the League's 2020 Sustainable City Award.