Receive Update on Potential Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Event

Earlier this year, the Board had communicated to Staff that the City should consider coordinating a rain barrel sale as a way to encourage and promote water conservation.  In response, Staff informed the Board that the Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) annually coordinates a rain barrel and compost bin sale and that Staff could be more proactive in promoting that opportunity to the community.

Staff met with the Executive Director of RAM recently to discuss serving as a host city for one of their distribution events.  RAM's program is pre-order only and they seek out about a half dozen sites across the metro to host the distribution events.  While there is not financial benefit to the City for serving as a host site, it makes it much more convenient for Ramsey residents that choose to purchase one or both of these items through this program.  Additionally, RAM is in discussions with Anoka County's Recycling and Resource Solutions Department to determine if there may be an opportunity for a slight discount for any Anoka County resident that participates in this program.   

At least one other Anoka County community expressed a willingness to host a distribution event.  Once RAM makes a decision on which city will host one of their distribution events, Staff will update the Board.  If Ramsey is selected, the event would be held at the Public Works Campus, where the Spring and Fall Recycling Day events are held each year.  While RAM coordinates the sales event and organizes volunteers for the distribution event, the City would need to promote this opportunity through the newsletter and and website.  RAM even assists with preparing information for the newsletter.  Thus, the City's commitment/involvement is fairly minimal (providing the site, site set up and take down, and some event promotion), yet the residents that take advantage of this opportunity would benefit by not traveling to another community to pick up their item(s).

No action is necessary, this is for informational purposes only.