Adopt Resolution #18-087 to Enter into a Residential Recycling Program Agreement with Anoka County to Receive SCORE Funds for 2018

Each year, Anoka County receives funding from the State of Minnesota pursuant to Minnesota Statute § 115A.557. The County distributes these funds, known as SCORE (Select Committee On Recycling and the Environment) funds, to municipalities within the county. In 2018, the allocation includes a base of $10,000 plus $5.00 per household. Ramsey’s base allocation for 2018 is $54,865.00.

The funding is intended to help municipalities achieve their recycling goals as established by the Anoka County Board of Commissioners. Ramsey’s 2018 recycling goal, established by Anoka County, is 2,696 tons. The goal is based on 210 pounds per person (single family households, up to four [4] units) and 160 pounds per person for multi-tenant households (five [5] or more units). The City of Ramsey has traditionally used these funds to promote recycling and waste reduction education and awareness, notifying new residents of the recycling program components, to offset costs of the spring and fall recycling day events and other collection events/opportunities, and to fund the recycling coordinator position, which duties are a component of the City Planner position.

To receive the SCORE funding, each municipality must enter into an agreement with Anoka County that outlines required components of a municipality’s recycling program. These required components include providing households an opportunity to recycle at least four (4) broad types of materials, a public information program, recycling drop-off opportunities, and notifying new residents of the recycling program. Furthermore, municipalities are encouraged, but not required, to look at opportunities to expand its recycling program by offering additional drop-off events, implement and/or enhance recycling at community events, enhance multi-family recycling opportunities, and/or develop opportunities for source separated compostables/organics collection.

The funding structure has been altered slightly from past years.  In 2018, similar to past years, there are additional funds available for additional drop-off events, general program enhancements, and organics collection.  However, there is a new category, with up to $30,000.00 available, for innovative enhancements to increase the amount of materials recycled.  This was available on a competitive basis.  Based on the work load of the Planning Division through the first quarter of 2018, there was not time to develop a meaningful project for consideration for these additional funds.

Staff has requested an additional $13,900.00 for funding.  This includes $9,100.00 for the Spring, Summer, and Fall Recycling Day events, $3,000.00 for General Enhancements (parks recycling and multi-family recycling outreach), and $1,800.00 for the Organics Recycling Drop-Off program.

Alternatives:

Alternative 1:  Enter into the Residential Recycling Agreement for the base allocation of $54,865 plus an additional $13,900 for general program enhancements and continuation of the organics recycling drop-off program.  The additional funds will assist the City in meeting the 2018 tonnage goal established by Anoka County.  Staff supports this alternative.

Alternative 2: Do not enter into the Residential Recycling Agreement with the County. By not executing this agreement with the County, the City would not receive any SCORE funding for 2018 (a loss of $54,865.00). A portion of one of the City Planner positions is funded through this allocation (duties related to managing the recycling program) as are all recycling related activities, including the spring, summer, and fall recycling events. Staff does not support this option.

Ramsey's recycling program and related staff time are funded with SCORE funds received from Anoka County annually and recorded under the Recycling Enterprise Fund.

Staff recommends adopting Resolution #18-087 authorizing the Mayor, on behalf of the City, to sign the Agreement for Residential Recycling Program with Anoka County, to receive the base SCORE funds for 2018 as well as an additional allocation of $13,900.00 for general enhancements and the organics recycling drop-off program.

Motion to adopt Resolution #18-087 authorizing the Mayor, on behalf of the City, to sign the Agreement for Residential Recycling Program with Anoka County, to receive the base SCORE funds for 2018 as well as an additional allocation of $13,900.00 for general enhancements and the organics recycling drop-off program.