Agenda - Council - 09/24/2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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lour 1111.1siion: To work together to reiposibty grow our community, and to provide quality, coat -effective, and efficient government ierrlcas. CC Regular Session 7. 5. Meeting Date: 09/24/2019 By: Bruce Westby, Engineering/Public Works Information Title: Adopt Resolution # 19-235 Authorizing Metropolitan Council Water Efficiency Grant Program Application Purpose/Background: The Metropolitan Council is offering grants from $2,000 to $50,000 to municipal water suppliers to help increase water efficiency by lowering the cost for residents to purchase and install products that reduce water use including toilets, washing machines, and irrigation sprinklers and controllers. Municipalities may use these grant funds to fund rebates to residents who replace inefficient water -using devices with approved devices that use substantially less water, or for irrigation system audits. The Metropolitan Council administered a water efficiency grant program during the 2015 - 2017 biennium using $500,000 from the Clean Water Fund, which yielded an estimated total savings of 52 million gallons of water per year. This grant program requires that products be labeled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense program or, in the case of washing machines, by the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Star program. Grant funds can only be used for appliance replacement, not for first-time purchases for new developments. Municipalities are responsible for developing and operating their own rebate programs. The grant funds will cover 75% of program costs, with a required 25% local match of which residents must pay a portion of the cost for any device or water use audit they purchase. Grant applications will be accepted through September 30, 2019. Required application information includes: • Rebate or grant program design and work plan • Proposed examples of communications to property owners • Requested total grant amount • Estimated annual amount of water saved by the applying municipality • Details about the program and the grant application. Notification: Notifications are not required for this application. Observations/Alternatives: