Agenda - Council - 12/10/2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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5.01: Correction Regarding Water Efficiency Grant Program City Engineer Westby stated that on September 24, 2019, the Ramsey City Council approved submitting an application to the Metropolitan Council by September 30th for a grant up to $50,000 to help the City conserve water by lowering the cost for residents to purchase and install products that reduce water use including toilets, irrigation sprinklers and controllers, and to perform irrigation system audits. During the City Council meeting, Councilmember Kuzma asked staff if this grant program would be open to all residents, regardless if they were served by City water or a private well. City Engineer Westby responded that the program would be open to all residents. Since such time, staff has learned that only property owners using municipal water would be eligible for the program. During the Council meeting, Councilmember Musgrove asked staff what the City's maximum cost share would be. City Engineer Westby responded that the City's maximum cost share would be $12,500, which is 25 percent of $50,000. However, the City's maximum cost share would actually be $16,666.67, which is 33.3 percent of $50,000. Staff applied for the grant funding before the end of September as required. However, staff is now seeking input from the Committee as to whether the City Council may have voted differently on September 24th upon knowing that the program is only open to municipal water users and that the maximum share for the City would be $16,666.67 instead of $12,500. City Engineer Westby stated that if the City Council would not support the grant program and would not accept awarded grant funding, staff would prefer to withdraw the City's grant application before the Metropolitan Council reviews and approves the City's application for funding. Councilmember Riley referenced the maximum cost to the City, noting that the City will still ultimately decide the details of the program and therefore that would not be an issue as the City will be able to determine its maximum contribution when developing the program details. Chairperson Kuzma stated that his concern would be that residents on septic systems would not be eligible for the program. Councilmember Riley stated that this grant is from the Metropolitan Council with the intent of reducing City water usage. He noted that the City could create its own grant to mirror the program if desired but noted that the City only has an interest in reducing City water usage because of the demand on public infrastructure. Chairperson Kuzma agreed that it would be a good thing to reduce water usage. Councilmember Menth agreed that if the grant can be obtained, the City should continue. It was the consensus of the Committee that the City should continue with its grant application to the Metropolitan Council for the Water Efficiency Program, and that there is no need for Staff to bring this information back to a regular Council meeting at this time, but instead simply provide an email update to the other members of the City Council, with the understanding that the full Council will need to accept the grant if awarded. Public Works Committee / October 15, 2019 Page 2 of 6