Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 07/18/2022

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Environmental Policy Board (EPB) 5. 3. Meeting Date: 07/18/2022 By: Chris Anderson, Community Development Information Title: 2023 Recycling Activities Purpose/Background: The purpose of this case is to get feedback from the Environmental Policy Board (EPB) on potential recycling activities that could be offered in 2023. The City's recycling program is funded through the Select Committee On Recycling and the Environment (SCORE) program. Annually, the City must submit a funding request to Anoka County for SCORE funds for the upcoming year. Typically, each community is allocated base funding of $10,000, plus $5.00 per household. In 2023, Ramsey's base funding allocation is $57,955.00. There are additional grant funding categories, including: Permanent Drop -Off Center Improvements, General Enhancement (includes Parks Recycling, Special Municipal Event Recycling, Special Curbside Recycling Pick Ups, Multi -Family Recycling Outreach, and Promotions), and Organics. Ramsey is not eligible for the first category (we do not have a permanent drop-off center). However, Ramsey is eligible for an additional $9,591.00 for General Enhancement activities and $9,591.00 for Organics activities (these equate to an additional $1.00 per household). Observations/Alternatives: As part of last year's funding discussion, Staff discussed the potential of a 'micro recycling center' in one of the old public works buildings. However, at this time, the final disposition of that building is unknown and therefore, Staff has not invested any time or effort into that concept and will not do so until a decision has been made on the status of the building. Ramsey will continue to offer the holiday lights collection in December and January, as well as the cardboard collection service from mid -December to mid -January. Both of these activities fall under the General Enhancements grant category. The City will serve as a host site for a Fix It Clinic, coordinated and run by Anoka County, in December of this year. If that is successful, the City would look to offer that again in 2023, which would also fall under the General Enhancements category. Due to staffing vacancies and turnover over the past year, Staff is a bit hesitant to robustly explore and implement new programming. However, one potential option, that may not require an overwhelming amount of Staff time, could be to look at a special curbside pick-up program for bulky items, such as appliances, electronics, and mattresses. These items can be challenging to transport to the City's spring and fall recycling events (especially if one does not own or have access to a pick-up truck) and thus, this could be a value-added opportunity. Staff had a brief discussion about this possibility with a vendor earlier this year, but would need to flush out all the details still. If this seems to make sense (after working out the details), it would likely be offered in July, as that splits the difference between the spring and fall recycling event timeframes. Staff is seeking feedback on the idea of a specialized curbside pick-up program along with any other possible recycling activities from the Board. Funding Source: All aspects of the City's recycling program are addressed with SCORE funding. Action: