Agenda - Council - 03/26/2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Grant Program Structure: Administration and Funding The Water Efficiency Grant Program will be administered by Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (Environmental Services) and will be funded with $1,100,000 appropriated by the 2023 Minnesota Legislature. Grant applications will be reviewed and ranked by Metropolitan Council Water Resources staff. The remaining $400,000 of this funding has been allocated to a different, equity- focused municipal water efficiency grant project. Grants are only for water efficiency programs offering rebates or grants to property owners who are customers of the municipal water supply system and who replace specified water using devices with approved devices that use substantially less water. In municipalities where only some neighborhoods or areas are served by a municipal public water supply system, only those served by the municipal public water supply system are eligible. Grants will be awarded to municipalities in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 for providing rebates or grants to property owners. Municipalities will be responsible for the design and operation of their rebate or grant program and its details. Grant payments to the municipality will be for 80% of approved program amounts. The municipality must provide the remaining 20% of the granted/rebated amount to the property owner. Municipality rebates or grants are eligible for reimbursement on device replacements conducted July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026. Here is an example of the grant funding design: Metropolitan Council Grant Amount $16)000 80% of total Municipality Match $4)000 (20% of total) Municipality Grant/Rebate Program Total $20)000 100% of total Eligibility This grant program is limited to municipalities in the seven-county metropolitan area. Municipalities eligible per above must apply to participate and, if approved, sign a standard Council Grant Agreement, before any eligible rebates or grants can be submitted for reimbursement. Agreements shall require that municipalities: • Entirely pass through grants received (as is being done by Environmental Services) • Verify purchase of devices to receive grants • Retain records and cooperate with any audits • Conduct all communications with property owners and ensure all written communications to property owners include both the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment and the Metropolitan Council's logo • Provide quantitative information for state reporting purposes Eligible water efficiency devices consist of the following: • Toilet replacement with a US EPA WaterSense labeled toilet • Irrigation controller replacement with a US EPA WaterSense labeled controller, either weather- based or soil moisture-based • Irrigation spray sprinkler body replacement with a US EPA WaterSense labeled spray sprinkler body • Irrigation system audit by an Irrigation Professional certified by a US EPA WaterSense program • Showerhead replacement with a US EPA WaterSense labeled showerhead 2