Sponsor: Public Health
Title
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Joint Powers Agreements for Recycling Funding
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the Joint Powers Agreements with the cities of Arden Hills, Lauderdale, North Oaks, Saint Paul, and Shoreview for recycling funding for the period of January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2029.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the Joint Powers Agreements.
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Background and Rationale
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The Ramsey County Solid Waste Management Plan requires municipalities to have long-term funding mechanisms in place for residential recycling. Cities have responded by using different mechanisms. Since 1991, the county has offered communities the option of using the county’s solid waste service charge authority to collect recycling fees from their residents, using a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) to implement this. The opportunity to enter a JPA has been offered to all municipalities within Ramsey County. The following five cities: Arden Hills, Lauderdale, North Oaks, Saint Paul, and Shoreview are seeking to use this option.
Under Minnesota Statutes 400.08, counties can establish and "collect just and reasonable rates and charges for solid waste management services provided by the county or by others under contract with the county." Cities do not have this authority and must contract with a county to use this tool. The property tax statements for properties in the participating cities reflect this charge as a separate line item labeled "Recycling."
JPAs for recycling funding have been renewed several times, including the current JPAs that terminate on December 31, 2024. The are no program changes proposed in the 2025 - 2029 JPAs.
The JPA agreements continue to require that each city’s waste disposal contracts comply with the “Public Entities” language Minnesota Statute 115A.46, subdivision 5, 115A.471. This means that public entities cannot act contrary to the waste management preference in the Ramsey County Solid Waste Management Plan for processing of trash (into energy or by composting) versus landfilling.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Municipalities must have a funding mechanism in place for residential recycling programs. The JPA for recycling funding provides municipalities with an opportunity to utilize the county waste management service authority to collect fees needed for their residential recycling programs. Because municipalities using this fee collection mechanism must apply the funds to universal recycling programs, this action assures that all residence have access to recycling equally.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Beginning in 1991 Ramsey County offered all municipalities in the county the opportunity to use the County Waste Management Service Charge authority to collect the fees needed for their residential recycling program. Over the years up to seven of the county’s municipalities have entered into a joint powers agreement with the county to do this. Currently five cities are requesting to continue this arrangement. County staff worked together with city staff and the city councils to gather their feedback. The five cities expressed enthusiasm about renewing the JPA and have did not request any changes to the agreement.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☒ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Ramsey County Property Tax and Election Services currently charges a special assessment of $0.40 per parcel for administrative fees related to recycling funds, which is included in the annual special assessments processed by the county. Cities participating in the JPA must provide a parcel list to facilitate this assessment. The JPA designates Ramsey County as the fiscal agent to manage the funds and oversee the distribution of SCORE grant agreements. Under Minnesota Statute 400.08, if cities wish to collect recycling fees, they must do so through the county, with the fee listed separately on the property tax statement.
There is no net impact on the Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health budget.
Last Previous Action
On June 26,2019, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved a Joint Powers agreement with Arden Hills, Lauderdale, North Oaks, Saint Paul, New Brighton, and Shoreview for recycling funding (Resolution B2019-155).
Attachments
1. Arden Hills Recycling Funding JPA 2025-2029
2. Lauderdale JPA for Recycling Fees 2025-2029
3. North Oaks Recycling Funding JPA 2025-2029
4. Saint Paul Recycling Funding JPA 2025-2029
5. Shoreview Recycling Funding JPA 2025-2029