Sponsor: Public Health
Title
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Approval of the Household Hazardous Waste Inter-County Reciprocal Use Agreement
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Recommendation
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1. Approve an Inter-County Reciprocal Use Agreement with the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott, and Washington for the period of January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2029.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the Reciprocal Use Agreement.
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Background and Rationale
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Since 1991, the seven metropolitan counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington have participated in the Household Hazard Waste (HHW) Inter-County Reciprocal Use Agreement. The 2022-2042 Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan, incorporated into the Ramsey County's 2018-2038 Solid Waste Management Plan, states that the region will maintain the Reciprocal Use Agreement for HHW services. This agreement allows residents of participating counties to use HHW sites in any of the counties and creates a mechanism whereby county HHW programs that receive and manage HHW from residents of other counties may invoice the resident’s county for the cost of providing that service. The agreement that is currently in place is set to expire on December 31, 2024. The new agreement will continue the program through December 31, 2029.
The proposed Reciprocal Use Agreement maintains a regional per vehicle fee of $34 based on the seven-county average of the previous five years of regional fee collection and accounts for minor cost inflation. The term of the Reciprocal Use Agreement is 2025-2029.
From 2019 - 2023, an average of 4,260 Ramsey County residents used HHW sites in other metro counties. During that same time, an average of 493 residents of other counties used Ramsey County HHW sites.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Public Health recognizes that recycling rates are not even across racial groups in Ramsey County and invests in outreach and educational efforts to reach underrepresented communities-both directly as well as providing technical assistance to municipalities to assist in their efforts-to overcome barriers and bring about parity across our community. In addition, the county’s policy to ensure service and funding means that all residents, regardless of demographics, have the same level of service available. The Reciprocal Use Agreement provides a mechanism of convenience for all residents in all participating counties to access Household Hazardous Waste services regardless of their place of residency within the metro area.
Community Participation Level and Impact
These programs rely on community participation to work. Success in toxicity reduction, safe handling, and proper waste management depends on residents making the right decisions when discarding materials, and that depends on providing a convenient system of drop-off sites. Reciprocal use of Household Hazardous Waste collection services increases that level of convenience to metro-area residents by expanding the number and proximity of collection locations.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☒ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Costs are included in the department’s budget. The average annual cost (2019 - 2023) during the current agreement is $148,384 paid by Ramsey County to other metro counties for Ramsey County residents using their Household Hazardous Waste collection sites, which is expected to decrease following opening of Ramsey County’s new Environmental Service Center. Ramsey County received an annual average of $17,210 from other metro counties for use of Ramsey County’s Household Hazardous Waste services.
Last Previous Action
On August 13, 2019, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved the Household Hazardous Waste Inter-County Reciprocal Use Agreement for the period of January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2024 (Resolution B2019-191).
Attachments
1. Household Hazardous Waste Metropolitan Inter-County Reciprocal Use Agreement