Sponsor: Public Health
Title
title
Use of Solid Waste Fund for Seven County-Operated Yard Waste Sites
end
Recommendation
recommendation
Authorize the County Manager to establish a project budget of $4,000,000 for the Capital Improvements at the County Yard Waste sites in the Solid Waste Fund.
end
Background and Rationale
body
Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health is requesting site improvements at the seven yard waste sites operated by the county. The county’s Solid Waste Management Plan guides waste management and recycling over a 20-year timeframe, including management of yard waste and operations of the sites. The county is committed to ensuring residential yard waste, including wood waste, is properly managed through accessible and convenient methods, including at county owned and operated yard waste sites.
The county maintains and operates seven yard waste sites available to residents. The sites are open five days per week from April through November (weather permitting) and are open on weekends during the winter. Wood waste is accepted at four of the sites; other yard waste is accepted at all seven sites. The sites are heavily used, with an average of about 400,000 site visits annually. An average of 40,000 to 45,000 tons of yard waste and 25,000 to 30,000 tons of wood waste is received annually.
The proposed site improvements include converting gravel and crushed asphalt surfaces to durable cement-paved surfaces in significant areas of the four yard waste sites that receive wood waste and brush. The current surfaces require ongoing maintenance and repair due to the impacts of heavy machinery and thousands of residential vehicles. Durable cement pavement has an increased life span, reducing ongoing maintenance costs and increasing efficiencies of processing. It also decreases airborne dust at the sites, improving air quality for residents and employees. High-quality site surfaces provide for a safer, better experience for residents and smoother hauling operations, and also are necessary for proper surface water runoff management in accordance with the Ramsey County Storm Water Management Plan.
Proposed site improvements also include replacing the existing utility sheds at all seven yard waste sites with modern attendant booths to serve as workstations for county employees. Modern attendant booths will improve work conditions for county employees, increase site safety for the public and increase security for equipment stored on site.
end
County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Ramsey County is committed to ensuring residential yard and wood waste is properly managed through accessible and convenient methods, including free drop-off at county-owned and operated yard waste sites. The sites are heavily used, receiving on average about 400,000 site visits per year. Maintaining and operating these sites is critical to providing equitable access for all residents to properly manage and dispose of their yard and wood waste.
Community Participation Level and Impact
On September 4, 2025, this capital request was presented to and approved by the Capital Improvement Program Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CIPAC). The CIPAC provides citizens with the opportunity to participate in the development and adoption of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The CIPAC consists of up to 14 citizens appointed by the county board, along with county staff, who review requests and make recommendations to the county board.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The $4,000,000 request for Capital Improvements for the seven county-owned yard waste sites will be funded by the Solid Waste Fund. These investments would be paid for out of the County’s Solid Waste Fund. There would be no additional requests for funding and there is no request for levy funding or bonding.
Last Previous Action
On November 25, 2025, a policy update on the development of the Wood Waste Management Plan was presented to the board, which included information on the capital improvements being requested for the yard waste sites.
Attachments
1. Environmental Health Capital Improvement Program Proposal