Sponsor: Public Health
Title
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Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Saint Anthony for Yard Waste and Food Scraps Collection Sites
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Saint Anthony for Use of Yard Waste and Food Scraps Collection Sites for the period of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2029.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the Joint Powers Agreement.
3. Authorize the County Manager to approve and execute amendments to renew the term of the agreement for four one-year periods with all other terms and conditions remaining the same, in a form approved by the County Attorney’s Office.
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Background and Rationale
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The Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between the city of Saint Anthony and Ramsey County, established to manage yard waste and food scrap recycling, ensures efficient service delivery for all Saint Anthony residents, including those in Hennepin County. Ramsey County’s longstanding policy allows only its residents to use its yard waste sites. However, since 2005, the city has requested that all its residents, including those in Hennepin County, be allowed access to these sites, agreeing to compensate the county for the additional costs incurred. The agreement, initially focused on yard waste, has been renewed multiple times, most recently expanding in 2019 to include food scrap collection, aligning with state mandates and solid waste management goals.
The rationale behind the JPA stems from the need to streamline waste management services across county lines, while ensuring compliance with county policies and state regulations. The city of Saint Anthony and Ramsey County agreed on an annual compensation model based on the proportion of city residents in Hennepin County, with the city forgoing its Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment (SCORE) funds to simplify administration. As a result, the city’s residents, regardless of county residency, now have access to Ramsey County's yard waste and food scrap collection sites. This partnership benefits both entities by reducing administrative complexity and enhancing service accessibility for Saint Anthony residents.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The JPA between the city of Saint Anthony and Ramsey County ensures equal access to yard waste and food scrap collection for all residents, whether they live in Hennepin or Ramsey County. Normally, Ramsey County's seven collection sites are restricted to its residents, but the JPA extends this service to Saint Anthony's Hennepin County residents as well, promoting equitable waste management access.
Food scraps, which make up about 20% of residential waste, are best managed through composting at Ramsey County collection sites. Within six months, these scraps are turned into compost, which can be used for gardens, landscaping, and construction, improving soil quality, and supporting biodiversity. This initiative also aligns with county goals like addressing food insecurity by boosting community gardening efforts.
Community Participation Level and Impact
City and county staff regularly gather community feedback to ensure the programs meet residents' needs and align with accessibility goals. Saint Anthony is eager to renew this JPAs, reflecting the success and satisfaction with the current system.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☒ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The JPA between Saint Anthony and Ramsey County has no net impact on the budget. By retaining Saint Anthony's share of SCORE funding, the county covers the additional costs of maintaining yard waste and food scrap collection sites used by Saint Anthony’s Hennepin County residents. The 2024 SCORE funding retained as part of the agreement was approximately $11,000. This funding ensures the continued operation of these sites without affecting the county’s budget.
Last Previous Action
On August 21, 2018, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved a Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Saint Anthony for Use of Yard Waste Management Sites (Resolution B2018-226).
Attachments
1. Joint Powers Agreement