Sponsor: Public Health
Title
title
Yard Waste and Food Scraps Reciprocal Use Agreement
end
Recommendation
recommendation
1. Approve the Reciprocal Use Agreement with Washington County for the period upon execution through December 31, 2029.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the agreement.
end
Background and Rationale
body
Ramsey County operates seven-yard waste sites, four located in Saint Paul and three located in northern suburbs. All sites accept leaves, grass clippings, and other soft plant material, four of the seven sites also accept tree and shrub waste. In addition, all sites accept food scraps which includes food scraps and compostable paper products. Washington County continues to develop collection sites where services are needed.
This Reciprocal Use Agreement allows residents in Ramsey and Washington counties use of yard waste facilities in both counties. The agreement includes four of the Ramsey County sites: Arden Hills, Battle Creek, Frank & Sims, and White Bear Township sites due to geographic proximity to Washington County. The other three sites are not part of the agreement due to location and seasonal constraints on site use capacities. The agreement would include food scraps at the yard waste sites but would not include use of finished compost at Ramsey County facilities as demand by Ramsey County residents alone typically exceeds current supply.
Each county would calculate annual operating costs and annually invoice the other county for use of its facilities. The term of the Reciprocal Use Agreement would commence upon execution of the Agreement and shall terminate on December 31, 2029.
Public Health has designed this agreement to assure that service to Ramsey County residents is not compromised. Specifically, either county can remove a site from availability should service be negatively affected, and promotion of site availability is initially limited and is always reviewed by both counties.
end
County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The yard waste and food scraps collection system are available to all residents at no cost. This service provides additional opportunities to dispose of these materials at no cost. Public Health invests in outreach and educational efforts to reach underrepresented communities to overcome barriers and bring about parity across our community. Currently, Public Health does not have quantitative demographic data on who uses yard waste sites, but anecdotally the sites use is diverse and representative of the population. The Reciprocal Use Agreement provides a mechanism for all residents in Ramsey and Washington counties access to yard waste and food scraps collection services regardless of their place of residency within the two counties.
Community Participation Level and Impact
These programs rely on community participation to work. Success in proper waste management of yard waste and food scraps depends on residents having access to resources when discarding materials, and that depends on providing a convenient system of drop-off sites. Reciprocal use of yard waste and food scraps collection services increases that level of convenience to residents of Ramsey and Washington counties by expanding the number and proximity of collection locations.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☒ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Any increase in Ramsey County's expenses for Washington County residents using its Yard Waste and Food Scrap sites will be reimbursed by Washington County. Similarly, any increase in Washington County's costs for Ramsey County residents using its sites will be reimbursed by Ramsey County.
Under the current Joint Powers Agreement, Ramsey County pays an average of $5,500 per year to Washington County for access to its sites, while Washington County pays about $18,000 annually for use of Ramsey County's sites. Overall, this results in a net gain of $13,000 per year to Ramsey County.
Last Previous Action
On September 17, 2019, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved the Yard Waste and Organics Reciprocal Use Agreement with Washington through December 31, 2024 (Resolution B2019-206).
Attachments
1. Yard Waste and Food Scraps Reciprocal Use Agreement