Sponsor: Public Health
Title
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Amendment to Joint Powers Agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for Hazardous Waste Inspections
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the amendment to Joint Powers Agreement with the state of Minnesota, acting through its Commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road North, Saint Paul MN 55155, for hazardous waste inspections, for a period of March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2027.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the amended Joint Powers Agreement.
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Background and Rationale
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Ramsey County and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) share a mutual interest in the protection of the environment and enhancing the resources each contributes to the regulation of hazardous waste activities within the county by coordinating county hazardous waste management activities with the MPCA's Hazardous Waste Management Program. The implementation of the joint power’s agreement intends to minimize duplication of efforts by Ramsey County Environmental Health Division and the MPCA. This will result in efficiencies and cost-effective use of staff time, resources and provide consistency to regulated businesses. The joint powers agreement will also enhance the protection of human health and the environment through coordinated hazardous waste management in the regulation of hazardous waste activities.
The framework established by this agreement allows the MPCA to include county inspections conducted in accordance with the agreement, towards the reporting requirements of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This will provide a more complete perspective of the hazardous waste regulatory efforts that exist within Minnesota. The joint powers agreement describes how the county and the MPCA will jointly coordinate inspections, investigations, and enforcement activities to ensure compliance with Minnesota Rules, Chapter 7045 (Hazardous Waste Rules) and Ramsey County’s Hazardous Waste Management Ordinance Resolution 2008-082.
The joint powers agreement solidifies the existing collaboration between the MPCA and Ramsey County. There are clear benefits to having hazardous waste regulation at the county level in addition to establishing a joint powers agreement with the MPCA. This agreement provides Ramsey County access to other regulations outside of hazardous waste such as air quality and storm water. Access to other regulatory resources improves response time and resources used in times of need. Ramsey County licenses over 1,800 hazardous waste generators, including 28 Large Quantity Generators, 72 Small Quantity Generators and approximately 1,718 Very Small Quantity Generator.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
This agreement will provide Ramsey County Environmental Health direct access to resources and regulations provided by the MPCA. With this access the county can more fully protect the communities most impacted by the businesses the county regulates. The joint powers agreement will help ensure that Ramsey County and MPCA are applying regulations in a consistent and equitable way. This not only ultimately benefits the racially and ethnic diverse communities that surround the businesses that are being regulated but also those who live in Ramsey County.
Community Participation Level and Impact
The Ramsey County community has been engaged and supportive of the joint power’s agreement. A neighborhood group, Neighborhood Concerned Citizen Groups, has been vocal about its desire for both regulatory agencies to identify the current gaps. By entering into a joint power’s agreement, Ramsey County recognizes the importance of collaboration with the MPCA and believes the agreement will address the community’s concerns regarding gaps in regulation.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
There are no fiscal impacts to this agreement.
Last Previous Action
On February 8, 2022, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved a Joint Powers Agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for Hazardous Waste Inspections (Resolution B2022-047).
Attachments
1. Joint Powers Agreement