City Council Meeting Date: October 6, 2026
To: Mayor and Members of Council
City Administrator
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
David Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Authorize Staff to apply for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Organic Management Grant
Body
Action Requested:
City Council is asked to approve a motion to allow staff to apply for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Organics Management Grant.
Summary Report:
At its December 2025 meeting, the City Council removed organics recycling from the residential waste contract. Since that time, staff have conducted additional research on residential organics recycling programs, including legal and policy considerations, participation rates, and implementation approaches used by other Minnesota communities.
At its August 3, 2026 meeting, City Council directed staff to prepare timelines and other relevant information for a universal residential curbside organics recycling program for further Council review and consideration. As part of this work, staff identified the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Climate Smart Food Systems grant opportunity as a potential source of funding to support elements of a residential organics recycling program.
The MPCA has approximately $6 million available statewide through the Climate Smart Food Systems grant program for projects that expand participation in Minnesota's organics recycling system and reduce the amount of wasted food and food scraps disposed of through landfilling or incineration.
Key elements of the grant opportunity include:
• Residential education and outreach
• Program implementation
• Collection-related costs
• Measurement and evaluation
• A minimum 20 percent cash or in-kind match
The City has budgeted funds for residential education and outreach related to organics recycling. Staff would propose using these budgeted funds toward the required 20 percent match, allowing the City to leverage existing resources to expand the reach and scope of education and outreach efforts associated with the program.
City Plans & Policies Relevance:
Comprehensive Plan
Climate Action Plan
Alternative Options:
Financial Impacts:
If awarded, the required grant match would be supported through funds already budgeted in the Waste Fund.
|
Total Project Budget |
$250,800 |
|
MPCA Grant Funding Request |
$209,000 |
|
Required City Match (20% of request) *Note: From existing wastewater cash balance |
$41,800 |
Tentative Timelines:
October 6, 2026: City Council consideration of authorization to apply
November 25, 2026: Grant application deadline
June 2027: Potential grant-funded education, outreach, and program support, subject to grant award and City Council approval