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<br /> <br /> STAFF REPORT <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />To: Mayor Fischer and Members of the City Council <br /> <br />From: Evan Glunz, Utility Billing and Administrative Support Specialist <br />Laura Linehan, Assistant City Administrator <br /> <br />Date: April 8, 2026 <br /> <br />Re: Grant Application for the Metropolitan Council Water Efficiency Grant Program <br /> <br />Action To Be CONSIDERED: <br />Motion to approve, table, or deny the following: <br />• Approve the City of Little Canada submitting an application for the Metropolitan Council <br />Water Efficiency Grant Program <br /> <br />Background: <br />The Met Council created the Water Efficiency grant program in 2015 to help growing <br />communities reduce water consumption and future infrastructure costs. Through this program, <br />the Metropolitan Council has been awarded funds from the Minnesota Clean Water, Land, and <br />Legacy Amendment to provide grants to communities to support the purchase and installation of <br />products that reduce water use. <br /> <br />Cities and townships served by a municipal water supply system can receive grants ranging from <br />$5,000 to $75,000 to help lower costs for residents, commercial properties, and government <br />facilities that purchase and install replacement water-efficient products. Additionally, cities may <br />request an additional $10,000 if they implement a low-income cost assistance option. Eligible <br />purchases include toilets, washing machines, dishwashers, Showerheads, Faucets, irrigation <br />systems, and more. <br /> <br />As part of the requirements, municipalities are responsible for designing and operating their <br />rebate or grant program and detailing it. Met Council grant funds will cover 80% of program <br />costs, with a required 20% local government match. Residents must pay a portion of the cost for <br />any device or water-use audit they purchase. Municipalities are also responsible for quarterly <br />reporting. <br /> <br />The proposed grant application is considered a renewal. On March 25, 2024, the City of Little <br />Canada submitted a grant application, and on May 24, 2024, the city was approved for funding. <br />Over the past two years, the city has approved 14 reimbursement applications. <br /> <br />For this cycle, staff plans to request $33,500 in total for the following: <br />• $26,800 for standard applicants; <br />• $5,000 for low-income cost-assistance applicants