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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/Administrative Support Specialist <br /> Laura Linehan, Assistant City Administrator <br /> <br />DATE: June 22, 2026 <br /> <br />RE: Metropolitan Council Clean Water Fund Grant Agreement Resolution <br /> <br />Action to be Considered <br />Motion to approve, table, or deny the following: <br />• Accept the grant funds for the Water Efficiency Grant Program and approve the <br />resolution authorizing execution of the agreement between the City of Little Canada <br />and the Metropolitan Council for the Metropolitan Council Clean Water Fund Grant <br />Program for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028. <br /> <br />Background: <br />The Metropolitan Council created the Water Efficiency Grant Program to help communities <br />reduce water consumption, protect drinking water supplies, and defer future infrastructure <br />costs. Through this program, the Metropolitan Council has been awarded funds from the <br />Minnesota Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment to provide grants to communities to <br />support the purchase and installation of products that improve water efficiency. <br /> <br />Cities and townships served by a municipal water supply system can receive grants between <br />$5,000 and $75,000 to reduce costs for residents, commercial properties, and government <br />facilities. For the 2026–2028 grant cycle, the Metropolitan Council expanded the program to <br />include additional eligible devices, municipal property projects, and a low-income cost <br />assistance option. <br /> <br />As part of the requirements, municipalities are responsible for the design and operation of <br />their rebate or grant program and its details. Met Council grant funds will cover 80% of <br />program costs, with a required 20% local government match. The new low-income assistance <br />funding applications are fully funded by the Metropolitan Council with no municipal match <br />required. Residents must pay a portion of the cost of any device or water use audit they <br />purchase. Municipalities are also responsible for quarterly reporting. <br /> <br />At the April 8 City Council meeting, the council authorized staff to apply for the grant. <br />Following that authorization, staff submitted the grant application to the Metropolitan Council. <br />On May 19, the Metropolitan Council approved grant awards and subsequently offered the city <br />a grant agreement with a maximum grant amount of $26,000. The required city match is <br />$5,250, resulting in a total program value of $31,250 available July 1, 2026, through June 30, <br />2028. <br /> <br />Grants are awarded to municipalities for providing rebates or grants to property owners who <br />purchase products labeled WaterSense or ENERGY STAR®.