05-23-2022 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM 6A STAFF ORIGINATOR: Andy Nelson, Environmental Coordinator MEETING DATE: May 23, 2022 TOPIC: Consideration of Resolution No. 22-60, Approving Water Efficiency Grant VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5 BACKGROUND Smart irrigation controllers have been found to reduce water use by up to 50%. If smart irrigation controllers were installed at all addresses currently connected to municipal water, it could lead to a 20% savings on yearly water pumped in the entire City. One of the most impactful and easy to implement options to improve our water conservation efforts in the City involves increasing the efficiency of outdoor irrigation. The City has implemented a smart irrigation controller program for the last two years. Staff continues to monitor water usage data for the properties that have installed smart controllers. Additional data will be collected in the coming years to gage the benefit of the controllers at individual addresses. GRANT INFORMATION The State of Minnesota has made Legacy Amendment Clean Water Funds available to the Metropolitan Council to establish a water demand reduction grant program. This program is intended to encourage municipalities in the metropolitan area to implement measures to reduce water demand to ensure the reliability and protection of drinking water supplies. Purchase of smart irrigation controllers is an eligible expense under this program. Staff submitted a grant proposal for this program that has been approved for funding. The $24,000 award must be met with a 20% match. For the program total of $30,000, the City match is $6,000. To accept these funds, the City must enter into a contract with the state, ensuring that work is completed as described in the plan. The plan includes using the grant funds to purchase irrigation controllers to be sold during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons. Residents will be able to purchase controllers at an 80% discount.