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STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: June 4th 2024 <br /> CONSENT <br /> <br />TO: Honorably Mayor and City Council <br />FROM: Clark Schroeder Interim City Administrator <br />AGENDA ITEM: Metropolitan Council Water Efficiency Grant Agreement <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />In March, staff applied for another Met Council Water Efficiency Grant, similar to the one the <br />city received in 2022. In May, we learned the city had been awarded a $50,000 grant. The grant <br />agreement is included in your packet for review and approval. This grant period runs from July1, <br />2024-June 30, 2026. <br /> <br />ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: <br />Should the City Council approve the Grant Agreement with the Metropolitan Council for the Water <br />Efficiency Grant? <br /> <br />PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: <br />The Metropolitan Council will reimburse 80% of the cost of the water efficiency replacement rebate <br />program. We will expand the program to apply to all grant eligible activities: <br />Eligible water efficiency devices consist of the following: <br />• Toilet replacement with a US EPA WaterSense labeled toilet <br />• Irrigation controller replacement with a US EPA WaterSense labeled controller, either weather-based or <br />soil moisture-based <br />• Clothes washing machine replacement with a US DOE Energy Star labeled clothes washing machine <br />• Irrigation system audit by an Irrigation Professional certified by a US EPA WaterSense program <br /> <br />Staff will prepare advertisements, mailings, newsletters, online updates and social media updates to <br />residents to encourage participation in the program. <br /> <br />Residents who are municipal water customers will be required to submit proof of purchase of an eligible <br />device and will receive reimbursement as a rebate posted to their water account the following quarter. <br />New construction and new developments are not eligible <br /> <br />FISCAL IMPACT: <br />The grant provides for an initial reimbursement of up to $50,000. Additional funding is available if there is <br />a greater level of program participation than anticipated. The city must provide a 20% match ($12,500) of <br />any Met Council grant funds for a total two year budget of $62,500. In addition, the city and met council <br />contributions cannot cover 100% of the cost of the purchase. To simplify meeting this requirement, the <br />city will ask that water customers cover an amount equal to the sales tax associated with the purchase. <br /> <br />OPTIONS: <br />1) Approve the Clean Water Fund Grant Agreement with the Metropolitan Council <br />2) Do not approve the Clean Water Fund Grant Agreement with the Metropolitan Council <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />If removed from the consent agenda: