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STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: October 21, 2025 <br />REGULAR <br />TO:City Council <br />FROM:Tony Manzara, EDA Chair & Jason Stopa, Community Development Director <br />AGENDA ITEM:Landfill Solar Farm <br />CORE STRATEGIES: <br />☒ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☐ Efficient, reliable, innovative services <br />☒ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☒ Balanced Finances now and future <br />☒ Managed Growth ☒ Resilient Infrastructure <br />BACKGROUND <br />The EDA has explored the feasibility of developing a solar farm on a former city landfill site <br />(PID:1002921330002). In 2014, the Washington County landfill underwent a restructuring financed by <br />approximately $4 million in general obligation bonds issued by the state. As a result of this financial arrangement, it <br />is understood that the land cannot be further developed until the bond status is removed from the land. In 2024, <br />$3,220,546 remains on the bond. The City is trying to determine if it is possible to construct a solar farm without <br />paying off the bond. <br />Current Bonding Status: <br />During recent discussions with Roger Behrens, a Capital Bonding Coordinator for the state of Minnesota in the <br />Debt Management Division, it was communicated that paying off the bonds tied to the Washington County Landfill <br />does not automatically remove the land’s bond status. This status imposes certain use restrictions that currently <br />prevent the development of solar infrastructure. Similarly, Shawn Ruotsinoja, Program Administrator for the <br />Remediation Division of the MPCA has echoed this perspective, affirming the likely need for legislative <br />intervention to alter the bond status. <br />To enable the redevelopment of the landfill into a solar facility, the city would most likely need to pursue special <br />legislation. Such legislation would specifically address the bond status and allow for its amendment or removal, <br />thus clearing legal and regulatory hurdles for progress. <br />We are currently researching to see if it is possible to develop a solar farm without paying the bonds. <br />NEXT STEPS <br />The next steps include: <br />1.Staff could contact Xcel or industry experts to confirm the requirement to pay off the bonds <br />2.Legal could review to determine if there are statutes that would allow development <br />3.Consider hiring a lobbyist, if needed <br />FISCAL IMPACT: <br />Cost based on time spent on consultants. A preliminary review by the City Attorney would be a few thousand <br />dollars.