DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization For Second Amendment To Joint Powers Agreement With City Of Mendota Heights To Operate Residential Food Scraps Drop-Off Site
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of a second joint powers agreement (JPA) amendment with the City of Mendota Heights for continued operations of the residential food scraps drop-off site located at Mendakota Park (Attachment: Second Amendment to JPA).
SUMMARY
Metropolitan counties are responsible for waste management policy and programs (Minn. Stat. ? 115A.551). By Resolution No. 25-456 (September 23, 2025), the County Board adopted the 2024-2044 Solid Waste Management Plan (Solid Waste Management Plan). The Solid Waste Management Plan includes a tactic for continued collaboration and assistance with municipalities for residential food scraps drop-off sites. The plan also includes a strategy for residential curbside organics collection to be available in suburban areas by 2030 and a tactic to expand food scrap drop-off sites to areas not served by residential curbside organics collection (e.g., apartments).
Dakota County receives Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment (SCORE) funds from the State of Minnesota to implement landfill abatement programs. The County is required to expend a portion of State funds on organics programming (Minn. Stat. ? 115A.557). Since 2016, using allocated SCORE funds, residential food scraps drop-off sites have been successfully implemented at 11 locations in the county with over 11,800 registered households.
Dakota County and the City of Mendota Heights executed a JPA in 2021 for a six-year term to operate a residential food scraps drop-off site at Mendakota Park, 2171 Dodd Road, Mendota Heights. The JPA provides reimbursements to the City of Mendota Heights for recurring operational costs (compostable bag costs, organics hauling). A First Amendment to the JPA was approved by the Cou...
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