DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreements With Cities And Dakota County Drug Task Force For Pharmaceutical Drug Collection Programs
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners supports public safety and protection of public health and the environment; and
WHEREAS, the nonmedical use and disposal of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications (pharmaceuticals) are growing problems in the United States; and
WHEREAS, expired or unwanted pharmaceuticals from households have traditionally been disposed of by flushing them down the toilet or drain, which can cause pollution in wastewater and which has been demonstrated to cause adverse effects to fish and other aquatic life; and
WHEREAS, pharmaceuticals are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse; and
WHEREAS, removing expired or unwanted pharmaceuticals from the possibility of potential abuse and keeping them out of the environment are important goals; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 11-514 (October 18, 2011), the County Board authorized an interim collection program for unused, unwanted, or expired pharmaceuticals by installing drop-boxes in the cities of West St Paul and Burnsville and at the Dakota County Law Enforcement Center in Hastings; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 13-042 (January 22, 2013), the County Board authorized staff to implement a pharmaceutical drug collection program (Program) for the collection and proper disposal of pharmaceuticals, including controlled substances, by installing secure drop boxes at the cities of Apple Valley, Eagan, Farmington, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, Rosemount, and South St. Paul to expand on the Program already in place at the Dakota County Law Enforcement Center in Hastings and at the West St. Paul and Burnsville Police Departments; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 18-324 (June 19, 2018), the County Board authorized staff to continue the Program; and
WHEREAS, the Program continues to be successful, growing from collecting 1,200 pounds in 2011 to 11,800 pounds of pharmaceuticals in 2021; and
WHEREAS, the joint powers agreements that were authorized in 2018 are expiring, and the cities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, Rosemount, South St. Paul, and West St. Paul have expressed interest in continuing Program participation; and
WHEREAS, the Drug Task Force has expressed interest in continuing its role in the Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Division Director to execute separate joint powers agreements with the cities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, Rosemount, South St. Paul, and West St. Paul and the Dakota County Drug Task Force to continue pharmaceutical collection programs for residents, as substantially presented to the Physical Development Committee of the Whole on August 16, 2022, subject to funding levels approved by the County Board as part of the annual budget, and subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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