3.9. SR 07-12-2010REQUEST FOR ACTION
TO ITEM NUMBER
Ci Council 3.9.
AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY
Consent July 12, 2010 Nicki Blake-Bradley, Environmental
Technician
ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED BY
Letter of Support for Two Minnesota GreenCorps Members Rebecca Haug, Environmental
Administrator
REVIEWED BY
Lori ohnson, Ci Administrator
ACTION REQUESTED
Staff requests the City Council approve the Letter of Support for two MN GreenCorps members.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Minnesota GreenCorps is a statewide initiative to help preserve and protect Minnesota's environment
while training a new generation of environmental professionals. Minnesota GreenCorps is coordinated
by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and started in September 2009. It was initiated in
response to a variety of statewide needs aiming to:
• Respond to higher energy costs by local governments
^ Assist community members to take eco-friendly actions
^ Reduce greenhouse gases and other air pollutants
^ Transition to a green economy
^ Train new environmental professionals
Minnesota GreenCorps is a statewide program that is designed to include members supported and
deployed by the MPCA. Eligible host sites include local governments, school districts, educational
institutions, and nonprofit organizations. For-profit entities are not eligible to serve as host sites.
Placement will be from September 2010 through July 2011. Typically, teams of two Minnesota
GreenCorps members will be placed at a host site. Members will carry out one or two specific projects.
This program is funded through a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service as
well as through ServeMinnesota.
For the past couple of years, staff has indicated a desire for an Energy City Coordinator position. When
this opportunity arose, this seemed to be a perfect fit for the work that the Coordinator position would
have been responsible for. Also, with the City's new organics program starting and a business recycling
program being in the infancy stages, this again seemed like a perfect opportunity. So staff filled out the
attached application requesting two members to assist in Energy City initiatives and in the City's recycling
programs. The member assigned to Energy City initiatives will also be working with the Elk River
Municipal Utilities on the Project Conserve Phase II. One of the requirements is a Letter of Support
from the City indicating its commitment.
C:\Documents and Settings\XPMUser\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK66\MN GreenCorps - RCA.doc
Although Elk River was not chosen in 2009 as a host site due to intense competition, the MPCA urged
staff to apply again since more GreenCorps members will be available in the second year.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The City will have no financial impacts as the Minnesota GreenCorps members axe provided with
stipends of $11,800 through the MPCA for completing a 1,700 hour term of service. Upon completion of
their term of service, members are awarded an additional $5,850 as an educational award that can be used
to pay fox their further higher education or toward payment of existing student loans. Members are also
offered a health insurance option. Workers compensation for Minnesota GreenCorps members is
covered by the MPCA.
ATTACHMENTS
^ Letter of Support
Action Motion by Second by Vote
Follow Up
C:\Documents and Settings\XPMUser\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK6G\MN GreenCorps - RCA.doc
July 12, 2010
Stephanie Souter
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
520 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155
RE: 2010 - 2011 Minnesota GreenCorps Host Site Application
Dear Ms. Souter:
On behalf of the City of Elk River, I would like to express our interest in partnering with the
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Minnesota GreenCorps, an AmeriCorps program by
hosting two members. The members will be instrumental in helping to get baseline data and
promote Energy City's demonstration site tours and Project Conserve while expanding the City's
recycling and resource conservation efforts.
The Energy Conservation and Air Quality member will have the opportunity to work with the
Elk River Municipal Utility, Energy City Commission, and the City's Economic Development
and Environmental Departments by promoting Energy City activities such as the Project
Conserve program, which is working with up to 500 families during Phase II to reduce their
electric, fuel, natural gas, and water consumption and to reduce garbage production. This
member will also help with the planning efforts for the Energy Expo scheduled for February,
2011.
The Living Green Outreach member will be working on promoting and expanding participation
in the City's new environmental programs as well as educating residents and businesses about
the importance of recycling and conservation regarding water and electricity (and their
interconnectedness).
If the Ciry of Elk River is selected as a host site, I believe the members selected will be provided
with useful skills to further their career in the environmental field. I look forward to working
with the two members if selected. Please note, the City would be willing to accept a single
member if both are not able to be awarded. That person would fill the Energy Conservation and
Air Quality position. Thank you for your time and consideration of our proposal.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Klinzing
Mayor of the City of Elk River