8.1 SR 05-19-2025The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community
engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity
Request for Action
To
City Council
Item Number
8.1
Meeting Date
May 19, 2025
Prepared By
Joseph Hale, Environmental Services and Projects
Specialist
Item Description
Transition Organic Recycling Program to Sherburne
County
Reviewed by
Justin Femrite
Cal Portner
Tina Allard
Action Requested
Approve, by motion, direction to allow Sherburne County's organic recycling program to operate in place of
the city's current program.
Background/Discussion
The City of Elk River has been involved with organics recycling since 2009, when a curbside pilot project was
implemented.
Since that time, the program has shifted to a voluntary drop-off program, which provides compost bins, bags,
and drop-off locations to any participants. Sherburne County is in the process of implementing a new county-
wide organic recycling program, which would duplicate the city's current program.
In an effort to prevent redundancy, Sherburne County has proposed taking over the city's efforts and serving
city participants under their program. Their program will provide drop-off locations at two of the three
locations currently used by the city, including Public Works and City Hall. The Elk River Landfill, which has a
dumpster for the city's program, is not included as a drop-off location for the county. However, this site
received minimal use compared to the two other locations, and participants will also be allowed to drop off at
other locations throughout the county.
Additionally, Sherburne County would assume responsibility for purchasing supplies and hauling materials.
They will be providing compost bins and bags to the city for distribution to program participants, so there will
be no changes to the services provided to participants.
Financial Impact
We anticipate eliminating $18,000 from future budgeting for migrating the service to the county program.
Mission/Policy/Goal
Together we win.
Page 173 of 197
Attachments
None
Page 174 of 197