5. OPEN FORUM HANDOUT 10-20-2014

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The Legacy Grant was the idea of Sherburne County Commissioner Rachel Leonard. Her motivation was to provide help to cities and townships to construct public buildings without using levy dollars. Her suggestion was to use landfill surcharge dollars and that the County award grants based on population. The Sherburne County Landfill Abatement Legacy Grant is able to award up to $1 million each year to cities and townships whose building or construction projects meet a minimum of at least 25 % post - consumer recycled materials. Grant amounts are based on September 2006 populations at $100 per capita. The recipients (Sherburne County cities and townships) are eligible for reimbursement only on the cost of the post- consumer recycled materials used in their projects. This idea was supported by the other County Commissioners, the County Administrator, and the County Solid Waste Officer, Dave Lucas. So far, three Landfill Abatement Legacy Grants have been awarded to Sherburne County Municipalities. Santiago Township, who submitted application for the 2006 fiscal year, was approved to construct a new multi- purpose facility. Big Lake Township and the City of Elk River were both awarded grants. Big Lake Township added a 24' x 68' addition to their town hall. The City of Elk River constructed a new public YMCA. All three projects required a great deal of teamwork. All three award winners worked closely with Sherburne County staff, the Sherburne County Solid Waste Advisory Committee, their architects and builders, and especially with residents of each municipality. Benefits to the Environment: By encouraging cities and townships in Sherburne County to incorporate post - consumer recycled materials in their building projects, we are trying to improve markets for post- consumer recycled materials. It is our primary goal to reduce the amount of waste being brought to the area landfills. This program would recognize post - consumer recycled products, which are currently in the marketplace. Post- consumer recycled materials could include, but are not limited to, recycled concrete, recycled wood, plastics, fiber materials, reclaimed and re- milled lumber, reprocessed paint, milled bituminous, steel products, windows, shingles, and many other post - consumer recycled building features and amenities. By reducing our dependency of landfilling waste items, we hope to encourage a larger market for manufacturers who are using building materials that have been diverted from the landfills and re -made into quality building products. Commitment and Leadership in Pollution Prevention: On ,February 6, 2007, the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners approved Santiago Township's Landfill Abatement Legacy Grant Application, Santiago Township applied to build a new multi - purpose facility that will contain a fire station, town meeting room, and sheriff's office sub - station. Santiago Township was awarded $173,800 to off -set the cost of post - consumer recycled materials. By accepting the grant, Santiago Township will provide certification to Sherburne County that at least 25 % of the structure is made from post - consumer recycled material. The second issued Landfill Abatement Legacy Grant was awarded to Big Lake Township on August 21, 2007. Big Lake Township was awarded $61,000 for a 24' x 68' addition to their town hall. The addition will include a new meeting room, new administrative offices, a work 34