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area, and a climate - controlled storage area for archived records. The total cost of the addition is <br />estimated at $199,000 with the awarded $61,000 fiom the grant used for recycled materials used <br />in the project. <br />The third Landfill Abatement Legacy Grant was awarded in early September; the Sherburne <br />County Board of Commissioners approved a two million dollar Landfill Abatement Legacy <br />Grant, given out over three years, to the City of Elk River for the construction of a new YMCA. <br />The grant, which will be applied toward the bonds for the YMCA and in turn reduce the size of <br />levy needed over the next six years. According to Bill Maertz, Elk River Parks and Recreation <br />Director, more than 25% of the materials used in the construction project will be from recycled <br />materials. Maertz also stated that during the bidding process, bidders were required to submit <br />how much recycled material would be used. (Elk River Star News, September 12, 2007) With <br />the grant money, Elk River City Administrator, Lori Johnson, stated that the grant money will be <br />applied to taxes for the next six years. (Elk River Star News, September 12, 2007) <br />Innovation: <br />Minnesota Statute 115A919 requires counties to set aside monies for financial assurance and <br />landfill abatement purposes. Sherburne County sees this program as a unique opportunity to <br />implement landfill abatement. The Sherburne County Landfill Abatement Legacy Grant is <br />believed to be the first program in Minnesota of its kind. It is an opportunity for County <br />residents to see a portion of their garbage fees redistributed throughout the County. It also <br />increases the marketability of post - consumer recycled materials and will encourage more <br />manufacturers to create and continue creating products produced from post- consumer recycled <br />materials. <br />2006 RAM Award (see Attachment A): <br />Individuals or recent programs contributing to the betterment of recycling or other resource conservation <br />efforts in the State of Minnesota are eligible for RAM Awards. In 2006, Sherburne County <br />Commissioner Rachel Leonard received the Public Service Award for her efforts to promote the uses of <br />recycled materials in public buildings in her County. <br />2008 Governor's Awards for Waste and Pollution Prevention (See Attachment B): <br />Sherburne County Solid Waste Department — Landfill Abatement Legacy Grant received Honorable <br />Mention for this award: <br />A Model for Others: <br />The idea of reimbursing cities and townships for building community centers such as libraries, <br />town halls, and fire stations, that have been constructed using a minimum of 25% post - consumer <br />recycled materials, will have a positive effect on all cities and townships that take advantage of <br />this program. Sherburne County feels that by promoting a public building that has been built <br />using post- consumer recycled materials, community members will ask questions and examine <br />the quality of the buildings. Sherburne County feels that county residents will see that recycled <br />products are just as appealing, and durable as virgin products. The number of building products <br />using recycled materials is growing, however, these products tend to be more expensive than <br />virgin products. This makes it difficult for city and township officials to justify spending <br />taxpayer dollars on them. However, by reimbursing municipalities, public awareness will <br />increase, markets for recycled products will increase, prices for recycled material will decrease, <br />35 <br />