Laserfiche WebLink
Elk REQUEST FOR ACTION <br /> River <br /> TO ITEM NUMBER <br /> Mayor and City Council 4.8 <br /> AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY <br /> Consent April 15, 2013 Rebecca Haug, Environmental <br /> Administrator <br /> ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED By <br /> Resolution of Support for Hosting a Minnesota GreenCorps Suzanne Fischer, COD Director <br /> Member Jeremy Barnhart, COD Deputy <br /> Director <br /> REVIEWED BY <br /> Cal Portner, City Administrator <br /> ACTION REQUESTED <br /> Adopt by motion the attached resolution for the city to enter into an agreement with the Minnesota <br /> Pollution Control Agency (MPCA),if chosen as a host site for one GreenCorps member. <br /> BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION <br /> Minnesota GreenCorps is a statewide initiative to help preserve and protect Minnesota's environment <br /> while training a new generation of environmental professionals. The MPCA started the program in <br /> September 2009 to address the following statewide needs: <br /> • Respond to higher energy costs by local governments. <br /> • Assist community members to take eco-friendly actions. <br /> • Reduce greenhouse gases and other air pollutants. <br /> • Transition to a green economy. <br /> • Train new environmental professionals. <br /> Minnesota GreenCorps is a statewide program designed to include members supported and deployed by <br /> the MPCA. Eligible host sites include local governments, school districts, educational institutions,and <br /> nonprofit organizations. For-profit entities are not eligible to serve as host sites. Members are placed at a <br /> host site from September 2013 through July 2014 and are required to carry out one or two specific <br /> projects. This program is funded through a grant from the Corporation for National and Community <br /> Service as well as through ServeMinnesota. <br /> The city hosted a GreenCorps member from September 2010 through July 2011. The member focused <br /> on energy conservation and worked primarily on Project Conserve,the city's 133 Benchmarking program <br /> and the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Action Plan. <br /> If selected to participate,the member will work on waste prevention and recycling items.They will be <br /> responsible for expanding the city's recycling and organics program and assisting local schools with waste <br /> prevention and recycling initiatives. They will also encourage sustainability at Hockey Day MN 2014, by <br /> F 0 W I A E D a r <br /> 1`4 f U R E <br />