Administration - Rebecca Haug, Water Resources Manager
Title
Accepting GreenCorps Application
Executive Summary
The City of Blaine has applied to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to host an AmeriCorps member from the Minnesota GreenCorps, a program of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), for the 2021-2022 program year. The goal of the member's position will be to work directly with the Blaine business community as well as the public to create awareness about water quality issues such as chloride. The position will also work to develop methods to track and determine an incentive program for those who make positive changes.
Background
The Minnesota GreenCorps program, coordinated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, aims to preserve and protect Minnesota’s environment while training a new generation of environmental professionals.
Each year, the program places approximately 50 AmeriCorps members with host organizations around the state to help communities increase resilience to climate change by:
• Reducing solid waste and increasing recycling
• Reducing greenhouse gases and other air pollutants
• Reducing water runoff and improving water quality
• Encouraging eco-friendly behavior
Members serve at their host sites for 11 months, from mid-September through mid-August. Host sites include cities, counties, tribal nations, public schools, universities, watershed districts, and nonprofit organizations.
Since the program launched in 2009, Minnesota GreenCorps members have implemented environmental service projects educating youth; coordinating multi-modal transportation events; conducting energy benchmarking, waste sorts, and tree inventories; removing invasive species; planting trees; and building rain gardens. These projects increase the resilience of Minnesota communities to the impacts of climate change.
Minnesota GreenCorps is an AmeriCorps program. Funding is provided through a grant from ServeMinnesota, AmeriCorps, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Participating host site organizations also provide in-kind resources.
Strategic Plan Relationship
Reducing chloride and other pollutants from storm water aligns with the City’s strategic plan goal of well-maintained infrastructure by providing a high quality storm sewer system.
Board/Commission Review
N/A
Financial Impact
There is no financial impact to the city as Minnesota GreenCorps is an AmeriCorps program. Funding is provided through a grant from ServeMinnesota, AmeriCorps, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Public Outreach/Input
N/A
Staff Recommendation
By motion, approve the Resolution.
Attachment List
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Blaine has applied to host an AmeriCorps member from the Minnesota GreenCorps, a program of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), for the 2021-2022 program year; and
WHEREAS, if the MPCA selects the City of Blaine, the organization is committed to implementing the proposed project as described in the host site application, and in accordance with prescoped position description;
WHEREAS, the MPCA requires that the City of Blaine enter into a host site agreement with the MPCA that identifies the terms, conditions, roles and responsibilities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the City of Blaine hereby agrees to enter into and sign a host site agreement with the MPCA to carry out the member activities specified therein and to comply with all of the terms, conditions, and matching provisions of the host site agreement and authorizes and directs, City Manager to sign the grant agreement on its behalf.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 5th day of April, 2021.