HomeMy WebLinkAbout05(G) - Approve Water Efficiency Grant Application Report
City of Prior Lake | 4646 Dakota Street SE | Prior Lake MN 55372
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
ITEM: 5G
MEETING DATE: March 21, 2022
PREPARED BY: Christine Watson, Public Works Coordinator
PRESENTED BY: Andy Brotzler, Public Works Director/City Engineer
AGENDA ITEM: Approve Water Efficiency Grant Application
GOAL AREA
OBJECTIVE:
Environmental Stewardship & Recreation
1. Provide clean and safe drinking water for the community and
protect drinking water resources.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Authorize staff to submit a water efficiency grant application to the Met Council.
BACKGROUND:
The Metropolitan Council is renewing their water efficiency grant program to run for another two-
year cycle from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024. The program allows municipalities to offer
rebates to water customers who purchase and install water-efficient appliances and/or irrigation
devices. Cities may apply for any amount from $5,000 to $50,000 and they must provide a 20%
City match.
Our current grant program, which expires June 30, 2022, includes irrigation controllers but not
indoor appliances. We have issued 43 rebates in the amount of $4,109 ($3,089 from the Met
Council and $1,020 from the City). We have $4,911 of grant money available through June 30
this year, so we will actively promote the program this spring to encourage residents to take
advantage before the deadline.
Staff is requesting City Council authorization to apply for another two-year grant in the total
amount of $17,000 ($13,600 from the Met Council with a $3,400 City share). We recommend
expanding the program to include irrigation devices and indoor appliances as illustrated:
Item
Gal
Saved/Yr
# of
Rebates
Total Gal
Saved
Rebate
Max
Total
Rebate
City Cost
(20%)
MCES Cost
(80%)
Dishwasher 5,000 20 100,000 $300 $6,000 $1,200 $4,800
Toilet 7,500 25 187,500 $100 $2,500 $500 $2,000
Washing machine 3,000 20 60,000 $300 $6,000 $1,200 $4,800
Irrigation controller 8,000 25 200,000 $100 $2,500 $500 $2,000
547,500 $17,000 $3,400 $13,600
*The program allows flexibility so we can issue more rebates for one type of device than another if one
is clearly more popular with residents; we are not locked in to 20 or 25 of each type.
The draft application with supporting documentation is attached. Only the replacement of
existing appliances and toilets would be eligible for the rebate. A web page dedicated to this
program has been drafted and will go live if/when the grant is awarded at
(www.PriorLakeMN.gov/Rebate). Residents will use an online web form to submit their
Item 5G
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applications, which the Public Works staff will review and approve in the same manner as the
current program. Finance staff will issue rebate checks as needed throughout the program.
The 80% reimbursement from the Met Council will be received quarterly.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The City’s maximum contribution to the program will be $3,400. The City will pay the rebates to
the residents up-front, then get reimbursed 80% by the Met Council. Rebates will be paid from
the Water Utility Fund. Approximately ten (10) hours of staff time will be needed per month to
administer this program.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Motion and second as part of the consent agenda to authorize staff to submit a water
efficiency grant application to the Met Council as detailed in this report.
2. Motion and second to remove this item from the consent agenda for additional
discussion.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 20220321 Approve Water Efficiency Grant Application Submittal - Attach 1
Metropolitan Council Water Efficiency Grant Application Form
Applicant Information:
Municipality: _________________________________________________________________
Municipal Utility: ______________________________________________________________
Mailing Address: ______________________________________________________________
Primary Contact Information: Municipality primary authorized representative (all correspondence
regarding the Water Efficiency Grant Program should be addressed to individual named below):
NAME: _________________________________________________________________
TITLE: _________________________________________________________________
STREET: _________________________________________________________________
CITY, ZIP: _________________________________________________________________
PHONE: _________________________________________________________________
EMAIL: _________________________________________________________________
Secondary Contact Information: Municipality secondary authorized representative:
NAME: _________________________________________________________________
TITLE: _________________________________________________________________
STREET: _________________________________________________________________
CITY, ZIP: _________________________________________________________________
PHONE: _________________________________________________________________
EMAIL: _________________________________________________________________
Municipal Total Per Capita Water Use (2020): _________________ (gallons per person-day)
Municipal Residential Per Capita Water Use (2020): _________________ (gallons per person-day)
Municipal Ratio of Peak Month to Winter Month Water Use (2020): ________________
Municipality’s estimated annual water savings from proposed program: _______________ (gallons)
Program Design:
Requested Grant Amount (must equal 80% of total program budget): $______________________
Required Municipality Matching Amount (must equal 20% of total program budget): $______________
Total Program Budget (Requested Grant Amount + Match): $_____________________________
Example Calculation:
Requested Grant Amount $16,000 (80% of total)
Required Municipality Matching Amount $4,000 (20% of total)
Total Program Budget $20,000 (100% of total)
Will your program be a grant program or rebate program? ________________________________
Estimated Number of Items:
Item Estimated Number
Toilets
Irrigation Controllers
Clothes Washing Machines
Irrigation Spray Sprinkler Bodies
Irrigation System Audits
Dishwashers
2
Project Work Plan and Schedule:*
Task Description Responsible
Person
Start Date Completion
Date
*Municipality may create own project plan and schedule form
3
Communications to Property Owners:
How will your program be advertised (check all that apply):
Newsletter ____
Print Media ____
Email ____
Twitter ____
Website____
Radio ____
Television ____
Facebook ____
Nextdoor ____
Other Social Media ____
Please attach examples of proposed newsletter, print media, or email communications.
Critical Points to Remember:
• The applying municipality must be served by a municipal public water supply system
• New construction and new developments are not eligible
• A portion of each eligible activity’s cost must be paid by the property owner
• Funds are for rebates or grants only; consulting and city staff time are ineligible
• Grant recipients must display the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment logo and the
Metropolitan Council logo on program-related web pages and paper communications
4
Item
Gal
Saved/Yr
# of
Rebates
Total Gal
Saved
Rebate
Max
Total
Rebate
City Cost
(20%)
MCES Cost
(80%)
Dishwasher 5,000 20 100,000 $300 $6,000 $1,200 $4,800
Toilet 7,500 25 187,500 $100 $2,500 $500 $2,000
Washing machine 3,000 20 60,000 $300 $6,000 $1,200 $4,800
Irrigation controller 8,000 25 200,000 $100 $2,500 $500 $2,000
547,500 $17,000 $3,400 $13,600
City of Prior Lake Water Efficiency Grant Program Estimates
** WEBSITE PAGE **
https://www.priorlakemn.gov/rebate
Water Efficiency Rebates
The City is offering water efficiency rebates for the purchase of WaterSense/Energy Star home
appliances and irrigation system components. The City will reimburse 80% of the purchase cost (up to
$300 for washing machines and dishwashers, up to $100 for irrigation system components). The
following items are eligible for the rebate if they have the noted logos on the packaging:
Toilets (WaterSense)
Irrigation controllers (WaterSense)
Irrigation spray bodies (WaterSense)
Washing machines (Energy Star)
Dishwashers (Energy Star)
Use the Product Search on the EPA website to see if your appliance is WaterSense approved.
Terms and conditions of the program:
• Only Prior Lake water customers with non-delinquent accounts are eligible for the rebate
• Appliances must be replacing old, less-efficient appliances
• New construction homes are not eligible for the rebate
• Rebate funds are limited and distributed on a first come, first served basis
• Receipts must be dated July 1, 2022 or later to qualify (program runs through June 30, 2024)
Funding for the water efficiency rebate program is provided by the Metropolitan Council, Clean Water
Land and Legacy Funds, and the City of Prior Lake.
** SOCIAL MEDIA **
The water efficiency rebate program now includes home appliances!
The City of Prior Lake, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Council, is offering water efficiency rebates
to help offset the cost of upgrading to water-efficient appliances and irrigation equipment. The City will
reimburse 80% of the purchase cost of the appliance (up to $300 for washing machines and
dishwashers, up to $100 for irrigation system components). Certain limitations and exclusions apply,
learn more here
Irrigation controller rebates are available now!
Are you preparing your irrigation system for another season? Don’t forget to take advantage of our
rebate program for WaterSense smart irrigation controllers and spray bodies. The City will reimburse
80% of the cost of the equipment, up to $100 total. Rebates are offered on a first come first served
basis, so get your application in soon. Certain limitations and exclusions apply, learn more here
Want to save water AND save money? Learn how here