Riverbank council approves one-year pilot to create 'Adopt a Storm Drain' program with external administrator

The City Council approved a one-year pilot of an adopt-a-storm-drain program and authorized up to $5,000 for program startup and the first-year membership.

Staff presented two options: an in-house program that would require staff time to develop materials, track volunteer activity and produce the MS4 reporting required by the state; or joining an existing program administered by Hamline University’s Center for Global Environmental Education for a one-time GIS upload and customization fee plus an annual membership. Staff recommended a budget of up to $5,000, which would cover the Hamline one-time setup fee of $1,800 and the initial annual membership/administration cost of $3,400.

Council discussion focused on program value and measurability. One council member asked how many inlets the city has and how many would need adoption to make the investment worthwhile; staff said that count would be provided but did not offer a take-rate estimate. Council members expressed concern about liability waivers, reporting quality and whether the program would reduce staff time sufficiently to justify the cost. Several members favored a pilot with the outside administrator; one council member voted no. A motion to pilot option 2 (join Hamline University program) for one year and collect data for evaluation passed 3–1.

Under the pilot, residents would register, select a nearby inlet to adopt and report debris types and quantities through the administrator’s platform; the administrator would produce the annual report needed for the city’s MS4 permit if the program is maintained. The council directed staff to collect data during the pilot and reassess after one year.