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Maplewood commission sets 2026 priorities: climate mitigation review, trash/recycling RFP timing, and outreach plans
Summary
Staff presented a 2026 work plan that includes beginning an RFP process for residential trash and recycling contracts ahead of their 07/01/2027 expiration, a timeline for climate mitigation plan review (draft review March 11; final review in May), and outreach events including WaterFest on May 31.
Staff presented the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission's draft 2026 work plan and led discussion on implementation priorities, procurement timing, and public outreach.
According to the staff presentation, the city’s annual residential trash and recycling contracts (recycling: Tennis Sanitation; trash: Republic Services) will expire on 07/01/2027. Staff recommended beginning the RFP process roughly 18 months before the contract end date and said, "So we really should start on that, real soon, this spring." The commission agreed that an early RFP process would allow review of service levels (carts, tonnage, materials) and potential improvements.
On the climate mitigation plan, staff said the draft will be presented for commission review on March 11 and that the final review is scheduled for May (staff corrected the date in response to a question and identified May 13 as the final-review timeframe). Staff intends to invite the public to the March meeting and run outreach (resident and business surveys) to inform the plan. Staff also noted related items the commission would consider, including aligning green building code amendments with expected statewide energy-code updates in 2027.
Commissioners discussed outreach and staffing options to support implementation: volunteering a booth at WaterFest (scheduled for Saturday, May 31), partnering with Friends of Maplewood Nature, continuing service projects with Century College students, and exploring an intern (staff said the Climate Corps disbanded for lack of funding but a state-funded Green Corps or university virtual intern may be options). Commissioners also requested a calendar of outreach and event dates so they can plan participation.
Staff closed by saying it will summarize tonight’s input, produce a calendar of events and presentations (including a planned stormwater management presentation about which staff expects to invite an engineer and possibly a Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District representative), and return with a refined work plan at the next meeting.
