Minnetonka staff reports multiple climate grants, green cost‑share pilot and youth microgrants; summer outreach scheduled

At the May 19 meeting the city’s sustainability staff reported several recent grant awards and upcoming outreach events.

Staff said the city had been selected for a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency local climate action implementation grant to pilot a green cost‑share program that would provide rebates for insulation, air sealing, air‑source heat pumps, heat‑pump water heaters and even e‑bikes. The program remains preliminary — agreements are being finalized — and staff said a pilot could be active in 2026 through early 2027.

Staff also said the city was awarded an MPCA planning grant to study electrification and energy efficiency at about 11 municipal facilities to identify opportunities to transition fossil‑fuel appliances to electric options.

In addition, staff reported city council approved participation in a Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund award that will provide up to $50,000 for microgrants (about $5,000 each) for youth climate projects; staff expect the sustainability commission to help review and select awardees in a later step.

Separately, staff outlined outreach and ambassador opportunities: Farmers' Market tabling (June 9 and July 14), the Everything Electric Summerfest event (June 27) with EV displays and children’s activities, and volunteer slots. Commissioner Patane reported the commission’s third annual clothing swap reused 2,176 pounds of clothing and drew roughly 375 attendees.