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Staff reports: recycling gains, tree‑grant removals and inventories, and smart‑salting outreach
Summary
City staff reported that a five‑city partnership diverted over thirty tons of material and saw a 70% increase in mattress collection; staff also began Met Council‑funded tree removals with spring replanting planned, completed most of a public‑tree inventory, and promoted MPCA smart‑salting training and Winter Salt Week outreach.
At its Jan. 7 meeting, West St. Paul Environmental Committee staff delivered several operational updates on recycling, urban forestry, grants and salt‑management outreach.
Courtney Selstad, recycling program staff, said the five participating cities diverted "over thirty tons of material from the landfill." Selstad reported 12 West St. Paul reuse and recycling events and seven education events in the prior period, highlighted a 70% increase in mattress collection, and said the city ran its first building‑materials collection in the south metro. She also described a pilot hazardous‑waste pickup for apartment residents with limited transportation and said a postcard will be mailed to residents announcing upcoming shred events and a crafts‑supply swap. Selstad told the committee the city is on track to achieve Step 4 in the GreenStep program.
Jess Hall updated the committee on tree‑program activity and grants. Hall said the city has begun tree removals funded by a Met Council Tree Grant and has issued an RFP to remove 15 street trees; additional removals are planned for park trees with replanting scheduled for spring. Hall reported the street‑tree inventory was completed last fall and that the park inventory is complete except for Marthaler and Garlough Parks, leaving most public trees inventoried. Hall also said the city is applying for a DNR ReLeaf Grant and an MPCA planning grant for a climate action plan.
Hall encouraged committee members to attend an MPCA virtual training on smart salting on Jan. 28 and described Winter Salt Week (Jan. 26–30), noting the outreach supports the MS4 permit education requirement to promote best salt practices.
Why it matters: the recycling metrics indicate increased diversion and new collection services that may reduce landfill loads; the Met Council tree‑grant work and inventory findings will inform replanting schedules and future canopy management; smart‑salting outreach is tied to permit compliance and water‑quality protection.
The minutes record these updates for committee awareness; no formal votes or grant awards were finalized at this meeting.
