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District expands food-waste sites, accepts AED donations and agrees to opioid-fund MOU with health department
Summary
The board approved one-year food-waste site leases with the Dooland YMCA and Porter County Parks (Sunset Hill), accepted donated AEDs for two compost sites with training, and agreed to handle procurement and reimbursement for a medicine-destruction unit tied to a Valparaiso opioid grant.
Staff updated the board on two new food-waste partnerships. A one-year lease with the Dooland YMCA (operating from the former Chesterton High School site) will allow the district to collect food waste at that location for a $1 annual fee while retaining operational control; the board approved the lease. The board also approved a lease with Porter County Parks to host a food-waste location near Sunset Hill community garden.
Staff also described two memoranda of understanding with the Porter County Health Department. The health department is donating two older AED units for placement at the Valparaiso and Boone Grove compost sites; the donation includes hands-only CPR and AED training and a monthly check requirement for pads and basic maintenance. A staff member summarized, "They are offering to provide them to 2 of our compost sites ... they will train us on how to use them."
Separately, the district will manage ordering and reimbursement for an Rx Destroyer medicine-disposal unit as part of a Valparaiso opioid-grant partnership; staff explained the district will place and reorder the Rx Destroyer and process reimbursements so the health department can avoid an additional procurement line.
The board also received an update on a CAC-developed $2,500 microgrant program to support small local recycling or education projects; the CAC drafted a rubric and a staged-award approach (partial funds upfront with remainder upon proof of implementation) and plans to solicit applications in early 2026.
All MOUs and food-waste leases were approved by voice vote; the microgrant plan will proceed to implementation steps with CAC and staff coordination.
