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Norway council agrees to join joint RFP for mandatory curbside recycling, declines joint grant application
Summary
After extended debate about costs and state requirements, the council voted to participate in a joint request‑for‑proposals for mandatory curbside recycling services with neighboring cities but removed the staff proposal to jointly apply for a grant that would require the city to purchase carts and match roughly $14,000.
The Norway City Council voted to participate in a joint request‑for‑proposals (RFP) with neighboring communities for mandatory curbside recycling services to comply with state requirements; the council removed the staff recommendation to jointly apply for the state grant to purchase carts.
Staff outlined two choices: apply for a state grant that would buy recycling carts (which requires a local match estimated at about $14,000) or participate in a joint RFP for mandatory curbside service whether or not the city receives the grant. Staff said the grant would likely reduce monthly costs for residents by about $0.90–$1.00 but would obligate the city to take steps tied to the grant if awarded.
Grant, the city attorney, warned the council that applying for the grant could carry mandatory implementation obligations and potential consequences, including repayment or other penalties if the council later declined to implement. He also clarified that the statutory language targets single‑family dwellings, not businesses.
Council members raised several concerns: low resident sign‑up rates during outreach (staff reported fewer than 100 initial sign‑ups from roughly 2,800 residents), uncertainty that increased participation would follow heavier outreach, and the city’s exposure to a required local match and potential administrative costs. One councilor asked whether the carts could be repurposed if uptake was low; staff indicated the grant’s terms typically require the carts be used for recycling and might limit repurposing.
After discussion, the council amended the staff recommendation to strike the grant application portion and instead approved participating in the joint RFP for mandatory curbside recycling services with the cities of Kingsford and Iron Mountain to comply with MCL 324.11502. Councilors recorded their votes on the amended motion by roll call and it passed.
What the motion does and does not do: the approved action commits the city to participate in a joint procurement for mandatory curbside recycling services; it does not obligate the city to spend match funds unless it later approves a grant acceptance or other implementing action.
Next steps: staff will join the joint RFP process, return with a final service contract for council approval if an offer is selected, and continue outreach to clarify resident participation and costs.
