Webster Groves sustainability panel votes to forward St. Louis County waste-reduction grant to city council

The Webster Groves Sustainability Commission voted unanimously to forward a resolution to city council asking the city to apply for a St. Louis County Waste Reduction Grant to cover community-engagement supplies and tipping fees for a planned electronics-recycling event.

Chair Anna Carian said the resolution, included in the meeting packet, emphasizes that “it won't cost the city anything. This is a cost, reimbursement.” City staff (David Bookless) told commissioners the request on the application totals $1,731 for community engagement and supplies and that composting tipping fees are estimated at $10 per cubic yard (a 20-yard dumpster would cost about $200 plus a 5% fuel charge). Staff also said Waste Management volunteered to supply the dumpster for the event.

The commission confirmed the electronics-recycling drive is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 1, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Webster Gardens Lutheran Church, 8749 Watson Road. Commissioners discussed volunteer roles, outreach handouts and the possibility of providing commission name tags or shirts for public events; staff offered to produce name tags and print outreach materials.

Karen Anderson moved to approve the resolution as attached to the agenda; members voted in favor without opposition. The commission's approval means the item will go to the city council for formal authorization and submission to St. Louis County. According to staff, the county requires a city resolution as part of the application process and the program operates on a reimbursement basis; commissioners were told the county will post proposed amendments after the required 90-day notice period.

Next steps: the resolution will appear on the city council agenda for consideration. The commission did not set any additional conditions on the application; details about final award and reimbursements will be determined by the county process.