HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.a. - Rain Garden Policy Recommendation
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Utility Commission Meeting: February 25, 2019
AGENDA SECTION:
AGENDA ITEM: Rain Garden Policy Recommendation
New Business
AGENDA NO.
PREPARED BY: Jes Braun, MN GreenCorps Member
7.a
ATTACHMENTS: Examples of Similar Programs in
APPROVED BY: BLE
Minnesota
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Discussion on Rebate Program for Residents who install a
Qualifying Rain Garden, Rain Barrel, or Native Plantings On Their Property
BACKGROUND:
In Minnesota, multiple cities and counties offer cost share or rebate programs to residents,
organizations, and businesses that install a qualifying rain garden, rain barrel, or native plantings on
their property. These types of programs encourage water reuse, reduce the influx of stormwater on
the city’s stormwater system, minimize pollutants in runoff, and replenish aquifers by allowing water
to infiltrate into the ground, among many other financial and environmental benefits.
Currently, the City of Rosemount provides water efficiency rebates for smart irrigation controllers.
Previously, this program was funded through a water efficiency grant awarded by the Metropolitan
Council. Currently, the funding for this program is wholly from the Water Utility Fund. This was
approved by the City Council at their July 2, 2018 meeting and will run through the end of 2019.
This program would be run in a similar manner where the rebates take the form of a credit on the
property owner’s utility bill. The size of the rebate and details related to that is something that could
be investigated for a future discussion with the Commission.
SUMMARY:
Staff is requesting that the Utility Commission provide direction regarding the establishment of a
rain garden, rain barrel, and native planting rebate program for Rosemount residents.
ATTACHMENT:
COUNTIES WITH PROGRAMS:
Anoka County
Anoka Conservation District will award 75% of your expenses for a curb cut
rain garden. The garden must direct stormwater into a central basin which
should be filled with native plants and proper soil for infiltration. Preference is
given to curb-cut rain gardens where there is drainage from the street or
parking areas.
Anoka Conservation District will award 50% of your expenses for the creation
of areas that create habitats in areas where it is beneficial for wildlife. Examples
include prairie plantings, pollinator gardens, invasive species removal or
prescribed burning.
Dakota County
Dakota County and Dakota County Soil and Water offer grant assistance on
the installation of new gardens that help promote clean soil and water. To
receive the grant you need to attend the Landscaping for clean water and
design classes. You will need to pre-register for the events through the Dakota
County website. Once there, they will teach you the basics on how to landscape
your yard to help promote clean water.
Hennepin County
Hennepin County has a grant program called the Good Steward Grant that is
available to homeowners and, “are primarily for smaller projects that improve
water quality, enhance natural areas and promote environmental stewardship to
the community. A typical grant amount is $5,000 to $15,000, with a maximum
amount of $25,000.” Their website states that applications were being taken
through November 4th, 2016 but we contacted the city and they let us know
that they are expected to open applications up again mid-September 2017 and
runs for 6 weeks.
Ramsey County
Nature Program a program run by the Ramsey County Conservation District to
help promote the urban living environment. They will offer free assistance for
designing rain gardens and other restoration projects that qualify. Those
interested in cost sharing must go through an application process and sign a
share contract that agrees to maintain the area for a minimum of 5 years.
CITIES WITH PROGRAMS:
Apple Valley
Has a Water Quality Cost Share Program that provides cost share for
raingarden, buffer, and shoreline stabilization projects. They may consider
funding other types of projects that use one of the following treatment
mechanisms: infiltration, bio-filtration, bio-retention, rainwater/runoff
harvest/reuse, and other runoff reduction mechanisms.
Austin
Offers a $10 rebate for purchasing and using a Rain Barrel
Chanhassen
The City of Chanhassen offers landscape rebates to residents, organizations,
and businesses in Chanhassen who replace a minimum of 200 square feet of
irrigated/watered lawn or landscape with a WaterWise landscape. Creating a
WaterWise landscape means using plants, shrubs, trees or grasses that are
drought-tolerant, native to the area or hardy to planting Zone 4, and will not be
irrigated. WaterWise landscapes require very little watering and maintenance
when compared to turf grass. Stormwater runoff from your roof can also be re-
directed to water these planting areas instead of using irrigation (i.e. creating a
rain garden). Rebate will be distributed as funds allow.
Cottage Grove
Has a Rain Barrel Rebate Program that offers a $20 rebate. They also have a
Blue and Green Environmental Challenge program that provides an
opportunity to win a $50 credit on a water bill by following some simple water
conservation tips.
Eden Prairie
Eden Prairie will offer rebates for residents who landscape their lawns and
yards to help improve water quality. These areas include shoreland buffers
planted at lake, wetland or creek shorelines, rain gardens, infiltration basins or
pollinator gardens designed, constructed and planted to capture stormwater
runoff. The maximum rebate is up to $1,500 and the City must inspect the
project before and after installation. 75% or more of the plants that are used
must be native plants and be approved.
They also have a pervious pavement installation rebate program.
Fridley
Fridley will award residents with a rebate up to $200 if they have an audit by a
WaterSense audit-certified professional. The rebate covers controller
replacement with a WaterSense labeled controller, or the replacement of
broken or inefficient sprinkler heads.
Maplewood
They are a 30,000 person city with almost 450 rain gardens built over the past
13 years. Rain gardens have been designed into all new roadway improvement
projects. This decreases the cost of infrastructure including curb and gutter and
stormwater pipes. Their main goal for the city is to improve water quality
Citizens volunteer for a free rain garden during construction. They sign an
agreement to maintain that garden. 95% of the homeowners maintain their
gardens, even after the sale of the homes.
Minneapolis
Their Stormwater Credit Program incentives include a 50% Reduction of Water
Quality Fee, and a 50 to 100% Reduction of Water Quantity Fee
Northfield
They have three different incentive programs:
Rain Barrel
o Property owners who buy and install a rain barrel can receive a
$20 credit on their utility bill after sending in a completed rebate
form along with a receipt of purchase and a staff visit to verify
installation.
Rain Garden
o Participants receive a 50% reimbursement on the cost of rain
garden materials and equipment rental up to a $250 maximum
reimbursement
Native Planting
o Participants who qualify for the Native Plant Rebate can receive a
utility bill credit for 33% of the cost of the seeds, up to $75. The
rebate will be distributed in the amounts of $25, $50, or $75.
Rochester
Has cost-share grants that award individuals that meet the criteria with a one-
time award that pays 50% of their raingarden costs, up to a maximum of $750
St. Louis Park
Partners with Metro Blooms for rain garden installations for up to 10
homeowners per year. The homeowners pay for their consultation, plus the
cost of plants and mulch. The city will then reimburse up to 75 percent of the
direct costs, including the consultation fee.
South St. Paul
Participates in 4 grant programs with citizens, 3 out of the 4 are 100% funded
(two types of Rain Garden programs and a Conservation Initiative Funding for
churches and schools). Rain Barrels are 50% funded.