IOWA DNR SOLID WASTE ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM GRANT FUNDING (CUSTOMER CONVENIENCE CENTER)
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Solid Waste Alternatives Program (SWAP) offers competitive financial assistance for a variety of projects, including source reduction, recycling, and education.
On June 9, 2026, City Council authorized staff to apply to the Iowa DNR's Solid Waste Alternatives Program (SWAP). The application included a request for funding to support the construction of the new Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus (R3C). The DNR recently notified staff that the City was selected for $24,999 in SWAP funding structured as a forgivable loan.
This award is in addition to the award for the yard waste area approved by City Council on September 9, 2026. The DNR has provided an agreement for this grant, which the City's Legal team has reviewed and approved (see attachment). Staff is seeking City Council approval to accept the funding and to sign the attached agreement.
The grant funding will support the purchase of materials and equipment that contribute to waste diversion from the landfill, in alignment with the SWAP program goals. This includes concrete necessary for the customer convenience center at the R3C, which will be utilized by the public to drop off recyclable materials. The total R3C customer convenience center concrete costs are $175,000.
- Approve the SWAP grant agreement with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for the R3C Customer Convenience Center in the amount of $24,999.
- Do not approve the SWAP grant agreement, and forego the supplemental funding for this component of the R3C project.
- Refer this item to staff for further information.
Grant funding provided by the Iowa DNR would financially support the construction of the R3C, specifically the concrete costs for the customer convenience center. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1, as described above.