Council tables vote on state-mandated curbside recycling grant and joint RFP after wide discussion of costs and timing

The Norway City Council on a motion by staff tabled consideration of pursuing an Eagle state recycling grant and releasing a joint RFP with neighboring municipalities to provide mandatory curbside recycling. The item drew the meeting's longest discussion and public comment.

Mr. Goldman (staff) briefed the council on a state law requiring municipalities in certain census-defined urban areas to offer curbside recycling to 90% of residents by Jan. 1, 2026. He described a previous joint voluntary sign-up effort that did not reach the bidder-required threshold and recounted one responsive vendor, GFL, which quoted the service at an estimated per-household rate discussed in the meeting as $7.50 per month for twice-monthly collection if the vendor provides carts.

Staff estimated cart unit costs at roughly $55 each and a total cart purchase near $70,000; with an 85% grant for carts, the city's matching obligation was described as roughly $15,000. Councilors and members of the public questioned whether Norway truly falls inside the state-defined urban area that triggers the mandate, asked about possible penalties (none known at present), and debated whether to authorize a mandatory requirement before grant and cost details were finalized.

After deliberation, councilors voted to table the grant application and the release of the joint RFP until the next council meeting to allow time for additional information, possible addition to the Jan. 21 agenda, or a special meeting if needed.

Staff emphasized that if the city pursues the grant it will likely seek to coordinate with Iron Mountain and Kingsford to improve bid economics and to reduce per-household cost through economies of scale.