Item Description:
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Amd 1 to Agmt PR00005904 with Better Futures Minnesota to provide deconstruction services, ext term through 12/31/26, incr NTE by $100,000 for a new total NTE of $500,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Amendment 1 to Agreement PR00005904 with Better Futures Minnesota to provide deconstruction services, extending the contract term through December 31, 2026, and increasing the not to exceed amount from $400,000 to $500,000, be approved; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the amendment on the behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
This action continues the county’s support of deconstruction to divert building materials from landfills by extending the original two-year agreement with Better Futures Minnesota by one year and increasing the not to exceed amount by $100,000 to a total of $500,000 (Resolution 24-0026). Deconstruction is a technique that systematically dismantles a building to maximize the recovery of materials for reuse and recycling.
Increasing the amount of building materials reused and recycled is one of the highest priority actions identified in the county’s plan to reinvent the solid waste system to accelerate a zero-waste future. While about 85% of the materials in a typical demolition project could be salvaged and kept out of landfills, currently only about 30% of building materials are reused or recycled. Deconstruction removes materials like fixtures, cabinets, windows, flooring, and wood framing for reuse.
In addition to diverting waste from landfills, deconstruction makes it possible to avoid the need for new materials. The process to create new building materials requires energy - harvest or extraction of raw materials, processing, manufacturing, and transportation. Eighty percent of the emissions attributed to buildings come from the process of creating new building materials, while the operation of buildings accounts for 20% of the emissions attributed to buildings. Diverting construction and demolition waste for reuse or recycling is an important way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the materials we consume and how we manage waste.
The environmental benefits of deconstruction are compelling; however, it takes longer and costs more to deconstruct than to demolish. A full deconstruction of a 2,000 square foot house takes up to two weeks and costs more than double what traditional demolition would cost, which takes a fraction of the time and staff. The funds allocated through these contracts offset the cost of deconstruction to make it a competitive alternative to demolition.
Better Futures Minnesota provides job training and support services for primarily African American men with histories of incarceration, substance abuse, mental illness, chronic unemployment, and homelessness. The organization not only focuses on providing short term work, access to job training and job placement but also on community building and renewal, promoting a sense of belonging, service, and reengagement with family and friends to combat the often-overlooked isolation faced by program participants.
Better Futures Minnesota reports that its participant recidivism rate was 7%, compared to the state average of 38% of individuals that return to prison within their first year of being released. Better Futures Minnesota has calculated a social return on investment of $2.32 for every dollar invested in its program model.
Current Request:
This request seeks approval of Amendment 1 to Agreement PR00005904 with Better Futures Minnesota to provide deconstruction services, extending the contract term through December 31, 2026, and increasing the not to exceed amount to $500,000.
Impact/Outcomes:
The deconstruction services funded under this agreement will expand existing markets and create new viable markets for reusable and recyclable building materials and divert valuable resources from landfilling. Under this agreement, as many as 80 buildings will be fully or partially deconstructed.
This contract supports the county’s zero-waste and climate action goals. Diverting construction and demolition waste for reuse or recycling is an important way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the materials we consume and the waste we manage.
This agreement supports the county’s effort to eliminate disparities in employment by providing job training and other services to primarily African American men who have previously experienced incarceration, substance abuse, or other challenges.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval