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Accepting the gift of travel and meals expenses from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for Councilmember Nelsie Yang to attend the Sustainable Materials and Solid Waste Exchange between Germany and Minnesota.
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WHEREAS, the University of Minnesota has ties to businesses, researchers, and government officials in North Rhine-Westphalia and will lead the exchange with partners from the North Rhine-Westphalia government around renewable energy;
WHEREAS, the goals are to explore policies, programs, and activities firsthand in Germany that would lead to significantly reducing our waste generation and increase handling of the remaining materials in a manner to create a circular economy in Minnesota;
WHEREAS, curious and open-minded individuals, thought leaders able to move others in their own organization and within their sectors, and people with an ability to drive change towards sustainable materials management and the circular economy are chosen;
WHEREAS, selected leaders will engage in topics that includes reuse and refill programs, recycling systems, food waste prevention, composting, anaerobic digestion, and disposal systems;
WHEREAS, Council Member Nelsie Yang was invited by Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to attend the Exchange in Dusseldorf, Germany from December 6-14, 2024;
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council finds that attendance at this exchange benefits the City by providing an opportunity for the participant to engage in sessions to develop strategies for addressing renewable energy, obtain relevant knowledge, and to connect with other members of local government prioritizing these issues;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council accepts the gift of travel and meal expenses up to $5,000 for Council Member Nelsie Yang to attend the Sustainable Materials and Solid Waste Exchange between Germany and Minnesota.