HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5k. Approve Grant Application to Calrecycle Beverage Container Recycling Grant Program Item 5k
Department: Utilities
Cost Center: 6107
For Agenda of: 11/15/2022
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Aaron Floyd, Utilities Director
Prepared By: Tina Clark, Solid Waste and Recycling Coordinator
Chris Lehman, Deputy Director Wastewater
SUBJECT: APPROVE A GRANT APPLICATON TO THE CALRECYCLE BEVERAGE
CONTAINER RECYCLING GRANT PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Draft Resolution entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo, California, authorizing approval of a Grant Application to the CalRecycle
Beverage Container Recycling Grant Program.”
POLICY CONTEXT
In 2016, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 107191 authorizing the Utilities Director
to apply to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) for any
and all payment programs offered by this agency until rescinded. Though this resolution
is still in effect, CalRecycle has determined that the authority accorded by it does not
extend to their grant programs. Adopting the proposed Resolution (Attachment A) is
consistent with the City of San Luis Obispo’s Financial Management Manual, Section 740
Grant Management Policy. This policy states that Council must approve all grant
applications in excess of $5,000 and delegates receipt and contract execution to the City
Manager if delegation is allowed by the grantor agency.
DISCUSSION
Background
CalRecycle has issued a grant opportunity through the Beverage Container Recycling
Program for a total of $3,000,000, with $1,500,000 available for each fiscal year (FY)
2022-23 and 2023-24. The program provides a maximum grant award of up to $275,000
per applicant. The purpose of the grant program is to “promote increased recycling of
beverage containers throughout California and reduce the beverage container litter in the
waste stream.”
1Resolution No. 10719
http://opengov.slocity.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=56712&dbid=0&repo=CityClerk
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Item 5k
The Utilities Department, in a joint effort with Public Works, is requesting $236,531 from
the grant program for the purchase and installation of 30 dual-sided Smart Waste Bigbelly
collection systems to allow for beverage container recycling and litter reduction in Mission
Plaza and adjacent downtown areas including Farmers’ Market (Attachment B). This cost
also includes $1,000 for the separate purchase of digital and print ads to promote the
program. These receptacles are fully enclosed, theft -proof, and equipped with fullness-
sensing software and will replace the existing bins, which have a 32-gallon capacity with
limited space for recyclables. The new dual-sided bins will have a 150-gallon capacity
with compacting capability for solid waste and a 50-gallon capacity for recyclables. This
will greatly reduce the challenges the City currently faces in managing discarded
materials in these Downtown public areas including contamination and theft.
The Utilities Department plans to promote the new recycling infrastructure through an
ongoing, multi-pronged, outreach campaign designed to educate the public on the
importance of beverage container recycling and highlight the new colle ction bins that
includes signage, digital and print ads, as well as partnering with Downtown SLO (host of
the weekly Thursday night Farmers’ Market) to educate vendors and visitors about
recycling and how to properly recycle their beverage containers.
Previous Council or Advisory Body Action
In 2016, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 10719 authorizing the Utilities Director
to apply to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) for any
and all payment programs offered by this ag ency. Though this resolution is still in effect,
CalRecycle has determined that the authority accorded by it does not extend to their grant
programs and requires a specific resolution in order for the City to apply for funding.
Public Engagement
The City has received letters of support from Downtown SLO and SLOCAL for this project
(Attachment C).
CONCURRENCE
The Public Works Deputy Director of Maintenance Operations and the Office of
Sustainability concur with staff’s recommendation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to the recommended
action described in this report and resolution, because the submittal of a grant application
does not constitute a “Project” under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 .
Furthermore, replacement of existing receptacles with improved bins would not result in
a significant impact on the environment and qualifies for a Categorical Exemption
pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction).
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Item 5k
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: No Budget Year: 2023-2024
Funding Identified: Yes
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund $ $ $ $
State $ $
Federal
Fees
Other:
Total $ $ $ $
The recommendation in this staff report is to authorize staff to pursue a grant funding
opportunity with CalRecycle for $236,531 to fund trash and recycling infrastructural
improvements. No additional funding is requested at this time. Should this request be
approved, appropriate updates to revenue and capital improvement forecasts will be
made to Financial Plan 23-25.
ALTERNATIVES
Council could decide to not authorize the application for the Beverage Container
Recycling Grant Program. Staff does not recommend this alternative, but if Council
choses not to authorize staff to apply for th is CalRecycle grant, staff would immediately
withdraw the City’s grant application. Staff would then continue to seek other funding
sources for the acquisition of these type of containers. Council could decide to find
alternative funding for them as well.
ATTACHMENTS
A - Draft Resolution authorizing approval of grant application to the CalRecycle Beverage
Container Recycling Grant Program
B - Bigbelly Container Purchase and Installation Cost Quote
C - Letters of Support from Downtown SLO Association and Visit SLO CAL
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R ______
RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2022 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF GRANT
APPLICATION TO THE CALRECYCLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER
RECYCLING GRANT PROGRAM
WHEREAS, Public Resources Code sections 48000 et seq. authorize the
Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) to administer various
grant programs (grants) in furtherance of the State of California’s (state) efforts to reduce,
recycle and reuse solid waste generated in the state thereby preserving landfill capacity
and protecting public health and safety and the environment; and
WHEREAS, in furtherance of this authority CalRecycle is required to establish
procedures governing the application, awarding, and management of the grants; and
WHEREAS, CalRecycle grant application procedures require, among other things,
an applicant’s governing body to declare by resolution certain author izations related to
the administration of CalRecycle grants.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo that the City Council hereby authorizes the submittal of application(s) to
CalRecycle for the Beverage Container Grant Recycling Program in the amount of
$236,531.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager or his designee, is hereby
authorized and empowered to execute in the name of the City of San Luis Obispo all grant
documents, including but not limited to, applications, agreements, amendments and
requests for payment, necessary to secure grant funds and implement the approved grant
project; and
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Resolution No. _____ (2022 Series) Page 2
R ______
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these authorizations are effective for five (5)
years from the date of adoption of this resolution.
Upon motion of Council Member ___________, seconded by Council Member
___________, and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this ____ day of ______________ 2022.
___________________________
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
ATTEST:
______________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________.
___________________________
Teresa Purrington
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October 1, 2022
CalRecycle
Grants and Loans Program
1001 I Street, P.O. Box 4025
Sacramento, CA 95812
RE: City of San Luis Obispo (SLO) Application for Beverage Container Recycling Grant
Dear Grant Administrators:
Downtown SLO strongly supports the City of SLO’s application for the Beverage Container Recycling Grant. This
funding will help the City of SLO collect more beverage containers in locations where current beverage container
collection is lacking, specifically at our downtown public park and adjacent high-traffic public use areas.
Establishing a new collection method for beverage container recycling is desperately needed in these downtown
areas to reduce littering and to protect our local creek environment from waste.
Downtown San Luis Obispo is the employment and cultural center for the entire county. Each year, thousands of
visitors come to enjoy shopping, restaurants, and special events. Every Thursday, thousands of people visit
downtown for its evening Farmers’ Market event, where vendors serve food and drink and people gather to hang
out and listen to music. In addition to the regular stream of visitors to historic Mission Plaza, the park hosts
frequent events that draw thousands, including the Friday night summertime Concerts season that our
organization presents. The City of SLO is committed to adopting new methods of collection that can handle this
high use and ensure CRV beverage containers can be recycled appropriately.
Downtown SLO would be pleased to partner with the City of SLO on outreach efforts that educate and encourage
downtown and Farmers’ Market visitors and vendors to use the solid waste and recycle receptacles, and the
benefits of doing so. This partnered outreach will be accomplished through information in the weekly email that
is sent to our member businesses, as well as signage placed throughout the farmers’ market.
We are grateful that CalRecycle provides funding to support municipalities in modernizing and expanding their
beverage container recycling efforts, and we hope you will consider funding the City of SLO’s request. It will do so
much to beautify our downtown.
Sincerely,
Bettina Swigger
CEO, Downtown SLO
1135 Chorro Street | San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 | Phone: (805) 541-0286 | Fax: (805) 781-2647
ReachUs@DowntownSLO.com | DowntownSLO.com
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81 HIGUERA STREET, SUITE 220
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93401
805-541-8000 SLOCAL.com
October 13, 2022
CalRecycle
Grants and Loans Program
1001 I Street, P.O. Box 4025
Sacramento, CA 95812
RE: City of San Luis Obispo (SLO) Application for Beverage Container Recycling Grant
Dear Grant Administrators:
Visit SLO CAL, the destination marketing and management organization for San Luis Obispo County (SLO
CAL), strongly supports the City of San Luis Obispo’s (SLO) application for the Beverage Container Recycling
Grant.
Tourism is the second largest industry in SLO CAL. Each year, more than 7.3 million visitors come to SLO
CAL to enjoy our region’s shopping, restaurants, attractions, and special events. A primary attraction for
visitors is the city’s vibrant downtown area, home of the famous Thursday night farmer’s market which
draws 8,000 visitors per week. Vendors serve food and drink, and people gather to hang out and listen to
music. The Mission Plaza is another important venue that draws thousands of visitors to the downtown
area. The Plaza hosts frequent historical and cultural events enjoyed by both visitors and residents.
These and other high-traffic events in SLO generate significant recyclable waste. Expanding the city’s smart
waste and recycling capability is vital to maintaining the beauty, cleanliness, and sustainability of SLO. It
will also help ensure we maintain visitor satisfaction and resident quality of life.
The City of SLO is committed to adopting new methods of collection that can handle this high use and
ensure CRV beverage containers can be recycled appropriately. CalRecycle’s grant funding will help the
City of SLO collect more beverage containers in locations where current beverage container collection is
lacking, specifically at our downtown public parks and adjacent high-traffic public use areas. Establishing a
new collection method for beverage container recycling is desperately needed in these dow ntown areas to
reduce littering, protect our local creek environment from waste, and allow for materials recovery.
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81 HIGUERA STREET, SUITE 220
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93401
805-541-8000 SLOCAL.com
We are grateful that CalRecycle provides funding to support municipalities in modernizing and expanding
their beverage container recycling efforts, and we hope you will strongly consider and support the City of
SLO’s funding request.
Yours truly,
Tracy Campbell
Vice President of Community Engagement and Advocacy
Visit SLO CAL
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