Title
Environmental Management Department recommending the Board:
1) Find that a public benefit is derived from establishing new, or expanding existing, food waste prevention programs to assist County residents who are experiencing food insecurity while also reducing the amount of recoverable and edible food that would otherwise be disposed of in landfills; and
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Funding Agreement 3883 with the Food Bank of El Dorado County for the purchase of and reimbursement for various equipment, supplies, and personnel expenses to further expand its food collection and donation programs, effective upon final execution by both parties through April 1, 2021, in the amount of $254,605, with funding provided by the 2017-18 Food Waste Prevention and Rescue Grant Program.
FUNDING: Non-General Fund / State of California, Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Food Waste Prevention and Rescue Grant Program.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Pursuant to Public Resources Code section 42999(b)(4), and on behalf of the California Climate Investments, the State of California, Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), is responsible for administering the Food Waste Prevention and Rescue Grant Program (Food Waste Grant Program). The purpose of this competitive grant program is to lower the overall greenhouse gas emissions by establishing new, or expanding existing, food waste prevention projects (through source reduction or food rescue for people) in California to reduce the amount of food being disposed of in landfills.
In July 2017, the Environmental Management Department (Environmental Management), submitted an application to CalRecycle for the 2017-2018 Food Waste Grant Program in the amount of $277,140. On March 8, 2018, notification was received from CalRecycle advising the award of the Food Waste Grant Program to the County in the amount of $277,140 during Cycle 2 of the allocated grant funding program.
On April 24, 2018 (Item No. 16, File No. 18-0500), and in accordance with Board Policy A-6, the Board approved the acceptance of this Food Waste Grant Program, funded through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, from CalRecycle in the amount of $277,140 and with a term of April 24, 2018 through April 1, 2021. As part of this item, the Board also delegated authority to the Director of Environmental Management, or designee, to execute the Grant Agreement and all Grant related documents including, but not limited to, amendments, requests for payment, reports, and all associated documents necessary to secure and expend the funds for the purpose of implementing the Food Waste Grant Program.
In order to maximize the efficiency of the funding through the Food Waste Grant Program, Environmental Management partnered with the Food Bank of El Dorado County (Food Bank) to purchase equipment to expand the collection and distribution of rescued food from donors to communities in need, provide public education and outreach efforts to encourage food facilities and other community partners to donate their unused but edible food, and provide reimbursement for the additional staff time necessary to implement the additional food rescue services.
Following the Board’s approval and acceptance of this Food Waste Grant Program, Environmental Management continued to work with the Food Bank to finalize the work plan and identify the specific equipment and supplies needed to expand the Food Bank’s operations in order to meet the goals and objectives of the Food Waste Grant Program. In consultation with the Food Bank, County Counsel, and the Chief Administrative Office, Procurement and Contracts Division, it was determined that the best option would be for the Food Bank to purchase the vehicles, equipment, and supplies directly. As such, Environmental Management is recommending the Board approve the proposed Funding Agreement.
The Food Bank has agreed to this process and has the funding available to make to purchases at this time. Upon receipt of documentation specified in the Funding Agreement, Environmental Management will then reimburse the Food Bank for these expenses as well as personnel costs. As part of the quarterly reporting required under the Food Waste Grant Program, Environmental Management will need to submit copies of proofs of payment made to the Food Bank in order to be reimbursed by CalRecycle. Additional information, including a list of the Food Bank’s expenses approved by Environmental Management and CalRecycle, is included in the Funding Agreement (Attachment B).
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose not to approve the proposed Funding Agreement. This would result in Environmental Management and the Food Bank not only being in jeopardy of forfeiting this Food Waste Grant Program funding, but also being unable to provide expanded food rescue and donation efforts to the residents of the County.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
See Discussion/Background above.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel has approved the proposed Funding Agreement.
CalRecycle, Food Bank of El Dorado County
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with the proposed Funding Agreement and there are no matching funds required for the Food Waste Grant Programs. Funding for the reimbursement of the Food Bank’s expenses, as outlined in the Funding Agreement, as well as a portion of corresponding County staff time is to be covered by the $277,140 in grant funding and is included in the Fiscal Year 2020-21 Adopted Budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair’s signature on two (2) original copies of the Funding Agreement.
2) The Clerk of the Board will forward one (1) fully-executed copy of the Funding Agreement to the Chief Administrative Office, Procurement and Contracts Division, for further processing.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Greg Stanton, REHS, Director
Environmental Management Department