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Environmental Management Department recommending the Board:
1) Accept a grant award funded through the State of California, Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, Household Hazardous Waste Grant Program, Fiscal Year 2022-2023, in the amount of $100,000, for the term of upon award and acceptance of funds through September 30, 2024;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 6504 with CalRecycle’s designated third party vendor, the California Product Stewardship Council, with a Not To Exceed $69,758, with the remainder $30,242 to be allocated for the administration of Grant goals expenses; and
3) Delegate authority to the Director of Environmental Management to execute all reports and associated documents necessary to secure and expend the funds for the purpose of implementing this Grant program.
FUNDING: Non-General Fund / State of California, Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, Household Hazardous Waste Discretionary Grant, Fiscal Year 2022-2023 funds.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Pursuant to Public Resources Code, Division 30, Part 7, Article 3.5, section 47200, the State of California, as administered by the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), distributes funding to provide opportunities for local governments to implement safe Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) programs for collection, public education, source reduction, reuse, and/or recycling of HHW. Eligible recipients include California cities, counties, and local agencies, including Indian reservations and Rancherias, with direct responsibility for HHW management. Using this criteria, the County’s Environmental Management Department (Environmental Management) was determined to be eligible for the Household Hazardous Waste Grant (Grant Program).
CalRecycle administers various payment programs and grants and provides oversight for California’s waste handling and recycling programs, which are managed at the local level by cities and counties. CalRecycle’s procedures for administering payment programs and grant applications require the applicant’s governing body to declare by resolution certain authorizations related to the administration of these funds. The Board’s acceptance of the funds under this Grant Program will ensure Environmental Management is able to contribute towards further implementing safe HHW collection programs for County residents.
This Grant cycle has been designed for smaller projects that complement existing and/or regional HHW programs in California. Eligible projects/costs using funds under this Grant include, but are not limited to:
• HHW public education and outreach for general audiences;
• Implementation of sustainable extended producer responsibility collection opportunities, to include but not be limited to:
o Promotion of an ongoing retail take-back program at local businesses or government facilities;
o Promotional collection events; and
o Promotional public education and outreach materials specifically for local retail take-back programs.
• Projects to:
o Determine and implement the safest and most cost-effective methods for collecting propane gas cylinders and/or marine flares; and
o Implement effective education programs and identify effective incentives that reduce the disposal of HHW.
• Set-up and operation of temporary or mobile collection programs for one-day or multi-day collection events for the following items:
o Common HHW materials and universal waste;
o Marine flares;
o Propane gas cylinders up to 5 gallons; and
o Solar panels as a pilot project.
On May 19th, 2021 Environmental Management submitted an Application to CalRecycle for this Grant Program (Attachment C). On September 8, 2021, notification was received from CalRecycle advising that payments will be issued for the Grant Program, Fiscal Year 2022-2023, with a term of upon award and acceptance of funds through September 30, 2024 (Attachment F). As required by the Grant, a contract was then sought with Calrecycle’s designated third-party vendor, the California Product Stewardship Council. This agreement was approved by County Counsel on June 24th, 2022 and signed by our Purchasing Agent on August 12th, 2022 due to delays in this vendor procuring a Business License in El Dorado County.
In order to achieve the goals established for this Grant Program, Environmental Management intends to use the awarded funds for the following programs and/or activities, including, but not limited to:
• Utilize the third-party vendor designated in the contract to implement and manage the “Refuel Your Fun” campaign which will collect disposable 1lb propane cylinders and exchange them for reusable 1lb propane cylinders.
• Utilize the third-party contractor designated in the contract to provide educational material on the benefits of utilizing reusable 1lb propane cylinders in lieu of single-use cylinders.
• Disposal of the Household hazardous waste items collected, with this effort led by Environmental Management with the remaining grant funds of $30,242.
In accordance with Board of Supervisors Policy A-6, the Board is the sole authority for accepting grant awards and approving grant agreements. After acceptance of a grant award and approval of the grant agreement, the Board may delegate authority to execute all documents, including, but not limited to, the grant funding agreement, amendments, request for payment, reports, and all other associated documents necessary to secure and implement the approved grant payment program.
The recommended acceptance of these funds authorizes the Director of Environmental Management, or designee, to execute all reports and associated documents necessary to secure and expend the funds for the purpose of implementing this Grant Program. Environmental Management will continue to obtain Board approval for the acceptance of all funds pursuant to Board Policy A-6.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could reject the acceptance of the Grant Program funds. This would result in the forfeiture of available Grant Program funds to the County and would further inhibit Environmental Management’s ability to provide county residents with the benefits on the use of reusable 1lb propane cylinders and the pitfalls of disposable propane cylinders.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Grant Agreement.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change in Net County Cost. No matching funds are required for this Grant Program. The grant will be added to the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 budget through the Adopted Budget process.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Jeffrey Warren, REHS, Director
Environmental Management Department