Title
Adopt a Resolution to:
a. Accept the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery’s Beverage Container Recycling Grant in the amount of $248,794 for the improvement of waste and recycling facilities in County parks; and
b. Authorize the Auditor-Controller’s Office to amend the Fiscal Year 2017-18 adopted budget, Fund 001, unit 8475, Appropriations Unit RMA006, to increase appropriations and revenue by $248,794, where funding is provided by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (4/5th vote required); and
c. Authorize the RMA Director or his/her designee to accept, administer, and execute documents to secure and manage these grant funds from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery; and
d. Authorize the Auditor-Controller’s Office to incorporate approved appropriation and estimated revenue modifications to the FY2017-18 budget.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a Resolution to:
a. Accept the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery’s Beverage Container Recycling Grant in the amount of $248,794 for the improvement of waste and recycling facilities in County parks; and
b. Authorize the Auditor-Controller’s Office to amend the Fiscal Year 2017-18 adopted budget, Fund 001, unit 8475, Appropriations Unit RMA006, to increase appropriations and revenue by $248,794, where funding is provided by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (4/5th vote required); and
c. Authorize the RMA Director or his/her designee to accept, administer, and execute documents to secure and manage these grant funds from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery; and
d. Authorize the Auditor-Controller’s Office to incorporate approved appropriation and estimated revenue modifications to the FY2017-18 budget.
SUMMARY:
Resource Management Agency - Parks received notice of receiving a Beverage Container Recycling Grant award (“Grant”) in the amount of $248,794 from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to fund installation of additional waste and recycling bins at County parks, educational signage, and to purchase a refuse truck to move recyclables to appropriate recycling facilities.
DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Parks system attracts 1.5 million visitors each year who use park facilities for boating, hiking and a variety of other activities. The Resource Management Agency-Parks is responsible for the operation and maintenance of a system of nine regional parks and two lakes encompassing over 12,155 acres of land and 10,000 acres of lakes. Such a geographically large system requires a large number of recycling and waste bins be placed throughout the parks to provide adequate collection of recyclables. In some County parks, while there are waste bins, there are no permanent year-round recycling bins available. Many visitors bring goods in single-use containers and dispose of them in waste bins rather than taking them to recycling facilities. This results in a significant volume of recyclables being sent directly to landfills.
This proposed Grant project will provide 16 additional waste and recycling bins, which will be located at Toro, Royal Oaks, Jacks Peak, and San Lorenzo parks. This project is categorically exempt from CEQA review. The structures containing the recycling bins will be permanently bolted onto a concrete pad and secured with locks. The project will also install up to 33 bilingual educational signs to promote and encourage recycling throughout the parks with clear and simple graphics that will appeal to park visitors. The project also includes purchase of a refuse truck for Lakes to help the management company and/or Parks Department staff move recyclables to appropriate recycling facilities.
In March 2016, the local non-profit the Offset Project approached the County and offered to substantially assist in the preparation of the grant application. The Offset Project works with individuals and organizations to establish sound waste policies and implement best practices in environmental stewardship. In 2016, the Strategic Grant Services Program (County Administrative Office - Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs Division) collected required application material, secured executive approval for the application, prepared budgets, reviewed draft material, and coordinated the efforts of the Offset Project and the County Parks Department to complete the grant application. On June 28, 2016 the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 16-187 which authorized the then Park’s Department application for the Grant. The application was submitted on July 7, 2016.
The Strategic Grants Services Program was created by the Board of Supervisors in the fall of 2014, and focuses on identifying funding for County priority projects. Priorities are defined by the Board’s Strategic Initiatives, the Board’s Legislative Priorities, availability of grant funding, ability to meet grant requirements, and strategic analysis of the proposed project’s ability to submit a competitive application. The program is managed by the County Administrative Office, Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs Division.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Under the coordination of the Strategic Grants Services Program, the local non-profit, the Offset Project, substantially assisted in the preparation of the grant application with input and direction from the Resource Management Agency - Parks and the County Administrative Office - Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs Division. The Offset Project will take the lead in implementation of this Grant with oversight and direction from the Resource Management Agency - Parks. The Budget Committee reviewed and supported this recommendation on October 25, 2017.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The proposed project is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as a minor alteration of land (CEQA Guidelines Section 15304). The Resolution stating the Board’s intent to proceed with the project includes the finding and determination of this exemption.
FINANCING:
Matching funds are not required as part of this Grant. However, acceptance of the grant will include committing to ongoing Maintenance and Operating cost for the Commercial Truck. These costs will be absorbed in the Parks operating budget. Annual Operations costs for Truck operation are estimated at $2,000. The total cost of the project will be no more than $248,794.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This project represents operational improvements at County facilities. The new equipment and receptacles provided by this Grant will enable the Parks to more efficiently collect both refuse and recyclables, and efficiently transport the recycled materials and refuse to respective transfer station.
The environmental benefits of the project will include increased recovery of recyclables as well as the overall increase of the County’s waste diversion rate from landfill to recycling. This project is expected to divert approximately 300,000 more recyclable beverage containers away from landfills and to recycling facilities each year. In addition, new vehicles are better equipped to reduce air emissions meeting State requirements.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
__Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Brett Fulgoni, Real Property Specialist (831) 755-8912
Approved by: Shawne Ellerbee, RMA Deputy Director Administrative Services
Approved by: Carl P. Holm, AICP, Director, Resource Management Agency
Attachments:
Attachment A - Resolution
Attachment B - Grant Agreement
(Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board)