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July 14, 2026
ITEM TITLE
Program Participation: Authorize Submittal of an Oil Payment Program Application to CalRecycle as the Regional Lead Participant for the South Bay/East County Used Oil Program Report Number: 26-0207.
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: Public Works
G.C. § 84308 Regulations Apply: No
Environmental Notice : The project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption pursuant to State California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 1530 8 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment).
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution approving the submittal of a regional Oil Payment Program application to CalRecycle as the regional lead participant for the South Bay/East County Used Oil Program.
SUMMARY
Staff is requesting authorization to submit an Oil Payment Program application on behalf of the City of Chula Vista as the lead agency for the participating jurisdictions of Coronado, El Cajon, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, and Santee, to act as lead agency in a program to educate the public regarding the proper disposal of used oil and oil filters.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed activity has been rev iewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and it has been determined that the project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment), which consists of actions taken by regulatory agencies, as authorized by state or local ordinance, to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment, such as providing alternatives to the illegal disposal of used motor oil (and other lubricating oils). The exceptions listed in State CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 would not apply in that no cumulative impacts were identifie d, no significant effects on the environment P a g e | 2
were identified, the project is not adjacent to a scenic highway, no historical resources would be affected by the action, and the project was not identified on a list of hazardous waste sites pursuant to Sectio n 65962.5 of the Government Code. Thus, no further environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
The California Oil Recycling Enhancement Act ( the “Act”), which is administered by the California Natural Resources Agency – Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery ( “CalRecycle”), is a law designed to discourage the illegal disposal of used lubricating oils. One of the most significant changes to the Act replaced the traditional Used Oil Grant Program with the Oil Payment Program. With the new Oil Payment Program, funds will be received in advance of the expenditures and must be spent on programming activities within 18 months of receipt.
The Act provides funds to cities and counties for establ ishing and maintaining a local used oil recycling program. The primary purpose of the funds is to provide alternatives to illegal disposal of used motor oil (and other lubricating oils) through a network of collection opportunities and outreach efforts des igned to inform and motivate the public to recycle used oil and oil filters as well as use re-refined oil in their vehicles and equipment.
Staff have successfully administered a used oil program for the cities of Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, and National City since 1993. The City of Chula Vista became the lead agency for the South Bay/East County Used Oil Program, which includes the cities of Coronado, El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, and Santee (in addition to the cities of Imperial Beach and National City) when the Oil Payment Program was established in 2010.
With Oil Payment Program funds, staff educates the public regarding the proper disposal of used oil and oil filters via printed materials and other mediums such as television and radio and offer residents convenient services such as curbside pick -up of used oil and oil filters. Staff also purchase functional items associated with oil changes, such as drain pans, shop towels, and filter wrenches and hold special events like oil filter exchanges during which the public can exchange used oil filters for new filters at no charge. Funding from this program is provided yearly prior to the start of the fiscal year which necessitates the need to establish a non-general fund budget account to manage program funds.
In 2021, the Chula Vista Council approved Resolution No. 2021-0140 authorizing the submittal of a regional Oil Payment Program application on behalf of the City of Chula Vista as the lead agency for the participating jurisdictions of Coronado, El Cajon, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, and Santee. The resolution was effective for five (5) years from the date of adoption on July 27, 2021. This authorization expires on July 27, 2026.
Staff is requesting a new authorization to submit the regional Oil Payment Program applications on behalf of the City of Chula Vista as the lead agency for the previously mentioned cities. Staff is further requesting authorization for the City Manager, on behalf of the City of Chula Vista, all documents a nd amendments necessary to secure funding under the Oil Payment Program. This authorization will be effective for five (5) years from the date of its adoption. Grant funds will be tracked in a non-general fund account.
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DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the real property holdings of the City Council members do not create a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware and has not been informed by any city Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
There is no current-year fiscal impact associated with this resolution. The action requests authorization to submit the grant applications and associated documents. Staff will return to Council for the appropriation of funding, if and when the grant is awarded.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no ongoing fiscal impact associated with this resolution . Staff will return to Council for the appropriation of funding, if and when the grant is awarded. Any awarded grant funds will be a ppropriated in a non-general fund account for use as part of the Oil Payment Program expenditures.
ATTACHMENTS
1. CalRecycle OPP (program) guidelines
Staff Contact: Manuel Medrano, Environmental Services Manager Angelica Aguilar, Director of Public Works