DATE: 08/19/2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Community Services Department
2026-291
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBJECT:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A GRANT APPLICATION TO CALRECYCLE’S
BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING GRANT PROGRAM
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report asks the City Council to authorize a grant application to the CalRecycle Beverage Container Recycling Grant Program in the amount of $275,000, the maximum award available under this cycle. If awarded, funding will support the purchase and installation of 18 ADA-compliant water refill stations across seven parks located in or adjacent to disadvantaged communities with Corona.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-088 authorizing submittal of individual grant application and related authorizations for CalRecycle’s Beverage Container Recycling Grant Program.
b. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute all necessary documents, agreements, amendments, and payment requests required for the application process and subsequent grant administration, in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations governing the CalRecycle Beverage Container Recycling Grant Program.
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
CalRecycle administers the Beverage Container Recycling Grant Program to support California local government agencies in promoting increased recycling and reducing beverage container litter statewide. Eligible projects include the purchase and installation of water refill stations in parks and recreational areas, with related infrastructure improvements and outreach activities. The City seeks to use this grant to enhance community access to sustainable water sources and reduce environmental impacts from single-use plastics.
To advance these goals, the Community Services Department identified seven parks with community need and limited access to modern hydration amenities, all situated in or adjacent to disadvantaged community areas. These parks include:
Brentwood Park
Butterfield Park
Cresta Verde Park
Kellogg Park
Sheridan Park
River Road Park
Victoria Park
The project proposes installation or replacement of 18 ADA-compliant water refill stations across these sites to improve access to clean drinking water, support sustainability initiatives, and expand equitable access to amenities.
ANALYSIS:
The City of Corona is eligible to apply for the CalRecycle Beverage Container Recycling Grant Program, which supports projects that promote recycling and reduce beverage container litter throughout California communities. The program offers $1.5 million in funding per fiscal year, with individual grant awards ranging from $75,000 to $275,000.
The City is requesting the maximum amount of $275,000 to install or replace 18 ADAcompliant water refill stations across seven parks located in or adjacent to disadvantaged communities. These stations will improve access to clean drinking water, encourage the use of reusable bottles, and reduce single-use plastic waste.
The project scope includes infrastructure improvements, maintenance, and educational outreach that promotes and fosters sustainable practices. Applications must be submitted to CalRecycle by August 11, 2026, with supporting resolutions and authorization documents due by September 10, 2026. Grant awards will be announced in January 2027, and final reports are required by April 2029. The City must adhere to all CalRecycle terms, conditions, and procedures as part of the grant administration process.
Should the City be awarded funding, staff will bring forward a follow-up recommendation to accept the grant, execute the grant agreement, and appropriate funds accordingly.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no immediate financial impact associated with the approval of the recommended actions. If the City is awarded funding, staff will return to Council with a recommendation to accept the grant and appropriate the awarded funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which states that a project is exempt from CEQA if the activity is covered by the commonsense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. This action is to approve a grant application for the CalRecycle Beverage Container Recycling Grant Program, and there is no possibility that approving this agreement will have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, no environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: MIRNA ROMERO, MANAGEMENT ANALYST II
REVIEWED BY: DONNA FINCH, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
ATTACHMENT:
1. Exhibit 1 – Resolution No. 2026-088