Fremont City Council Meeting: 09/12/23 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Environmental Services
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Grants
SCHEDULED
Sponsors: Environmental Services Manager Kathleen Cote-Guarnieri COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 4983) DOC ID: 4983
Updated: 9/7/2023 1:21 PM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 1 STATE RECYCLING GRANTS APPLICATION AUTHORIZATION - Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Submittal of Applications for CalRecycle Grant and Payment Programs, Authorizing the Execution of Any Documents to Accept CalRecycle Funding, and Authorizing the Implementation of the Grant or Payment Program Project
Contact Persons:
Name: Allyn McAuley Suzanne Wolf
Title: Environmental Specialist I Community Services Director Div/Dept: Environmental Services Community Services
Phone: 510-494-4576 510-494-4329
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: California’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) is the State department that administers recycling and waste management programs authorized by the State legislature and oversees the City’s compliance with these programs. CalRecycle offers various grants and payment programs to help cities with implementation. CalRecycle requires authorization from the governing body of the City to apply for and implement these grants.
The latest major California recycling and waste management law, Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383; the Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Act of 2016), obligates jurisdictions to administer programs to divert organic waste, such as food, from landfill and rescue edible food that would typically be discarded. CalRecycle is offering the latest SB 1383 grant cycle to help jurisdictions meet these responsibilities.
Staff is recommending the City Council adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or her designee to submit grant and payment program applications to CalRecycle, to execute documents to secure funds, and to implement this latest SB 1383 grant and all CalRecycle grants and payment programs awarded to the City.
There is no anticipated impact to the General Fund.
BACKGROUND: On January 1, 2022, California’s landmark organic waste law (SB 1383) went into effect. The intent of the legislation is to substantially draw down the greenhouse gas emissions from one of California’s largest sources—landfills. SB 1383 directs CalRecycle to divert 75% of methane-producing organic waste from landfill and recover 20% of edible food for human consumption by 2025.
Jurisdictions, including the City of Fremont, are responsible for implementation of SB 1383 through means such as diverting food scraps, yard trimmings, and other organic waste from landfills through citywide organic waste collection programs. To spur demand for end products of these collection programs, the law also requires jurisdictions such as Fremont to procure considerable amounts of organic waste products, including compost.
Council Staff Report (ID # 4983) Meeting of September 12, 2023 Updated: 9/7/2023 1:21 PM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 2 To help fund these SB 1383 obligations, CalRecycle offered the inaugural SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant Program. The City received $331,140 for the term of April 2022 to April 2024. The City has expended these funds so far on key SB 1383 obligations including provision of organic waste collection services to businesses and compost procurement. In November 2023, CalRecycle will be accepting applications for the second cycle of th e grant.
In addition to the SB 1383 grants, the City also benefits from annual and one-time grants and payment programs administered by CalRecycle, including the Beverage Container Recycling Program and the Used [Motor] Oil Recycling Program. The Fremont City Council has provided resolutions that give the City Manager or her designee authority to submit documents for these specific CalRecycle payment programs, however, those existing payment program resolutions will not be accepted by CalRecycle for the upcoming SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: SB 1383 is a major State law that places substantial obligations on California jurisdictions including Fremont. CalRecycle’s initial SB 1383 Local Assistance grant awarded to the City has proven instrumental in carrying out our waste management programs to comply with the SB 1383 mandates. The ability to apply for the upcoming next round of the SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant Program as well as future CalRecycle grant and payment programs will enable the City to continue to meet our significant and growing waste management responsibilities mandated by the State.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no expected impact to the General Fund.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The proposed authorization in the attached resolution is exempt from and not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because, without limitation, it is not a “project” as defined in CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(2) and/or 15378(b)(5) and as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), each as a separate and independent basis for CEQA compliance.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Draft Resolution- CalRecycle Grant
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt resolution authorizing the City Manager or her designee to submit CalRecycle grant and payment program applications, execute all documents necessary to secure funds, and implement CalRecycle grants and payment programs through September 12, 2028.