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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Award of a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) to Administer Glendale’s Green Business Program.
1) Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a new PSA with a 501c3 organization Sustainable Works, a Project of Community Partners (Community Partners) for $155,250 to Administer Glendale’s Green Business Program for one year
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for March 26, 2024 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Public Works Department became a member of the California Green Business Network to promote commercial efficiency measures in 2019. Glendale’s Green Business Program certifies small to medium sized businesses within the office, retail, and restaurant sectors that adopt sustainable business practices. In Fiscal Year 2023-24, the city entered a PSA with Community Partners for administration of Glendale’s Green Business Program. To continue this successful program, a new PSA is proposed with Community Partners from May 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025, for $155,250 for administration of Glendale’s Green Business Program.
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RECOMMENDATION
Authorize a PSA with Community Partners to Administer Glendale’s Green Business Program for one year from May 1, 2024, through April 30, 2025, for $155,250.
ANALYSIS
Glendale is a member of California Green Business Network (CAGBN) along with 50 other cities and counties that provide free assistance to help businesses implement measures to reduce pollution, save water, conserve energy, and protect human health.
These green measures help local businesses become more efficient, profitable, and sustainable. Since the city became a member of CAGBN in 2019, 77 Glendale businesses have been certified.
By enrolling in Glendale’s Green Business Program, businesses become more sustainable and efficient in a) lowering water and energy use, b) using fewer toxic products, c) diverting waste, d) reducing transportation emissions, and e) making more environmentally preferable purchasing choices. Certified Green Businesses may receive free assistance, conservation tools (including installation), green product samples, and LED/energy retrofits (if eligible).
Currently, the “Green Business” certification process takes approximately 3-6 months to complete. The certification process includes: 1) Onsite Assessment, 2) Checklist Action Plan, 3) Employee Education, and 4) Guidance to Achieve Certification Criteria.
In the initial year of the program (FY 2019-20), sixteen (16) local businesses were certified. In fiscal year 2020-21, twenty (20) were certified and in fiscal year 2021-22, twenty-four (24) were certified. At that point and time, business certifications became more time intensive and the Covid-19 pandemic significantly impacted the commercial sector, adversely. The Green Business Program consequently was put on hiatus for a year.
When Community Partners was hired to reinitiate the program in 2023, they were able to expand on the outreach efforts of city staff and performed targeted outreach to over 150 local businesses; of which 29 were enrolled in the program and with 17 completing their certifications throughout the year.
An important component of the Green Business Program is that each business must refer another business to the program. As a result, Community Partners has numerous referrals to bring into the program in the upcoming year under a new PSA. 3{{section.number}}a
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STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
The Green Business Program is essentially an outreach program to the local business community stakeholders encouraging sustainable business practices. Continuing this program prolongs these outreach activities.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Green Business Program will cost $155,250 total with approximately $26,000 of these costs expected to be incurred in FY 2023-24. The Public Works Department budget can absorb this cost and therefore no new appropriation is being requested at this time. The funding for the contract for future years will be included as part of the annual budget process. The funding is outlined below:
Existing Appropriation
Amount Account String Funding Source
$26,000 GL: 43110-5300-PWD-7523-P0000- Refuse Disposal Fund
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
This item is considered ministerial activity and therefore, not subject to CEQA review.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
The names and business addresses of the members of the board of directors, the chairperson, CEO, COO, CFO, Subcontractors and any person or entity with more than 10% interest in the company proposed for contract in this Agenda Item Report are attached in Exhibit # 1, in accordance with the City Campaign Finance Ordinance No. 5744
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1. Do not authorize a PSA with Community Partners to Administer Glendale’s Green Business Program and the city still stop certifying green businesses.
2. The City Council may consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Daniel Hernandez, Interim Public Works Director
Prepared by:
Regina Wheeler, Recycling Coordinator
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
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Exhibit 1: Campaign Finance Disclosure.