CITY OF MENIFEE
SUBJECT: Organic Waste Services Senior Bill Assistance Program for Remaining Homeowner Association Roll-Out
MEETING DATE: May 1, 2024
TO: Mayor and City Council
PREPARED BY: Kori Jones, Senior Management Analyst
REVIEWED BY: Jonathan Nicks, Deputy City Manager
APPROVED BY: Armando G. Villa, City Manager
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Authorize a transfer within the Solid Waste and Recycling Division budget in the amount of $63,250 from the Business Assistance Program into the Senior Bill Assistance Program; and
2. Approve and authorize an increase to Purchase Order No. 05168 with Waste Management in the total amount of $63,250 for a revised total of $104,500 for payment of the Senior Bill Assistance Program.
DISCUSSION
California Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) requires households and most businesses to separate organic waste such as food scraps and yard waste from the trash and into their organics bin.
Large food establishments and grocery stores are also required to donate unused edible food through a food recovery agency, such as a local food pantry. Implementation of organics collection service, public education, monitoring, and enforcement of the state mandate is done at the city level.
On June 1, 2022, the City Council approved funding to assist senior residents and local businesses with implementation of organics recycling in the amount of $150,000 and $250,000 respectively. Senior assistance was in the form of a one-time $50 bill credit applied to the residents’ solid waste bill. To date, the program has approved 2,665 credits to Menifee seniors totaling $133,250. In February 2023, the City Council voted to continue the Senior Bill Assistance Program until funds were exhausted. The remaining balance on the Senior Bill assistance Program account is $16,750.
The Business Assistance Program was funded at $250,000 and is a reimbursement program available for local businesses that are required to establish a recycling program. The
City of Menifee Staff Report
Organic Waste Services Senior Bill Assistance Program
May 1, 2024
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reimbursement can cover the cost of front and back of house signs, waste bins, training, and other related supplies. The program also offers an option for on-site consultation from Aptim Environmental Services to train staff, set-up recycling stations, and inform the business of best practices. A portion of these funds were utilized to conduct mandatory outreach via Aptim Services to food establishments required to provide proof of edible food donations. During these visits, businesses were provided with information, legislative requirements, and informed of the assistance program.
The Business Assistance Program is currently promoted via social media, MenifeeRecycles website, and in quarterly emails sent by the Economic Development Department. City staff plans to conduct a phone survey of businesses to gauge reasons for low utilization and reevaluate best approaches to communicate availability of the program to the business community. Postcards will be mailed to small businesses to inform them of program options. A portion of the funding will cover consultant services to continue outreach and state reporting assistance. Funds in the amount $225,020 remain available in the Business Assistance Program.
While most homes in the City have already begun receiving organics services, there are 15 remaining Homeowner Association (HOA) communities pending roll-out of services. These communities remain out of compliance with the state mandate for organics, and in some cases recycling collection services which precluded them from participating in the initial Senior Bill Assistance Program. Roll-out of carts, establishment of compliant collection services, and adjustment to current city rate structure is scheduled to commence in July and August of this year.
In recognition of the impact to senior residents, and to assist with off-setting associated bill increases to seniors residing in these communities, city staff is requesting to transfer $63,250 of available funds from the Business Recycling Assistance Program into the Senior Bill Assistance Program. These funds would allow for a one-time $50 bill credit to be applied for each senior household (approximately 1,600) currently residing in the respective HOA communities. The one- time bill credit would be applied as a lump sum on the community HOA Waste Management bill and based on verifiable resident counts. Seniors in these communities were not eligible to participate in the Senior Assistance Program prior to this due to the accounts not yet having compliant services. A copy of the City’s Fiscal Year 2023/2024 solid waste rate sheet has been attached to this report.
STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVE
Thriving Economy
FISCAL IMPACT
In order to provide the one-time $50 bill credit to senior residents within the HOA communities who have not already received the benefit, a budget transfer from the Solid Waste and Recycling Division Business Assistance Program to the Senior Bill Assistance Program in the amount of $63,250 is required as outlined in Table 1 on the next page.
City of Menifee Staff Report
Organic Waste Services Senior Bill Assistance Program
May 1, 2024
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TABLE 1 – TRANSFER REQUEST FOR SENIOR BILL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Account Name Account
Number
Available
Budget
Transfer
Requested
Remaining
Funds
Business Assistance Program 100-4661-52851 $225,020 - $63,250 $161,770 Senior Bill Assistance Program 100-4661-52852 $16,750* + $63,250 $80,000 * Current Senior Bill Assistance Program funds are encumbered in PO No. 05168 with Waste Management and the transferred amount of $63,250 would be added to the existing PO.
No additional budget appropriation action(s) is required.
ATTACHMENTS
None.