CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: January 24, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ___-22 AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE FY 2021-2022 SB1383 LOCAL
ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM
SYNOPSIS
The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) implemented the SB1383 Local Assistance Grant Program to provide aid to municipalities in the implementation of new regulation requirements associated with SB1383. The purpose of this item is to consider a resolution of the City Council to authorize the submittal of a grant application for the FY 2021- 2022 SB1383 Local Assistance Grant Program.
DISCUSSION
Background
Senate Bill SB 1383, The Short-lived Climate Pollutant: Organic Waste Methane Emissions Reduction Act of 2016 (SB 1383) required the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) to develop regulations to reduce organics in landfills as a source of methane by 2030. Although efforts have been made by many local governments and associations encouraging CalRecycle to delay implementation of SB 1383 due to impacts of COVID-19 on jurisdictions, the State did not change the deadlines contained within the regulations, and the new SB1383 regulations went into effect on January 1, 2022.
Jurisdictions are responsible for their individual SB 1383 compliance and enforcement and as such, the City has been preparing for its regulatory responsibilities. The City’s refuse collection services agreement with Republic Services, originally executed in 2004, was restated in July 2021, and includes many SB1383 compliance measures. In addition the City’s Municipal Code Chapter 13.10, Solid Waste Management, was amended on December 6, 2021, in order to comply with the new regulations. Additional compliance measures to be performed by the City include education and outreach, edible food recovery, capacity planning, procurement requirements, enforcement and inspections, and record keeping.
These new SB 1383 Regulations are significant solid waste management changes and CalRecycle has estimated implementation will cost jurisdictions a combined $20 to $40 billion over the next decade. To help municipalities offset implementation costs, CalRecycle recently notified agencies of available one-time grant funds for FY 2021-2022. Eligible applicants include cities and counties, regional or joint powers authorities, and special districts directly responsible for solid waste collection services. This grant program will provide funding to local jurisdictions to assist with the implementation of regulation requirements associated with SB 1383, including: collection; education and outreach; edible food recovery; capacity planning; procurement requirements; enforcement and inspection; and record keeping.
Analysis
The grant allows each jurisdiction to submit one non-competitive application. Each eligible applicant will receive a base award of $20,000, and CalRecycle will distribute remaining funds to eligible entities based on per capita calculations using the Department of Finance’s January 2021 population statistics. Based on this criteria, Pleasant Hill is eligible to receive approximately $45,789.
Applicants who certify to CalRecyle will have or have already adopted an enforceable ordinance to CalRecycle by April 1, 2022, will be eligible to receive first round funding (Spring 2022).
The first round grant terms begins on April 1, 2022, and all grant funds need to be expended by April 2, 2024. The City anticipates needing a half-time employee dedicated to SB 1383 compliance, education, outreach, and in procuring sufficient recovered organic waste products.
Maintenance staff is proposing to utilize these grants funds for that purpose.
FISCAL IMPACT
Under CalRecycle’s SB1383 Local Assistance Grant Program, the City would be eligible to receive up to a maximum of $245,789 in grant funds. No matching funds are required.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Adopt Resolution
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
Not authorize submittal of an application for CalRecycle’s FY 2021-2022 SB1383 Local Assistance Grant Program.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Resolution
Prepared by: Ann James, Maintenance Superintendent
Approved by: June Catalano, City Manager