CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
November 6, 2023
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James Makshanoff, City Manager
Submitted By: Rene Guerrero, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE SUBMITTAL OF A JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY (JPA) APPLICATION TO CALRECYCLE FOR ROUND TWO SB 1383 LOCAL ASSISTANCE FUNDING FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (SGVCOG) REGIONAL EDIBLE FOOD RECOVERY PROGRAM RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to sign a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to allow the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments to apply for CalRecycle Round Two SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant Program funds on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Approval of the proposed Letter of Authorization (LOA) with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) will allow the SGVCOG to submit a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) application for Round Two of the CalRecycle SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant Program funds to continue the City’s participation in the Regional Edible Food Recovery Program.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no General Fund impact with this JPA application. The City’s continued participation in the SGVCOG Regional Edible Food Recovery Program will be funded through the SB 1383 Local Assistance funding provided by CalRecycle.
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION: On August 7, 2023, the City Council authorized the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the SGVCOG to participate in the Regional Edible Food Recovery Program. This MOA allows SGVCOG consultants to provide inspection and compliance review of Tier 1 and Tier 2 edible food generators, documentation of contracts with food recovery organizations, and funding for necessary staffing and equipment to increase the capacity of edible food recovery in our region in an amount not-to-exceed $110,579 through August 1, 2024.
DISCUSSION: In September 2016, the passage of Senate Bill 1383 established statewide targets to reduce the disposal of organic waste from landfills and increase recovery of currently disposed edible food for human consumption. To recover 20% of edible food that would otherwise be sent to landfills by 2025, SB 1383 requires local jurisdictions to establish food recovery programs and strengthen their existing food recovery networks.
Round One SB 1383 Local Assistance Funding (September 2022 through April 2024) In Spring 2022, the City was awarded Round One SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant funding from CalRecycle in the amount of $214,282. This non-competitive grant program provides funding to local jurisdictions to assist with the implementation of regulation requirements associated with SB 1383 including, but not limited to:
Capacity Planning
Collection
Edible Food Recovery
Enforcement and Inspection
Program Evaluation/Gap Analysis
Procurement Requirements
Record Keeping
Organic Waste & Edible Food Recovery Education & Outreach In the first round of the grant program, each participating City had individual grant agreements with CalRecycle, which imposed limitations on program administration. Given the difficulties in grant implementation, several participating cities and the SGVCOG advocated that the next round of SB 1383 Local Assistance grant funding should lift barriers around JPA applications to allow cities to designate an administering body, like the SGVCOG, to provide regional solutions.
Round Two SB 1383 Local Assistance Funding (May 2024 through April 2026) CalRecycle has made several significant changes to the guidelines, many of which better support the Regional Edible Food Recovery Program. Key changes are as follows:
Joint Powers Authorities (JPAs) are now eligible to apply without all member agencies within that JPA participating in that application.
The base award amount for cities was increased to $75,000, up from $50,000.
Food Recovery Organizations (FROs) can now own equipment which means the SGVCOG can award funds directly to the three Regional Food Recovery hubs and contract directly with them.
Round Two eligible projects are similar to those of the Round One grant, such as edible food recovery, inspection and enforcement, and education and outreach.
The City’s anticipated grant allocation for Round Two is $263,917. The City, along with other participating cities, intends to participate in the SGVCOG’s preparation of the regional application to craft the budget and narrative. Participating cities cannot submit separate applications upon joining the regional application. The regional application will include funding for the inspection and enforcement program, the hub development program to continue the recovery of excess edible food, and City-specific programs. Funding will also be included for SGVCOG staff and consultants to administer the program and provide technical assistance. Participating cities need to submit a Letter of Authorization allowing the SGVCOG to apply on their behalf.
Submitting a JPA application for a regional program allows for simplified administration of the grant. The City will work with the SGVCOG to establish specific budget requests for the grant award. Cities may undertake their own activities and will receive a lump sum payment from the SGVCOG or invoice the SGVCOG for reimbursement. The initial grant application is due November 15, 2023, with Letters of Authorization to be submitted by December 20, 2023. Grants are anticipated to be awarded in March of 2024 with the grant term ending in April 2026.
In addition to the City of Pomona, the following fifteen (15) cities have expressed an interest in participating in the regional application to date:
Arcadia
Irwindale
South El Monte
Azusa
La Cañada Flintridge
South Pasadena
Baldwin Park
Monrovia
Temple City
Covina
Monterey Park
Walnut
Duarte
San Marino
Glendora
Sierra Madre
By applying for funds regionally with the SGVCOG, this will reduce the administrative burden on City Staff and streamline implementation of the Regional Edible Food Recovery Program.
Prepared by:
Elisa Mitchell
Management Analyst
Authorize LOA with SGVCOG for Round Two SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant Program JPA Application