City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: DECEMBER 12, 2023 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION FOR SUBMITTAL OF GRANT FUNDING REQUESTS TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCES RECYCLING AND RECOVERY SENATE BILL 1383 LOCAL ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM FOR FIVE YEARS INCLUDING REQUEST FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022/23 FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $530,968 – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUE:
Consider adopting a Resolution authorizing submittal of grant funding applications to the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) for Senate Bill 1383 Local Assistance Grant Program for five years including submittal of grant funding application for Fiscal Year 2022/23 funding in the amount of $530,968.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing submittal of Funding Requests to the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) for Senate Bill 1383 Local Assistance Grant Program for five years including submittal of grant funding application for Fiscal Year 2022/23 funding in the amount of $530,968; With at least five affirmative votes and upon award, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in revenues in the amount of $530,968, or the actual amount awarded, to the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant Program revenue account and appropriate expenditures in the same amount to the SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant Program expenditure accounts; With at least five affirmative votes and upon award, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to add 1.0 FTE Administrative Analyst partially grant-funded position for the duration of the grant; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents, including but not limited to future applications, future funding requests, payment requests, agreements, amendments, and grant funding purchasing documents, including making minor and non-substantive changes for the five-year period indicated in the Resolution.
BACKGROUND:
According to CalRecycle's Short-Lived Climate Pollutants reduction strategy:
Methane emissions resulting from the decomposition of organic waste in landfills are a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions contributing to global climate change. Organic materials, including waste that can be readily prevented, recycled, or composted, account for a significant portion of California' s overall waste stream.
SB 1383 establishes targets to achieve a 50% reduction in the level of statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2020, and a 75% reduction by 2025. The law grants CalRecycle the regulatory authority required to achieve the organic waste disposal reduction targets. It establishes an additional target that not less than 20% of currently disposed edible food is recovered for human consumption by 2025.
The SB1383 Local Assistance Grant Program (Program), administered by CalRecycle, is now distributing $90 million in fiscal year 2022/23 funds to eligible cities and counties specifically for SB1383 Local Assistance activities. This is a non-competitive per capita formula grant.
The City previously received $426,367 from 2021/22 SB1383 Local Assistance Grant Program funds.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Riverside is currently eligible to receive $530,968 from available Fiscal Year 2022/23 SB1383 Local Assistance Grant funds, based on the per capita formula for distribution. Funds will be used to assist the City in its compliance with SB 1383 regulations, such as providing resources for the City to conduct certain organic capacity planning activities for future investment in organic recycling and edible food recovery. The objective is to positively impact our community and local environment through food waste prevention.
The grant term will begin when CalRecycle sends Award notifications (anticipated in Spring 2024) and continues through April 1, 2026.
Over the approximately two-year grant period, the funds will be used to support efforts including but not limited to the following:
Examine implementation and potential impacts of a program offering curbside recycling and organic containers and lids for residential customers including small household food waste pails, container labels, and liners.
Recordkeeping or tracking software for high-volume and commercial waste generators to monitor compliance and connect generators with food banks and pantries.
Development of new “organics recycling promotional and education materials, and increased outreach to schools and public education programming to promote recycling and organic waste reduction.
Planning for organic waste recycling, implementation of edible food recovery programs, and coordination with neighboring jurisdictions.
Monitor contamination in the organic waste stream to ensure waste generators and residences comply with SB1383 requirements.
Hire 1.0 FTE Administrative Analyst, a grant-funded position for the duration of the grant’s two-year lifecycle to assist with administering the SB1383 Local Assistance Grant Program, including tracking expenditures, ensuring grant requirements/deadlines are met, community engagement/education, and monitoring inspection and enforcement for Riverside businesses and residences. This position will liaise frequently with CalRecycle, City waste haulers, business generators, and neighboring jurisdictions. All productive time spent on grant matters will be reimbursed by the grant, while non-productive time, such as holidays, vacation, and sick leave, will be funded by the Refuse Fund.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The SB1383 Local Assistance Grant Program contributes to Strategic Priority 4 - Environmental Stewardship and Goal 4.4 - Implement measures and educate the community to responsibly manage goods, products, and services throughout their life cycle to achieve waste reduction outcomes.
Furthermore, this project aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust — A portion of the SB 1383 local assistance grant funds will be used to engage the community and better enable their compliance with changing regulations.
Equity — Edible food recovery efforts associated with SB 1383 implementation will help to address inequities surrounding food access in our community.
Fiscal Responsibility — In pursuing SB 1383 local assistance funds, the City will reduce impacts on the Solid Waste fund associated with 1383 compliance.
Innovation — Staff will seek innovative ways to invest in long-term solutions using these one-time SB 1383 local assistance funds.
Sustainability & Resiliency — The execution of this grant will help to improve air quality by diverting methane-emitting organic materials from landfills. Food recovery efforts will help our community to be more resilient during times of economic recession.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact of this action is $530,968. Upon Council approval and grant award, an increase of $530,968 will be recorded in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant Program FY 2022/23 revenue account number 9280400-331300, and an equal amount appropriated in expenditure account number 9280400-421001. No City matching funds are required. Non-productive time (such as holidays, vacation, and sick leave) related to the 1.0 FTE Administrative Analyst is not reimbursable by the grant. This could result in a potential cost of approximately $2,600 in FY 2023/24 and $5,315 in FY 2024/25. These amounts are expected to be absorbable through Refuse Fund vacancy savings, which naturally occur due to employee turnover in Refuse positions during a fiscal year.
Award of potential future SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant Program resulting from grant funding applications submitted during the next five years will be brought before the Council to accept the award and appropriate the funds.
Prepared by: Christina Navaratnam, Senior Administrative Analyst Approved by: Gilbert Hernandez, Public Works Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
Resolution
SB1383 Local Assistance Grant Program Application Guidelines and Instructions for FY 2022-23
Exhibit B – Procedure and Requirements SB1383 Local Assistance Grant Program for FY 2022-23
Exhibit A – Terms and Conditions of SB1383 Local Assistance Grant Program for FY 2022-23
Letter of Designation
CalRecycle SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant Application ● Page 2