TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Philippe Eskandar, City Manager
BY: Amber Shah, Parks & Public Works Director/City Engineer DATE: September 27, 2024
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE MEMORANDUM
OF AGREEMENT WITH SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COUNCIL OF
GOVERNMENTS (SGVCOG) FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY REGIONAL FOOD RECOVERY
PROGRAM
STRATEGIC PLAN CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
Efficient, Responsive, and Effective City Services
Fiscally Responsible and Transparent City Government
BACKGROUND
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 percent 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.
City staff are working with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) to provide a regional approach for SB 1383 compliance. The Regional Food Recovery Program, known as FRESH SGV, was established to help member agencies comply with SB 1383's food recovery mandates and reduce food waste in the San Gabriel Valley. Known as one of the largest regional food recovery programs in California, the Program assesses commercial edible food waste generators, identifies and fosters partnerships with local food recovery organizations, implements outreach and education endeavors, and develops and implements inspection protocols. Last year, the Steven W. Huang, DDS, Mayor
Gretchen Shepherd Romey, Vice Mayor
Tony Chou, Council Member
Calvin Lo, Council Member
Steve Talt, Council Member
SGVCOG issued grant awards to God’s Pantry located in Pomona, Heart of Compassion located in Montebello, and Foothill Unity Center located in Monrovia to develop regional “food hubs” which help recover and redistribute excess edible food to people experiencing food insecurity. Seventeen (17) cities are currently participating in FRESH SGV.
In Spring 2022, the City was awarded Round One SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant funding from CalRecycle in the amount of $21,274. This noncompetitive grant program provided funding to local jurisdictions to assist with the implementation of regulation requirements associated with SB 1383.
In the first round of the grant program, the City of San Marino had an individual grant agreement with CalRecycle and utilized these funds to pay for various organics products that would assist the City in SB 1383 compliance. Round Two of the SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant Program allowed Joint Powers Authorities to apply on behalf of member agencies. Another change to the grant was the increase in the base award for jurisdictions from $20,000 to $75,000, with remaining funds distributed based on per capita calculations. With these changes, SGVCOG submitted a regional application for the Round Two Grant and was awarded $2.1 million in funding to implement the Program on participating cities’ behalf. This includes an allocation of $75,000 for the City of San Marino of which $25,000 has been designated for participation in the SGVCOG lead Regional Food Recovery Program (FRESH SGV).
Round Two eligible projects include edible food recovery, inspection and enforcement, and education and outreach, among other activities related to SB 1383 implementation. SGVCOG’s regional application included funding for the inspection and enforcement program, the hub development program to continue the recovery of excess edible food, city-specific programs, and project management costs for SGVCOG staff and consultants.
DISCUSSION
The City of San Marino and SGVCOG previously entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in which SGVCOG coordinated Program services and was reimbursed by the City. The SGVCOG is now the direct recipient of the CalRecycle grant funding on behalf of the City. As the direct recipient of CalRecycle grant funding, the SGVCOG will utilize a portion of the grant funds to continue to provide Program services in the City. The SGVCOG has drafted the proposed MOA / Letter Agreement, which outlines the terms, services, and respective responsibilities of SGVCOG and the City of San Marino to support the Program. The agreement term begins upon execution and extends until all work under the program is completed.
When originally presented to the City Council at its November 8, 2023, meeting, staff had tentatively proposed the City could use its portion of the grant funds (in the amount of $50,000) designated for City-specific SB 1383 services to obtain solid waste/recycling tracking and compliance monitoring software, pending any other needs that could be identified. After further consideration, staff believes it would be more beneficial to utilize the funds to support other SB 1383 initiatives for compliance that may include:
• Procurement of recycled organics products such as compost, mulch, etc. • SB 1383 resident outreach for transition to 3-container program • Consultant services to assist with annual reporting, implementation record, compliance tracking and waiver program
• SB 1383 required inspections, including contamination monitoring • Procurement of 3-stream waste containers for City facilities • Other grant compliant purchases identified by staff
This will allow the City to retain flexibility in the use of the Round Two SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant funding from CalRecycle to make purchases tailored towards the community and ensure compliance with SB 1383 regulations.
FISCAL IMPACT & PROCUREMENT REVIEW
Per the MOA/Letter Agreement the City will spend up to $50,000 in program eligible expenses. Then the City will submit for reimbursement from SGVCOG.
Procurement review is not applicable.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's office has reviewed and approved as to form.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend that Council authorizes the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Agreement between the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments and the City of San Marino for participation in the San Gabriel Valley Regional Food Recovery Program.
“I move to authorize the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Agreement between the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments and the City of San Marino for participation in the San Gabriel Valley Regional Food Recovery Program.”
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Memorandum of Agreement