REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve Budget Modification No. 11 to Appropriate $32,250 for the Schools Goin' Green Project which is receiving Santa Clara Valley Water District 2014 Safe, Clean Water Priority B Grant Funds.
Report
GRANT SUMMARY
On November 19, 2013, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 618-13 authorizing submission of an application for funding from the Santa Clara Valley Water District's (Water District) Priority B Grant Program under the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program of 2012 and acceptance of grant funds upon approval of the grant funding for the project by the Water District's Board of Directors.
On February 25, 2014, the Water District's Board of Directors authorized grant awards to 11 organizations and municipalities to implement projects that help prevent and remove pollution, educate and increase awareness of pollution, and restore wildlife habitat. The City's application for the Schools Goin' Green project was included among the grant awards, and the City will be awarded $32,250 to implement the two-year grant project.
On July 16, 2014, the City Manager accepted grant funds in the amount of $32,250 to the Environmental Services Department for the Schools Goin' Green Project. The grant funds would allow ESD to work with two high schools and two to three middle schools to engage their service or environmental clubs to establish school-wide "GreenTeams" that would conduct regular litter cleanups on and around their campus, characterize the type and sources of litter collected, and develop and implement a recycling program and an anti-littering campaign on campus including a video documentary about their efforts. The project will also be implemented in partnership with the City of Cupertino. The total project cost is estimated at $44,750 with local match for the project of $12,500, which is met by program administration by current staff.
The Regulatory Programs Division in the Environmental Services Department will be responsible for the management of the grant.
Granting Agency
This grant is being provided by the Water District which manages the Santa Clara Valley's integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water; flood protection; and stewardship of local streams. As part of its Safe Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program special tax approved by voters in November 2012, the Water District is offering a series of grant opportunities to partner with the community and extend their watershed stewardship mission. As part of the first cycle of grants, the Water District offered approximately $2 million in two grant solicitations, including up to $200,000 for projects that "Support Volunteer Cleanup Efforts and Education," under which this project was considered.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.1.5 Donations, Contributions and Sponsorships:
The City Manager may apply for grants of any dollar amount, but shall notify the Council when grants are being pursued. Council approval of a budget modification to appropriate grant monies is required before funds can be expended by staff. Such a budget modification shall include the use to which the grant would be placed; the objectives or goals of the City which will be achieved through use of the grant; the local match required, if any, plus the source of the local match; any increased cost to be locally funded upon termination of the grant; and the ability of the City to administer the grant. For grants under the amount of $5,000 that do not have any external reporting requirements or any local match requirement, Council approval of a budget modification is not required. The City Manager is authorized to accept and administratively appropriate the grant funds.
This grant does not meet the criteria to be administratively appropriated by the City Manager. Grant funds from the Water District exceed $5,000, have external reporting requirements, and require a minimum 25% local match; therefore Council approval is required.
General Plan Policy EM-8.3- Ensure that stormwater control measures and best management practices (BMPs) are implemented to reduce the discharge of pollutants in storm water to the maximum extent practicable.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed action is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15308 (actions to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment).
FISCAL IMPACT
Required Local Match
The Local Match for this project is $12,500 and will be provided by in-kind staffing from the Environmental Services Department's (ESD) Operating Budget for project administration and management. Related project costs will be charged to Program 366 (Regulatory Programs), which is funded by the Wastewater Management Fund.
Increased Cost to City upon Grant Termination
None.
Budget Modification No. 11 has been prepared to appropriate a total of $32,250 in 2014 Safe Clean Water Priority B Grant funds for staffing resources, supplies, and equipment to a new project, Schools Goin' Green Project. The $12,500 local match will be provided by staff time already budgeted in the ESD operating program.
Budget Modification No. 11
FY 2014/15
|
Current |
Increase/ (Decrease) |
Revised |
Wastewater Management Fund |
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
Santa Clara Valley Water District's Clean, Safe Water Priority B Grant Program |
$0 |
$32,250 |
$32,250 |
|
|
|
|
Expenditures |
|
|
|
New Project - Schools Goin' Green |
$0 |
$32,250 |
$32,250 |
|
|
|
|
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety, and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk, and on the City's website.
Additionally, staff has reached out to and met with local school contacts who have agreed to participate in the project, including Fremont High School, Homestead High School, and Sunnyvale Middle School. Staff will to reach out to Columbia Middle School and will work with the City of Cupertino to reach out to Cupertino Middle School to secure their participation in the project.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve Budget Modification No. 11 to appropriate a total of $32,250 for staffing resources, supplies, and equipment to a new project, Schools Goin' Green Project, which will be receiving 2014 Safe Clean Water Priority B Grant funds.
Staff
Prepared by: Melody Tovar, Regulatory Programs Division Manager
Reviewed by: John E. Stufflebean, Director, Environmental Services
Reviewed by: Grace Leung, Director, Finance
Reviewed by: Robert A. Walker, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager