REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Approving City Applications for CalRecycle Funding and Related Authorizations
Report
BACKGROUND
The City is eligible for City/County Payment Program funding administered by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). CalRecycle distributes funds through this program to eligible curbside operators based on the volume of beverage containers collected curbside and through drop-off programs and reported to CalRecycle per calendar year. The rate of disbursement is derived by dividing the total volume of beverage containers collected by all eligible curbside and neighborhood drop-off programs into the total funds available for the given year ($15 million total in 2014). For calendar year 2014, Sunnyvale received $98,243.92 from the program.
Funds received from the CalRecycle program are applied to beverage container recycling by offsetting a portion of the expense of operating Sunnyvale’s curbside recycling service.
The application form for these funds requires a Council resolution that authorizes the submittal of the application for such grants/payments, identifies the time period for which the authorizations are valid, and identifies the individual authorized to execute such agreements.
EXISTING POLICY
General Plan, Chapter 7, Environmental Management, Policy EM-14.2 Maximize diversion of solid waste from disposal by use of demand management techniques, providing and promoting recycling programs and encouraging private sector recycling.
Council Policy, 3.2.1, Solid Waste Management Goals and Policies, 3.2F.3 Identify additional revenue sources and, where possible, increase revenues from solid waste programs, services, and facilities without jeopardizing program goals and customer service quality.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Application for these CalRecycle funds is exempt from the requirements of the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in that it is not a Project which has the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment, pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Sections 1506l(b)(3) and 15378(a).
DISCUSSION
The City of Sunnyvale has been receiving funds annually from the CalRecycle Beverage Container City/County Payment Program since 1994. In January 2016, Cities and Counties were informed by CalRecycle that as a result of California State Auditor reports from 2010 and 2014 on the Beverage Container Recycling Program, CalRecycle is changing the funding request process to require a new jurisdiction resolution format. Other changes alter the term during which a recipient expends program funds, proportionate cost methodology implementation and requiring an expenditure report with supporting documentation. Recycling Program staff has already confirmed with CalRecycle that documentation of paid services provided by the City’s franchised hauler, Specialty Solid Waste and Recycling, will meet the new requirements.
The attached resolution must be approved by Council in order for the City to receive its City/County Payment. It has been worded broadly enough for staff to submit other types of funding requests to CalRecycle without returning to Council for adoption of additional, similar resolutions.
Staff recommends that Council approve the resolution attached as Attachment 1 so that the City can continue to receive this revenue.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact. The revenues to be received are already anticipated in the budget.
The City will submit a Funding Request for calendar year 2015 when funds are available for disbursement through CalRecycle. Funds received would provide revenue to the Solid Waste Fund.
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.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution for Submittal of Applications for CalRecycle Payment Programs and Related Authorizations for which City of Sunnyvale is Eligible.
Staff
Prepared by: Karen Gissibl, Environmental Programs Manager
Reviewed by: John Stufflebean, Director, Environmental Services
Reviewed by: Kent Steffens, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENT
1. Resolution for Submittal of Applications for CalRecycle Payment Programs and Related Authorizations for which City of Sunnyvale is Eligible