REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: AHMAD ALKHAYYAT, PE, MBA, Assistant Director
Department of Public Utilities - Solid Waste Management Division
LORENZO NADORA, Solid Waste Manager
Department of Public Utilities - Solid Waste Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the submission of grant applications for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grant Program:
1. ***RESOLUTION - Authorizing the submission of a Consumer Recycling Education and Outreach Grant Program application to the EPA for the development and execution of an education and outreach plan and authorizing the Director of Public Utilities or designee to accept grant funds and execute all application and grant agreement documents on behalf of the City of Fresno (Citywide) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
2. ***RESOLUTION - Authorizing the submission of a Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program application to the EPA for the purpose of purchasing side loader collection trucks and cameras, and authorizing the Director of Public Utilities or designee to accept grant funds and execute all application and grant agreement documents on behalf of the City of Fresno (Citywide) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that City Council:
1. Approve a Resolution authorizing the submission of a Consumer Recycling Education and Outreach (REO) Grant Program application to the EPA for the development and execution of an education and outreach plan and authorizing the Director of Public Utilities or designee to accept grant funds and execute all application and grant agreement documents on behalf of the City of Fresno.
2. Approve a Resolution authorizing the submission of a Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grant Program application to the EPA for the purpose of purchasing side loader collection trucks and cameras and authorizing the Director of Public Utilities or designee to accept grant funds and execute all application and grant agreement documents on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In November 2022, the EPA issued a Request for Applications (RFA) for the REO and SWIFR Grant Programs. As a local waste management authority, the City of Fresno intends to apply for the REO grant in the amount of $ 1,622,000 and the SWIFR grant in the amount of $2,200,000. If awarded, the REO Grant funds will be used to prepare and execute a recycling public education and outreach plan. The SWIFR grant funds, if awarded, will be used to purchase 4 side-loader collection vehicles to augment the existing fleet and cameras to assist the City in its container contamination minimization effort. Artificial intelligence (AI) software using the camera video would be able to characterize what is in the recyclables and organic waste. This way, the staff can identify where when and how much contamination is occurring.
Council approval of these resolutions cannot be delayed, as the due date to submit applications is February 15, 2023.
BACKGROUND
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan infrastructure Law (BIL), established the Consumer Recycling Education and Outreach Grant Program (REO) and allocated $75,000,000 for REO grants for Federal Fiscal Years 2022 through 2026 at $15,000,000 per year. Grants awarded under the REO Program will fund recycling education and outreach projects intended to improve consumer recycling education, increase waste prevention activities, increase collection of recyclable materials and program participation rates.
The IIJA also established the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program (SWIFR) and allocated $40,000,000 for SWIFR grants for Federal Fiscal Years 2022 through 2026. Grants awarded under the SWIFR Program are intended to establish, increase, expand, or optimize collection and improve materials management infrastructure, reduce contamination in the recycled materials stream, and identify, establish, or improve end-markets for the use of recycled materials.
In November 2022, the EPA issued the Guidelines and Proposal Solicitation Package establishing the Guidelines and Proposal Solicitation package establishing the processes, procedures, and criteria that EPA will use to implement the REO and SWIFR grant programs.
Both of the EPA grant programs are covered programs under the Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits to disadvantaged communities. The City of Fresno (City) is a culturally and ethnically diverse population center which includes many immigrant and refugee communities. A significant portion of the City is designated as disadvantaged, enabling the City to apply for the EPA grants under the Track 1 funding option. These grants will help the City meet State mandates for 50 percent waste diversion overall as well as 75 percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organics (green waste and food scraps). Purchase of Cameras with AI capability will assist the City in complying with Section: 18984.6 Recordkeeping Requirements for Container Contamination Minimization of Senate Bill 1383.
As a local waste management authority, the City of Fresno intends to apply for the REO grant in the amount of $ 1,622,000 and the SWIFR grant in the amount of $2,200,000. If awarded, the REO grant funds will be used to prepare a recycling education and outreach plan. The SWIFR grant funds, if awarded, will be used to purchase additional side-loader collection vehicles to augment the existing fleet as well as cameras to assist the City in its container contamination minimization effort.
Council approval of this resolution cannot be delayed, as the due date to submit applications is February 15, 2023. It is imperative that Council approve these authorizing resolutions without delay to ensure that the grant applications are submitted by the deadline.
City Attorney has reviewed the resolutions and approved to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines section 15378, this is not a project for the purposes of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because this action does not include a bid or an award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
This resolution will have no impact on the General Fund. Should the grants be awarded, the funds will be accounted for in separate funds to be designated specifically for the REO and SWIFR grant programs.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Resolution for SWIFR Grant Program
Attachment 2 - Resolution for REO Grant Program