MEMO TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor John Marchione
SUBJECT:
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Approval of 2017-2019 Local Solid Waste Financial Assistance (LSWFA) Grant for Recycling Program in the Amount of $22,801
I. RECOMMENDED ACTION
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Authorize the Mayor to execute the Interagency Agreement between the Washington State Department of Ecology and the City of Redmond (Agreement No. W2RLSWFA-1719-RedmPW-00067) in the amount of $22,801 for the 2017-2019 Local Solid Waste Financial Assistance (LSWFA) Grant.
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II. DEPARTMENT CONTACTS
Martin Pastucha, Director of Public Works 425-556-2733
Gary Schimek, Environmental & Utility Services Division Manager 425-556-2742
Andy Rheaume, Environmental & Utility Services Division Supervisor 425-556-2741
Eberley Barragán, Program Administrator 425-556-2832
III. DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND
Redmond’s Solid Waste Management Program is eligible to receive $22,801 of funds from the Washington State Department of Ecology to enhance garbage recycling programs. The funds will be applied towards outreach and technical assistance to enable Redmond businesses to increase recycling. Through these efforts, the City expects to reduce contamination of recyclables with garbage and divert an additional 200 tons of waste from the landfill (above the 8,200 tons Redmond businesses diverted in 2017). If the agreement is approved, the City of Redmond is required to match this grant in the amount of $7,600. Matching funds were budgeted in the 2017-2018 budget in anticipation of receiving this grant. From 2015-2017, the City received a total of $44,556 under the same grant program. The reduction in grant funding was the result of a budget decision by the Washington State legislation.
This grant funding increases Redmond’s Commercial Recycling and Technical Assistance Program. From June 2016 to June 2018 the outreach and technical assistance program achieved the following:
• 168 business were visited directly by the contractor (Full Circle Environmental)
• Visits included some or all of the following:
o providing recycling and waste reduction information and recommendations
o emphasizing the importance of flattening cardboard, reducing contamination, and other priority messaging
o supporting appropriate signage and container sizing and placement
o providing in-depth assistance to manage challenging recyclables
• An estimated 527 additional tons of recycling has been realized via operational changes made by businesses assisted during the two-year contract period
For June 2018 - June 2019 the program plan is to continue these efforts, including visiting an estimated 70 businesses and diverting an additional 200 tons of waste to recycling.
IV. PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS HELD
COUNCIL ACTIONS/COMMUNICATION
|
Date |
Action / Committee Presentation |
|
07/10/2018 |
Public Works and Planning Committee |
|
Today |
Approve Grant Agreement |
V. IMPACT
A. Service/Delivery:
Commercial Recycling Outreach and Technical Assistance: The City will help businesses in Redmond reduce waste and recycle more through outreach and technical assistance, such as site assessments, training, educational materials and sharing success stories. The City expects to visit 70 businesses to reduce waste and increase recycling by an estimated 200 tons between June 30, 2018, and June 30, 2019.
B. Fiscal Note:
Maximum eligible expenditure under this grant is $30,401 to be spent by June 30, 2019. Washington State Department of Ecology’s Solid Waste Management Program will provide 75% ($22,801), and the City of Redmond must supply 25% match ($7,600) from the Solid Waste Fund.
VI. ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
The City Council could choose not to accept the LSWFA funds and use 100 percent of City funds for the commercial recycling outreach and technical assistance program.
VII. TIME CONSTRAINTS
The City must spend all of the LSWFA Grant funds by June 30, 2019.
VIII. LIST OF ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Grant Agreement