SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF a time extension to THE
AGREEMENT WITH UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, SANTA CLARA.
COUNCIL DISTRICT: City-Wide
Approval of a time extension to the consultant agreement with the University of California Cooperative Extension, Santa Clara, (UCCE) for research on the use of municipally generated yard waste and food waste products, extending the term by twelve months (12) from August 1, 2001 through August 1, 2002, with no increase in compensation.
BACKGROUND
The Environmental Services Department’s (ESD) collection of yard trimmings and commercial food waste continues to increase each year. This creates the need to find additional markets for the organic products made from yard trimmings, and composted food waste. The Agriculture in Partnership program (AIP) was established with a grant from the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) from 1994 through 1997. The initial results showed significant findings on the benefits of compost for agricultural use. Because of the need for additional research on marketing additional products to expanded markets, in June 1997 the City Council approved an agreement for $61,000 with UCCE to continue compost product market research and development. The current amended agreement will expire on August 1, 2001.
In order to extend the research period, and thus obtain more conclusive results about compost effects, UCCE recommends one more year of field trials to continue data collection. Research conclusions and recommendations are made available to compost users through field days, newsletters, web pages, and compost journals. No new funds are required to complete the additional year of research or reports.
The availability of these funds for the hiring of a consultant was made available on Virtual Valley, as well as being announced at numerous Farm Advisor’s meetings. UCCE was the only respondent interested in conducting research for the project.
This memorandum has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
COST IMPLICATIONS
There will be no additional funding required to complete the research timetable.
CARL W. MOSHER
Director, Environmental Services Department