SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
DIRECTOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION
TO THE CALIFORNIA INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT BOARD, REUSE ASSISTANCE GRANT
PROGRAM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000 FOR THE PURPOSES OF SUPPORTING RECYCLING
PROGRAMS IN SAN JOSE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, to accept the grant on behalf of the city,
and to execute the documents necessary to implement the grant.
COUNCIL DISTRICT: City-Wide
Adoption of a resolution authorizing the Director of the Environmental Services Department to submit an application to the California Integrated Waste Management Board, Reuse Assistance Grant Program, in the amount of $50,000, to accept the grant on behalf of the City of San Jose, and to execute all documents necessary to implement the grant.
BACKGROUND
In FY 1999-2000, the Environmental Services Department (ESD) received a grant from the Santa Clara County Joint Powers Authority to fund a pilot school recycling program. This funding was used to purchase supplies for each school, such as recycling bins and carts, to be used in collecting mixed paper from their respective campuses. In addition, these funds were used to provide incentives to the schools either to purchase environmental education related school supplies, such as computers, lab equipment, or to pay for transportation to local science exhibits. These incentives were key to the success of the school recycling program. With limited resources, the school recycling pilot program started mixed paper collection programs at ten elementary and junior high schools in the Alum Rock and Oak Grove School Districts. Each school is now diverting three to four cubic yards of mixed paper weekly.
The Santa Clara County Joint Powers Authority Grant was a one-time only funding source. To continue this successful program, ESD is seeking funding from the California Integrated Waste Management Board, Reuse Assistance Program. To assist City staff in making this grant proposal more effective, ESD is joining with the Resource Area for Teachers (RAFT), a non-profit organization that provides teachers low or zero cost educational supplies. Supplies such as art, binders and other classroom basics have been donated to RAFT by local businesses that would have otherwise gone to disposal.
ESD and RAFT plan to submit a joint application that supports recycling in schools by providing subsidized memberships to RAFT for teachers whose districts champion school recycling. The funding will support RAFT’s outreach program to businesses and will pay for discounted RAFT memberships. In addition, RAFT will use the funding to reach out to businesses to obtain more material to meet their growing classroom needs. When these moneys are awarded, the City will enter into a contract with RAFT and transfer all funds to RAFT for program implementation.
Not applicable.
This memorandum has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
COST IMPLICATIONS
While the grant application requires matching funds, the City of San Jose is currently providing RAFT with $50,000 in FY 2001-2002. This funding will be referenced in the grant application to demonstrate matching funding. There are no additional cost implications.
CARL W. MOSHER
Director, Environmental Services Department