Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Pursuit of an Ecology Grant for a Second Street Sweeper
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the resolution authorizing the City to apply for a Washington State Department of Ecology grant and loan to fund a second street sweeper and authorizing the Interim City Manager to sign the grant and loan, if awarded.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a resolution authorizing the City to apply for a water quality grant and loan to fund a second street sweeper.
Staff Contact:
Sue Barclift, Senior Stormwater Program Specialist, Public Works Water Resources, 360.570.3805
Presenter:
Sue Barclift, Senior Stormwater Program Specialist
Background and Analysis:
The Department of Ecology offers grant and loan funding for stormwater activities that provide water quality benefits. Street sweeping is a stormwater activity and is recognized as a cost-effective practice that significantly reduces pollutants in surface water by removing sediment before it enters a stormwater collection system.
Current street sweeping program funding is split between the City’s Transportation Program and the Stormwater Utility. For the past four years, the Stormwater Utility has worked to enhance the street sweeping program by shifting focus to sediment removal and increasing sweeper operating hours. Progress has been slow since the City has only one street sweeper. Having to compete with using the sweeper for other activities (e.g., spills, litter, leaves, winter sand cleanup, resident requests) limits time to concentrate on a water quality route. The additional sweeping hours have also put a strain on the sweeper’s performance causing frequent mechanical downtime.
The grant requires 25 percent matching funds and requires the program to continue for three years after the grant term is completed. The maximum grant term is three years unless the grant is combined with a loan. Packaging the grant with a loan for the required 25 percent matching funds extends the grant term to five years. Continuing the program for three more years will fulfill the grant timeline requirement and aligns with the eight-year lifecycle of a street sweeper.
A second street sweeper is now included in the City’s 2020-2025 Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) and a new 0.5 FTE is in the 2020 budget for a street sweeper operator. Staff will present more details about the terms of the grant and loan, including matching funds and resources included in the 2020 budget.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Projects to improve water quality have consistently received the support of the Utility Advisory Committee and the community.
Options:
Option 1: Approve a Resolution authorizing the City to apply for a Washington State Department of Ecology grant and loan to fund a second street sweeper and authorize the interim City Manager to sign the grant and loan, if awarded. The City receives financial assistance in the form of a grant to offset planned expenditures for the purchase and operation of a second street sweeper.
Option 2: Do not approve a Resolution authorizing the City to pursue a grant to fund a second street sweeper. The City will not receive financial assistance and would need to evaluate an increase to stormwater utility rates to fund the sweeper.
Financial Impact:
The total cost for the eight-year water quality enhanced street sweeping program is $2,044,055. Receiving the Ecology grant opportunity brings the program costs for the City to $947,998.
Attachments:
Resolution
Water Quality Enhanced Street Sweeping Program Budget