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 ...
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