Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Local Solid Waste Financial Assistance Grant Agreement Between the City of Olympia and the Washington State Department of Ecology
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing a local solid waste financial assistance grant agreement between the City of Olympia and the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing a local solid waste financial assistance grant agreement between the City of Olympia and the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Staff Contact:
Ron Jones, Waste ReSources Senior Planner, Public Works, 360.753.8509
Gary Franks, Waste ReSources Director, Public Works, 360.753.8780
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
The Waste ReSources Utility provides municipal solid waste collection and education outreach services to our community. In 2006, the City of Olympia adopted a resolution establishing a vision of zero waste, which directed the utility to draft its first 6-year utility master plan in 2008. This plan was updated in 2015 and staff is now working on a second update, the 2022-2028 Waste ReSources Management Plan.
The 2022-2028 Plan will guide the utility’s work over the next six years, including continued operational efficiencies, addressing climate change impacts related to solid waste, recycle contamination reduction, multi-family recycling, culturally relevant education and outreach, potential for fleet electrification, a cost-of-service analysis and multi-year rate study, and rate equity evaluation.
Every two years, the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Local Solid Waste Financial Assistance Program (LSWFA) provides funding to counties for recycling and waste reduction programs. As a signatory to the Thurston County Solid Waste Plan, Olympia was able to request to use a portion of their funds, which Thurston County approved. Olympia has since worked directly with the State’s grant administrator to determine eligible costs, a scope of work and draft agreement.
The State approved using the funds to reimburse the city for specific eligible elements of the Waste ReSources Master Plan update, where the results will be used to inform decisions about improving recycling and waste reduction program performance and opportunities.
Staff is seeking council approval to move forward with the LSWFA Grant to help offset a portion of the plan update cost, which is funded through the utility operating budget.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
No known, however, the Olympia community in general has been supportive of Olympia’s waste reduction and recycling programs.
Options:
1. Approve a Resolution authorizing a Local Solid Waste Financial Assistance Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology.
2. Do not approve a Resolution authorizing a Local Solid Waste Financial Assistance Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology. The Waste ReSources Line of Business would fully fund the Master Plan Update and not receive any reimbursement.
3. Consider the Resolution at another time.
Financial Impact:
The grant allows the State to reimburse the utility 75 percent of the total billed amount of $72,789:
• The State will reimburse the city (75%) $54,659.25
• City of Olympia responsibility (25%) to be funded through the utility operating budget: $18,219.75
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement