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COUNTY OF SAN MATEOInter-Departmental Correspondence |
Employee and Public Services Department |
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DATE: |
February 4, 2002 |
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BOARD MEETING DATE: |
February 25, 2002 |
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TO: |
Honorable Board of Supervisors |
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FROM: |
Mary Welch, Director, Employee and Public Director
Steve Rossi, Purchasing/Copy/Mail Services Manager |
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SUBJECT: |
Application for Surplus Property Grant |
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Recommendation |
Adopt a resolution authorizing Employee and Public Services, Purchasing Division to submit a grant application for up to $42,000 with the State of California Environmental Protection Agency, California Integrated Waste Management Board for computer and other upgrades to the County's internal Surplus Property Program. |
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Background |
The Purchasing Division's Surplus Property Program collects used equipment and materials from County Departments and provides a means of reuse to departments, County non-profit agencies, and residents and/or businesses located within San Mateo County (through surplus sales). The Program's efforts make a significant contribution to the County's recycling, reuse and environmental purchasing objectives.
Applying for this grant money will afford the opportunity to implement an online system that will more effectively match available equipment and materials with reusers who need those materials in a more timely fashion thereby decreasing the need by various departments for new purchases. |
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Discussion |
The State of California Environmental Protection Agency, California Integrated Waste Management Board has published a grant program affording local agencies the opportunity to apply for funds earmarked for programs that "use a material over again in its current form without any significant processing that alters its material structure." The application requires a Board Resolution as a condition of applying for the grant.
Employee and Public Services collaborated with Public Works Recycle Works staff to evaluate the grant criteria and both Departments concluded that the Purchasing Division's Surplus Property Program is a good candidate for a grant award under this program. San Mateo County's proposed project will serve to bring all items contained in its surplus warehouse directly to all potential reusers of that surplus property through an online point and click directory. This feature of instant accessibility to what is available will provide the incentive and encouragement for end users to select used items rather than buy new or do without.
The County's current system of storing surplus in a central warehouse does ensure that some surplus property is reused, which includes monthly sales that are open to the public. But the need for potential reusers to physically visit the site and/or to call on a regular basis to enquire as to what is available acts as a deterrent to use of the warehouse as a resource, limiting its reuse capabilities. Instituting a readily accessible website, together with an expanded pickup and delivery system, will significantly increase the County's reuse efforts. Employee and Public Services recommends applying for this grant award because it is in the best interest of the County. |
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Visioning alignment |
Grant money received under this program will further County Vision objectives numbered 14 - preserving important natural resources; 20 - decisions based on careful consideration of future impact, and 22 - collaborating strategic approaches to issues effecting the entire County. |
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Fiscal Impact |
None. The County's obligation to match the grant funds will be absorbed in the Program's existing budget over the course of two years. |