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COUNTY OF SAN MATEO Inter-Departmental Correspondence | ||||||
Department of Public Works | ||||||
DATE: |
October 22, 2004 | |||||
BOARD MEETING DATE: |
November 2, 2004 | |||||
TO: |
Honorable Board of Supervisors | |||||
FROM: |
Neil R. Cullen, Department of Public Works | |||||
SUBJECT: |
Application for a Computer Reuse/Work Training Grant | |||||
Recommendation | ||||||
Adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of Public Works to submit an application to the California Integrated Waste Management Board for a Computer Reuse/Work Training Assistance Grant. | ||||||
Key Facts | ||||||
There is currently no local program to allow for the reuse of functional computers that are being surplused by businesses that need higher speed machines. | ||||||
Discussion | ||||||
Goodwill Industries (Goodwill) is a national model for reusing goods and material which, in turn, reduces these items prematurely entering the solid waste stream. They have requested that the County partner with them to develop a program to reuse computers, as they have stopped accepting computers at their five stores and eight donation centers in the County due to the high cost of disposal and the current lack of a computer reuse program. | ||||||
Goodwill and Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) of the Human Services Agency (HSA) have also been discussing doing a cooperative project for several months, and a computer reuse program is a good match for both of their programs. | ||||||
The RecycleWorks Program in Public Works is interested in having a reuse center for electronics in the County, as the most frequent call to the RecycleWorks hotline is from people wanting to know what to do with their old computers. While the County has several recycling options, there has been no real reuse option as there are currently no computer recycling or reuse services in the County. | ||||||
The proposed grant, if approved by the California Integrated Waste Management Board, will be used to finance a pilot program that will “clean” the memory of these machines and install appropriate operating systems in order that the machines can be reused. The pilot program will be managed by Goodwill, will use clients of VRS with promotional information provided as part of our current countywide RecycleWorks outreach program. | ||||||
Vision Alignment | ||||||
We believe our recommendation is consistent with the Shared Commitment to “provide equal access to educational opportunity” and to be a “responsive, effective and collaborative government,” and with Goal 4 which provides that “residents have many educational opportunities beyond high school” and Goal 20 which provides that “government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact , rather than temporary gain,” as the pilot program will provide educational training opportunities while reducing the solid waste stream. | ||||||
Fiscal Impact | ||||||
There is no fiscal impact to any funds administered by the County in applying for the Grant. The pilot program is estimated at $75,000 and the current estimated financing is as follows: | ||||||
Grant Funds (CA Integrated Waste Management Board) |
$50,000 |
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Required Matching Funds (50% of the Grant) |
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Goodwill Industry Funds |
$11,000 |
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VRS Funds |
$2,000 |
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Solid Waste Funds |
$12,000 |
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Total |
$75,000 |
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The allocation of costs are subject to modification based on the grant allocation as determined by the Integrated Waste Management Board. | ||||||
The funds provided by VRS and the Solid Waste Fund will be from the current appropriation in the respective departments. There is no impact to the General Fund. | ||||||
A form of resolution has been approved by County Counsel. | ||||||
