COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health System

 

DATE:

April 28, 2010

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 8, 2010

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Jean S. Fraser, Chief, Health System

Brian J. Zamora, Director, Community Health

SUBJECT:

Application and Acceptance of Oil Payment Program Funds from the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

 

1)

Authorizing the Health System to apply for and accept all available Oil Payment Program funds as the regional lead agency from the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery effective until rescinded; and

 

2)

Authorizing the Chief of the Health System or designee to execute all necessary applications, agreements, amendments, payment requests, and all documents necessary to secure funds to implement the approved projects and carry out the purposes specified in the applications effective until rescinded.

 

BACKGROUND:

The County of San Mateo serves as the lead for all the incorporated cities for the Solid Waste, Used Oil Block Grant, Tire Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) grants. Environmental Health manages these four programs that are vital in ensuring hazardous and damaging waste does not pose a threat to public health or the environment. These grants have been in effect for years and provide the annual grant funding to sustain important education and environmental protection programs for the public. Since 1996 your Board has adopted a number of Resolutions enabling Environmental Health to administer these grants and authorizing the Chief of the Health System to execute all documents related to these grants. Until December 31, 2009, these grants were funded by the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB). CIWMB’s functions have been transferred to the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).

 
 

Following provisions of SB 546, the California Used Oil Recycling Enhancement Act, CalRecycle will replace the Used Oil Block Grant program with the Oil Payment Program. Applications for the new program require a separate Resolution from the Board of Supervisors, as well as separate letters of support from participating jurisdictions. In addition, CalRecycle requests that the Board Resolution be issued on an “until rescinded” basis, rather than for a set period of time. The Board may rescind its authorization at its own discretion, at any time.

 

DISCUSSION:

The Used Oil Program collects over 124,000 gallons of oil for recycling annually and provides pollution prevention education and collection opportunities to San Mateo County residents. The program assists residents to manage their used motor oil properly, diverting it from landfills and protecting the environment from pollutants.

 

Due to the conversion from a grant program to a payment program, CalRecycle made the legal determination that a separate Resolution and letters of support are necessary. Substantive elements of the used oil collection system remain the same. Benefits to the County include reduced administrative burden and increased levels of funding. Changes due to SB 546 have no effect on other grant programs administered by CalRecycle.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution as to form.

 

The ability to apply for and manage the Used Oil funds from CalRecycle contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of an Environmentally Conscious Community by securing funding and encouraging San Mateo County residents to protect the environment by disposing of HHW, used oil/filters and used/waste tires in an appropriate manner. It is anticipated that 37,500 households will be served by the Household Hazardous Waste Program in the next fiscal year due to the increased ability to inform the public of appropriate disposal options and pollution prevention alternatives.

 

Performance Measure:

Measure

FY 2009-10
Estimate

FY 2010-11
Projected

Number of households served by Household Hazardous Waste Program

37,500

37,500

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The appropriations and revenue are included in the Environmental Health FY 2010-11 Recommended Budget. The budgeted amount for the Used Oil Payment Program is $162,851 for FY 2010-11. Appropriations and revenue for future years will be included in subsequent budgets. There is no Net County Cost associated with this payment program.