HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-17 Staff Report - Letter of Agreement OWR-2 GrantCONSENT ITEM
E-17
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER
FROM: TIKAN SINGH, GENERAL MANAGER
DATE: AUGUST 19, 2024
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE A LETTER OF AGREEMENT WITH THE
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (SGVCOG) FOR
PARTICIPATION IN THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY REGIONAL EDIBLE
FOOD RECOVERY PROGRAM
BACKGROUND:
The City of Azusa is currently participating in the Regional Edible Food Recovery Program,
administered by the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG), to meet SB 1383
requirements. This law mandates recovering 20% of edible food that would otherwise end up in
landfills by 2025. On August 15, 2022, the City Council accepted the Organic Waste Recycling
(OWR-1) grant of $70,912 from CalRecycle. This grant was allocated to implement the regional
edible food recovery program, covering costs for consultants, staff, education and outreach, and
equipment to enhance the capacity of local food recovery organizations.
Recently, CalRecycle announced a second round of OWR grant applications. The SGVCOG,
acting as a Joint Powers Authority, applied for and was awarded $2.1 million to implement the
program on behalf of the participating cities. The City’s grant allocation is $100,649.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council take the following action:
1) Authorize the City Manager to sign a Letter of Agreement with the San Gabriel Valley
Council of Governments for the City of Azusa’s participation in the San Gabriel Valley
Regional Food Recovery Program (“Program”).
ANALYSIS:
In the first round of the grant program (OWR-1), the City of Azusa had a direct grant agreement
with CalRecycle and used these funds to pay SGVCOG for program services. The City and
Approved
City Council
August 19, 2024
Approval of Letter of Agreement – Participation in Regional Edible Food Recovery Program
August 19, 2024
Page 2
SGVCOG had a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) under which SGVCOG coordinated
program services and was subsequently reimbursed by the City.
For the second round of funding (OWR-2), SGVCOG is now the direct recipient of the
CalRecycle grant on behalf of the City. As the direct recipient, SGVCOG will use the grant funds
to continue providing program services in Azusa. The Letter of Agreement details the terms,
services, and responsibilities of SGVCOG and the City. This agreement will be funded by the
City’s $100,649 grant allocation, with $16,555 designated for procuring containers for food scrap
collection. The agreement will be effective from August 20, 2024, to April 30, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact on the City to enter into the Letter Agreement to continue to receive the
SGVCOG’s Regional Food Recovery Program Services. SGVCOG, as the direct recipient of
CalRecycle’s Round Two SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant, will use the City’s grant allocation to
cover the costs associated with the City’s participation in the program.
Prepared: Reviewed and Approved:
Liza Sagun Tikan Singh
Environmental Programs Specialist General Manager
Fiscal Review by: Reviewed and Approved:
Talika Johnson Sergio Gonzalez
Director of Administrative Services City Manager
Attachment:
1)Letter of Agreement Between SGVCOG and the City of Azusa
1841283.1
FRESH SGV REGIONAL FOOD RECOVERY PROGRAM LETTER AGREEMENT
July 12, 2024
Sergio Gonzalez, City Manager
City of Azusa
213 E Foothill Boulevard
Azusa, CA 91702
RE: City of Azusa Participation in SGVCOG’s Regional Food Recovery Program
Dear City Manager Gonzalez,
This Letter Agreement (“Letter”) is to confirm the City of Azusa’s (“City”) participation in the
Food Recovery for Equity, Sustainability, and Health in the San Gabriel Valley (FRESH SGV)
(“Program”).
As you are aware, the City and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) have
previously entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) to provide Program services
wherein the SGVCOG coordinated such services and was reimbursed by the City. The SGVCOG
is now the direct recipient of funding for the Program services and the City has expressed its desire
to continue to receive such Program services, which will be funded by the SGVCOG. The
continuation of Program services pursuant to this letter is anticipated to begin August 20, 2024,
and to conclude on April 30, 2026.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the MOA by way of this Letter, any unspent funds
allocated under the MOA will be utilized to continue Program services under this Letter.
Through participation in this Program, the City will receive services which may include, but are
not limited to:
•Inspections of Tier 1 and Tier 2 Edible Food Generators, and Food Recovery
Organizations;
•Food recovery capacity expansion initiatives, such as the Food Recovery Hub pilot
initiative; and
•Purchase of organics bins as determined by the City based on specified budget.
Key responsibilities of each agency are outlined below.
●SGVCOG Responsibilities:
o Manage and administer CalRecycle and consultant agreements to ensure successful
implementation of the Program.
o Manage the budget for the Program, which includes utilizing any surplus funds
from the food recovery program MOA to support Program implementation.
o Provide a point-of-contact to serve as the SGVCOG’s Project Manager.
o Respond to and address City questions regarding Program implementation.
o Coordinate conference calls and/or meetings with City as necessary.
o Hold joint city food recovery meetings to support information sharing.
Attachment 1
1841283.1
●City Responsibilities:
o Maintain membership in the SGVCOG during the entire term of the Program.
o Designate a point-of-contact to serve as the City’s Project Manager to provide
direction and support and manage the day-to-day coordination with the SGVCOG
and consultants.
o Provide feedback and elevate questions to the SGVCOG’s Project Manager on the
implementation of the Program.
o Respond to requests, provide data and information as requested, review materials,
and provide input to the SGVCOG and its consultants to support the
implementation of the Program.
o Coordinate City resources as needed to facilitate implementation of the Program
within the City.
o Participate in scheduled monthly conference calls and/or meetings with the
SGVCOG and consultants throughout the term of the Program.
o Participate in monthly joint city food recovery meetings.
The SGVCOG reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to discontinue providing the Program’s
services within the City at any time but shall endeavor to provide City with at least five business
days’ notice thereof. The SGVCOG and the City shall bear their own respective costs in fulfilling
the responsibilities outlined above. Should you have any questions regarding the Program, please
contact Mackenzie Bolger at mbolger@sgvcog.org.
Sincerely,
Marisa Creter
Executive Director
ACKNOWLEDGED AND ACCEPTED:
City of Azusa
__________________________________ ___________________
Sergio Gonzalez, City Manager Date
Cc: Mackenzie Bolger, Principal Management Analyst