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CITY OF HOUSTON - CITY COUNCIL
Meeting Date: 8/27/2024
ALL
Item Creation Date: 8/7/2024
SWD USDA Food Waste Reduction Grant
Agenda Item#: 30.
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| | | | | | | | Summary:
ORDINANCE approving and authorizing submission of Electronic Application for and acceptance of Grant Funds through UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE in support of the Solid Waste Management Department’s Composting and Food Waste Reduction Grant Pilot Project eligibility for such Grant; authorizing the Department Director to act as the City's representative in the application process, to electronically apply for, accept, and expend the Grant Funds if awarded and to electronically apply for, accept, and expend all subsequent awards, if any, pertaining to the Grant and to extend the budget period |
| | | | | | | | Background:
The Solid Waste Department (SWD) requests City Council approval authority to apply for grant funds from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Composting and Food Waste Reduction Grant Pilot Project, authorizing the Department Director to act as the City’s Representative in the application process, to electronically apply for, accept, and expend the grant funds, if awarded, and to electronically apply for, accept, and expend all subsequent awards, if any, pertaining to the application and to extend the budget period; containing provisions relating to the subject.
The estimated grant value is $400,000.00. There is a $100,000 match from the FY25 Special Recycling Revenue Fund (Fund 2305). The anticipated project period is from January 31, 2025, to June 1, 2027.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
The City of Houston provides residential solid waste collection services to nearly 400,000 households. Residents receive garbage collection once per week and recycling every other week.
We believe that Houston’s goal to reduce the environmental impacts for solid waste disposal by improving the diversion rat of food waste generated through the solid waste system perfectly aligns with the USDA’s priorities for this funding. We offer the following request to fund our continued effort to grow composting efforts that will have a direct effect on landfill capacity.
The program has three main objectives: 1) engage with communities through online and broadcast media, printed messages, and community outreach, including focused direct education in food waste and composting 2) support the diversion of food waste entering the landfill from an external partner, the Houston Food Bank which generates food waste from retail grocery stores, farmers and processors. 3) work closely with community partners such as non-profit refugee urban farming organizations and for-profit food waste/compost hauling organizations to launch and sustain additional residential food waste drop-off and compost distribution locations. Houston can improve the diversion rate of recyclable materials generated through the solid waste system by developing and testing strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans.
The program goals potentially funded by this grant may be achieved through diversifying the City’s approach towards food waste composting education in the following areas:
Fiscal Note:
Funding for this item is in the FY25 Adopted Budget. Therefore, No Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies. No fiscal Note is required on grant items.
Director’s Signature
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Mark C Wilfalk,
Solid Waste Department
Estimated Spending Authority
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Recurring or One-Time
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One-Time
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Fund Name
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Current FY
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Out Year
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Total
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SWD-Recycling Revenue Fund
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$100,000.00
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$0.00
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$100,000.00
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Total
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$100,000.00
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$0.00
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$100,000.00
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| | | | | | | | Amount and Source of Funding:
$400,000.00 Federal Government- FUND 5000
$100,000.00 Recycling Revenue- FUND 2305
$500,000.00 Total
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| | | | | | | | Contact Information:
MARK ANDERSON, SWM Chief of Staff 832-393-0463
VERONICA LIZAMA, SWM DD Administration 832-393-0478
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