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HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0016) M&C 21-0912City of Fort Worth, Texas Mayor and Council Communication DATE: 11/30/21 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 21-0912 LOG NAME: 23USDACOMMUNITYCOMPOSTANDFOODWASTEREDUCTIOGRANTFY21-22 SUBJECT (ALL) Authorize the Acceptance of a United States Department of Agriculture's Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction Grant in an Amount Not to Exceed $90,000.00 for the Two -Year Term Starting October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2023, Authorize Cash Match of $30,000.00 for the Two -Year Term Starting October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2023, and Adopt the Attached Appropriation Ordinance RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Authorize the acceptance of a United States Department of Agriculture's Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction grant in an amount not to exceed $90,000.00 for the two-year term starting October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2023; 2. Authorize cash match from the City's Solid Waste Fund of $30,000.00 for the two-year term starting October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2023; and 3. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Operating Federal Fund, subject to receipt of the grant, in the amount of $120,000.00, for the purpose of funding the expansion of the city's residential food scraps composting program. DISCUSSION: The United States Department of Agriculture has indicated its intention to award the City of Fort Worth its Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction (CCFWR) grant in an amount not to exceed $90,000.00. The city will provide matching funds of 25 percent or in an amount not to exceed $30,000.00 from the City's Solid Waste Fund pending approval of the City Council. Apply indirect costs at the approved percentage rate of 10 percent. If authorized by Council, the CCFWR will support the expansion of the City of Fort Worth's Residential Food Scraps Composting Pilot Program, which was launched in April 2019 with a grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the North Central Texas Council of Governments. The primary goal of the CCFWR will be to double the number of program subscribers (from the current 1,500 to 3,000 households) within the first year of the grant -funded expansion, and triple the number of subscribers (for a total of 4,500 enrolled households) by the second year of usage of the federal funds, and achieve economy of scale. Secondarily, the CCFWR will expand the composting program beyond the residential realm, making food scrap composting options more accessible to local small agricultural producers, while benefiting our local community gardens. Program income generated from the one-time subscription fee charged from CCFWR participants will also help further advance at least the following six other objectives supported by the CCFWR: • Generate composted materials; • Increase access of agricultural producers to composited material; • Reduce reliance on, and limit the use of, fertilizer; • Improve soil quality; • Reduce municipal food waste; and • Divert food waste from landfills. This program serves ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS. A Form 1295 is not required because: This contract will be with a governmental entity, state agency or public institution of higher education: United States Department of Agriculture FISCAL INFORMATION / CERTIFICATION: The Director of Finance certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations and adoption of the attached appropriation ordiance, funds will be available in the current operating budget, as appropriated, in the Grants Operating Federal Fund. The Code Compliance Department (and Financial Management Services) will be responsible for the collection and deposit of funds due to the City. Prior to making an expenditure, the Code Compliance Department has the responsibility to validate the availability of funds. This will be a reimbursement grant. Submitted for City Manager's Office by: Valerie Washington 6199 Originating Business Unit Head: Brandon Bennett 6322 Additional Information Contact: David B. Carson 6336