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ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,301 FROM THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY TO BE USED TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT NECESSARY FOR THE FUTURE HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITY AND TO HOLD TWO ELECTRONIC WASTE COLLECTION EVENTS, APPROVAL OF CONTRACT K-2021-28, AND BUDGET APPROPRIATION FROM THE SANITATION FUND BALANCE.
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BACKGROUND: The new household hazardous waste facility will provide a safe, year-round disposal option for our citizens that is environmentally friendly. The current operation is an annual collection event where citizens can dispose of approved wastes that have been accumulated throughout the year. The new facility will not require citizens to store wastes throughout the year if not needed. Additionally, this facility will eliminate the need for the annual collection event which has become increasingly more difficult to find vendors to provide the collection and disposal services for the event and which cost approximately $120,000 in 2019. The proposed facility is under design by Studio Architecture under Contract K-1920-15 and is 95 percent complete.
DISCUSSION: The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued the grant opportunity for funding of solid waste improvements in Spring 2020. Staff determined that items will be necessary to equip the proposed facility to ensure efficient disposal and proper safety measures are in place. Additionally, the new facility won’t accept electronic waste so the two electronic collection events will allow residents to dispose of this waste properly since the annual collection event will no longer be held.
In July 2020, the DEQ notified staff that the full grant request of $25,301 would be awarded and provided their contract for execution. Equipment purchases and costs for the electronic waste collection events will initially be paid for through the Sanitation Fund. The DEQ will reimburse costs and the received funds will then be deposited back into the Sanitation Fund.
RECOMMENDATION #1: Staff recommends that the City of Norman and the Norman Municipal Authority accept the grant and approve Contract K-2021-28 with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality in the amount of $25,301 to purchase equipment necessary for the future Household Hazardous Waste Facility and hold two electronic waste collection events.
RECOMMENDATION #2: Staff recommends that the City of Norman and the Norman Municipal Authority appropriate $15,301 from Sanitation Fund Balance (33-2900) to Plant & Operating Equipment/Other (33955343-45199). Upon receipt of this $15,301 in grant funds, they will be deposited into Other Revenue/Misc Grant Reimb-State (339-331346). Staff recommends that the City of Norman and the Norman Municipal Authority appropriate $10,000 from Water Reclamation Fund Balance (32-2900) to Other Business Services (32955343-44199). Upon receipt of this $10,000 in grant funds, they will be deposited into Other Revenue/Misc Grant Reimb-State (329-331346).