Title
ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $55,400 FROM THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY TO BE USED TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT NECESSARY FOR THE FUTURE HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITY AND APPROVAL OF CONTRACT K-1920-77 BETWEEN THE CITY OF NORMAN AND THE NORMAN MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY AND THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND BUDGET APPROPRIATION FROM THE SANITATION FUND BALANCE.
Body
BACKGROUND: A 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. It has become increasingly more difficult to find vendors to provide the collection and disposal services for the event, which cost approximately $102,000 in 2018.
The proposed Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility is currently under design by Studio Architecture under Contract K-1920-15. Equipment will be necessary to efficiently move, load, and dispose of materials collected at the facility.
DISCUSSION: The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a grant opportunity for funding of solid waste improvements in July 2019. After visiting similar household hazardous waste facilities in Oklahoma, staff identified several equipment items that should improve the efficiency and operability of the proposed facility. Utilizing this information, Utilities Department staff prepared and submitted an application to DEQ to request funding for three equipment items:
• Forklift - Necessary for moving materials and drums;
• Paint Can Crusher - Necessary to reduce waste volumes from paint collection; and
• Bulb Crusher - Necessary to reduce storage space for collected light bulbs.
In September 2019, the DEQ notified staff that the full grant request of $55,400 would be awarded and provided their contract for execution. Equipment purchases will initially be paid for through the Sanitation Fund. The DEQ will reimburse purchase 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-1920-77 with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality in the amount of $55,400 to purchase equipment necessary for the future Household Hazardous Waste Facility.
RECOMMENDATION #2: Staff recommends that the City of Norman and the Norman Municipal Authority appropriate $55,400 from Sanitation Fund Balance (account 033-0000-253.20-00) with $36,550 to Service Equipment/Heavy Duty (account 033-5563-432.50-08) and $18,850 to Plant & Operating Equipment/Other (account 033-5563-432.51-99). Upon receipt of the grant funds, they will be deposited into Other Revenue/Misc Grant Reimb-State (account 033-0000-334.13-46).