City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 6, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: YON LAMBERT, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of a Resolution to Support an Application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the FY 2022 Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) Pilot Project.[ROLL-CALL VOTE]
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ISSUE: Should the City seek grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to supplement the City's composting and food waste reduction efforts?
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
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(1)??Approve the attached resolution supporting the cooperative agreement application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA);?
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(2)??Retroactively approve the City's September 1, 2022 submission of an application for up to $300,000 to the Composting and Food Waste Reduction pilot project; and
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(3)??Commit the 25% minimum cost share of $75,000 and authorize the City Manager to enter into any necessary agreements with the USDA to accept funding.
BACKGROUND: In 2021, Congress passed the America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and in 2022, funded $10.2 million for the USDA's Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CWFR) pilot project program. The CFWR Program aims to provide assistance through a cooperative agreement to local governments to carry out activities including planning and implementation of activities that will generate compost and reduce municipal food waste. Grant submissions were due on September 1, 2022, awards will be announced by October 30, 2022, and project durations must be two years (24 months), between February 8, 2023 through February 8, 2025.
The City Council, in 2019, unanimously adopted the WasteSmart Strategic Plan that will guide the City's sustainable solid waste management for the next 20 ye...
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