Title
Resolution to Amend the Fiscal Year 2024 Council Approved Budget to Accept and Appropriate the Fiscal Year 2024 Litter Prevention and Recycling Program Grant Awarded by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
This item is a request for allocation of grant funds for the Hampton Clean City Commission ("HCCC"). The HCCC established by City Council in 1978, enlists Hampton's citizens in the effort to clean up litter and to prevent it by educating others. These funds will provide personnel and programming support for the volunteers and their activities directed toward improving the physical environment of the City of Hampton.
Discussion:
The HCCC also works to improve the appearance of the City of Hampton through urban forestry, stormwater and water quality education, solid waste education, and beautification projects. Among the projects the HCCC undertakes are the Adopt-A-Spot Program, which enlists volunteers in keeping Hampton clean and beautiful, and the Keep Hampton Green urban forestry donation fund, which uses private donations to purchase trees and shrubs for public areas of the City. The HCCC also works extensively with youth to lay the foundation for future stewardship of our City.
HCCC Programs include:
Adopt-A-Spot Programs, encouraging citizen participation in removing litter from public areas and in some cases beautifying them.
Beautification, YARDS, encourages citizens to become involved in sustainability efforts through participation in the Beautiful YARDS (Yards Are Really Distinctive Showplaces) Program.
Bee City USA - Hampton, educational components for creating pollinator and natural habitat, garden certifications.
Cigarette Litter Receptacles Program, a partnership with Keep America Beautiful and Keep Virginia Beautiful in the cigarette litter abatement and education campaign.
Clean & Green Business Award, a quarterly recognition of businesses that not only keep their landscapes attractive and clean, but also engage in sound solid waste practices, and support community programs, particularly stewardship programs.
Community Appearance & Litter Index, an evaluation tool that tracks the amount of litter at 100 sites in Hampton, first implemented in 2000.
Community Cleanups, monthly opportunities for residents to participate in cleanups in or near their neighborhoods.
Community Gardens, improves quality of life via neighborhood and community development and beautification, producing nutritious food, conserving resources and creating opportunities for recreation and education.
Kayak Cleanups, boating cleanup events to remove directly from waterways.
Keep Hampton Green Fund, an opportunity for residents to contribute to the purchase of trees for public areas.
Litter-Free Events, an effort to encourage organizers to take measures to reduce the amount of litter generated during their events.
Neighborhood Pet Waste Stations, a result of partnership with the regional environmental organization HR GREEN, sponsored by the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.
School Appearance Index, an evaluation tool that provides feedback to Hampton City Schools about the general curb appeal of their schools.
School Pride In Action Projects, including plastic bag recycling, Earth Day Art Exhibits, recycling education, classroom presentations, and more.
Tree Tours, educating residents about our urban forest.
Virginia Peninsula Clean Business Forum, a regional recognition and education program shared with James City County, Newport News, and York County, at which the Hampton Clean & Green Business Award winner is recognized.
Water Quality Monitoring, at four waterway sites in Hampton, with results reported to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
Waterway Cleanups, including regional and state events, which result in the removal of litter from Hampton shorelines and waterways on a regular basis.
Youth Programs, encouraging secondary and post-secondary youth to develop leadership skills through participation in Clean City programs.
In addition to these programs, HCCC staff and volunteers educate residents through presentations, displays, and public information forums and social media platforms.
In Fiscal Year 2023, HCCC reported the participation of 2,384 volunteers who contributed 8,842 hours of volunteer time at an estimated value of $281,175. Volunteers conducted 574 cleanups, removing 2,733 bags or approximately 24 cubic yards of litter and debris from public areas, including 47,827 cigarette ends. Also conducted were two litter indices (community and schools); provided 11 youth presentations and 34 adult presentations; led 4 trash tours; and reached out extensively through social media platforms.
The Commonwealth of Virginia allocates ninety percent (90%) of the funds collected through three “litter taxes” to a grant program that funds local litter prevention and recycling activities. Every Virginia locality is eligible to receive these annual, non-competitive, non-matching grant funds. Appropriated amounts are based upon a locality’s population and road mileage. The Hampton Clean City Commission has been awarded a Litter Prevention and Recycling Program Grant in the total amount of $40,871.00 from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. The amount allocated to the City of Hampton for FY2024 does not require matching funds.
Impact:
The purpose of the HCCC is to improve and enhance the physical environment of Hampton and its waterways through beautification and community improvement programs; litter awareness, prevention, and abatement programs; encouragement of ordinance enforcement and guided education to the citizens; and, encouragement of participation in these areas.
The activities of the HCCC volunteers support the following Council Strategic Priorities: Place Making, Living with Water, Educated Citizenry, and Safe & Clean Community. HCCC programs and projects, for example, the Adopt-A-Spot program, waterway cleanups, the Community Appearance and Litter Index, and the Schools Index, will help measure progress in these areas.
Recommendation:
Approve and appropriate funds.
Body
WHEREAS, the Hampton Clean City Commission has been awarded a Litter Prevention and Recycling Program Grant in the total amount of $40,871.00 from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality;
WHEREAS, the grant does not require a local match; and
WHEREAS, the grant award covers the period July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia hereby amends its Fiscal Year 2024 Council Approved Budget to accept and appropriate the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Litter Prevention and Recycling Program Grant award in the total amount of $40,871.00, and any supplemental funding, to the Grant Fund, with the funds to be spent in accordance with any required grant agreement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council authorizes the City Manager, or her designee, to take any and all actions necessary to accept and implement this grant award and to carry out the purposes of this Resolution, subject to approval by the City Attorney.