Title
Resolution Approving the City of Hampton, Virginia's Participation in and Appropriation of Funds for the Hampton Clean City Commission from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the Keep Hampton Green Fund and the City of Hampton's General Fund, Solid Waste Management Fund and Stormwater Management Fund for Fiscal Year 2018
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 Commission 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 Program, encouraging citizen participation in removing litter from public areas and in some cases beautifying them.
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.
Kayak Cleanups, boating cleanup events to remove litter 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.
YARDS Contest, recognizing residents with beautiful and sustainable yards.
Youth Program, 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.
In FY 2016, the HCCC reported the participation of 8,242 volunteers who contributed 21,909 hours of volunteer time at an estimated value of $536,551. The volunteers conducted 991 cleanups removing 83,000 pounds of litter (3,143 bags) from public areas. They led three litter-free events; conducted two indexes; gave 29 classroom presentations, one school assembly, 20 youth presentations, and 18 adult presentations; led three trash tours; and reached out extensively through social media.
The Commonwealth of Virginia allocates 95 percent of the funds collected through three “litter taxes” to a grant program that funds local litter prevention and recycling activities. Every locality in Virginia 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 amount allocated to the City of Hampton for FY 2018 is estimated to be up to $25,000 and does not require matching funds. Final award amount of the Litter Control & Recycling Grant will be made known in Fall 2017.
The Solid Waste Management Fund, the Stormwater Management Fund, and the General Fund provide operational support funds for the HCCC's many projects and activities. The Solid Waste Managament Fund is contributing $55,000, the Stormwater Management Fund is contributing $47,115, and the General Fund is contributing $62,042 to the HCCC budget. The Keep Hampton Green Fund, because it is a function of private donations, will probably not exceed $5,000.
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; solid waste management education; water quality programs; urban forestry programs; and encouragement of ordinance enforcement; and as well as education of citizens and encouragement of participation in these areas.
The activities of the HCCC volunteers support the following Strategic Plan elements as described:
In the 2011 Community Plan Update, ten strategic topic areas were identified. Three of those are directly impacted by the activities of the HCCC: Community Appearance, Pride, & Image; Environment & Quality of Life; and Comprehensive Waterways Management. The 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:
Rec
Approve.
body
WHEREAS, the Hampton Clean City Commission has been awarded $55,000 from the Solid Waste Management Fund; $47,115 from the Stormwater Management Fund and $62,042 from the General Fund;
WHEREAS, the Hampton Clean City Commission is awaiting notification from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality on their allocation amount for the litter prevention program, estimated to be up to $25,000;
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that up to $5,000 in donations from the Keep Hampton Green Fund will be received on behalf of Commission urban forestry activities; and
WHEREAS, the grant award covers the period July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia accepts and appropriates an amount up to $5,000 from Keep Hampton Green donations; an amount up to $25,000 from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality; $55,000 from the Solid Waste Management Fund; $47,115 from the Stormwater Management Fund and $62,042 from the General Fund for a total of up to $194,157, and any supplemental funding, awarded from these sources in accordance with the grant agreement(s).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council authorizes the City Manager, or her designee, to take the necessary steps to implement this grant award.