HomeMy WebLinkAboutAcceptance and appropriation of funds in the amount of $10,0Dept. ID AD-17-002 Page 1 of 2
Meeting Date: 2/6/2017
REQUESTCITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
• - CITY COUNCILACTION
MEETING DATE: 2/6/2017
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Fred A. Wilson, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Antonia Graham, Assistant to the City Manager
SUBJECT: Acceptance and appropriation of funds in the amount of $10,000 from Southern
California Edison (SCE) and Southern California Gas Company (SCG) for the
Citv of Huntinqton Beach Sustainable Business Proqram
Statement of Issue:
In August of 2016, the Huntington Beach Sustainable Business Certification was launched with
funding from Southern California Edison (SCE), Southern California Gas Company (SCG) and
Rainbow Environmental Services (Rainbow), with additional funding from a grant from the California
Air Resources Board. This Council action requests the acceptance and appropriation of $10,000 to
the Sustainable Business Certification Fund which enables staff to work with businesses to lower
their operational costs and become a certified "Sustainable Business."
Financial Impact:
The City will receive $5,000 each from SCE and SCG for a total of $10,000. There is no
requirement for matching funds from the City.
Recommended Action:
Accept and appropriate $10,000 from investor owned utilities Southern California Edison (SCE) and
Southern California Gas (SCG) into Fund 1234.
Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve and direct staff how to proceed.
Analysis:
In 2016, the City was awarded $20,000 in grant funding from the California Air Resources Board,
and an additional $5,000 each from SCE, SCG, and Rainbow to implement the Sustainable
Business Certification Program. City staff worked with SCE, SCG, Rainbow, the Orange County
Sanitation District, the South Coast Air Quality Management District to create the certification
criteria. This collaboration was done to ensure that all incentives and rebates available would be
part of the certification process.
The program promotes the achievement of a healthier and cleaner environment by helping City
businesses integrate environmental responsibility into their operations in a manner that is
sustainable and profitable. This program helps businesses stay ahead of upcoming environmental
laws in California and is an economic development tool that helps certified Huntington Beach
businesses market to, and attract, environmentally -conscious customers.
Item 5. - 1 HB -90-
Dept. ID AD-17-002 Page 2 of 2
Meeting Date: 2/6/2017
Each business certified becomes part of a Statewide and nationally recognized program, the
California Green Business Network(http://www.-greenbusinessca.or.g ). Additionally, the program
helps the City meet its public education and outreach requirements for AB 939 (50% waste
diversion), AB 341 (multi -family recycling), AB 1826 (organic waste), and for the City's National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES) requirements.
The certification process consists of the completion of an audit promoting solid waste reduction,
recycling, energy conservation, water conservation, and pollution prevention. The City uses a
tiered approach, which helps ease businesses into taking cost -saving measures. This tiered
approach has received accolades from the Statewide Energy Efficiency Consortium (SEEC) and
Clean Tech OC, and was recognized by SEEC in June 2016 as a successful model. The City's
program is one of four in the County, but the only program that enables businesses to choose a
Silver, Gold, or Platinum level in which to become certified.
The City has certified ten businesses over the past year, saving 149,997 gallons of water, 36
gallons of fuel, 213 mgs of mercury, 439,214 kWh, 282,515 lbs. of CO2, and diverting 66 gallons of
hazardous waste and 11,038 lbs. of solid waste. Additionally, a large manufacturer in Huntington
Beach, Primal Elements was able to become nearly zero waste; saving almost $200 per week on
disposal costs. Additionally, they donate their soap "discards" to the Goodwill and non -profits that
assist the homeless.
These environmental savings translate to cost savings that enable the businesses to invest in other
aspects of their operations including but not limited to hiring more employees, expanding, or
investing in research and development. There is currently a list of businesses waiting to be
certified, the list includes: Duke's, Slapfish, Mother's Market, Cheesecake Factory, Visit Huntington
Beach, Saffron Grill, DZine, Delton Scientific Plastics, and the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (Beach
Blvd.). The additional funds will enable City staff to certify these businesses over the next year.
Environmental Status:
Not applicable.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Strengthen economic and financial sustainability
Attachment(s):
None
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