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Consent
Item No. 5.
| MEETING DATE: 06/15/2026 |
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| TO: | HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS |
| FROM: | JIM SADRO, CITY MANAGER By: Jeff Henderson, Senior Management Analyst |
| SUBJECT: | APPROVE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE COUNTY OF ORANGE OC WASTE & RECYCLING REGIONAL RECYCLING AND EDIBLE FOOD RECOVERY GRANT (RREFR) PROGRAM
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RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC 2026-__ ENTITLED: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE COUNTY OF ORANGE OC WASTE & RECYCLING REGIONAL RECYCLING AND EDIBLE FOOD RECOVERY GRANT (RREFR) PROGRAM.
DISCUSSION:
The Orange County Waste & Recycling Department established the Regional Recycling and Edible Food Recovery (RREFR) Grant Program to support projects that advance recycling, waste reduction, and edible food recovery efforts throughout Orange County in accordance with California Senate Bill 1383.
On March 2, 2026, the RREFR Grant Program opened a new funding cycle for eligible agencies. The City submitted an application by the May 15, 2026 deadline requesting $488,950 in grant funding to support improvements at the Gary Center, a City-owned facility, to expand edible food recovery operations.
The proposed project, if approved by Council, will include facility renovations and operational improvements designed to increase capacity, improve efficiency, and enhance safety. Improvements include the construction of a new loading dock and parking lot, building renovations, and the purchase of equipment and site enhancements including new freezers, trash enclosures, and a cardboard baler.
The Gary Center currently serves as a critical resource for food distribution efforts in La Habra and is the sixth largest food distribution center in Orange County. The proposed improvements are anticipated to increase operational capacity by approximately 25 percent, allowing the City to further support edible food recovery efforts and community needs. The grant application requires City Council approval of a resolution authorizing the submittal of the application and acceptance of grant funds, if awarded.
On March 2, 2026, the RREFR Grant Program opened a new funding cycle for eligible agencies. The City submitted an application by the May 15, 2026 deadline requesting $488,950 in grant funding to support improvements at the Gary Center, a City-owned facility, to expand edible food recovery operations.
The proposed project, if approved by Council, will include facility renovations and operational improvements designed to increase capacity, improve efficiency, and enhance safety. Improvements include the construction of a new loading dock and parking lot, building renovations, and the purchase of equipment and site enhancements including new freezers, trash enclosures, and a cardboard baler.
The Gary Center currently serves as a critical resource for food distribution efforts in La Habra and is the sixth largest food distribution center in Orange County. The proposed improvements are anticipated to increase operational capacity by approximately 25 percent, allowing the City to further support edible food recovery efforts and community needs. The grant application requires City Council approval of a resolution authorizing the submittal of the application and acceptance of grant funds, if awarded.
FISCAL IMPACT/SOURCE OF FUNDING:
The proposed project will fund capital improvements and operational enhancements at the City-owned Gary Center facility. If awarded, grant funds totaling $488,950 will offset costs that would otherwise be funded through the City’s General Fund, reducing the impact on available City resources. No General Fund allocation is requested at this time.
GENERAL PLAN RELEVANCE/CITY COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
GENERAL PLAN RELEVANCE:
This recommended action achieves the following elements of the La Habra General Plan:
ED 9.1 Balanced Fiscal Practices
WR 1.4 Waste Diversion
CITY COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
Goal 2, Objective H – Pursue grant funding where and when possible, to supplement and/or replace direct City funding
This recommended action achieves the following elements of the La Habra General Plan:
ED 9.1 Balanced Fiscal Practices
WR 1.4 Waste Diversion
CITY COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
Goal 2, Objective H – Pursue grant funding where and when possible, to supplement and/or replace direct City funding