1. Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council FY 2008/2009 Solid Waste Funding Plan Public Meeting

2. Introduction & Goals of Program As directed in the Texas Health & Safety Code, one half of the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) fee revenue collected by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is allocated to the 24 planning regions under a formula that accounts for population, area, solid waste fee generation and public health needs. These funds are dedicated to grants to support regional programs and local projects consistent with the regional solid waste management plans prepared by the Councils of Government. Grants will be provided on a two-year (biennial) basis, beginning September 1, 2007, and ending August 31, 2009.

3. LRGVDC Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Goals Goal 1)Reduce waste generation/disposal and develop responsible waste disposal practices. Goal 2)Plan for and provide adequate regional waste disposal capacity.

4. Purpose of Implementation Projects Provide grant funding for start-up projects that will provide a direct and measurable effect on reducing the amount of waste going into Texas landfills, by diverting various materials from the municipal solid waste stream for beneficial use or by reducing waste generation at the source.

5. LRGVDC Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) Committee MemberEntityRepresentation Arturo Guajardo, ChairmanPSJA ISDEducation Frank BejaranoCameron CountyCounty Carlos J. MorenoHidalgo CountyCounty Becky ChapaWillacy CountyCounty David IvoryBrownsvilleLarge City Mandy KeyHarlingenLarge City Elvira AlonzoMcAllenLarge City Ramiro GomezEdinburgMedium City John AvilezSan JuanMedium City Manuel RamosWeslacoMedium City Mayor David WinsteadLos FresnosSmall City Darla JonesLa FeriaSmall City Luciano OzunaAlamoSmall City Al SerranoWalmartPrivate Sector Al GonzalezHeil of TexasPrivate Sector John DickBFIPrivate Sector Scott CraneWeslaco Scrap MetalPrivate Sector Dr. Jude A. BenavidesUT BrownsvilleEducational Hector LopezPort Of BrownsvilleEngineer Patty Alexander Weslaco Environmental Laura MaxwellValley ProudEnvironmental Deborah CoxHealthy Communities of BrownsvilleEnvironmental Darell ManghamAirtechPrivate Citizen Don MedinaPrivate Citizen Chris LashKeep McAllen BeautifulNon-Voting Member Ronnie GarzaTCEQNon-Voting Member Cheryl UntermeyerTCEQNon-Voting Member Martin RamirezTCEQNon-Voting Member Esther PradoTCEQNon-Voting Member

6. Funding Plan General Information Total Fiscal Year State Allocation: $814,190. FY 2008: $407,095. FY 2009: $407,095. Program Budget Allocation: 1)FY 2008 Closed Landfill Inventory Budget 5% of Total: $20,355. FY 2008 Regional Plan Amendment Budget 5% of Total: $20,355. FY 2008 Regional Coordination Program Budget:20% of Total: $81,419. FY 2008 Implementation Projects Budget:70% of Total: $284,966. 2)FY 2009 Closed Landfill Inventory Budget 5% of Total: $20,355. FY 2009 Regional Plan Amendment Budget 5% of Total: $20,355. FY 2009 Regional Coordination Program Budget:20% of Total: $81,419. FY 2009 Implementation Projects Budget:70% of Total: $284,966.

7. Inventory of Closed Municipal Solid Waste Landfill The LRGVDC has now completed the required inventories of closed municipal solid waste landfills, and those inventories have been submitted to the TCEQ. The LRGVDC will notify land owner(s) and county clerks of property that has been identified as a former landfill unit if the exact boundaries are known. The notice requirements do not apply if the exact boundaries of a former landfill unit are not known. The LRGVDC will also distribute the closed landfill inventory to the TCEQ and to the chief planning official of each municipality and county in which a landfill unit is located. The LRGVDC Staff will maintain the closed landfill inventory and respond to public inquiries. The inventory will be made available to the public by the LRGVDC and each local planning official.

8. Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Amendment Regional Solid Waste Mgt. Plan has been approved by TCEQ Provide copies of the plan amendment to all interested entities; and Implementation of the new amended regional solid waste management plan.

9. Regional Coordination Program Solid Waste Advisory Committee(SWAC) – Maintain SWAC, which acts as the central planning body for the implementation of the regional solid waste management plan and for the selection of local projects for funding; The SWAC will meet at least quarterly to discuss solid waste management activities in the region, solid waste management issues important to the region, new laws and regulations, opportunities for grants and other funding, other issues of concern; Solid Waste Subcommittee - A subcommittee shall be appointed by the full committee to review and pre-screen all implementation project applications for administrative completeness and the subcommittee shall have the authority to remove ineligible applications from further consideration. The subcommittee shall consist of seven (7) members from the full committee. Members will serve a maximum of two years and will be replaced on alternate years. Subcommittee recommendations shall be approved by the full committee at a Regular Meeting. Outreach, Education & Training – Serve as central point of contact for solid waste management outreach, education and training programs, to include serving as a regional contact for notices and information to public. In addition, maintain a regional collection of solid waste information and reference materials to provide to the public. Provide technical assistance regarding solid waste management plan, solid waste rules and regulations and any other issues. MSW Facility Permit Application Review – Assist TCEQ with the review of permit applications for municipal solid waste management facilities with input from the SWAC; Pre-application Review Process – Must provide a preliminary evaluation (forum for applicant to discuss proposed facility) of the conformance of the proposed facility with the regional plan; Additional Regional Coordination Programs - Additional region-level programs such as education and outreach, further data assessment work, coordination of regional recycling market development and may include the funding application.

10. Eligible Recipients Cities Counties Public school districts (excluding universities and other post- secondary educational institutions) General and special law districts with the authority and responsibility for water quality protection or municipal solid waste management (e.g. river authorities and municipal utility districts) Councils of Governments (COGs)

11. Eligible Project Categories Local Enforcement Source Reduction & Recycling Educational & Training Citizen Collection Stations and Small Registered Transfer Stations Litter & Illegal Dumping Cleanup & Community Collection Events Other Projects(addressed in the Plan)

12. Eligible Expenses Personnel Travel Supplies Equipment Construction Contractual Expenses Other Expenses(not falling under the main expense categories, if connected with the tasks and activities of the project.

13. Allocation and Priorities Category Funding Limits: Local Enforcement30% - $85,490 Waste Reduction & Recycling Programs;70% - $199,476 Citizen Collection Stations; Education & Training; Littler & Illegal Dumping Cleanup and Community Collection Events; Household Hazardous Waste Total 100% - $284,966 Grant Award Funding Caps: Local Enforcement – $30,000 Waste Reduction & Recycling - $30,000 Citizen Collection Stations – $30,000 Education & Training – $10,000

14. Application Requirements Request for Applications (RFA)

15. Staff Assistance LRGVDC Staff members are available to assist interested parties during the application process, but please contact staff early, so that we may help. Don’t wait until the week that the application is due. Marcie OviedoLudy SaenzBrenda Salinas (956)682-3481(956)682-3481(956)682-3481 Ext. 161Ext. 153Ext. 123 moviedo@lrgvdc.orglsaenz@lrgvdc.orgbsalinas@lrgvdc.org

16. Notice on Request for Applications LRGVDC shall provide notice at least thirty (30) days before applications are due. Application forms will be available on LRGVDC web site or by calling LRGVDC office Application form is applicable to all project categories. A separate application form must be submitted for each individual project proposed. (no limit on how many you may submit) Please be concise, but provide sufficient level of detail to facilitate to consideration of your proposed project. Each applicant is required to submit one (1) signed original and 25 double- sided copies of their application to LRGVDC. Please do not include a cover letter or fancy binding.

17. Application Screening Process The Solid Waste Advisory Sub-Committee will review and screen all applications for completeness. Each applicant will have a representative available at the review meeting to provide a summary of the project and to answer questions and concerns.

18. Application Scoring Process Each member of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee will be provided with a copy of each application received by the deadline established. Staff will also provide a table of all applications received. Each applicant will have a representative available at the review meeting to provide a summary of the project and to answer questions and concerns. The high and low scores will be eliminated. The remaining scores will be averaged to obtain the final score. There will be no consensus scoring. Each member will score project applications individually. Scores will be tabulated and averaged by staff, transmitted to the LRGVDC Board of Directors for final approval and provided to interested parties and made available to applicants. Order to presentation of proposed project will be determined by project type and order received.

19. Selection (Scoring) Process Each application can receive a total of 100 points. There are four categories, each worth different amount of points.

20. Project Selection Process Selection Criteria Regional Projects (1-5 points maximum) New Project (5 points automatic) Points LRGVDC Staff will determine if an application qualifies as a regional project. If the project is multi-jurisdictional, cooperative, or regional in nature, has the applicant describe the partnership and identified the primary applicant and partners (these may be subcontractors). Specifically indicate whether public agency and private sector, or non-profit agency partners. Involvement of two departments in the same jurisdiction will not qualify as a joint project. If this project is selected, a resolution or other appropriate statement of commitment from each partner will be expected prior to contract. New Projects – all new projects never been funded automatically receive 5 points. SUBTOTAL = 10

21. Project Selection Process Selection Criteria Project Merits and Needs (1-40 points maximum)Points The SWAC gives the most points for “Project Merits and Needs.” Each application should have the following items. Project Title: provide a title that clearly summaries your project. Program Objective & Summary: describe the proposed project and justify its needs consistent with the applicable grant category (i.e. local enforcement and illegal dumping, source reduction and recycling, etc.) Project Service Area: indicate the area/geography (city, county, or other jurisdiction) covered by the project. If the proposed project will affect only a portion of your area, please indicate which portion will be affected. Map(s) are to be provided in the Attachments and are not included in the page limit. Public Information: explain what steps you will take to promote the program to the public, local officials, etc. Are there adequate levels of customer incentives, public education or public input, as appropriate to the proposed project? Project Status/Feasibility: indicate if this is a startup or pilot project where no such program exists; how does it benefit the local government or region? Or, indicate if this is an enhancement of an existing program; give a brief description of your existing program and indicate how the proposed project would significantly improve the program or, indicate if this project has received solid waste grant funding in the past years (FY96-97), describe progress or agreements made regarding this project so far, describe how effectiveness will be measured, and describe staff qualifications. SUBTOTAL = 40

22. Project Selection Process Selection Criteria Local Match and Commitment (1-25 points maximum)Points Applicant intends to provide resource to make the project a success addressing the following items. Intention to sustain the project: if the proposed project could become an ongoing service, describe how this project may be sustained beyond the grant period. Matching funds or in-kind services: local match through cash or in-kind services is encouraged. If the applicant is providing significant contributions (at least 10% of grant requested) to the project either through cash matching funds or in-kind services, please identify the match on your application in this section. In-kind services should relate only to staff or services directly involved with the proposed project. Your narrative should show the relative importance or effort of the local contribution in relationship to the entire project. (LRGVDC Solid Waste Grants Review Subcommittee understands that due to the time of this RFA, cash contributions may not be feasible). Supporting documentation: please place copies of letters, resolutions, etc. in Attachments. These documents are not included in the one (1) page limit. Please include no more than one page of photographs. SUBTOTAL = 25

23. Project Selection Process Selection Criteria Project Cost Evaluation (1-25 points maximum)Points This section describes how the project is cost-effective and a good use of grant funds. The following should be included in application if applicable. Target Population to be Serviced by Project: please name all participating communities that will be served or benefit from proposed activities and/or project. This may be a subset of your municipality. If the project will affect only a portion of your area, please indicate only that portion in your target population. Cost Per Impacted Capita: please explain calculations. Divide grant request by population served. Amount to be Processed and Volume Displace from Landfill, if applicable: please explain calculations. Cost per Ton Processed: please explain calculations. Divide grant request by tons processed. Landfill Costs Saved (Estimated @ $35.00 per ton): please explain calculations. Clean-up Costs Saved: please explain calculations. SUBTOTAL = 25

24. Maintain a mailing list of private service providers in the region and include those entities in mailings concerning availability of funding and the process for project review; Require applicants for funding to contact known private providers of similar services within the proposed service area and to inform the service providers of the proposed application; Notify private service providers of the availability of project applications for review over a ten day review period; Accept written comments from private service providers in the region concerning projects proposed for funding and consider those comments when evaluating projects for funding; Before the LRGVDC Board of Directors approves the final project selections, a specific determination must be made as to whether the projects comply with the statutory requirements pertaining to private industry; Advise in writing a private industry which submits comments opposing a project that they have ten days to appeal a funding selection decision directly to the TCEQ, with notification required of the LRGVDC as well; Delay awarding a pass-through grant or proceeding with a regional project if a private industry appeal is submitted to TCEQ, pending a decision from TCEQ on the appeal. Private Industry Considerations

25. Private Industry Justification The Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council (LRGVDC) has a total of twenty-nine (29) Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) members, which includes twenty-five (25) voting members and four (4) non-voting members. Representation for the voting members includes members from the tri-county region (Cameron, Hidalgo & Willacy Counties) and is composed of 12% county representatives, 12% large city representatives, 12% medium city representatives, 12% small city representatives, 20% private sector group, 12% educational group, 12% environmental group and 8% private citizen group. Private sector representation on the SWAC currently includes representatives from the following companies: Weslaco Scrap Metal, BFI, Wal – Mart and Heil of Texas. Within the LRGVDC region many local governments coordinate services and work with the private sector. Over the past years the LRGVDC has not received any appeals on proposed projects or requests to increase the level of representation on the SWAC.

26. Conclusion…… Please contact: Marcie Oviedo, Program Administrator LRGVDC 311 N. 15 th Street, McAllen, Texas (956) 682-3481, Fax (956) 682-3295 moviedo@lrgvdc.org