TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents, and any subsequent amendments, between the City of Long Beach and the State of California Environmental Protection Agency to accept grant funding in the amount of $85,556 for the implementation of a Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) electronic reporting system, and increase appropriations in the CUPA Fund (SR 131) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HE) by $85,556. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
A Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA), is a regulatory agency charged with licensing and inspecting businesses that handle chemical products and/or generate chemical waste. These agencies were established and first certified by Cal-EPA in 1996. In Long Beach, the CUPA is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) and consists of programs regulated by the Fire Department and Health Department. There are currently 2,552 businesses licensed in the CUPA. These businesses include facilities with under and above-ground storage tanks, hazardous materials and hazardous wastes. The CUPA is funded primarily through permit fees.
Assembly Bill (AB) 2286 <http://www1.calepa.ca.gov/CUPA/Documents/eReporting/AB2286.pdf>went into effect on January 1, 2009, requiring all local CUPAs to begin developing the capacity to receive and submit regulatory information in an electronic format (online). To assist in implementing this electronic reporting system by December 31, 2013, Cal-EPA is providing one-time grant funding to local agencies, based on the number of licensed facilities in the CUPA. The Long Beach CUPA was awarded $85,556 based on this formula.
The funding will be used to offset costs associated with enhancing the current CUPA electronic reporting system, which was approved by Technology Services and implemented in 2009, to comply with AB 2286 requirements. The system will allow for electronic submittals of required CUPA documents by the regulated community. In addition, regulatory information required by Cal-EPA from the CUPA, will be submitted to Cal-EPA in an electronic format.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy Webber on February 15, 2013 and by Budget management Officer Victoria Bell on February 19, 2013.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
Timing is not critical in this matter.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total grant is $85,556 and an appropriation increase for this amount is included in the recommendation. There is no City match, no fiscal impact to the General Fund, and no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
SUSAN PRICE
ACTING DIRECTOR OF
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER