Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: 4/5ths_
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Jasneet W. Sharma, Sustainability Department
Subject: Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Grant Funds from the Mattress Recycling Council for the North Fair Oaks Community-based Illegal Mattress Dumping Pilot Program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation to:
A) Adopt a resolution authorizing the County of San Mateo to accept a $64,000 grant from the Mattress Recycling Council and enter into a grant agreement to fund the North Fair Oaks Community-based Illegal Mattress Dumping Pilot Program; and
B) Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) recognizing $64,000 in grant funds from the Mattress Recycling Council to fund the project.
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BACKGROUND:
The Sustainability Department (Department) through its comprehensive programs leads efforts to help the County both fight against and prepare for climate change, ensure clean energy, water, and air, and conserve resources for future generations through waste reduction.
The Mattress Recycling Council Illegally Dumped Mattress Pilot Project (Project) is a competitive grant program to implement projects aimed at preventing or eradicating the illegal dumping of mattresses in impacted California communities. Illegal dumping continues to be an on-going issue in the North Fair Oaks area. The Department applied for this grant in November 2025 and has been awarded a grant in the amount of $64,000, with the Department providing $36,522 matching funds and up to $30,000 of in-kind staff time, to implement a pilot project to reduce the significant levels of illegal dumping activity in North Fair Oaks and further increase diversion.
DISCUSSION:
The Department, in partnership with the community-based organization El Concilio, will pilot a community-based illegal dumping mitigation program in North Fair Oaks that includes community leadership development, collaboration, and implementation of tailored solutions that resonate with the community. The Project aims to reduce illegal dumping activity in North Fair Oaks, historically a hotspot for illegal dumping activity, by empowering members of the local community to play an important role in illegal dumping mitigation and waste diversion. The grant will fund community-based efforts to divert waste, increase recycling, and decrease illegal dumping, such as:
• A resident-led group to guide cleanup and mattress diversion strategies; and
• Promotes training and outreach to gather community input and increase awareness on mattress recycling and other waste diversion opportunities; and
• Community clean-ups and mattress recycling events.
The goal is to build lasting capacity within the community to mitigate illegal dumping and divert recyclable materials beyond the term of the grant.
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
Outcome |
|
Collect and divert mattresses during the grant term. |
Up to 50 mattresses are collected and diverted. |
|
Increase user engagement on the County’s illegal dumping reporting platform. |
Average monthly users of the reporting platform increase by 25% compared to the pre-grant baseline. |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The project supports vulnerable residents of North Fair Oaks, which is a community that has historically been disproportionally impacted by illegal dumping.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total project cost will not exceed $130,522. Approval of the Appropriation Transfer Request will recognize grant funds in the amount of $64,000 from the Mattress Recycling Council; these funds will be added to Sustainability’s FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget and accrued in the FY 2026-27 Recommended Level Budget. The Department’s matching funds of up to $36,522, along with a maximum of $30,000 of in-kind Department staff time to support implementation and grant management, will be included in the Department’s FY 2026-27 Recommended Level Budget. There is no new Net County Cost associated with this project.