Reuse Assistance Grant Progress Report

Santa Cruz County's Reuse Assistance Grant Project
(Part 2: June 1, 2004 to November 30, 2004)

Project Description

The County of Santa Cruz partnered with the County of Santa Cruz Sheriff-Coroner's Office, Watsonville/Aptos Adult School, and Ecology Action of Santa Cruz to facilitate refurbishment and distribution of discarded computer equipment, and to upgrade the existing ProMAX materials reuse network using the CIWMB-funded NapaMAX Web site as a template. A vocational training program providing computer technician certification was established for inmates of the Sheriff-Coroner's minimum-security detention facility, who would, in the course of their study, refurbish to working order equipment that could be redistributed to low-income individuals, charitable organizations, and educational institutions. Sourcing and distribution of used computer equipment would be facilitated by an upgrade of the regional materials exchange program, ProMAX.

Overview

As described in the first Progress Report, timelines for this project were shifted at least one year because the date of grant approval was later than anticipated in the grant proposal.

As reported previously, unforeseen developments at our prospective partnering agency, the County Sheriff, initially delayed implementation of the vocational training element of the grant. Continuing budget cuts to the department have not allowed for staff availability to coordinate the training program for renovation of the structurally unsound building designated as the classroom for the training program. Alternative means to carry out the project have been investigated. Alternative classroom spaces at the Sheriff’s facility have been looked for but not found. The Pajaro Valley Adult School, which was going to conduct the training, offered use of its classroom space. This option was not viable because sufficient storage for equipment was not available, and transportation of inmates to an off-site class could not be arranged nor financed. Procurement of a portable classroom was considered, but neither the Sheriff nor the Adult School could afford the rent.

Unfortunately, no solutions have been found to overcome the obstacles to carrying out this segment of the project. The County of Santa Cruz therefore requests cancellation of the vocational training element of the grant.

In the meantime, the source of used electronic equipment slated for use in the training program—the Buena Vista Landfill nearby the Sheriff’s minimum detention facility—has been compromised. With the best interests of resource reuse in mind, arrangements for scavenging of computer equipment have been established and are now ongoing with local schools that operate their own training programs.

Work is nearly complete on the ProMAX materials exchange network upgrade. Reimbursable expenses paid as of October 31, 2004 have been claimed.

The steps required to accomplish their project are as follows:

Task 1: Secure Agreements with Training and Software Subcontractors. (Reimbursable Services)
Completion of the 50 percent share of Task 1 in relation to the ProMAX upgrade was reported in Progress Report 1. Staff labor hours have been submitted for reimbursement with this report. The 50 percent share of Task 1 allocated for the computer technician training program will not be completed.

Task 2: Recruit and Hire Vocational Training Instructor. (Matching Services)

Task 3: Revise Curriculum. (Reimbursable Services)

Task 4.1: Set Up Classroom/Workshop Space. (Matching Services)

Task 4.2: Procure Tools and Equipment. (Reimbursable Services)

Task 5.1: Administer Training Program. (Matching Services)

Task 5.2: Oversee Training, Enroll Students. (Matching Services)

Task 5.3: Conduct Training Program. (Reimbursable Services)

Task 5.4: Conduct Training Program. (Matching Services)

Task 6: Student Examination Support. (Matching Services)

Task 7.1: Procure Used Computer Products. (Matching Services)

Task 7.2: Test and Refurbish Computers. (Matching Services)

Task 7.3: Establish Computer Distribution System. (Reimbursable Services)

Task 7.4: Safe Processing of Residue. (Matching Services)

Due to unforeseen events at County Sheriff described above, work will not be completed on Tasks 2-7 to implement the computer technician training program.

Task 8.1: Select Web Host. (Reimbursable Services)
This task was completed in May 2004, as previously reported.

Task 8.2: Coordinate ProMAX Transition to NapaMAX Template. (Reimbursable Services)
The update of NapaMAX software for use by ProMAX was completed in June 2004. This task is 100 percent complete.

Task 8.3: Perform Web Site Software Implementation and Testing. (Reimbursable Services)
Software testing occurred in July and August 2004, resulting in several refinements and improvements over the template NapaMAX system. This task is 100 percent complete.

Task 9.1: Compose and Distribute Press Releases. (Matching Services)
In early September 2004, Ecology Action wrote a press release announcing the launch of the new ProMAX Web site. The press release was distributed to 26 of local media outlets including daily and weekly newspapers and radio stations, which resulted in a story in the Santa Cruz Sentinel and radio interviews on KSCO and KTOM. This task is 100 percent complete.

Task 9.2: Produce and Distribute Chamber of Commerce Newsletter Inserts. (Matching Services)
Ecology Action produced an advertising flyer to appear in two issues of the Chamber of Commerce newsletters. Arrangements were made for the flyer to appear in the upcoming issues and again in spring 2005. This task is 100 percent complete.

Task 9.3: Chamber of Commerce Newsletter Insert Reproduction and Fees. (Matching Services)
The insertion fee was paid for placement of the advertising flyer developed under Task 9.2 in the November issues of the monthly newsletters for the Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos, Scotts Valley, and Pajaro Valley Chambers of Commerce. This task is 50 percent complete. The flyer will be inserted in these newsletters again during the next reporting period.

Task 9.4: Produce and Submit Builders Exchange Newsletter Ad. (Matching Services)
Ecology Action produced ad copy to appear in two placement sequences in the Builders Exchange newsletter. Arrangements were made for the ad to run in the fall and again in spring 2005. This task is 100 percent complete.

Task 9.5: Builders Exchange Newsletter Ad Fees. (Matching Services)
The advertising fee was paid for placement of the ad developed under Task 9.4 for five consecutive issues of their weekly bulletin in October and November 2004.
A series of ads will be run again during the next reporting period.

Task 9.6: Initiate Web Site Links to ProMAX. (Matching Services)
Ecology Action has initiated the placement of links to the ProMAX Web site on Ecology Action's home page and on the County of Santa Cruz's Solid Waste and Recycling web page. In the next reporting period these links will be established, and additional links will be placed on the Web sites of local information directories.

Task 10.1: Maintain Web Host. (Matching Services)
The County has an ongoing contract with Ecology Action to provide public education services, including hosting of the ProMAX program. Web hosting has been maintained during this reporting period and will continue through the next period. This task is ongoing.

Task 10.2: Maintain ProMAX. (Matching Services)
The County has an ongoing contract with Ecology Action to provide public education services. The County incorporated additional responsibilities for hosting and maintenance of the upgraded ProMAX network into the annual renewal of Ecology Action’s public education contract. During this period Ecology Action addressed a few minor problems with user interface or software that arose. In the next reporting period Ecology Action will continue to maintain the ProMAX network.

Submitted by Jeffrey Smedberg, Recycling Programs Coordinator
November 30, 2004

*Permission was obtained from grant recipient to publish project profile.

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Last updated: June 25, 2008