Reuse Assistance Grant Progress Report

Santa Cruz County's Reuse Assistance Grant Project
(Part 3: January 1, 2004 to May 1, 2005)

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

Grant approval was later than anticipated in the grant proposal. As a result, timelines for this project were deferred one year.

Unforeseen events at their proposed partnering agency, the County Sheriff, caused cancellation of the vocational training element of the grant. Continuing budget cuts to the department did not allow for staff availability to coordinate the training program nor for renovation of the structurally unsound building originally designated as the classroom for the training program. Alternative means to carry out the project were investigated, but unfortunately, no solutions were found to overcome the obstacles to carrying out this segment of the project. The upgrade of the ProMAX materials exchange network has been completed.

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. The 50 percent share of Task 1 allocated for the computer technician training program was not 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 was not 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 and is 100 percent complete.

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)
A press release announcing the launch of the new ProMAX Web site was distributed in September 2004. This task is 100 percent complete.

Task 9.2: Produce and Distribute Chamber of Commerce Newsletter Inserts. (Matching Services)
An advertising flyer was produced for insertion in two issues of the Chamber of Commerce newsletters. 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 100 percent complete.

Task 9.4: Produce and Submit Builders Exchange Newsletter Ad. (Matching Services)
Ad copy was produced for placement in the Builders Exchange newsletter. The ad was run in the fall 2004 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.
This task is 50 percent complete.

Task 9.6: Initiate Web Site Links to ProMAX. (Matching Services)
Links to the ProMAX Web site (www.ProMAXreuse.org) on Ecology Action's home page and on the County of Santa Cruz's Solid Waste and Recycling web page. This task is 100 percent complete.

Task 10.1: Maintain Web Host. (Matching Services)
Hosting of the upgraded ProMAX network has been maintained during the grant term and will continue into future years as part of the County's ongoing contract with Ecology Action to provide public education services. This task is ongoing. 

Task 10.2: Maintain ProMAX. (Matching Services)
Maintenance of the upgraded ProMAX network has been provided during the grant term and will continue into future years as part of the County's ongoing contract with Ecology Action to provide public education services. This task is ongoing.

Submitted by Jeffrey Smedberg, Recycling Programs Coordinator
April 28, 2005

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

Back to Top | FY 2002/2003 Recipients | FY 2003/2004 Recipients | Reuse Home

Last updated: June 25, 2008