Agenda 12-12-23; 8-i - Computer Surplus Declaration and Donation to Triangle Ecycling

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1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 12, 2023 Action Agenda Item No. 8-i SUBJECT: Computer Surplus Declaration and Donation to Triangle Ecycling DEPARTMENT: County Manager's Office, Asset Management Services, Information Technologies, Solid Waste Management ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Resolution Approving the Donation of Amy Eckberg, (919) 245-2626 Surplus, Obsolete, or Unused County Steven Arndt, 919-245-2658 Equipment to Triangle Ecycling Robert Reynolds, 919-245-2276 Robert Williams, 919-918-4904 PURPOSE: To approve and authorize the Chair to sign a resolution declaring items listed below as surplus and authorizing the donation of those items to the non-profit Triangle Ecycling. BACKGROUND: In 2015 and 2018, Orange County donated surplus computers and their peripheral equipment (computer keyboards, mice, monitors, etc.) to the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) to help the school system launch a computer reuse and training program. CHCCS worked with Triangle Ecycling, which was then a local for-profit company, to help manage the program and train high school students in computer repair. The donation was made with the understanding that any computer equipment that could not be refurbished or re-used for this program would be returned to Orange County Solid Waste to be responsibly recycled. All the equipment in that initial donation was reusable. With the County's donation and that of other public and private entities, the program has been successful. Triangle Ecycling has since become a 501c3 nonprofit. The organization collects surplus electronics and uses them in its own program to train high school students to refurbish them for reuse. In 2021, Orange County donated outdated computers directly to Triangle Ecycling. Orange County Information Technologies has another round of surplus computer equipment that is ready for donation, and staff is seeking Board approval to donate these computers to Triangle Ecycling for the benefit of local students and residents. Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 160A-280, the County Board of Commissioners may donate County property to an incorporated nonprofit organization. The proposed donation would be made with the understanding that any computer equipment that could not be refurbished or re-used for this program would be returned to Orange County Solid Waste to be responsibly recycled.