COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

 

DATE:

June 3, 2002

   

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 18, 2002

   
 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

   

FROM:

Neil R. Cullen, Director of Public Works

   

SUBJECT:

First Amendment to the Franchise Agreement between the County of San Mateo and BFI Waste Systems of North America, Inc. for Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials and Plant Materials Collection Services - County Service Area 8 - North Fair Oaks Area

 

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board to sign the First Amendment to the Franchise Agreement between the County of San Mateo and BFI Waste Systems of North America, Inc. (BFI) for Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials and Plant Materials Collection Services for County Service Area 8 (CSA8).

 

Previous Board Action

1.

Entered into the above referenced franchise agreement with BFI which sets forth the terms and conditions for the collection of solid waste, recyclable materials and plant materials by BFI in CSA8.

 

2.

Became a member of the South Bayside Waste Management Authority (Authority) together with the ten south bayside cities and the West Bay Sanitary District, all of whom have franchise agreements with BFI for waste collection services in their respective jurisdictions.

 

Key Facts

The Authority, among other activities, reviews BFI's rate setting methodology and collection methods to insure that the member agencies' rates are reasonable for the service provided, and to recommend changes in service to divert waste or improve on the service.

 

The Authority previously recommended and the member agencies implemented "on call" cleanup days in lieu of a designated cleanup days to reduce illegal dumping.

 

The Authority has now recommended that the member agencies memorialize this change by amending their respective franchise agreements.

 

Discussion

BFI eliminated its twice a year area-wide cleanup events and replaced them with two per year individual on-call pickups for all residential and multi-family customers on the recommendation of the Authority. This change allowed customers to choose when to avail themselves of the service, reduced illegal dumping as the arrangements are made directly between the customer and BFI, and eliminated the need for widespread advertising essential to the area-wide events. The savings associated with this change are then reflected in subsequent rate reviews and calculations. This change to the service was implemented in February 2001.

 

The Authority's rate consultant, during the review of the last rate application, has recommended that the member agencies clearly delineate the description of service previously implemented by approving an amendment to the franchise agreement. The Authority's Board of Directors reviewed the amendment at their meeting on April 25, 2002, and voted to recommend its approval to each member agency.

 

Vision Alignment

We believe our recommendation is consistent with the Shared Commitment of a "responsive, effective and collaborative government," and Goal Number 22, "County and local governments effectively communicate, collaborate and develop strategic approaches to issues affecting the entire county," as the recommendation was developed by the Authority that includes 12 local agencies.

 

Fiscal Impact

All costs associated with this franchise agreement are recovered through the rates customers pay for garbage and recyclables collection service. There is no impact to the General Fund.

 

A form of Resolution and First Amendment to the Franchise Agreement has been approved by County Counsel and BFI has executed the First Amendment to the Franchise Agreement.