COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Public Works

DATE:

June 17, 2002

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 25, 2002

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Neil R. Cullen, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Landfill Disposal Rate Adjustment - Ox Mountain Landfill

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute the Second Amendment to the Ox Mountain Landfill Agreement with Browning-Ferris Industries of California (BFI) which authorizes increases in the rates to cover the fee charged by the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB), and for the cost associated with accepting and recycling computer monitors and televisions at Ox Mountain.

Previous Board Action

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Entered into an agreement with BFI for the landfill operation at Ox Mountain in 1999.

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Authorized in 2000, the execution of the first amendment to the agreement with BFI which adjusted yard waste rates at Ox Mountain.

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Became a member of the South Bayside Waste Management Authority (SBWMA) together with the ten south bayside cities and the West Bay Sanitary District. The Authority reviews and sets rates at the San Carlos Transfer Station.

Key Facts

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The Landfill Rate Schedule approved by your Board as part of the agreement with BFI, sets the disposal rates to be charged at Ox Mountain and includes the fee charged by the CIWMB for waste received at the landfill as tonnage.

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The CIWMB is increasing the fee to be charged at Ox Mountain from $1.34 to $1.40 per ton, effective July 1, 2002.

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The cost to collect and recycle computer monitors and televisions has also increased.

Discussion

California Integrated Waste Management Board Fee

The Agreement with BFI for the landfill operation at Ox Mountain allows for changes in the fees charged. The CWIMB fee is essentially a "pass through" cost and we are recommending that the rates on waste received on a tonnage basis be increased from $37.50 to $37.56 for the remainder of 2002, and that the fees in subsequent years also be increased by $0.06 per ton to cover this CWIMB charge.

Computer Monitors and Television Recycling Fee

Computer monitors and televisions (electronics) have been banned from landfill disposal by the Department of Toxic Substance Control, a division of the California Environmental Protection Agency. BFI currently accepts computer monitors and televisions at Ox Mountain for recycling and charges $7 for computer monitors and $15 for televisions. This is the same cost that BFI is charged by HMR, the electronics recycling company that is used by BFI and the San Carlos Transfer Station. The SBWMA recently reviewed HMR's fee request and concluded that the increase in fees were justified given the complexity of dismantling and handling the materials in these electronics. The SBWMA has increased their fees at the Transfer Station and we are recommending that BFI be allowed to increase its rates to match that of the SBWMA for handling these electronics. The charges proposed in this amendment will set the rates at $15 for a computer monitor or television with less than a 21-inch diagonal screen, and $25 for a computer monitor or television with a 21-inch diagonal screen or larger.

Vision Alignment

We believe our recommendation is consistent with the Shared Commitment of a "responsive, effective and collaborative government" and Goal Number 20, "government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impacts rather than temporary relief or gain," as increasing rates commensurate with charges insures that each user of the facility or service is paying their share of current State mandated costs or for the recycling of electronics that they have used.

Fiscal Impact

We estimate that the CIWMB will receive approximately $50,000 more per year from Ox Mountain by the increase in their fee which will be paid for by the users of Ox Mountain. These charges will eventually be reflected in the rates paid for garbage disposal throughout the County.

The cost to dispose of monitors and televisions will be paid for by the individual disposing of these electronic devices at Ox Mountain.

There is no direct impact to the General Fund.

A form of resolution and amendment has been approved by County Counsel and BFI has executed the amendment.