COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

November 23, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

December 13, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Neil R. Cullen, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Time Extension - Agreement for the Operation of the Pescadero Solid Waste Transfer Station – South Coast Area

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute an amendment to the Agreement for the Operation of the Pescadero Solid Waste Transfer Station (Transfer Station) that extends the term of the Agreement until June 30, 2006.

Vision Alignment

Commitment: Responsive, effective and collaborative government.

Goal 20: Government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impacts rather than temporary relief or immediate gain.

An extension of the agreement will allow us to complete plans to modify the Transfer Station, and issue and accept Requests for Proposals (RFP) to operate the Transfer Station after it is modified.

Background

Previous Board Action

Contracted with Browning Ferris Industries (now Allied Waste Services of San Mateo County) to operate the Transfer Station and extended the term of the Agreement to December 31, 2005.

History

Customer surveys have confirmed that the Transfer Station is a valued community resource in the County’s South Coastal area, as it provides convenient recycling and solid waste disposal service; and BFI/Allied Waste’s operation of the facility rarely generates complaints.

The Department’s study of the usage of the Transfer Station by the public and recent experience of operating the facility in uncompacted mode have demonstrated that the worn out compaction equipment is not necessary to effectively handle the volumes of waste that arrive at the facility. However, improvements are needed at the Transfer Station to optimize its ability to operate as a recyclable materials drop-off facility, a use that was not envisioned or included in the facility’s original design.

Discussion

We are proceeding with developing plans to change the Transfer Station’s solid waste handling operations from a compacted waste operation to an uncompacted waste operation for the reasons stated in the “History” section of this report; and to issue a RFP to operate the Transfer Station due to the length of time since the current agreement was executed. A further extension of the term of the agreement to June 30, 2006, is necessary to keep the Transfer Station open beyond December 31, 2005, while the design, construction and RFP process takes place.

An amendment to the Agreement and a resolution has been approved as to form by County Counsel and Allied Waste has executed the amendment.

Fiscal Impact

The cost of operating the Transfer Station, approximately $275,000 per year, is funded by an appropriation from the Solid Waste Fund. Disposal fees collected at the Transfer Station, approximately $60,000 per year, are revenues to the Solid Waste Fund and offset costs. There is no impact to the General Fund.