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COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
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County Manager’s Office
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DATE:
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May 29, 2008
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BOARD MEETING DATE:
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June 17, 2008
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SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:
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None
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VOTE REQUIRED:
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None
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TO:
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Honorable Board of Supervisors
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FROM:
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John L. Maltbie, County Manager
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SUBJECT:
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2007-08 Grand Jury Response
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RECOMMENDATION:
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Accept this report containing the County’s responses to the following 2007-08 Grand Jury report: Recycling Performance in the County Needs Improved Measurement Methodologies.
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VISION ALIGNMENT:
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Commitment: Responsive, effective and collaborative government
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Goal 20: Government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact, rather than temporary relief or immediate gain.
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This activity contributes to the goal by ensuring that all Grand Jury findings and recommendations are thoroughly reviewed by the appropriate County departments and that, when appropriate, process improvements are made to improve the quality and efficiency of services provided to the public and other agencies.
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DISCUSSION:
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The County is mandated to respond to the Grand Jury within 90 days from the date that reports are filed with the County Clerk and Elected Officials are mandated to respond within 60 days. To that end, attached is the County’s response to the Grand Jury report on Recycling Performance Measurements issued on April 15, 2008.
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Recycling Performance Measurements
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Findings:
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Staff is in partial agreement with the Grand Jury findings. While we understand the intent and support the spirit of the findings, the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) sets the formula by which all recycling is measured in the state. This statewide formula can only be modified by the CIWMB. Furthermore, it is very difficult to account for the many ways residents and businesses can recycle. The CIWMB formula includes factors for all disposal options, which is why it is used statewide.
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The South Bayside Waste Management Authority (SBWMA) is a JPA that includes 10 cities between Burlingame and Menlo Park, the unincorporated area of North Fair Oaks and the West Bay Sanitation District. The SBWMA has created a direct reporting system for recycling as part of their contract with Allied Waste. Cities outside of the SBWMA service area – those north of Burlingame and on the Coastside - contract individually for waste disposal and recycling services. The County cannot require a city to provide specific recycling data nor can we require cities to provide specific or additional recycling services. It is up to each city to decide the type and extent of recycling services provided to their residents and the specific data their haulers must report. These terms are included in each city’s contract with their garbage hauler.
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While we appreciate the Grand Jury’s interest in getting accurate and complete recycling data as it relates to the useful life of Ox Mountain landfill, we need to point out that the landfill closure dates in the report are inaccurate. The report states that the Ox Mountain landfill will be “full by 2020” and “it is scheduled to begin shutting down in 2010.” Staff told the Grand Jury in meetings with the County Manager that the landfill has 18 to 20 more years of useful life under the current conditional use permit and that state regulations require development of a transition plan when the site has 15 years of remaining life. We are still 3 to 5 years away from having to start the 15-year plan. Thus, Ox Mountain will not begin shutting down in 2010. While we agree that accurate and consistent data on recycling volumes is desirable, we disagree on the urgency of that need as it relates to the closure of Ox Mountain.
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It should also be noted that SBWMA is currently reviewing proposals for the collection of waste, recycled items and organic materials for the members of the JPA. The contract will start on or before January 1, 2011 and is expected to increase the amount of material diverted from Ox Mountain landfill. The new contract will includes new services - single stream recycling and recycling of organic materials and universal and e-waste – which are expected to increase diversion rates and extend the useful life of the Ox Mountain disposal facility.
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Recommendations:
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The Grand Jury Recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
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1.
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Require the Public Works Department to:
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Develop a uniform measurement methodology that extends the South Bayside Waste Management Authority direct method to all parts of the county (including the unincorporated areas in the County).
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Use the information derived from the uniform measurement method to assess the County’s current performance and develop new programs that will increase recycling and reduce the capacity stress on the landfill.
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Response: Partially concur. We agree that there are benefits to having more accurate and consistent countywide measurements of waste diversion. However, as noted above, the County cannot require cities to provide data other than that required by the CIWMB. Nor can we require cities to provide additional recycling services. We will refer this issue to the City/County Association of Governments for discussion, but cannot guarantee that the data or additional services will be provided.
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2.
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Consider encouraging, by resolution, that the California Integrated Waste Management Board use more accurate direct recycling measurement methods when enforcing California mandated recycling requirements.
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Response: Concur. This recommendation will be referred to the Board of Supervisors Legislative Committee for further consideration.
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