Title
Receive a presentation from City of Salinas staff and R3 Consulting Group regarding Opportunities for Cooperative Management of Monterey County’s Solid Waste Management Infrastructure.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Monterey:
Receive a presentation from City of Salinas staff and R3 Consulting Group regarding Opportunities for Cooperative Management of Monterey County’s Solid Waste Management Infrastructure.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In 2015, the City of Salinas, acting on behalf of the County of Monterey, the Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority (“Authority” or “SVSWA”), the Monterey Regional Waste Management District (“District” or “MRWMD”), the cities of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del Rey Oaks, Gonzales, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas, Sand City, Seaside, and Soledad, and the Pebble Beach Community Services District, retained R3 Consulting Group to evaluate and analyze the solid waste management system of Monterey County. The primary goal of this evaluation was to develop findings and recommendations that advise the jurisdictions regarding potential improvements to the countywide solid waste system in order to best benefit rate-payers from all the involved parties. It focused on developing solid waste system “scenarios” (seven [7] of them) that incorporated reviewing solid waste facility needs, assessing facility routing and transportation of waste, reviewing current waste disposal fees, providing an overview of solid waste-related legislation and policy issues, and evaluating commercial customer rates in the unincorporated County area.
The evaluation recommended Scenario 7, which appeared to result in the most favorable combination of system-wide costs, diversion, greenhouse gas emissions, and avoided costs. The key findings for the City of Salinas in Scenario 7 involved the direct-haul of the City’s solid waste to the MRWMD landfill for disposal and the closure of the Sun Street Transfer Station which was reported to be under consideration by the SVSWA at the time.
The analysis includes identification of stakeholder strengths, market advantages and approaches to addressing the challenges of complying with environmental and waste diversion laws that govern the management of solid waste. These results were previously presented to the staff of both the Authority and the District as well as County staff at an April 16, 2018 meeting hosted by City staff. At this meeting, the general managers from the Authority and the District agreed to inform their respective boards about the meeting and present the opportunity to jointly pursue a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two (2) solid waste agencies to work collaboratively on the ideas and opportunities presented in the attached presentation.
In 2018, the County and all cities in Monterey County are faced with the significant challenges in complying with recent environmental laws that govern the management of solid waste. These laws are primarily focused on diverting organic waste (AB 1594, SB 1826, SB 1383) and recyclables (AB 341) from landfill disposal, and will have a profound and long-term impact on all stakeholders involved in paying for and managing Monterey County’s solid waste systems. There are several opportunities for collaboration between the Authority and District to leverage their resources and efficiently maximize the use of the solid waste processing and landfill facilities in Monterey County. Recent solid waste regulations are leading to significant increases in the cost to manage solid waste for all jurisdictions in the State. Ratepayers throughout Monterey County will be faced with increased costs regardless of whether the Authority and District work together or continue to operate independently. To the extent that the Authority and District can achieve efficiencies and collaboratively use resources, cost increases that will impact all County residents can be minimized.
R3 Consulting Group presented an overview of their analysis and recommendations to the Salinas City Council at its July 3, 2018 City Council meeting to facilitate discussion of opportunities and challenges. R3 Consulting Group and City of Salinas staff now present this overview as part of a collaborative effort of all agencies involved building upon the work started in 2015 to improve the countywide solid waste systems and implement efficiencies that will benefit all rate-payers throughout the County.
While this work is not directly in support of a Health Department strategic initiative, it is in support of one (1) or more of the ten (10) essential public health services, specifically to mobilize community partnerships, action to identify and solve health problems, to enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety, and research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Monterey County Environmental Health Bureau; Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority, the Monterey Regional Waste Management District, the Cities of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del Rey Oaks, Gonzales, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas, Sand City, Seaside, and Soledad, and the Pebble Beach Community Services District.
FINANCING:
There is no financial impact from receiving this presentation.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐Economic Development:
Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐Administration:
Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and transparency.
☐Health & Human Services:
Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☒Infrastructure:
Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐Public Safety:
Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Robin Kimball, Management Analyst, x1297
Approved by: Elsa Jimenez, Director of Health, x4526
Attachments:
Power Point Presentation: Opportunities for Cooperative Management of Monterey County’s Waste Management Infrastructure; R3 Consulting Group, Inc., on file with the Clerk of the Board