SR-510-003 (2)
EPWM:NH:NH:F\ADM\STAFRPTS\1-19-00\YARD-WASTE.DOC
Council Meeting: January 9, 2000 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Enter into Open
Negotiations with American Waste Industries and River Ranch
Recycling for Purchase Orders for Provision of Yard Waste.
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to
enter into open negotiations with Recycling American Waste Industries (AWI)
and River Ranch for Purchase Orders for the recycling of yard waste collected
throughout the City in an amount not to exceed $150,000.
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Monica Transfer Station has accepted clean yard waste
brought in by residents since 1992. In July 1998, the Solid Waste Division
implemented a separate curbside yard waste collection program for residents of
Santa Monica.
Prior to January 2000, the City hauled the clean yard waste to the Los Angeles
County landfills at a cost of $11/ton. The yard waste was ground up at the landfill
for use as cover for the landfill. In an effort to maximize staff and equipment
resources, the City mixed the yard waste from the collection program with clean
yard waste from the transfer station. The County landfills began to reject a
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significant number of the mixed loads because the yard waste was contaminated
with plastic bags, can, bottles, paper, etc. Therefore, staff will contract for sorting
the contamination from the yard waste.
DISCUSSION
There are two facilities, within reasonable driving distance, that accept
contaminated yard waste. In July, the City began transferring contaminated yard
waste to the AWI facility, as a pilot program, at a cost of $21.5/ton. This facility is
located in Sun Valley, approximately 26 miles from the City?s transfer station.
AWI composts 80% of the yard waste and utilizes 20% for biomass.
The River Ranch Recycling facility recently completed a yard waste sorting line
and will now accept contaminated yard waste at a rate of $16/ton. Although this
rate is $5.50/ton less than the AWI rate, the facility is located in Corona,
California, and is approximately 62 miles from the City?s transfer station. In
January 2001, this facility will be open 24 hours a day, which will allow loads of
yard waste to be delivered when traffic volume is low. Currently, River Ranch
composts 20%, while 80% is used for biomass.
The use of both facilities would allow flexibility in transferring yard waste,
depending the time of day, traffic situations, hours of operation, and the capacity
of the facilities.
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Staff proposes that these purchase orders should be renewable for two additional
years. This permits the Solid Waste Division to continue recycling yard waste
without interruption.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $150,000 are available in account 27441.555070, Dump
Fees.
RECOMMENDATIONS
City staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter
into open negotiations with American Waste Industries and River Ranch
Recycling for purchase orders for provision of yard waste recycling services to
the City in an amount not to exceed $150,000.
Prepared by: Craig Perkins, Director of Environmental and Public Works
Management
Joe Delaney, Solid Waste Operations Manager
Nick Hare, Solid Waste Systems Superintendent
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