To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Public Hearing
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
.title
Approve the Renewal Agreement with Humboldt Sanitation for the Operation and Maintenance of the Northern Container Sites and Recology Eel River for the Redway Transfer Station
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Open the public hearing, receive the staff report and public comment; and
2. Approve the operation and maintenance agreement with Humboldt Sanitation Company, Inc. for the northern solid waste container sites effective for fiscal year (FY) 2025-26 through June 30, 2027 (attachment 1); and
3. Approve the amendment to the operation and maintenance agreement with Recology Eel River for the Redway Transfer Station effective for FY 2025-26 through June 30, 2027 (attachment 2); and
4. Continue the hearing of the Southern Solid Waste Container Sites and Redway Transfer Station to the meeting “date uncertain”.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommended actions support the following areas of the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Plan:
Area of Focus: Core Services/Other
Strategic Plan Category: 9999 - Core Services/Other
DISCUSSION:
The County of Humboldt, through the Department of Public Works, has historically maintained agreements with Humboldt Sanitation Company for the operation and maintenance of the Northern Solid Waste Container Sites and with Recology for the operation of Redway Transfer Station.
The most recent reimbursement rate schedule applied to the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. Public Works and Humboldt Sanitation Company and Recology, have since reviewed updated operational costs, disposal fees, processing expenses, and applicable index-based adjustments in accordance with the agreement provisions. The proposed amendment establishes updated reimbursement rates for FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27.
These services include solid waste handling, and recycling support which are critical to maintaining public health, safety, and environmental compliance. The most recent fully executed agreements were effective through June 30, 2025. Subsequent internal review confirmed that the service agreements expired on June 30, 2025, and the intended FY 2025-26 extensions were not fully implemented.
To avoid disruption of essential public services, Public Works coordinated with Humboldt Sanitation Company and initiated a Letter of Intent (LOI) in accordance with the Humboldt County Purchasing Policy. The LOI is intended to provide interim authorization for continued service delivery and associated payments while permanent agreements and amendments are prepared and presented for Board approval. These interim actions were necessary to ensure uninterrupted solid waste services in northern Humboldt County service areas.
During this period, the County Auditor-Controller has paused payments pending confirmation of contractual authority, further underscoring the need to formalize updated agreements. Public Works has prepared new agreements for Board consideration to reestablish full contractual compliance and ensure continuity of services moving forward.
Public Works subsequently worked with County Counsel, Risk Management, and the affected service providers to prepare the attached amendment and agreements necessary to formalize continued operations and reimbursement authority for FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27.
Northern Solid Waste Container Sites
Public Works contracts with Humboldt Sanitation Company, Inc. for operation and maintenance of northern solid waste container sites. The prior operational arrangement for these services expired during FY 2024-25. The attached agreement establishes reimbursement rates and operational responsibilities for FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 and formalizes continued operation of the northern container sites.
The reimbursement structure associated with these services continues to follow the methodology established in prior agreements, incorporating annual index-based adjustments and documented changes in disposal, processing, and operational costs.
Northern Solid Waste Container Sites
The reimbursement rates for the Humboldt County Northern Solid Waste Container sites are calculated each year by adding the annual index-based adjustments, as set forth in the county’s solid waste container site agreements, plus any changes in the operators’ disposal, processing and operation costs. The reimbursement rate adjustments for the Humboldt County solid waste container sites are as follows:
Humboldt Sanitation Company, Inc. - Northern Solid Waste Container Sites:
• Reimbursement rate adjustment will result in an increase of $ 1,951.40 or 6.36% per month from the prior year’s reimbursement of $30,695.24 for FY 2025-26.
• Reimbursement rate adjustment will result in an increase of $2,654.06 or 8.13% per month from the prior year’s reimbursement of $32,646.64 for FY 2026-27.
Recology Eel River - Redway Transfer Station:
• Reimbursement rate adjustment will result in an increase of $ 1,369.73 or 3.6% per month from the prior year’s reimbursement of $16,436.76 for FY 2025-26.
• Reimbursement rate adjustment will result in an increase of $ 2,205.37 or 5.48% per month from the prior year’s reimbursement of $26,464.44 for FY 2026-27.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Solid Waste (3691438)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Humboldt Sanitation
|
Expenditures (3691-438) |
FY25-26 |
FY 26-27 |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$402,286 |
$741,183 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$402,286 |
$741,183 |
|
|
|
|
|
Funding Sources (3691-438)FY26-27FY 26-27 |
|
|
|
Franchise Fees |
$402,286 |
$741,183 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$402,286 |
$741,183 |
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
County reimbursement to Humboldt Sanitation Company, Inc. for operation and maintenance of the Northern solid waste container sites located in Humboldt County is $ 402,286 for FY 2025-26 and $ 423,609 for FY 2026-27. County reimbursement to Recology Eel River for operation and maintenance of the Redway Transfer Station is $ 197,242 for FY 2025-26 and $ 317,574 for FY 2026-27. Funds to cover these reimbursement costs have been incorporated in the approved Solid Waste budget,3691438.
STAFFING IMPACT:
The recommended actions will not impact current staffing levels.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Board discretion
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Renewal Agreement with Humboldt Sanitation for the Operation and Maintenance of the Northern Container Sites.
2. Amendment to the operation and maintenance agreement with Recology Eel River for the Redway Transfer Station
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-22, I-1, C-18, C-21
Meeting of: 7/9/24, 9/15/20, 6/25/19, 9/25/18, 6/13/17
File No.: 24-1046, 20-1084, 19-822, 18-1180, 17-19721