To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Departmental
SUBJECT:
title
Agreement between Humboldt Waste Management Authority and the County of Humboldt for Continued Implementation of County Waste Reduction Programs through June 30, 2022
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute the agreement with Humboldt Waste Management Authority (HWMA) for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022;
2. Upon completion of the current classification study, approval of position allocation by the Board of Supervisors, and hiring of a qualified individual, that the CAO direct the Department of Public Works to manage, on behalf of the County, all aspects of this and future waste reduction agreements and activities;
3. Direct the CAO to make the Division of Environmental Health (DEH) its appointee to manage, on behalf of the County, all aspects of this agreement until Recommendation 2 above is achieved; and
4. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return three signed original agreements to Public Health Administration for processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Fund.
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of the proposed agreement is for HWMA, a local Joint Powers Authority of which the county is a member, to act on behalf of the county to administer solid waste reduction activities and reporting requirements in accordance with the California Integrated Waste Management Act (AB939) and to work toward the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery’s (CalRecycle) 75% solid waste diversion goal.
The Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health, Division of Environmental Health (DEH) provided waste reduction efforts until 2006. On Sept. 26, 2006, your Board approved the transfer of the county Waste Reduction programs to HWMA. The initial agreement service period was from October, 2006 through June, 2008. This was followed by a 1-year agreement and two 5-year agreements with the most recent one active through June 30, 2019.
Attached is the proposed 3-year agreement to cover similar services for July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022. This agreement is updated to more accurately reflect CalRecycle requirements and to improve communication between HWMA and the county.
DEH has been the primary contact with HWMA regarding agreement language and has prepared all the Board agenda items regarding the Agreements since 2006. The Humboldt County Department of Public Works (Public Works) has been the primary contact with HWMA regarding the services provided, particularly with respect to solid waste and recycling amounts generated by county residents; this data is critical to state reporting and is a component of this agreement. DEH’s involvement with solid waste management is limited to permitting, inspection and enforcement.
All aspects of this, and future waste reduction agreements, are most efficiently managed by Public Works. They currently manage the County’s solid waste and recycling franchise activities, which are key to complying with sanitation needs, in addition to other waste reduction mandates, and the content of this agreement. DEH and Public Works are unified in the vision of a Public Works staff person to ensure the County meets the expanding diversionary mandates.
The services in the agreement include: securing CalRecycle’s City/County Payment Program Grant (formerly called Beverage Container Recycling Grant) funds for waste and litter reduction; preparation of the county’s Electronic Annual Report to CalRecycle; assistance with CalRecycle and public inquiries; implementation of state goals by promoting recycling at large events; public education; and other county-directed activities. Maintenance of the county-wide Integrated Waste Management Plan is a responsibility borne by the county on behalf of its jurisdictions, and is included as a service in this agreement.
This item is coming before your Board after the effective date due to delays resulting from the parties’ discussions to update the terms of the agreement.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Under the proposed agreement, HWMA will continue to collect county-apportioned AB 939 fees ($2.05/ton) on waste generated in the unincorporated areas of the county. For fiscal year 2019-20, this is estimated to generate $153,750. In addition, HWMA will apply for the county’s portion of CalRecycle’s City/County Payment Program Grant funds ($10,000). The total amount of funding from these two sources for fiscal year 2019-20 is expected to be $163,750. Funding may vary over the course of the agreement, as disposal tonnage fluctuates, although extreme variation is not anticipated. There will be no impact on Humboldt County’s General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by creating opportunities for improved safety and health.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Humboldt Waste Management Authority, Humboldt County Department of Public Works and County Administrative Office.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the agreement with HWMA. This is not recommended, as the County Waste Reduction program benefits from being managed on a more regional basis by HWMA. Additionally, until the Solid Waste/Waste Reduction Program Manager position sought by Public Works is approved and filled, there is insufficient County staff to comply with existing and future waste reduction mandates.
ATTACHMENTS:
HWMA Agreement
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-11, D-17, C-7, C-9
Meeting of: 9/26/2006, 6/24/2008, 9/24/2013, 7/7/2014
File No.: 20-68