To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Agreement between Humboldt Waste Management Authority and the County of Humboldt for Continued Implementation of County Waste Reduction Programs through June 30, 2027
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, 2022, through June 30, 2027; and
2. Direct the CAO to make the Division of Environmental Health its appointee to manage, on behalf of the County, all aspects of this waste reduction agreement until such time as the Department of Public Works is able to assume those duties; and
3. Direct the CAO to approve and authorize its appointee, or their designee, to enter into and execute agreement amendments with HWMA for the management of the waste reduction agreement and related activities; and
4. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return three signed original agreements to Public Health Administration for processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Department of Health and Human Services- Public Health Fund (1175).
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 September 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 one-year Agreement, two (2) five-year Agreements and one three (3) year agreement with the most recent one active through June 30, 2022.
Attached is the proposed five-year Agreement to cover similar services for July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2027. 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 the County apportioned AB 939 fees ($2.05/ton) on waste generated in the unincorporated areas of the County in DHHS Public Health Local Enforcement Agency Budget Unit 1175-430. For Fiscal Year 2022-2023, this is estimated to generate $153,750.00. In addition, HWMA will apply for the County’s portion of CalRecycle’s City/County Payment Program Grant funds, ($10,000.00). The total amount of funding from these two sources for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 is expected to be $163,750.00. 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.
ATTACHMENTS:
Agreement with the Humboldt Waste Management Authority for California Integrated Waste Management Act compliance services.
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-11, D-17, C-7, C-9, H-3
Meeting of: 9/26/2006, 6/24/2008, 9/24/2013, 7/22/2014, 1/28/2020
File No.: n/a, 16-8241, 16-0919, 14-0602, 20-68