The budget and operating parameters for the Household Hazardous Waste facility are regulated by the West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority (Authority). The costs associated with the proposed changes in hours of operation are covered by the existing Post-collection Rates approved by the Authority. This will not impact the General Fund. Costs associated with collection franchising and associated collaboration with the West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority are covered by franchise fees paid by Richmond Sanitary Service.
The West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority (“Authority”) is a joint powers agency created on April 2, 1991 by the cities of El Cerrito, Hercules, Pinole, Richmond and San Pablo. There are seven voting seats on the Authority Board of Directors, comprising City Council members designated by the five Member Agencies. Representation on the Board of Directors consists of three Richmond City Council members and one City Council member from each of the four remaining cities. The Authority is responsible for providing post-collection processing services (disposal, recyclables processing, composting and management of household hazardous waste) for the waste stream governed under the franchise agreements administered by the five Member Agencies as well as the waste stream governed by the County’s franchise agreement with Richmond Sanitary Service, which covers the unincorporated communities of Alhambra Valley (partial), Bayview, East Richmond Heights, El Sobrante, Montalvin Manor, North Richmond, Rollingwood and Tara Hills. The Authority also implements a variety of waste diversion programs targeting the waste stream generated within the above-mentioned West County franchise areas.
The Authority (also known as RecycleMore) separately contracts with Republic Services, Inc. (Republic), for post-collection services including recyclables processing, composting, operation of a household hazardous waste facility, and the transfer, transportation and disposal of solid waste. The current post-collection service contract was recently amended by the Authority on October 10, 2013, and became effective on January 1, 2014. This amended post-collection service agreement now includes a provision that requires the Authority, Contractor and County to agree on the types of materials accepted as well as the days and hours of operation of the permanent Household Hazardous Waste drop-off facility (located at 101 Pittsburg Avenue, North Richmond). The Household Hazardous Waste drop-off facility is currently open on all Thursdays and Fridays, and the first Saturday of every month (excluding approved holidays).
On February 12, 2015, the Authority approved the expansion of the Household Hazardous Waste Facility operating hours from one Saturday per month, to all Saturdays utilizing cost savings from participating in the California Paint Stewardship Program. However, to authorize the Authority to expand its Household Hazardous Waste Facility operating hours, the current post-collection service contract requires approval by the Authority, Contractor and County. Both the Authority and Contractor have agreed to the increased hours of operations of the Household Hazardous Waste Facility and would like to provide such services beginning Saturday, March 14, 2015.
To allow the residents (both incorporated and unincorporated) to have expanded services offered by the Authority, the Conservation and Development Director recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve the expansion of the facility operating hours to include every Saturday (excluding approved holidays), as adopted by the Authority in February 2015.
It is expected that the Authority may also want to make further changes in the operations of their Household Hazardous Waste facility in the future, which could occur due to changing needs or additional cost savings, including higher than estimated potential revenue from the California Paint Stewardship Program. Therefore, to increase efficiency and minimize potential implementation delays, it is also recommended that Conservation and Development Director or designee be authorized to approve any future expansion of the types of materials accepted or the hours and days of operation for the Household Hazardous Waste facility, consistent with the amended post-collection service contract agreement that was approved by the Authority on October 10, 2013.
The West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority and its Contractor (Republic) would not be authorized to provide expanded hours of operation at the Household Hazardous Waste facility located at 101 Pittsburg Avenue, and residents (both incorporated and unincorporated) would not benefit from the increased hours of operation proposed by the West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority.