To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Regional Solid Waste Planning - Annual Update
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Accept the annual update for the period April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 from Republic Services of Sonoma County, Inc.
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Executive Summary:
The Department of Public Infrastructure is recommending that the Board accept the annual presentation from Republic Services of Sonoma County, Inc. (“Republic”) for the period of April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023. Under the terms of the Master Operations Agreement (MOA), Republic is required to present an annual update on the progress made toward achieving the goals established in the agreement.
Discussion:
The Master Operations Agreement (MOA) is the product of a three-year County-City Solid Waste Advisory Group collaborative process between the committed cities (Cloverdale, Healdsburg, Windsor, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park, Sonoma and Cotati), the County, and public stakeholders. The Board of Supervisors launched the public process in December 2009 to build consensus regarding Sonoma County’s long-term solid waste and recycling strategy. The provisions of the MOA were crafted to accomplish fundamental goals to create a system that provides:
1. Increased diversion; decreased landfill disposal.
2. Public ownership for “local control;” private operations for “economic efficiencies.”
3. No pre-set volume (put-or-pay) disposal commitments, which supports increased diversion and local flexibility.
4. Long term liability relief for closure, post-closure, and unforeseen environmental liabilities at the Central Disposal site.
5. A sustainable rate model that works with high levels of waste diversion.
6. In-county landfill to end reliance on outhaul export of Sonoma County trash.
7. Quantifiable greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions.
8. Ongoing funding for education, household hazardous waste, and other programs.
9. Ongoing funding source for closed county urban landfill sites.
Republic began operating the County solid waste facilities once the MOA became effective on April 1, 2015. Section 11.9 of the MOA requires Republic to submit an annual report to the County and present a report to the Board of Supervisors on the progress made toward achieving the goals established in the MOA, including: waste diversion, greenhouse gas reductions, and any new activities and programs in the MOA.
Annual Report of Progress of Goals
Diversion
The annual waste diversion goal of 67,000 tons became effective on June 1, 2018, after one year of operations of the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) located at Central Landfill. The MRF is a plant that receives, separates, and prepares recyclable materials for marketing to end-user manufacturers.
On March 15, 2022 the MOA was amended and reduced the tonnage diversion requirement from 67,000 to 44,735. The tonnage requirement was reduced in order to accommodate for the retirement of the Commercial Food Waste Program and comply with SB 1383 requirements.
For the reporting period of June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023, annual diversion was 39,925 tons. In discussions with County staff, Republic identified soil and alternative daily cover diversion as the major areas falling short of expectations. Republic is already actively working on amplifying their efforts in these domains to meet the current year's diversion criteria and avoid any shortfalls. Furthermore, in line with requirements, Republic is slated to present a detailed diversion action plan by late August or early September of 2023 which will outline these changes.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reductions results
Total GHG emissions in 2022 were 64,160 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide equivalent, which represent a decrease of 6,003 tons, or 9.36% from 2021. The primary contributor to the GHG emissions reduction at the landfill was waste diversion. The construction of the MRF and other recycling efforts helped divert and reduce the amount of waste disposed at the landfill, thus minimizing the amount of methane gas generated at the landfill.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
09/27/22 Board received annual report for the period April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 from Republic Services of Sonoma County, Inc.
10/19/21 Board received annual report for the period April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 from Republic Services of Sonoma County, Inc.
08/04/20 Board received annual report for the period April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020 from Republic Services of Sonoma County, Inc.
09/24/19 Board received annual report for the period April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019 from Republic Services of Sonoma County, Inc.
05/02/17 Board received annual report for the period January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016 from Republic Services of Sonoma County, Inc.
07/19/16: Board received annual report for the period April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016 from Republic Services of Sonoma Count, Inc.
03/01/16: Board approved the Second Amendment to the Master Operations Agreement (MOA) to allow full access to the reuse area at the Sonoma Transfer Station and for reimbursement of up to $500,000 to Republic for purchasing and installing storm water equipment.
03/03/15: Board approved the First Amendment to the MOA, the Landfill Settlement Agreement between the County and the Cities, the Limited Term Indemnity Agreement with Republic Services Related to Composting Operations, and the Joint Defense and Indemnity Agreement with Sonoma County Waste Management Agency.
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There are no fiscal impacts associated with the acceptance of the annual report.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
PowerPoint
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Amended and Restated Master Operations Agreement;
1st Amendment to the Amended and Restated Master Operations Agreement
Annual Report