TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to enter into an agreement and all related documents with the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, the County Sanitation District and EDCO Disposal to support the operation of a regional household hazardous waste facility. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
One of the most common requests Environmental Services Bureau (ESB) staff receives from residents is for the convenient disposal of household hazardous waste (HHW). As a result, the City of Long Beach (City) pursued and was awarded a one-time $400,000 grant from the State (CalRecycle) to build a facility and procure equipment for a HHW collection and transfer site convenient for Long Beach residents.
While in the planning stages for construction of a HHW facility, ESB staff discovered that a private company, EDCO Disposal, was building a municipal solid waste material recovery facility in the City of Signal Hill. The conceptual plans for this facility allocated an area to receive HHW. Rather than start anew, City staff suggested partnering with EDCO on this endeavor. On March 8, 2011, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement with EDCO to reimburse EDCO for redesign expenses and the purchase of a fixed canopy, and to ensure availability of this facility to City residents. City Council's authorization of this partnership saved the City as much as $2.5 million in capital costs.
Construction on the facility has been completed and it is ready to accept HHW from residents. The County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works (County) recently offered to participate in the operation and maintenance of the facility. The County will be responsible for coordinating countywide HHW collections. The County will be contracting with a vendor to manage the collection of the HHW. The facility will be open on the second Saturday of each month and will be available for all County residents. The County has agreed to consider adding additional collection days if one Saturday per month does not prove to meet the area's needs. The HHW will accept: electronic waste, paint, household chemicals, batteries, motor oil, sharps and pharmaceuticals, among other materials.
In addition to the $400,000 committed in State grant funding for design and construction costs and some operating equipment, ESB staff will also be responsible for facilitating the traffic flow on collection days and promoting the HHW center to residents.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on November 5, 2012 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on October 18, 2012.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested by November 20, 2012 in order to execute the Memorandum of Understanding with Los Angeles County to promptly open the HHW facility.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City's annual cost for the operation of the HHW facility will be minimal and is estimated at $14,000 for facilitating parking and traffic flow and $10,000 for marketing and outreach. These costs will be absorbed within ESB's existing appropriation in the Refuse/Recycling Fund (EF 330). There will be no impact on the General Fund (GP). Approval of this action may result in a positive local job impact.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL P. CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER