Agenda packet — Belmont City Council, September 9, 2025 (part 2 of 2)

Review Solid Waste Rate Application and Revise Maximum Rates for Collection Services for 2026 - Staff Report.docx

STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: September 9, 2025
Agency: City of Belmont
Staff Contact: Nisha Patel, Public Works Dept., (650) 595-7459, [email protected] Alberto Espinoza, Public Works Dept., (650) 595-7465, [email protected] Agenda Title: Review Solid Waste Rate Application and Revise Maximum Rates for Collection Services for 2026
Agenda Action: Resolution
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution stating the City of Belmont’s intent to revise the maximum rates that may be charged for solid waste, recyclable materials, and organic materials collection services effective January 1, 2026, and set a Public Hearing date for November 25, 2025.

Strategic Focus Area
Fiscal and Organizational Sustainability
Background
On August 28, 2018, the Council authorized the City Manager to finalize and execute an Amended and Restated Franchise Agreement (Agreement) with Recology of San Mateo County (Recology) for recyclable materials, organic materials, and solid waste collection from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2035. The Agreement provides for an annual review of the maximum rates that Recology may charge Belmont residential and commercial customers for regular and unscheduled services. Each year, Recology proposes, City staff analyzes, and the City Council adopts solid waste rates that do not exceed Recology’s maximum rates.

On July 31, 2025, Recology provided the City their 2026 rate application and detailed worksheet outlining their calculation of the maximum rates. Also in July, as part of the City’s review process, the City retained the services of HDR, Inc. (HDR) to confirm that the rates proposed by Recology were calculated in accordance with the Agreement and associated amendments. HDR and City staff have reviewed and confirmed that the rate adjustment application and the accompanying maximum rate schedules submitted by Recology seeking an 1.45% increase in 2026 over 2025 rates meets the terms of the Agreement.

This report is the first step in the City’s process to approve the maximum rates that may be charged for solid waste, recyclable materials, and organic materials collection services. In November, the City will hold a public hearing following the procedures of Proposition 218 to adopt the calendar year 2026 solid waste rates.
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Review Solid Waste Rate Application and Revise Maximum Rates for Collection Services for 2026 - Staff Report.docx Analysis
Recology is proposing total contractor compensation of $10,082,879 for 2026. The percentage change between the 2026 total target revenue of $10,082,879 and the 2025 target revenue of $9,938,659 results in the adjustment multiplier rate of 1.45%, which is consistent with methodology of the Agreement. The adjustment multiplier rate of 1.45% is the proposed 2026 rate increase to the residential and commercial carts and bins and it accounts for CPI cost increases such as labor costs, fuel, general expenses, SB 1383 program implementation, depreciation, interests, incentives and disincentives, direct costs components, and agency payments.

Table 1 is a summary of the changes in total target revenue from 2025 to 2026.

Table 1
Summary of Changes in Total Target Revenue from 2025 to 2026 Cost Component
2025
Target
Revenue
2026
Target
Revenue
$
Difference
%
Difference
Base Contractor Compensation
Direct Labor Related $2,455,457 $2,510,958 $55,502 2.26% Direct Fuel Costs 322,119 290,254 (31,865) -9.89%
General Expense Direct & Indirect 1,446,287 1,464,651 18,364 1.27% Depreciation 281,317 281,317 0 0.00%
Profit 472,919 477,328 4,409 0.93%
Interest 73,679 73,679 0 0.00%
Total Base Compensation $5,051,777 $5,098,188 $46,410 0.92% Performance (Inc.) / Dis. (4,487) (5,776) (1,289) 28.73% Total Pass-Through Costs
Disposal Projected Cost (i) $2,434,527 $2,455,449 $20,922 0.86% Disposal Actual Prior Year Cost (ii) 2,114,505 2,347,997 233,492 11.04% Disposal Prior Projected Cost (iii) (2,241,715) (2,434,527) (192,812) 8.60% Agency Payments 2,584,050 2,368,919 37,497 1.45%
Total Pass-Through Costs $4,891,367 $4,990,467 $99,099 2.03% Total Target Revenue $9,938,658 $10,082,878 $144,221 1.45% Table 2 shows the present monthly rates, the proposed monthly rates with the 1.45% rate increase, and the monthly change (for illustrative purposes) for residential customers. 185

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Review Solid Waste Rate Application and Revise Maximum Rates for Collection Services for 2026 - Staff Report.docx Table 2
Summary of the Present, Proposed, and Monthly Change
Present Proposed
Monthly 2026 $/Month
Schedule Schedule Description Rate Rates Change
R20G Residential Waste - 20 Gallons $41.03 $41.62 $0.59 R32G Residential Waste - 32 Gallons 48.95 49.66 0.71
R64G Residential Waste - 64 Gallons 96.36 97.76 1.40
R96G Residential Waste - 96 Gallons 144.54 146.64 2.10
Commercial customers have similar service to residential customers, but they have the option to adjust the number of pickups per week. In 2026, it is estimated that the commercial rates (Schedule L) will increase by 1.45% for all cart sizes. Table 3 is a summary of the calculated maximum commercial solid waste rates by cart size. Some minor rounding of the rates may occur for purposes of ease of administration.

Table 3
Summary of Calculated Maximum Commercial Solid Waste
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Review Solid Waste Rate Application and Revise Maximum Rates for Collection Services for 2026 - Staff Report.docx Some commercial customers have larger bins which range in size from 1 yard to 6 yards. Commercial waste customers also have the option of different levels of service and can select the number of pick-ups per week. Table 4 is a summary of the calculated maximum commercial solid waste rates for 2026 for the larger bin sizes. It is estimated that the rates (Schedule L) will increase by 1.45% for all bin sizes.

Table 4
Summary of Calculated Maximum Commercial Solid Waste
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Review Solid Waste Rate Application and Revise Maximum Rates for Collection Services for 2026 - Staff Report.docx Additional Services
Recology also provides several services that are not considered regularly scheduled services. Those miscellaneous additional services charges are itemized in Exhibit A, Attachment Q of the attached Resolution. In summary, an overall rate increases of 1.27% is being proposed.

Proposition 218
The City is committed to promoting public participation in City activities. Towards this end, it has been the City’s practice to notice and conduct protest hearing proceedings with respect to solid waste maximum rates in the manner set forth in Article XIII D, Section 6(a) of the California Constitution and Section 53755 of the Government Code. That process requires that a notice be mailed to solid waste customers not less than forty-five days prior to any public hearing affecting any rate.

Customers and property owners have the right to submit written protests against the proposed maximum rates and may do so by mail or in person to the City Clerk no later than the conclusion of the public hearing. If written protests against the charges are presented by owners of a majority of the affected parcels, the City Council may not impose the charges.

The attached resolution authorizes the initiation of the Proposition 218 process based on the maximum rates in accordance with the Guidelines for the Submission and Tabulation of Protests in Exhibit B, and sets a public hearing for November 25, 2025.

Alternatives

1. Take no action.

2. Adjust rates differently while meeting the requirements of the Agreement.

Attachments
A. Resolution
B. Recology 2026 Rate Application
C. HDR Inc. Report – Solid Waste Rate Analysis
Fiscal Impact
☐ No Fiscal Impact
☒ Funding Source Confirmed: The recommended rate increases will cover the solid waste program’s revenue requirements.
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Review Solid Waste Rate Application and Revise Maximum Rates for Collection Services for 2026 - Staff Report.docx Source: Purpose: Public Outreach:

Staff Statutory/Contractual Requirement Posting of Agenda

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RESOLUTION NO. 2025 –

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELMONT STATING

ITS INTENT TO ADJUST THE MAXIMUM RATES THAT MAY BE CHARGED FOR

SOLID WASTE, RECYCLABLE MATERIALS, AND ORGANIC MATERIALS COLLECTION SERVICES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026 AND SETTING A PUBLIC

HEARING
WHEREAS, solid waste, recyclable materials, and organic materials collection services are provided in the City of Belmont by Recology San Mateo County (Recology) pursuant to a franchise agreement with the City; and,
WHEREAS, the franchise agreement with Recology provides for an annual review of the maximum rates that Recology may charge Belmont residential and commercial customers; and, WHEREAS, Recology provided the City a letter and detailed worksheet outlining their calculation of the maximum rates for Rate Year 2026 which include a proposed 1.45% increase; and,
WHEREAS, the City is contractually obligated to set maximum rates and desires to conduct a proceeding to adjust the schedule of charges as itemized in Exhibit A.

NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Belmont resolves as follows:

SECTION 1. Proposes rate revisions and methodology generally described in Exhibits “A” and “B” to this Resolution, which are incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. On November 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM or as soon thereafter as may be practicable in the City Council Chambers located at One Twin Pines Lane, Belmont, CA, or online via Zoom ( https://belmont-gov.zoom.us), the City Council will hold a public hearing in accordance with the procedures in California Constitution Article XIIID with respect to the proposed rates. At this hearing, all interested persons will be permitted to present oral and written testimony with respect to the proposed rates and methodology.

SECTION 3. Direct staff to give notice of the hearing in the manner required by law.

SECTION 4. The City will accept and tabulate protests against the proposed rate revision following the procedures set forth in Exhibit “B” to this Resolution, which is incorporated herein by reference.
* * *
ADOPTED September 9, 2025 by the City of Belmont City Council by the following vote:

Ayes:

Noes:

Absent:
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Abstain:

ATTEST:

City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:

City Attorney
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Exhibit A to Resolution
Attachment L
Maximum Rate Schedule
Effective January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026
Monthly Rate
20 32 64 96
1 Pickup Per Week $41.62 $49.66 $97.76 $146.64
Residential customers are billed based on their Garbage Cart size.

The monthly rate above includes the following:

One (1) Garbage Cart provided to customer
Curbside Household Hazardous Waste Collection
One (1) 64-Gallon Recycling Cart and (1) 96-Gallon Yard Waste Cart

RESIDENTIAL CARTS
Cart Size (in Gallons)
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Attachment L
Maximum Rate Schedule
Effective January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026
Monthly Rate
20 32 64 96
1 $53.11 $58.96 $114.03 $164.82
2 109.25 121.40 230.09 337.61
3 162.66 180.70 349.12 512.34
4 223.31 248.12 469.42 693.04
5 282.54 313.91 596.69 876.18
6 353.52 392.78 727.13 1,102.92
7 430.65 478.48 851.22 1,286.73
The monthly rate above includes the following:

One (1) Garbage Cart
Recycling Cart
32 64 96
1 $41.30 $79.84 $115.37
2 84.97 161.06 236.32
3 126.49 244.37 358.64
4 173.70 328.62 485.11
5 219.74 417.69 613.33
6 274.98 508.95 772.03
7 334.96 595.85 900.71
Note: Organics containers are charged at seventy percent (70%) of the similar Garbage commercial cart rate above container size and service levels for Garbage, representing a thirty percent (30%) discount
Cart Size (in Gallons)
# of Pickups Per Week

COMMERCIAL CARTS
Cart Size (in Gallons)
# of Pickups Per Week

COMMERCIAL CARTS ORGANICS
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Attachment L
Maximum Rate Schedule
Effective January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026
Monthly Rate
1 2 3 4 6
1 $276.56 $556.31 $839.01 $1,145.33 $1,761.44
2 563.07 1,121.76 1,688.15 2,310.45 3,572.46
3 854.47 1,692.54 2,542.27 3,475.61 5,370.01
4 1,149.29 2,267.48 3,398.93 4,654.01 7,152.28
5 1,446.46 2,850.54 4,258.56 5,837.38 8,959.93
6 1,805.26 3,365.24 5,169.70 7,069.85 10,831.77
7 2,129.98 3,985.54 6,087.20 8,328.11 12,686.54
The monthly rate above includes the following:

One (1) Garbage Bin
Recycling container at customer's requested size
1 2 3 4 6
1 $193.61 $389.43 $587.29 $801.74 $1,233.01
2 394.13 785.21 1,181.74 1,617.32 2,500.73
3 598.12 1,184.79 1,779.60 2,432.91 3,759.00
4 804.50 1,587.23 2,379.26 3,257.81 5,006.60
5 1,012.53 1,995.35 2,980.98 4,086.15 6,271.96
6 1,263.69 2,355.66 3,618.79 4,948.94 7,582.22
7 1,491.00 2,789.89 4,261.04 5,829.68 8,880.57
Note: Organics containers are charged at seventy percent (70%) of the similar garbage container size above and service level for garbage, representing a thirty percent (30%) discount
Bin Size (in Cubic Yards)
# of Pickups Per Week

COMMERCIAL BINS ORGANICS

COMMERCIAL BINS
Bin Size (in Cubic Yards)
# of Pickups Per Week
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Attachment L
Maximum Rate Schedule
Effective January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026
Monthly Rate
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Schedule Q
Additional Services (Continued)
No. Additional Service Category Reference Agency-Approved Maximum Rate Description 1 Single-Family Dwelling Backyard
Collection Service
Section 5.02.A See Maximum Rate in the table at
the end of this Attachment
See Maximum Rate in the table at the
end of this Attachment
2 Long Distance Service for MFD,
Mixed Use, and Commercial
Accounts (Note: only applicable
to Containers with wheels)
Section 5.02.B,

5.02.C; 8.02 B
A - No more than 10% of base
monthly Maximum Rate of the
Collection Rate for each Container
requiring Long Distance Service
B - 25% of base monthly Rate of the
Collection Rate for each Container
requiring Long Distance Service
A - Distance greater than 50 feet and less
than or equal to 100 feet
B - Distance greater than 100 feet
Distance shall be measured from the
face of the curb, or from the edge of the
roadway nearest the closest edge of the
Container, if there is no curb.

No. Additional Service Category Reference Agency-Approved Maximum Rate Description 3 Container Relocation Service Section 5.02.B and

8.02.B
A - 12% of base monthly Rate of the
Collection Rate for each Container
requiring Container Relocation
Service
B - 27% of base monthly Rate of the
Collection Rate for each Container
requiring Container Relocation
Service
A - Distance greater than 50 feet and less
than or equal to 100 feet
B - Distance greater than 100 feet
Distance shall be measured from the
face of the curb, or from the edge of the
roadway nearest the closest edge of the
Container, if there is no curb.
4 On-Call, Pick-up for SFD, MFD,
Mixed Use, and Commercial
Customers
Section 5.02.A,

5.02.B, and 5.02.C
25% of the base monthly Rate for
the size of Container Collected
once per week.

Per Collection event per Container for
Collection requested by Customer
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Schedule Q
Additional Services (Continued)
No. Additional Service Category Reference Agency-Approved Maximum Rate Description 5 Return Trip (SFD, MFD, Mixed
Use, or Commercial)
Sections

5.02.A, B, C;

5.03.A, B, C;

5.04.A, B, C
$21.19 for SFD
$21.19 for Commercial, Mixed Use,
and MFD
Per Collection event (i.e. request to
return and provide Collection service
after the Customer failed to properly set
out their Container(s) for regularly
scheduled Collection)
6 Additional Targeted Recyclable
Materials or Organic Materials
Cart Service for SFD
Sections

5.03.A and

5.04.A
$1.39 per Recycling Cart
$4.21 per Organic Materials Cart
Per Cart month (any Cart size). Six month
minimum charge required. Includes onetime Cart delivery upon start of service and removal of Cart when service is
discontinued by Customer.
7 Additional On-Call Bulky Item
Collection
Sections

5.05,

5.06 $115.18 Per Bulky Item Collection event (in
addition to the events provided at no
charge to Customer pursuant to Section

5.12)
8 Collect Contaminated Targeted
Recyclable Materials or Organic
Materials Container
Section 6.03.A and

8.02.F
25% of base monthly Solid Waste
Rate for the size of Container
Collected once per week plus
Return Trip Fee if applicable
Per Collection event for Container with
Contamination Level greater than the
maximum level pursuant to Table 1 in
Section 6.02.B
9 Lock Service (Key Service) Section 8.02.B A - $12.00 per usage B - $13.41 per usage
Monthly cost:

A-Residential Customers
B-Commercial Customers
10 Lock Purchase Section 8.02.B $24.01 per lock Per lock No. Additional Service Category Reference Agency-Approved Maximum Rate Description 11 Overage Service Section 8.02.G 100% of the base monthly Solid Waste Collection Rate
Per Collection event (after the first two
events)
12 Overage Bags Cost Section 8.02.G 50% of the base monthly Solid Waste Collection Rate or $11.28
minimum
Per bag
13 Container Cleaning Service Section 8.05.D A - $70.62 B - $120.05
A - per Cart
B - per Bin or Drop-Box Charge only
applies to cleaning or Container
exchange in addition to the service to be
provided at no charge to the Customer
pursuant to Section 8.05.D.
14 Dirty Cart Replacement
(Exchange) Service
Section 8.05.D A - $91.80
B - $105.93
C - $120.05
A - per 32 gallon Cart
B - per 64 gallon Cart
C - per 96 gallon Cart
Charge only applies to cleaning or
Container exchange in addition to the
service to be provided at no charge to
the Customer pursuant to Section

8.05.D.
15 Additional Confidential
Document Destruction Service
Event
Section 5.07 $1,694.72 Per event
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Schedule Q
Additional Services (Continued)
No. Additional Service Category Reference Agency-Approved Maximum Rate Description 16 Additional Compost Material
Delivery
Section 5.11 A - $176.52 per delivery
B - $353.08 per delivery
A - "One-way" only delivery by
Contractor where Contractor delivers to
and unloads compost at an Agencyapproved location
B - "Round-trip" delivery by Contractor
where Contractor delivers compost in a
Drop Box to an Agency-approved
location and returns at a later time or
date to pick up the Drop Box and any
remaining compost (charge includes the
delivery of and later pick-up of the Drop
Box)
17 Community Drop-Off Events Section 5.13 $28,810.47 per event or day Per event or day targeting 5,000 households. Does not include disposal
or public education expenses.

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Schedule Q
Additional Services (Continued)
Distance from Curb** One (1) Solid
Waste Cart
Two (2) Solid
Waste Carts
Three (3) Solid
Waste Carts
Four (4) Solid
Waste Carts
Distance <= 50 feet $25.40 $40.54 $81.14 $121.68
50 < Distance <= 100 feet 29.66 44.81 85.36 125.93
100 < Distance <= 150 feet 33.87 49.03 89.57 130.16
150 < Distance <= 200 feet 38.14 53.28 93.82 134.42
200 < Distance <= 250 feet 42.36 57.50 98.08 138.65
250 < Distance <= 300 feet 46.60 61.73 102.31 142.86
300 < Distance <= 350 feet 50.85 65.97 106.56 147.09
Each additional 50 foot
increment over 350 feet
** Distance shall be measured from the face of the curb, or from the edge of the roadway nearest the closest edge of the Cart, if there is no curb.

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Exhibit B to Resolution

GUIDELINES FOR THE SUBMISSION AND TABULATION OF PROTESTS

SOLID WASTE FEES
Submission of Protests

1. Any property owner or solid waste customer may submit a written protest to the City Clerk, either by delivery to the office of the City Clerk or by submitting the protest at the public hearing. Protests must be received by the end of the public hearing. No postmarks will be accepted.

2. Each protest must identify the affected property (by assessor’s parcel number or street address) and include the signature of the record property owner or solid waste customer. Email protests cannot be accepted. Although oral comments at the public hearing will not qualify as a formal protest unless accompanied by a writing, the City Council welcomes input from the community during the public hearing on the proposed fees.

3. If a parcel served by the City is owned by more than a single record owner or customer, each owner or customer may submit a protest, but only one protest will be counted per parcel and any one protest submitted in accordance with these rules will be sufficient to count as a protest for that property.

4. In order to be valid a protest must bear the original signature of the record owner or customer with respect to the property identified on the protest.

Protests not bearing the original signature of a record owner or customer shall not be counted.

5. Any person who submits a protest may withdraw it by submitting to the City Clerk a writing request that the protest be withdrawn. The withdrawal of a protest shall contain sufficient information to identify the affected parcel and the name of the record owner or record customer who submitted both the protest and the request that it be withdrawn.

6. A fee protest proceeding is not an election.

7. To ensure transparency and accountability in the fee protest tabulation, protests shall constitute disclosable public records from and after the time they are received.

Tabulation of Protests.

1. The City Clerk shall determine the validity of all protests. The City Clerk shall not accept as valid any protest if the City Clerk determines that any of the following conditions exist:
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a. The protest does not identify a property served by the City. b. The protest does not bear an original signature of a record owner of the parcel identified on the protest or of the customer on the parcel. c. The protest does not state its opposition to the proposed fees. d. The protest was not received by the City Clerk before the close of the public hearing on the proposed fees.
e. A request to withdraw the protest is received prior to the close of the public hearing on the proposed fees.

3. The City Clerk’s decision that a protest is not valid or does not apply to a specific fee shall constitute a final action of the City and shall not be subject to any internal appeal.

4. A majority protest exists if written protests are timely submitted and not withdrawn by the record owners of a majority of the properties subject to the proposed fee.

5. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the City Clerk shall complete the tabulation of all protests received, including those received during the public hearing and shall report the results of the tabulation to the City Council upon completion. If review of the protests received demonstrates that the number received is manifestly less than one- half of the parcels served by the City with respect to the fee which is the subject of the protest, then the Clerk may advise the City Council of the absence of a majority protest without determining the validity of all protests.
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Draft Report
Review of the 2026 Solid Waste Rates
City of Belmont
August 2025
202
555 110th Ave NE, Suite 1200
Bellevue, WA 98004
August 19, 2025
Ms. Nisha Patel, P.E.

Public Works Director
City of Belmont
One Twin Pines Lane, Suite 385
Belmont, California 94002
Subject: Review of the 2026 Solid Waste Rates Draft Report Dear Ms. Patel:

HDR Engineering, Inc. (HDR) was retained by the City of Belmont (City) to provide professional and technical rate services as they relate to the City’s solid waste utility. The City is a member of the South Bayside Waste Management Authority (SBWMA) and has a franchise agreement with Recology of San Mateo County (Recology) for solid waste collection services, including the collection of recycling and organic materials. Through the franchise agreement, the annual compensation for Recology’s services is contractually determined. Recology has provided to the City their calculation of the maximum rates for both regularly scheduled services and additional services for Rate Year 2026, based on the July 31st rate year 2026 application letter. The franchise agreement calls for the City to adopt solid waste retail rates, but not at a level which exceeds the Contractor’s “Maximum Rates for Regularly Scheduled Services”.

HDR and the City have reviewed Recology’s calculations, and this report summarizes our findings, conclusions, and recommendations. This report and HDR’s technical review were developed utilizing the City’s and Recology’s accounting, operating, and management records. HDR has relied upon this information to conduct our review as outlined in the agreed-upon scope of services with the City, which provides the basis for our findings, conclusions, and recommendations contained in this report.

We appreciate the assistance provided by City staff, management, and City Council. More importantly, we appreciate the opportunity to work with the City on this project.

Sincerely yours,
HDR Engineering, Inc.

Shawn Koorn
Associate Vice President
203
Table of Contents i
City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates
Executive Summary
Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 Limitations of HDR’s Review .......................................................................................... 1 Overview of the Agreement........................................................................................... 2 Regularly Scheduled Service (Attachment L) –
Review of Recology’s Calculated Maximum................................................................... 3 Additional Services (Attachment Q) – Review of Recology’s Calculated Maximum......... 4 Summary Conclusions and Recommendations............................................................... 5 Summary of the Review of the Solid Waste Rates.......................................................... 5 1 Introduction and Overview of the Report

1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 6

1.2 Limitations of HDR’s Review ................................................................................ 6

1.3 Organization of the Report.................................................................................. 7 2 Overview of the Agreement

2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 8

2.2 Overview of the Agreement ................................................................................ 8

2.3 Regularly Scheduled Services (Attachment L) ...................................................... 9

2.4 Additional Services (Attachment Q)................................................................... 10

2.5 Summary ........................................................................................................... 10 3 Review of Recology’s Calculated Maximum Rates for Regularly Scheduled Services

3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 11

3.2 Overview of Recology’s 2026 Rate Application .................................................. 11

3.3 Overview of the General Approach Used to Review Costs................................. 13

3.4 Summary Conclusions of HDR’s Review of the Maximum Rate Calculations....... 13

3.5 HDR’s Detailed Review of the Total Target Revenue Calculations...................... 13

3.6 Conclusions Regarding the Calculation of the Maximum Rate ........................... 16 4 Review of the Proposed 2026 Solid Waste Rates

4.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 17

4.2 Residential Regularly Scheduled Service (Attachment L).................................... 17

4.3 Commercial Carts Regularly Scheduled Service (Attachment L).......................... 17

4.4 Commercial Waste Bins Regularly Scheduled Service ........................................ 19

4.5 Commercial Organics Bins Regularly Scheduled Service .................................... 21

4.6 Commercial Organics Carts Regularly Scheduled Service .................................. 23

4.7 Other Miscellaneous Solid Waste Rates............................................................. 25

4.8 Rates for Additional Services (Attachment Q).................................................... 27 Table of Contents
204
Table of Contents ii
City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates

4.9 Summary ........................................................................................................... 27 5 Summary of the Solid Waste Rate Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations

5.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 28

5.2 Summary Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations.................................... 28

5.3 Looking Ahead – Future Rate Adjustment to 2027............................................. 28

5.4 Summary ........................................................................................................... 28 Technical Appendix A – Attachment L Rates – Regularly Scheduled Services Technical Appendix B – Attachment Q Rates – Additional Services Technical Appendix C – Proposition 218 Notice
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Executive Summary 1
City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates
Introduction
The City of Belmont is a member of the South Bayside Waste Management Authority. On August 28, 2018, the City finalized an Amended and Restated Franchise Agreement (Agreement) with Recology of San Mateo County for solid waste collection services, including the collection of recycling and organic materials. The Agreement is for the 15-year period of 2021 to 2035. As outlined in the Agreement (i.e., Sections 7.01.A.5, 11.01.A, 11.06), the annual compensation for Recology’s collection and recycling services is contractually determined. At the same time, the Agreement calls for the City to adopt solid waste rates, but not at a level which exceeds the Contractor’s “Maximum Rates for Regularly Scheduled and Additional Services”. Ultimately, Recology bills the City’s customers for the solid waste services at the rates established and formally adopted by the Belmont City Council.

As a part of the overall rate setting process, Recology’s data and information is reviewed by an outside party prior to its use within the calculation of the City’s maximum rates. Once that data and information is confirmed, Recology calculates the “maximum rates for regularly scheduled and additional services” and provides a copy of those calculations to the City for their review and acceptance. This review and rate setting process is similar to the reviews that HDR has provided to the City annually since 2013, which the City has requested HDR conduct for rate year 2026.

As noted, the Agreement contains specific language and exhibits related to the development of the maximum rates for a given year for both regularly scheduled services (Schedule L) and additional services (Schedule Q). Rate year 2021, the first year of the current Agreement, serves as the base year for adjusting rates in future years. HDR has reviewed the applicable portions of the Agreement as they pertain to the 2026 rate year1. From our understanding of the Agreement and the rate setting requirements, HDR reviewed Recology’s submittal for the 2026 rate year.

This report discusses the review undertaken by HDR for the 2026 rate year.

Limitations of HDR’s Review
HDR has provided a limited review of Recology’s maximum rate calculations for the 2026 rate year. As noted above, the data and information used by Recology to calculate the City’s maximum rates were independently reviewed by a separate outside firm. Given the outside review of Recology’s data and information, HDR and the City have assumed that the data and information input into Recology’s rate calculations are reasonable and appropriate. As part of the review, HDR did cross-check and verify the inputs into Recology’s model from the database of previously reviewed basic input data and information.
1 HDR assisted the City in negotiating the current franchise agreement with Recology and is familiar with the requirements of the current agreement as it relates to rate setting (Article 11).

Executive Summary
206
Executive Summary 2
City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates
Within HDR’s review, four key items have been reviewed and verified. These included:
• A review of Recology’s methodology for compliance with our understanding of the required methodology specific for the 2026 rate year based on the current Agreement • A review of the data inputs and information used within the methodology to confirm that the costs and any other adjustments comply with the methodology for regularly scheduled services (Schedule L) for rate year 2026 as required in the current Agreement • A review of the data inputs and methodology used to adjust additional services (Schedule Q) for the 2026 rate year to confirm the use of the appropriate cost index, as specified in the current Agreement
• Confirmation/verification of the calculations (formulas) within the methodology as they apply to the 2026 rate year based on the current Agreement Overview of the Agreement
The Agreement with Recology is intended to continue to provide the City of Belmont community with high-quality waste collection, waste reduction, recycling, and composting programs. In order to maximize the quality of services and waste-diversion potential, the City granted to Recology an exclusive right to provide these services within the City. In order to balance that exclusive right to provide these solid waste services against the costs/rates associated with that program, the parties needed to develop an approach or methodology that both established the rates charged to the City’s customers and fairly compensated Recology. To address this requirement, Article 11 of the Agreement contains specific language, and a methodology, for annually establishing the maximum rates for the upcoming calendar year for both regularly scheduled (Schedule L) and additional services (Schedule Q).

The Agreement provides for an orderly process and approach to establish rates for the City and compensation for Recology. The review being undertaken by the City and HDR is a part of that orderly process, and the City is performing its due diligence to verify and confirm that the maximum rates calculated by Recology are in accordance with the Agreement. The
agreement stipulates this as follows:

Article 11, “The Contractor’s Compensation, Pass-Through Costs and Rates” determines the annual compensation for Recology’s collection and recycling services. This calculation of annual compensation sets the Contractor’s “Maximum
Rates for Regularly Scheduled Services” (Attachment L) and “Additional Services” (Attachment Q). Within the franchise agreement, Attachment L is established in 11.04 of Article 11, Annual Adjustment of Maximum Rates for Scheduled Services. Attachment Q is established in 11.05 of Article 11, Annual Adjustment of Maximum Rates for Additional Services.

The review being undertaken
by the City and HDR is a part of
that orderly process, and the
City is performing its due
diligence to verify and confirm
that the maximum rates
calculated by Recology are in
accordance with the
Agreement.
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City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates
Regularly Scheduled Service (Attachment L) – Review of Recology’s Calculated Maximum
On July 31, 2025, Recology provided to the City a letter outlining their calculation of the rates for rate year 2026. The City retained HDR Engineering, Inc. to provide a review of the proposed 2026 rates as has been performed annually since 2013, which is to confirm that the overall methodology is in conformance with the current Agreement. In addition, HDR also verified or confirmed that the proper cost data appeared to be used within the analysis, and that the mathematical calculations are correct. In providing this review, HDR also attempted to independently calculate the rate index used for Schedule Q rates (e.g., consumer price index (CPIU General)). This report details the City’s process to revise the maximum rates that may be charged for solid waste, recyclable materials, and organic materials collection services for rate year 2026.

The rates that Recology charges its customers include Recology (contractor) compensation, SBWMA costs to operate the Shoreway Environmental Center transfer facility, waste disposal costs, franchise fees, and other related charges. Article 11 of the Agreement provides the framework or methodology for the determination of the maximum rate for the upcoming year.

In very simple terms, the Agreement calls for Recology to annually take the existing maximum rate that is in effect and multiply each rate by an “adjustment multiplier”. The adjustment multiplier is essentially a cost index to develop Total Target Revenue for the rate year.

The rate adjustment multiplier is composed of three elements: the 2026 Base Contractor’s Compensation based on CPI cost adjustments, the 2024 Performance Incentive/Disincentive adjustment, and the 2026 pass through costs, which are comprised of both disposal and agency payments. For 2026, these elements are a total rate index adjustment of 1.45% as shown in Table ES – 1.

Table ES – 1
Summary of 2026 Rate Adjustment to 2025 Rates
Cost Component
2025
Target
Revenue
2026
Target
Revenue
$
Difference
% Adjustment
to 2025 Rates
Total Base Compensation $5,051,777 $5,098,188 $46,410 0.92% Performance (Inc.) / Dis. (4,487) (5,776) (1,289) 28.73% Pass Thru Costs 4,891,367 4,990,467 99,099 2.03%
Plus Disincentive Payable 2022 0 0 0 0.00%
Total Target Revenue $9,938,658 $10,082,878 $144,221 1.45% In the review of Recology’s Total Target Revenue for the 2026 rate year, HDR concluded that the total target revenue used the appropriate data and information for the time period and the calculations within the methodology were correct. As a result of our review, HDR concluded that based on the current Agreement, the City’s adopted solid waste rates for 2025 should be increased by 1.45% for rate year 2026 proposed rates. Provided in this report is a more detailed 208
Executive Summary 4
City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates
discussion of each of the elements of the calculation of the 2026 maximum rates and the basis for HDR’s summary conclusion.

Presented below in Table ES – 2 are the present monthly residential rates and the proposed monthly residential rates for 2026.

Table ES – 2
Summary of the Present and Proposed Residential Solid Waste Rates (Regularly Scheduled - $/Month)
Present Proposed
Monthly 2026 $/Month
Schedule Schedule Description Rate Rates Change
R20G Residential Waste - 20 Gallons $41.03 $41.62 $0.59 R32G Residential Waste - 32 Gallons 48.95 49.66 0.71
R64G Residential Waste - 64 Gallons 96.36 97.76 1.40
R96G Residential Waste - 96 Gallons 144.54 146.64 2.10
In addition to the above residential rates for regularly scheduled service, the City and Recology have a number of other rate schedules for regularly scheduled solid waste services. These include the following:
• Commercial Waste Carts (20 gallons to 96 gallons)
• Commercial Waste Bins (1 yard to 6 yards; 1 day to 7 days per week pickup) • Commercial Organics Bins (1 yard to 6 yards; 1 day to 7 days per week pickup) • Commercial Organics Carts (32 gallons to 96 gallons; 1 day to 7 days per week pickup) • Commercial Waste 1.5 Yard Compactor (1 day to 7 days per week pickup) • Commercial Organics 1.5 Yard Compactor (1 day to 7 days per week pickup) • Commercial Waste 3 Yard Compactor
• Solid Waste Compactor (per yard)
Each of these commercial rate schedules were increased by the overall 1.45% rate increase. A more detailed discussion of these other regularly scheduled services can be found in Section 4 of the report and also within the Technical Appendices in Attachment L.

Additional Services (Attachment Q) – Review of Recology’s Calculated Maximum
In addition to the regularly scheduled rates, there are also rates for “additional services”. The rates for additional services are contained in Attachment Q of the Agreement and are annually updated in accordance with the Agreement. Attachment Q is established in 11.05 of Article 11, Annual Adjustment of Maximum Rates for Additional Services.

The Maximum Rate set forth in Attachment Q is adjusted annually by multiplying the then effective April CPI-U General for the year in which rates are set and divided by the April CPI-U General from the year prior to the year in which rates are set. For example, the April CPI-U209 Executive Summary 5
City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates
General is 355.707 for 2025 and the April CPI-U-General for 2024 is 351.247. Therefore, each Maximum Rate is multiplied by the April CPI-U-General for 2025 and divided by the April CPI-UGeneral for 2024. This resulted in an overall rate increase of 1.27% (355.707 / 351.247) for Attachment Q rates effective in 2026 for additional services.

A more detailed discussion of these additional services can be found in Section 4 of the report and also within the Technical Appendices in Attachment Q.

Summary Conclusions and Recommendations
Based on the review undertaken, it was the conclusion of HDR that the maximum rates, as calculated by Recology, were in conformance with the City’s current Agreement. In reaching this conclusion, HDR has relied on the data and information as supplied by the City and Recology.

Given that conclusion, HDR would recommend that the City revise the residential and commercial rates based on the proposed rates as provided in this report, which reflects a 1.45% increase for the maximum rate calculation. Finally, the additional services (Attachment Q), as calculated by Recology and as reviewed within this report, should also be adopted for 2026 based on the CPI increase of 1.27%.

Summary of the Review of the Solid Waste Rates
This completes the summary review and analysis for the City’s solid waste rates. A full and complete discussion of the review of the solid waste rates as calculated by Recology can be found in the following sections of this report.
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Introduction and Overview of the Report 6
City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates

1.1 Introduction
The City of Belmont is a member of the South Bayside Waste Management Authority. In 2018, the City signed an Agreement with Recology of San Mateo County for solid waste collection services, including the collection of recycling and organic materials. As part of the Agreement (i.e., Sections 7.01.A.5, 11.01.A, 11.06), the annual compensation for Recology’s collection and recycling services is contractually determined. At the same time, the Agreement calls for the City to adopt solid waste rates at a level that does not exceed the Contractor’s “Maximum Rates for Regularly Scheduled or Unscheduled Services”. Ultimately, Recology bills the City’s customers for the solid waste services at the rates established by the City of Belmont City Council.

The 2018 Agreement is for a 15-year term, for rate years 2021 through 2035. While the current Agreement is similar to the 2010 agreement, there are certain differences. Both franchise agreements contain specific language and exhibits related to the development of the maximum rates for a given year.

The general approach for rate adjustments (2022 – 2035) is based on changes in specific cost indices for the primary cost categories outlined by Recology for the base contractor’s compensation. For example, in 2026, the costs will be adjusted by the change in the specific cost indices from 2021 to 2025. These cost indices include CPI-U, CPI-U-Motor Fuel, CPI-W, etc. The Agreement has outlined each of the specific cost indices that will be used in escalating the base costs for future year rate adjustments. The Total Target Revenues for rate year 2026 will be compared to the Total Target Revenues for the prior year, which in this case is the 2025 rate year.

This comparison will result in the rate multiplier being applied to the adopted 2025 rates to establish the proposed 2026 rates.

1.2 Limitations of HDR’s Review
It is important to understand that HDR has provided a limited review of Recology’s maximum rate calculations for the 2026 rate year. The data and information used by Recology to calculate the City’s maximum rates were reviewed by another outside firm. HDR does not provide a review of this basic input data as a part of this review. Therefore, HDR and the City have assumed that the data and information input into Recology’s rate calculations are reasonable and appropriate.

Having said that, HDR did a limited cross-check to verify the inputs in Recology’s model from the previously reviewed basic input data and information.

Within HDR’s review, the three key items reviewed were the overall methodology, compliance to the agreed upon methodology, and verification of the data inputs. First, the overall methodology is generally well-laid out within Article 11 of the current Agreement. Given that, HDR reviewed Recology’s methodology for compliance with our understanding of the required methodology for the 2026 rate year. At the same time, HDR also reviewed the data inputs and information used within the methodology as applied to the 2026 rate year. While the data and information were previously reviewed, the selection and use of the appropriate costs and adjustment factors must comply with the methodology. Finally, HDR confirmed/verified the 1 Introduction and Overview of the Report
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Introduction and Overview of the Report 7
City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates
calculations (formulas) used within the methodology as applied to the 2026 rate year were accurate. As a part of HDR’s review, these three aspects of Recology’s rate filing were reviewed and verified.

1.3 Organization of the Report
This report is organized in a manner that reflects the general approach used by HDR to review Recology’s maximum rates for “Regularly Scheduled” and “Additional Services”. The next section of this report provides a brief overview of the relevant portions of the Agreement. Section 3 then provides a discussion and overview of the technical review undertaken by HDR of the Recology rate calculations. From that review, HDR was then able to review and verify the proposed maximum rates for Regularly Scheduled and Additional Services. The proposed maximum rates are discussed and shown in Section 4. Finally, Section 5 provides a summary of HDR’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations from this review.
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Overview of the Agreement 8
City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates

2.1 Introduction
An important starting point in reviewing the City’s solid waste rates is to gain an understanding of the current Agreement, which is an extension of the original 2010 franchise agreement through 2035. This section of the report is intended to provide a brief overview of the relevant portions of the City’s current Agreement with Recology to help the reader better understand the basis for this review of the rates.

The review and discussion contained herein is not intended to be comprehensive in nature, nor provide any legal interpretation or opinion regarding the relevant portions of the Agreement as it relates to this study.

2.2 Overview of the Agreement
As noted, the agreement was extended in 2018 for an additional 15-year term forrate years 2021 through 2035. The Agreement is very similar to the 2010 franchise agreement, but does contain some relevant changes to Article 11, which determines Recology’s compensation and the City’s solid waste rates. Similar to the 2010 agreement, for 2021 and beyond, Recology’s annual compensation for collection and recycling services is outlined in the Agreement and is contractually determined. The Agreement calls for the City to establish and adopt solid waste rates, but not at a level which exceeds the Contractor’s “Maximum Rates for Regularly Scheduled Services”, referred to as Attachment L, and “Maximum Rates for Additional Services”, referred to as Attachment Q2. The Agreement between the parties contains specific language and exhibits related to the development of the maximum
rates for a given year for both Attachments L and Q.

The Agreement provides for an orderly process and approach to establish rates for the City and compensation for
Recology. The review being undertaken by the City and HDR is a part of that orderly process, and the City is performing its due diligence to verify and confirm that the maximum rates calculated by Recology are in accordance with the Agreement for the 2026 rate year.

More specific to the Agreement, Article 11 – “The Contractor’s Compensation, Pass-Through Costs and Rates” provides the analytical framework for determining the annual compensation for Recology’s collection and recycling services. This calculation of annual compensation sets the Contractor’s “Maximum Rates for Regularly Scheduled Services”, known as Attachment L, and “Additional Services”, known as Attachment Q. Attachment L is established in 11.04 of Article 11, Annual Adjustment of Maximum Rates for Scheduled Services. Attachment Q is established in

11.05 of Article 11, Annual Adjustment of Maximum Rates for Additional Services. 2 Under the 2010 franchise agreement, Regularly Scheduled services were referred to as Attachment R and Additional Services were referred to as Schedule Q.
2 Overview of the Agreement
...and the City is performing
its due diligence to verify and
confirm that the maximum
rates calculated by Recology
are in accordance with the
Agreement for the 2026 rate
year.
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Overview of the Agreement 9
City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates

2.3 Regularly Scheduled Services (Attachment L)
As noted above, Article 11 of the Agreement provides the analytical framework or methodology for the determination of the maximum rates for the upcoming year. In very simple terms, the Agreement calls for Recology to annually take the existing maximum rate that is in effect and multiply each rate by the “adjustment multiplier”. The adjustment multiplieris essentially a “cost index” based on CPI value adjustments to arrive at the Total Target Revenue for the rate year.

The Total Target Revenue for the current year is divided by the prior year Total Target Revenue per 11.04.A. as follows:
“...Beginning with the adjustment for Rate Year 2022, each Maximum Rate set forth in Attachment L shall be adjusted annually by multiplying the then-effective Maximum Rate by the Adjustment Multiplier. The Adjustment Multiplier used to calculate the Maximum Rates that will be effective in a given Rate Year (the “Adjustment Year”) shall be calculated by dividing Total Target Revenue for the Adjustment Year (calculated pursuant to Table 2 below) by Total Target Revenue for the Rate Year prior to the Adjustment Year (the “Current Year”).”3
However, for only Rate Year 2022, the “prior” year will be the 2021 adjusted Total Target Revenue of $7,888,920 as follows in 11.04A.
“...For purposes of determining Maximum Rates for Rate Year 2022, Total Target Revenue for Rate Year 2021 shall be the same as Total Contractor’s Compensation for that year (i.e. $7,888,920).”4
Going forward in rate years 2023 to 2035, the adjustment multiplier will be the current year Total Target Revenue divided by the prior year Total Target Revenue. For example, for rate year 2026, the Total Target Revenue for the 2026 rate year will be divided by the rate year 2025 Total Target Revenue.

The franchise agreement provides the cost index for the various components to calculate the Total Target Revenue. The Total Target Revenue is stated in total dollars. For example, the Total Target Revenue for 2025 is $9,938,658. Going forward each year, the cost index is calculated by adding together the various cost components, which are composed of the following:
• Direct Labor (Wages for CBA’s, Benefits for CBA’s, Payroll Taxes, Worker’s Compensation) • Direct Fuel Costs
• General Expenses Direct and Indirect
• General Expenses Depreciation
• Profit Calculation
• Interest
• Performance Incentives/Performance Disincentives
• Pass Through Costs
 Disposal Costs (i) Projected Next Year, (ii) Actual Prior Year, (iii) less Projected Prior Year)
3 Franchise Agreement, Section 11.04(A), Adjustment Multiplier for Regularly Scheduled Services, p. 99. 4 Franchise Agreement, Section 11.04(A), Adjustment Multiplier for Regularly Scheduled Services, p. 99. 214
Overview of the Agreement 10
City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates
 Agency Payments
The general approach for future year rate adjustments is based on changes in specific cost indices for the primary cost categories outlined by Recology for the base contractor’s compensation. For example, in 2026, the costs will be adjusted by the change in the specific cost indices from 2020 to 2025. These cost indices include CPI-U, CPI-U-Motor Fuel, CPI-W, etc. The current Agreement outlines each of the specific cost indices that will be used in escalating the base costs (adjusted 2021 Total Target Revenue) for future year rate adjustments. For rate year 2026, the 2026 Total Target Revenue of $10,082,878 is compared to the 2025 Total Target Revenue of $9,938,658.

Finally, the disposal costs are calculated separately from the base contractor’s compensation.

The current franchise agreement uses a similar approach to establishing the annual adjustments to the disposal costs. Essentially, all increases or changes in disposal costs are passed through as direct rate adjustments to the customer.

2.4 Additional Services (Attachment Q)
The rates for additional services are addressed in the current franchise agreement and are annually updated in accordance with the Agreement. Rates for Additional Services are discussed and established in 11.05 of Article 11, Annual Adjustment of Maximum Rates for Additional Services.

11.05 – Annual Adjustment of Maximum Rates for Additional Services A. The Maximum Rates for Rate Year 2021 for the additional services described in Attachment Q shall be the charges for those services determined under the SBWMA-wide methodology, adjusted as necessary to pass through the Franchise Fee and any other Agency fees under this Agreement. Beginning with the adjustment for Rate Year 2022, each Maximum Rate set forth in Attachment Q shall be adjusted annually by multiplying the then-effective Maximum Rate by April CPI-U-General for the year in which the calculation is made and dividing the result by April CPI-U-General for the year prior to the year in which the calculation is made. For example, to calculate the Maximum Rates set forth in Attachment Q effective in 2026, each Maximum Rate effective in 2025 shall be multiplied by CPI-U-General for April 2025 and divided by CPI-U-General for April 2024.

The adjustment to Schedule Q is based upon a cost-indexing approach and a CPI for general inflation is used. As an example, assume the April 2025 CPI-U-General is 300.000 and the April 2024 CPI-U-General is 295.000. This would result in an adjustment to the Additional Services rates of 1.7%. (300.000 / 295.000 = 1.017 or 1.7%).

2.5 Summary
This section of the report has provided a brief overview of the relevant portions of the current Agreement with Recology. While this overview of the Agreement has been necessarily abbreviated, it is intended to provide an understanding of the basic framework or methodology used to calculate the maximum rates for Regularly Scheduled Services and Additional Services. 215
Review of Recology’s Calculated “Maximum Rates for Regularly Scheduled Services” 11 City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates

3.1 Introduction
As stated in the Agreement, Recology calculates the maximum rates for the upcoming calendar year. The calculated maximum rates are formula driven, and as noted in the prior section of the report, there is relatively clear language and numeric examples of the rate setting process. The purpose of this section of the report is to provide an overview of Recology’s rate filing to the City for the 2026 rate year, along with HDR’s technical review of that filing. Article 11.04 specifically outlines the establishment of maximum rates for 2026 and after for regularly scheduled services.

3.2 Overview of Recology’s 2026 Rate Application
On July 31, 2025, Recology provided to the City a letter and detailed worksheets outlining their calculation of the maximum rates for rate year 2026. The rate application letter indicated a maximum increase adjustment of 1.45%. HDR reviewed that calculation and determined based on the information provided, it appears to agree with the current Agreement.

For 2026, the adjustment multiplier is based on CPI cost adjustment by component. HDR conducted a review of Recology’s calculations and determined, based on the information provided, that it appears to be in compliance with the Agreement. Provided below in Table 3 – 1 is an overview of Recology’s Total Target Revenue calculation for rate year 2026. 3 Review of Recology’s Calculated Maximum
Rates for Regularly Scheduled Services
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Review of Recology’s Calculated “Maximum Rates for Regularly Scheduled Services” 12 City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates
Table 3 – 1
Overview of Recology’s Total Target Revenue Calculation Rate Year 2026 Cost Component
Adj. 2021
Target
Revenue
April
2020 CPI
Index
April 2025
CPI Index
Change
2020
to 2025
2026
Target
Revenue
Direct Labor Related
Wages for CBA’s $1,310,584 290.304 352.077 1.213 $1,589,460 Benefits for CBA’s 608,287 517.053 576.988 1.116 678,798 Payroll Taxes 109,005 N/A N/A 128,746
Workers Compensation 93,961 290.304 352.077 1.213 113,955 Direct Fuel Costs 169,992 209.994 358.556 1.707 290,254 General Expense Direct & Indirect 1,211,383 298.074 355.707 1.193 1,445,605 SB 1383 (2024) 19,046
Depreciation 281,317 N/A N/A 281,317
Profit 397,271 N/A N/A 477,328
Interest 73,679 N/A N/A 73,679
Performance Inc./Disincentives 0 N/A N/A (5,776)
Base Contractor’s Compensation $4,255,479 $5,092,412
Agency Components $2,621,548
Disposal Projected Cost (i) 2,455,449
Disposal Actual Prior Year Cost (ii) 2,347,997
Disposal Prior Projected Cost (iii) (2,434,527)
Disposal Cost Component $4,990,467
Total Target Revenue $10,082,878
(i) The Contractor’s projected costs for April 1 of that calendar year through March 31 of the following year plus (ii) The Contractor’s actual costs April 1 of the year prior through March 31 of the calendar year minus (iii) The Contractor’s previous projection.

As noted above, the City retained HDR to review the Recology calculations (Table 3 – 1) to confirm that the proper data appeared to be used within the analysis, and that the mathematical calculations were correct for the 2026 rate year. While Table 3 – 1 appears rather simple and straight-forward, the calculations are, in some cases, much more complex with other detailed worksheets behind them.

Provided below is a more detailed discussion of the analytical steps taken to review the Recology calculations and the results of our review.
217
Review of Recology’s Calculated “Maximum Rates for Regularly Scheduled Services” 13 City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates

3.3 Overview of the General Approach Used to Review Costs As noted in Section 2, an important starting point for reviewing Recology’s compensation is understanding the Agreement. HDR reviewed the documents, then independently reviewed the rate year 2026 maximum rate calculations. HDR developed a spreadsheet to review and attempt to duplicate the Recology calculations for 2026. In this way, HDR could review the data sources used and verify their appropriateness, while at the same time, verifying the formulas used within the calculations.

3.4 Summary Conclusions of HDR’s Review of the Maximum Rate Calculations
Based on HDR’s review of Recology’s 2026 rate application, HDR concluded that the costs contained in Table 3 – 1 used appropriate cost data and information for the time period and the calculations within the methodology were correct. As a result of our independent review, HDR concluded that based upon the existing Agreement, the maximum rates should be calculated based on the increase in rates of 1.45%.

3.5 HDR’s Detailed Review of the Total Target Revenue Calculations As previously discussed, the focus of HDR’s review was on the calculations used to establish the Total Target Revenue for rate year 2026 or the “Maximum Rates for Regularly Scheduled Services”. Article 11 of the Agreement forms the basis for the calculations. As shown in Table 3 – 1, there is one primary calculation component to the maximum rate calculation, the CPI value adjustment.

The general approach for future year rate adjustments (2022 – 2035) is based on changes in specific cost indices for the primary cost categories outlined by Recology for the base contractor’s compensation. For example, in 2026, the 2021 adjusted base target revenue will be adjusted by the change in the specific cost indices from 2020 to 2025. These cost indices include CPI-U, CPIU-Motor Fuel, CPI-W, etc. The current Agreement outlines each of the specific cost indices that will be used in escalating the base adjusted target revenue for future year rate adjustments. For Rate Year 2026 and thereafter, the specific cost indices will compare the current year index to the 2020 index and the 2021 adjusted Total Target Revenue. In simplified terms, general operating costs are adjusted annually by the use of a CPI value. The CPI value index is segregated into nine main components. They are as follows:
• Direct Labor - The direct labor includes wages for CBA’s, benefits for CBA’s, payroll taxes, and worker’s compensation. Wages for CBA’s, benefits for CBA’s, and worker’s compensation for base year 2021 is multiplied by the difference between the 2020 base year CPI for that component and the current year (2025) CPI for that component. In very simplified terms, the agreement uses the wages for CBA’s at the start of the agreement in 2021 and then simply adjusts wages for CBA’s by a CPI amount based on 2020 CPI and the current year CPI. Payroll tax is a formula based on the wages times the effective rate of 8.1%.
• Direct Fuel – The fuel for base year 2021 is multiplied by the difference between the 2020 average price per gallon and the average price per gallon of fuel for the twelve-month period ending March 31 of the Calendar Year.
218
Review of Recology’s Calculated “Maximum Rates for Regularly Scheduled Services” 14 City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates
• General Expense Direct and Indirect – The base general expense for 2021 is multiplied by the difference between the 2020 base year Consumer Price Index and the current year Consumer Price Index.
• Depreciation Vehicles, Containers, Indirect – The vehicle depreciation remains fixed at $196,818 for rate years 2022-2026. Values for rate years 2027-2035 shall be determined as part of the SBWMA-wide rate application for rate year 2027. The container depreciation remains fixed at $77,090 for rate years 2022-2035 unless additional containers are purchased. The indirect remains fixed at $7,409 for rate years 2022-2035. • Profit Calculation – The profit is calculated by taking the sum of direct labor, direct fuel, general expenses direct and indirect, as well as the depreciation on vehicles, containers and indirect for the current rate year, divide by 0.905, and subtract the result from the sum of direct labor, direct fuel, general expenses direct and indirect, the depreciation of the vehicles, containers and indirect for the current rate year profit calculation. This calculation represents the application of the 90.5% operating ratio to the Contractor’s calculated total annual cost of operations.
• Disposal Costs – (i) The Contractor’s projected costs for April 1 of that calendar year through March 31 of the following year plus (ii) the Contractor’s actual costs April 1 of the year prior through March 31 of the calendar year minus (iii) the Contractor’s previous projection.
• Interest – The value remains fixed at $73,679 for rate years 2022-2035 unless additional vehicles or containers are purchased.
• Performance-Based – Is the sum of incentives and disincentives the year immediately preceding the Calendar Year of the Cost Index. The determination of incentives and disincentives is independently determined by another outside party. • Agency Payment – The anticipated amount of total Agency payments as detailed in Article 11 (sum of direct labor, direct fuel, general expenses direct and indirect, depreciation, profit, interest, performance incentives & disincentives, and disposal costs, divided by (1 – 0.26) then multiplying the result by 0.26).

For each of the above components, HDR reviewed the source data and information used within Recology’s calculations. As a part of Recology’s packet of information, the source data used by Recology was attached to the application letter. While much of the cost data and information had previously been audited by another outside independent consultant, in those cases where other key assumptions to the analysis were needed (e.g., CPI index), HDR attempted to independently review them.

Based on the changes from the 2025 Total Target Revenue to the 2026 Total Target Revenue, the costs increased by $144,221 or 1.45% overall ($10,082,878 - $9,938,658 = $144,221 or $144,221 / $9,938,658 = 1.45%). As noted, the majority of the components are based on specific cost indexes and/or formulas as explained previously. Disposal costs are based on projections and actuals and are made up of three components: the (i) Contractor’s projected costs, (ii) the Contractor’s actual costs of the year prior, and the (iii) Contractor’s previous projection. Provided 219
Review of Recology’s Calculated “Maximum Rates for Regularly Scheduled Services” 15 City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates
below in Table 3 – 2 is a summary of the changes in Total Target Revenue compared from 2025 to 2026.

Table 3 – 2
Summary of Changes in Total Target Revenue from 2025 to 2026 Cost Component
2025
Target
Revenue
2026
Target
Revenue
$
Difference
%
Difference
Base Contractor Compensation
Direct Labor Related $2,455,457 $2,510,958 $55,502 2.26% Direct Fuel Costs 322,119 290,254 (31,865) -9.89%
General Expense Direct & Indirect 1,446,287 1,464,651 18,364 1.27% Depreciation 281,317 281,317 0 0.00%
Profit 472,919 477,328 4,409 0.93%
Interest 73,679 73,679 0 0.00%
Total Base Compensation $5,051,777 $5,098,188 $46,410 0.92% Performance (Inc.) / Dis. (4,487) (5,776) (1,289) 28.73% Total Pass-Through Costs
Disposal Projected Cost (i) $2,434,527 $2,455,449 $20,922 0.86% Disposal Actual Prior Year Cost (ii) 2,114,505 2,347,997 233,492 11.04% Disposal Prior Projected Cost (iii) (2,241,715) (2,434,527) (192,812) 8.60% Agency Payments 2,584,050 2,368,919 37,497 1.45%
Total Pass-Through Costs $4,891,367 $4,990,467 $99,099 2.03% Total Target Revenue $9,938,658 $10,082,878 $144,221 1.45% In a more simplified or summarized manner, the rate adjustment multiplier is composed of three elements: the 2026 CPI cost adjustments, the 2024 Incentive/Disincentive adjustment, and the 2026 pass through costs, which are comprised of disposal and agency payments. Table 3 – 3 summarizes the adjustment by component.
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Review of Recology’s Calculated “Maximum Rates for Regularly Scheduled Services” 16 City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates
Table 3 – 3
Summary of 2026 Rate Adjustment to 2025 Rates
Cost Component
2025
Target
Revenue
2026
Target
Revenue
$
Difference
% Adjustment
to 2025 Rates
Total Base Compensation $5,051,777 $5,098,188 $46,410 0.92% Performance (Inc.) / Dis. (4,487) (5,776) (1,289) 28.73% Pass Through Costs 4,891,367 4,990,467 99,099 2.03%
Plus Disincentive Payable 2022 0 0 0 0.00%
Total Target Revenue $9,938,658 $10,082,878 $144,221 1.45%

3.6 Conclusions Regarding the Calculation of the Maximum Rate Based on the review of the Recology rate calculation, HDR concluded that the calculation as provided by Recology appears appropriate and in keeping with the current Agreement. In reaching this conclusion, HDR reviewed and verified the data inputs in the calculation, while also confirming the overall methodology and calculations. Based on our review, the calculated Maximum Rate Index for 2026 is an increase of 1.45% in overall rates for regularly scheduled services.
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Review of the Proposed 2026 Solid Waste Rates 17
City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates

4.1 Introduction
In the previous section of this report, the cost basis for the City’s 2026 solid waste rates was reviewed and provides the basis for determining the City’s maximum rates for rate year 2026.

This section of the report will review the maximum solid waste rates for Regularly Scheduled Services (Attachment L) and Additional Services (Attachment Q).

4.2 Residential Regularly Scheduled Service (Attachment L) From the review of the rate index multiplier, it was concluded that the analysis developed by Recology appears to comply with the City’s Agreement. The overall adjustment to revenues derived from rates for 2026 is a 1.45% increase in the existing rates. In developing the calculated maximum rates, Recology provided a schedule of the rates. HDR reviewed the calculated maximum rates to confirm that they use the appropriate multiplier. Presented below is a discussion of the present solid waste rates and the proposed 2026 rates for residential customers. Provided below in Table 4 – 1 are the proposed 2026 Residential rates for Schedule L (regularly scheduled services). Some minor rounding of the rates may occur for purposes of ease of administration.

Table 4 – 1
Summary of the Present and Proposed Residential Solid Waste Rates (Regularly Scheduled - $/Month)
Present Proposed
Monthly 2026 $/Month
Schedule Schedule Description Rate Rates Change
R20G Residential Waste - 20 Gallons $41.03 $41.62 $0.59 R32G Residential Waste - 32 Gallons 48.95 49.66 0.71
R64G Residential Waste - 64 Gallons 96.36 97.76 1.40
R96G Residential Waste - 96 Gallons 144.54 146.64 2.10

4.3 Commercial Carts Regularly Scheduled Service (Attachment L) Some commercial waste customers have similar service to residential customers in that they have cart sizes that range from 20 gallons to 96 gallons. However, a difference between the residential and commercial service is the number of pickups per week where a commercial customer may choose their level of service (number of pickups per week). Presented in Table 4 – 2 is a summary of the current commercial rates and the calculated maximum rates for 2026. The maximum calculated rates assume a 1.45% increase from the present rates. Some minor rounding of the rates may occur for purposes of ease of administration. 4 Review of the Proposed 2026 Solid Waste
Rates
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Table 4 – 2
Summary of the Present and Calculated Max. Commercial Solid Waste Rates (By Gallon Cart Size; Regularly Scheduled – $/Month)
Collection – Times Per Week
Schedule 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
C20G Commercial Waste – 20 Gallon
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $52.35 $107.69 $160.34 $220.12 $278.50 $348.47 $424.49 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 53.11 109.25 162.66 223.31 282.54 353.52 430.65 $/Month Change 0.76 1.56 2.32 3.19 4.04 5.05 6.16
C32G Commercial Waste – 32 Gallon
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $58.12 $119.66 $178.12 $244.57 $309.42 $387.17 $471.64 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 58.96 121.40 180.70 248.12 313.91 392.78 478.48 $/Month Change 0.84 1.74 2.58 3.55 4.49 5.61 6.84
C64G Commercial Waste – 64 Gallon
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $112.40 $226.80 $344.13 $462.71 $588.16 $716.74 $839.05 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 114.03 230.09 349.12 469.42 596.69 727.13 851.22 $/Month Change 1.63 3.29 4.99 6.71 8.53 10.39 12.17
C96G Commercial Waste – 96 Gallon
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $162.46 $332.78 $505.02 $683.13 $863.66 $1,087.16 $1,268.34 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 164.82 337.61 512.34 693.04 876.18 1,102.92 1,286.73 $/Month Change 2.36 4.83 7.32 9.91 12.52 15.76 18.39
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Review of the Proposed 2026 Solid Waste Rates 19
City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates
As can be seen, the existing structure for commercial waste customers with carts has been maintained.

4.4 Commercial Waste Bins Regularly Scheduled Service
Other commercial customers have larger bins which range in size from 1 yard to 6 yards. These commercial waste customers also have the option of different levels of service and can select the number of pickups per week. Presented in Table 4 – 3 is a summary of the current commercial waste bin rates and the calculated maximum rates for 2026. The maximum calculated rates reflect a 1.45% increase from the present rates. Some minor rounding of the rates may occur for purposes of ease of administration.
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Table 4 – 3
Summary of the Present and Calculated Max. Commercial Solid Waste Rates (By Yard Cart Size; Regularly Scheduled – $/Month)
Collection – Times Per Week
Schedule 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
C1YG Commercial Waste - 1 Yard
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $272.61 $555.02 $842.26 $1,132.86 $1,425.79 $1,779.46 $2,099.54 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 276.56 563.07 854.47 1,149.29 1,446.46 1,805.26 2,129.98 $/Month Change 3.95 8.05 12.21 16.43 20.67 25.80 30.44
C2YG Commercial Waste - 2 Yard
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $548.36 $1,105.73 $1,668.35 $2,235.07 $2,809.80 $3,317.14 $3,928.58 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 556.31 1,121.76 1,692.54 2,267.48 2,850.54 3,365.24 3,985.54 $/Month Change 7.95 16.03 24.19 32.41 40.74 48.10 56.96 C2YG1 Commercial Waste - 2 Yard
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $548.36 $1,105.73 $1,668.35 $2,235.07 $2,809.80 $3,317.14 $3,928.58 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 556.31 1,121.76 1,692.54 2,267.48 2,850.54 3,365.24 3,985.54 $/Month Change 7.95 16.03 24.19 32.41 40.74 48.10 56.96 C3YG Commercial Waste - 3 Yard
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $827.02 $1,664.02 $2,505.93 $3,350.35 $4,197.69 $5,095.81 $6,000.20 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 839.01 1,688.15 2,542.27 3,398.93 4,258.56 5,169.70 6,087.20 $/Month Change 11.99 24.13 36.34 48.58 60.87 73.89 87.00 C4YG Commercial Waste - 4 Yard
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $1,128.96 $2,277.43 $3,425.93 $4,587.49 $5,753.95 $6,968.80 $8,209.08 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 1,145.33 2,310.45 3,475.61 4,654.01 5,837.38 7,069.85 8,328.11 $/Month Change 16.37 33.02 49.68 66.52 83.43 101.05 119.03 C6YG Commercial Waste - 6 Yard
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $1,736.26 $3,521.40 $5,293.26 $7,050.05 $8,831.87 $10,676.95 $12,505.21 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 1,761.44 3,572.46 5,370.01 7,152.28 8,959.93 10,831.77 12,686.54 $/Month Change 25.18 51.06 76.75 102.23 128.06 154.82 181.33 225
Review of the Proposed 2026 Solid Waste Rates 21
City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates
As shown above, the existing structure for commercial waste customers with bins has also been maintained.

4.5 Commercial Organics Bins Regularly Scheduled Service The rate charged for commercial organics is tied to the commercial waste rate. Commercial organics rates are charged at 70% of the commercial waste rate, for a comparable size bin. Similar to the commercial waste bin customers, commercial organics customers have bins which range in size from 1 yard to 6 yards. Additionally, the commercial organics customers also have the option of different levels of service and can select the number of pickups per week. Presented in Table 4 – 4 is a summary of the current commercial organics bin rates and the calculated maximum rates for 2026. The maximum calculated rates assume a 1.45% increase from the present rates. Some rounding of the rates may occur for purposes of ease of administration. 226
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Table 4 – 4
Summary of the Present and Calculated Maximum Commercial Organics (By Bin Size in Yards; Regularly Scheduled – $/Month)
Collection – Times Per Week
Schedule 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
C1YO Commercial Organics- 1 Yard
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $190.84 $388.50 $589.57 $793.00 $998.06 $1,245.63 $1,469.69 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 193.61 394.13 598.12 804.50 1,012.53 1,263.69 1,491.00 $/Month Change 2.77 5.63 8.55 11.50 14.47 18.06 21.31
C2YO Commercial Organics - 2 Yard
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $383.86 $773.99 $1,167.86 $1,564.54 $1,966.83 $2,321.99 $2,750.01 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 389.43 785.21 1,184.79 1,587.23 1,995.35 2,355.66 2,789.89 $/Month Change 5.57 11.22 16.93 22.69 28.52 33.67 39.88 C3YO Commercial Organics - 3 Yard
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $578.90 $1,164.85 $1,754.16 $2,345.25 $2,938.37 $3,567.07 $4,200.14 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 587.29 1,181.74 1,779.60 2,379.26 2,980.98 3,618.79 4,261.04 $/Month Change 8.39 16.89 25.44 34.01 42.61 51.72 60.90 C4YO Commercial Organics - 4 Yard
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $790.28 $1,594.20 $2,398.14 $3,211.25 $4,027.75 $4,878.21 $5,746.36 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 801.74 1,617.32 2,432.91 3,257.81 4,086.15 4,948.94 5,829.68 $/Month Change 11.46 23.12 34.77 46.56 58.40 70.73 83.32 C6YO Commercial Organics - 6 Yard
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $1,215.39 $2,464.99 $3,705.27 $4,935.04 $6,182.32 $7,473.85 $8,753.64 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 1,233.01 2,500.73 3,759.00 5,006.60 6,271.96 7,582.22 8,880.57 $/Month Change 17.62 35.74 53.73 71.56 89.64 108.37 126.93 227
Review of the Proposed 2026 Solid Waste Rates 23
City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates
The commercial organics bin rates have maintained the existing rate structure.

4.6 Commercial Organics Carts Regularly Scheduled Service Commercial customers can also have the smaller gallon-sized carts for organic waste. Presented in Table 4 – 5 is a summary of the current commercial organics cart rates and the calculated maximum rates for 2026. The maximum calculated rates assume a 1.45% increase from the present rates. Some minor rounding of the rates may occur for purposes of ease of administration.
228
Review of the Proposed 2026 Solid Waste Rates 24
City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates
Table 4 – 5
Summary of the Present and Calculated Maximum Commercial Organics (By Gallon Cart Size; Regularly Scheduled - $/Month)
Collection – Times Per Week
Schedule 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
C32O Commercial Organics – 32 Gallon
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $40.71 $83.76 $124.68 $171.22 $216.60 $271.05 $330.17 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 41.30 84.97 126.49 173.70 219.74 274.98 334.96 $/Month Change 0.59 1.21 1.81 2.48 3.14 3.93 4.79
C64O Commercial Organics – 64 Gallon
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $78.70 $158.76 $240.88 $323.92 $411.72 $501.68 $587.33 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 79.84 161.06 244.37 328.62 417.69 508.95 595.85 $/Month Change 1.14 2.30 3.49 4.70 5.97 7.27 8.52
C96O Commercial Organics – 96 Gallon
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $113.72 $232.94 $353.51 $478.18 $604.56 $761.00 $887.84 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 115.37 236.32 358.64 485.11 613.33 772.03 900.71 $/Month Change 1.65 3.38 5.13 6.93 8.77 11.03 12.87
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Review of the Proposed 2026 Solid Waste Rates 25
City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates
The commercial organics cart rates have maintained the existing rate structure.

4.7 Other Miscellaneous Solid Waste Rates
The solid waste rates also include other solid waste rates for multi-family customers. The maximum calculated rates assume a 1.45% increase from the present rates. Some minor rounding of the rates may occur for purposes of ease of administration. These rates are shown below in Table 4 – 6.
230
Review of the Proposed 2026 Solid Waste Rates 26
City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates
Table 4 – 6
Summary of the Present and Calculated Maximum Compactor Rates (Regularly Scheduled - $/Month)
Collection – Times Per Week
Schedule 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
C3CG Commercial Waste 3 Yard Compactor
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $1,985.89 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 2,014.69 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 $/Month Change 28.80 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
C15CG Commercial Waste 1.5 Yard Compactor
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $993.10 $1,986.21 $2,979.31 $3,972.42 $4,965.52 $5,958.63 $6,951.73 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 1,007.50 2,015.01 3,022.51 4,030.02 5,037.52 6,045.03 7,052.53 $/Month Change 14.40 28.80 43.20 57.60 72.00 86.40 100.80 C15CO Commercial Organics 1.5 Yard Compactor
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $695.18 $1,390.35 $2,085.52 $2,780.69 $3,475.87 $4,171.04 $4,866.22 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 705.26 1,410.51 2,115.76 2,821.01 3,526.27 4,231.52 4,936.78 $/Month Change 10.08 20.16 30.24 40.32 50.40 60.48 70.56 Solid Waste Compactor Rate Per Yard
Present 2025 Monthly Rate $152.78 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Calculated Maximum 2026 Rate 155.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 $/Month Change 2.22 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
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Review of the Proposed 2026 Solid Waste Rates 27
City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates

4.8 Rates for Additional Services (Attachment Q)
Recology also provides a number of services that are not considered “Regularly Scheduled” services and are not included as a part of the Attachment L rates discussed above. These services are considered “Additional Services” (i.e., Schedule Q) and as discussed in Section 2, they are adjusted using a cost index for general inflation.

The Maximum Rate set forth in Attachment Q is adjusted annually by multiplying the then effective April CPI-U General for the year in which rates are set and divided by the April CPI-U General from the year prior to the year in which rates are set. For rate year 2026, the April CPIU-General is 355.707 for 2025 and the April CPI-U-General for 2024 is 351.247. Therefore, each Maximum Rate is multiplied by the April CPI-U-General for 2025 and divided by the April CPI-UGeneral for 2024. This resulted in an overall rate increase of 1.27% (355.707 / 351.247) for Attachment Q rates effective in 2026 for additional services. Details of the Additional Service rates (Schedule Q) can be found in Technical Appendix B.

4.9 Summary
HDR reviewed the Recology rate calculation and concluded that the resulting maximum solid waste rates for both regularly scheduled services (Attachment L) and additional services (Attachment Q) for rate year 2026 were calculated in a manner which reflects the intent of the Agreement.
232
Summary of the Solid Waste Rate Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations 28 City of Belmont – Review of 2026 Solid Waste Rates

5.1 Introduction
This report has reviewed the calculated Maximum Rates as developed by Recology. HDR used a systematic process to review the base-year costs, along with the resulting maximum rates for regularly scheduled services.

5.2 Summary Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations
HDR has confirmed that the rate adjustment application and the accompanying maximum rate schedules submitted by Recology meet the requirements of the Agreement. On September 9, 2025, HDR will present the proposed 2026 rate adjustments of 1.45% for regularly scheduled services, Schedule L, and 1.27% for unscheduled services, Schedule Q, to the City Council. If accepted by the City Council, a public hearing will be set and a customer notification mailed to the City’s customers.

5.3 Looking Ahead – Future Rate Adjustment to 2027
The 2027 rate adjustment will include CPI value adjustment components for the current year (2026 for rate year 2027) compared to the 2020 CPI value components and the adjusted 2021 Total Target Revenue. As noted in Section 3, annual depreciation expense will be updated in 2027. This will result in a change to the City’s rates based on the overall level of change. The multiplier will be based on the 2027 Total Target Revenue compared to the 2026 Total Target Revenue of $10,082,878.

5.4 Summary
This completes the review conducted by HDR for the City of Belmont on the proposed 2026 Solid Waste rates. This report has met the City’s requirement to conduct a due diligence review on the proposed compensation to Recology and the resulting regularly scheduled and additional services solid waste rates.
5 Summary of the Solid Waste Rate Findings,
Conclusions and Recommendations
233
The following tables specify Maximum Allowable Rates for Regularly Scheduled Services. These Maximum Rates shall be adjusted annually in accordance with Article 11. The following Attachment L rates are the proposed 2026 rates.

Attachment L
Maximum Rate Schedule
Effective January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026
Monthly Rate
Technical Appendix A – Attachment L Rates
Regularly Scheduled Services
20 32 64 96
1 Pickup Per Week $41.62 $49.66 $97.76 $146.64
Residential customers are billed based on their Garbage Cart size.

The monthly rate above includes the following:

One (1) Garbage Cart provided to customer
Curbside Household Hazardous Waste Collection
One (1) 64-Gallon Recycling Cart and (1) 96-Gallon Yard Waste Cart

RESIDENTIAL CARTS
Cart Size (in Gallons)
234
Attachment L
Maximum Rate Schedule
Effective January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026
Monthly Rate
20 32 64 96
1 $53.11 $58.96 $114.03 $164.82
2 109.25 121.40 230.09 337.61
3 162.66 180.70 349.12 512.34
4 223.31 248.12 469.42 693.04
5 282.54 313.91 596.69 876.18
6 353.52 392.78 727.13 1,102.92
7 430.65 478.48 851.22 1,286.73
The monthly rate above includes the following:

COMMERCIAL CARTS
Cart Size (in Gallons)
# of Pickups Per Week

COMMERCIAL CARTS ORGANICS
235
Attachment L
Maximum Rate Schedule
Effective January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026
Monthly Rate
1 2 3 4 6
1 $276.56 $556.31 $839.01 $1,145.33 $1,761.44
2 563.07 1,121.76 1,688.15 2,310.45 3,572.46
3 854.47 1,692.54 2,542.27 3,475.61 5,370.01
4 1,149.29 2,267.48 3,398.93 4,654.01 7,152.28
5 1,446.46 2,850.54 4,258.56 5,837.38 8,959.93
6 1,805.26 3,365.24 5,169.70 7,069.85 10,831.77
7 2,129.98 3,985.54 6,087.20 8,328.11 12,686.54
The monthly rate above includes the following:

COMMERCIAL BINS ORGANICS

COMMERCIAL BINS
Bin Size (in Cubic Yards)
# of Pickups Per Week
236
Attachment L
Maximum Rate Schedule
Effective January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026
Monthly Rate
237
The following table specifies the Maximum Allowable Rates for Additional Services. These Maximum Rates shall be adjusted annually in accordance with Article 11. The following Attachment Q rates are the proposed 2026 rates.

Schedule Q
Additional Services (Continued)
Technical Appendix B – Attachment Q Rates
Additional Services
No. Additional Service Category Reference Agency-Approved Maximum Rate Description 1 Single-Family Dwelling Backyard
Collection Service
Section 5.02.A See Maximum Rate in the table at
the end of this Attachment
See Maximum Rate in the table at the
end of this Attachment
2 Long Distance Service for MFD,
Mixed Use, and Commercial
Accounts (Note: only applicable
to Containers with wheels)
Section 5.02.B,

No. Additional Service Category Reference Agency-Approved Maximum Rate Description 3 Container Relocation Service Section 5.02.B and

5.02.B, and 5.02.C
25% of the base monthly Rate for
the size of Container Collected
once per week.

Per Collection event per Container for
Collection requested by Customer
238
Schedule Q Additional Services (Continued)
No. Additional Service Category Reference Agency-Approved Maximum Rate Description 5 Return Trip (SFD, MFD, Mixed
Use, or Commercial)
Sections

5.02.A, B, C;

5.03.A, B, C;

5.03.A and

5.05,

5.06 $115.18 Per Bulky Item Collection event (in
addition to the events provided at no
charge to Customer pursuant to Section

5.12)
8 Collect Contaminated Targeted
Recyclable Materials or Organic
Materials Container
Section 6.03.A and

8.05.D.
15 Additional Confidential
Document Destruction Service
Event
Section 5.07 $1,694.72 Per event
239
Schedule Q
Additional Services (Continued)
No. Additional Service Category Reference Agency-Approved Maximum Rate Description 16 Additional Compost Material
Delivery
Section 5.11 A - $176.52 per delivery
B - $353.08 per delivery
A - "One-way" only delivery by
Contractor where Contractor delivers to
and unloads compost at an Agencyapproved location
B - "Round-trip" delivery by Contractor
where Contractor delivers compost in a
Drop Box to an Agency-approved
location and returns at a later time or
date to pick up the Drop Box and any
remaining compost (charge includes the
delivery of and later pick-up of the Drop
Box)
17 Community Drop-Off Events Section 5.13 $28,810.47 per event or day Per event or day targeting 5,000 households. Does not include disposal
or public education expenses.

No. Additional Service Category Reference Agency-Approved Maximum Rate Description 18 Collection for Agency-Sponsored
and Non-Agency Sponsored
Community Events
Section 5.08 A - $4,236.82
B - $7,061.38
C - $10,592.08
A - One day event with a projected 2,500
or fewer attendees
B - One (1) or two (2) day events with a
projected 2,501 to 7,500 attendees per
day
C - One (1) or two (2) day events with a
projected 7,501 to 10,000 attendees per
day
240
Schedule Q Additional Services (Continued)
Distance from Curb** One (1) Solid
Waste Cart
Two (2) Solid
Waste Carts
Three (3) Solid
Waste Carts
Four (4) Solid
Waste Carts
Distance <= 50 feet $25.40 $40.54 $81.14 $121.68
50 < Distance <= 100 feet 29.66 44.81 85.36 125.93
100 < Distance <= 150 feet 33.87 49.03 89.57 130.16
150 < Distance <= 200 feet 38.14 53.28 93.82 134.42
200 < Distance <= 250 feet 42.36 57.50 98.08 138.65
250 < Distance <= 300 feet 46.60 61.73 102.31 142.86
300 < Distance <= 350 feet 50.85 65.97 106.56 147.09
Each additional 50 foot
increment over 350 feet
** Distance shall be measured from the face of the curb, or from the edge of the roadway nearest the closest edge of the Cart, if there is no curb.

Backyard Collection Service Charge for Single Family Dwellings (Section 5.02.A)
Amount equal the difference between the Charge for 250 to 300 feet and 300 to 350 feet
* Backyard Collection Service Charges are charges added to the base monthly rate for SingleFamily Collection service, and cover the provision of Backyard Collection Service for all Customer's Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials, and Organic Materials Carts. 241
Technical Appendix C – Proposition 218 Notice
242
243
244
RethinkWaste RethinkWaste RethinkWaste Adjusted
Adjusted Approved Adjusted April 2020 April 2025 2026
2021 SB 1383 2021 Plus CPI CPI Rate Year
Cost Description Basis for Adjustment Values Costs SB 1383 Index Index Compensation Direct Labor Related
Wages for CBA's CPI-W: CWURS49BSA0 1,310,584 1,310,584 290.304 352.077 1,589,460 Benefits for CBA's CPI-W-Medical: CUUR0000SAM 608,287 608,287 517.053 576.988 678,798 Payroll Taxes Effective Rate: 8.1% 109,005 109,005 na na 128,746 Workers Compensation CPI-W: CWURS49BSA0 93,961 93,961 290.304 352.077 113,955 Direct Fuel Costs CPI-U-Motor Fuel: CUURS49BSE
T 169,992 169,992 209.994 358.556 290,254
General Expenses Direct CPI-U: CUURS49BSA0 191,163 191,163 298.074 355.707 228,125General Expenses Indirect CPI-U: CUURS49BSA0 1,020,220 1,020,220 298.074 355.707 1,217,481 RethinkWaste Approved SB 1383 CoCPI-U: CUURS49BSA0 - 18,124 18,124 338.496 355.707 19,046 (1) General Expenses Depreciation Fixed 281,317 281,317 na na 281,317Profit Calculation Operating Ratio of 90.5% 397,271 397,271 na na 477,328Interest Fixed 73,679 73,679 na na 73,679Performance Incentives Based on Annual Report - - na na -Performance Disincentives Based on Annual Report - - na na (5,776)Base Contractor's Compensation 4,255,478 18,124 4,273,602 5,092,412 Disposal Cost Component (i) Projected Next Rate Year 1,732,663 2,455,449Disposal Cost Component (ii) Actual Prior Year 2,347,997 Disposal Cost Component (iii) Less Projected Prior Year (2,434,527) Agency Payments 2,051,120 2,621,549Total Contractor Compensation 8,039,261 8,057,385 10,082,879 (1) Note: The SB 1383 cost of $18,124 is added to base costs starting in rate year 2024 and is subject to CPI-U adjustment beginning in rate year 2025 using the beginning CPI Index from April 2023 rather than April 2020. 2026
Total Contractor Compensation 10,082,879
Cap Carry Forward 11.11 -
Total Target Revenue 10,082,8792025 Target Revenue 9,938,659 Adjustment Multiplier 1.45%
5% Cap Calculation 11.11Adjusted Contractor's Compensation 2026 5,098,188 Adjusted Contractor's Compensation 2025 5,051,777
difference 46,410
5 % of Adjusted Contractor's Compensation 2025 252,589Potential Cap Carry Forward 0 Recology San Mateo Count
y
City of Belmont
Refuse Rate Index Calculation
245
Recology San Mateo County
City of BelmontActual Disposal Calculation (Apr 2024 - Mar 2025)Rate Year 2026

BELMONT CITY VEHICLES
Solid Bulky Solid Each
Waste Green/Org Items Waste Green/Org Dirt C&D Asphalt Refrigerators APR 650.48 488.62 3.53 42.97 4.64 95.75MAY 636.66 490.32 1.62 37.48 9.70 24.47JUN 558.93 385.35 2.40 35.75 11.96 43.85 1JUL 643.61 424.09 1.25 42.05 17.20 82.61 38.37AUG 600.12 403.97 1.70 37.57 0.60 38.20 0.41 3.50SEP 590.02 369.76 1.67 37.95 7.87 36.04 5.99OCT 616.62 417.05 0.55 48.75 7.20 32.58NOV 581.85 421.91 3.64 50.12 8.47 57.11DEC 718.98 443.02 2.74 40.83 8.72 1.74 subtotal Apr - Dec 2024 5597.27 3844.09 19.10 373.47 76.36 412.35 0.41 47.86 1JAN 656.33 419.39 0.20 34.80 2.20 16.01 0.93 18.62FEB 607.78 344.45 1.95 28.16 14.77 0.14 33.25 1MAR 617.99 380.11 7.83 40.06 0.24 57.78 subtotal Jan - Mar 2025 1882.10 1143.95 9.98 103.02 2.44 88.56 1.07 51.87 1RethinWaste Total 7479.37 4988.04 29.08 476.49 78.80 500.91 1.48 99.73 2 Rate Apr 2024 - Dec 2024 $165.00 $178.00 $165.00 $165.00 $178.00 $146.00 $165.00 $170.00 $58.00Rate Jan 2025 - Mar 2025 $176.55 $190.46 $176.55 $176.55 $190.46 $150.00 $176.55 $178.50 $60.00 Per Item Cost $1,255,834.44 $902,124.70 $4,913.47 $79,810.73 $14,056.80 $73,487.10 $256.56 $17,395.00 $118.00Total Disposal $2,347,996.80 246
Recology San Mateo County
City of BelmontProjected Disposal Calculation (Apr 2025 - Mar 2026)Rate Year 2026

BELMONT CITY VEHICLES
Solid Bulky Solid Each
Waste Green/Org Items Waste Green/Org Dirt C&D Asphalt Refrigerator APR (Actual) 556.11 431.57 0.50 37.22 7.18 63.75 20.78 9.98MAY (Actual) 587.15 431.05 2.66 39.07 2.41 21.41 0.31 19.25JUN (Actual) 591.75 398.43 1.17 21.13 1.73 44.34JUL 643.61 424.09 1.25 42.05 17.20 82.61 0.00 38.37 0.00AUG 600.12 403.97 1.70 37.57 0.60 38.20 0.41 3.50 0.00SEP 590.02 369.76 1.67 37.95 7.87 36.04 0.00 5.99 0.00OCT 616.62 417.05 0.55 48.75 7.20 32.58 0.00 0.00 0.00NOV 581.85 421.91 3.64 50.12 8.47 57.11 0.00 0.00 0.00DEC 718.98 443.02 2.74 40.83 8.72 1.74 0.00 0.00 0.00 subtotal Apr - Dec 5,486.21 3,740.85 15.88 354.69 61.38 377.78 21.50 77.09 0.00JAN 656.33 419.39 0.20 34.80 2.20 16.01 0.93 18.62 0.00FEB 607.78 344.45 1.95 28.16 0.00 14.77 0.14 33.25 1.00MAR 617.99 380.11 7.83 40.06 0.24 57.78 0.00 0.00 0.00 subtotal Jan - Mar 1,882.10 1,143.95 9.98 103.02 2.44 88.56 1.07 51.87 1.00RethinWaste Total 7,368.31 4,884.80 25.86 457.71 63.82 466.34 22.57 128.96 1.00 Rates Apr 2025 - Dec 2025 $176.55 $190.46 $176.55 $176.55 $190.46 $150.00 $176.55 $178.50 $60.00Rates Jan 2026 - Mar 2026 $185.38 $199.98 $185.38 $185.38 $199.98 $157.50 $185.38 $187.43 $63.00Per Item Cost $ 941,249.37 1,317,494.22 $ 4,653.71 $ 81,718.37 $ 12,178.39 $ 70,615.20 $ 3,994.18 $ 23,482.56 $ 63.00 $ Total Disposal $ 2,455,449.00 247
Recology San Mateo County
Incentives and Disincentives
Year 2024
Member Agency
SFD and
Commercial
Missed P/U
Events
Average
Speed of
Answer
90 Second
Max Hold
Time
Diversion
Maximum
Incentives and
Disincentives1
Belmont $1,232 $9,291 $4,380 ($3,538) $5,776
Burlingame $1,736 $21,059 $9,927 ($8,020) $12,034
East Palo Alto $1,064 $14,961 $7,053 ($5,697) $8,380
Foster City $784 $13,018 $6,137 ($4,958) $7,150
Hillsborough $112 $3,390 $1,598 ($1,291) $1,770
Menlo Park $1,344 $19,209 $9,055 ($7,315) $10,737
North Fair Oaks $1,736 $7,324 $3,453 ($2,789) $5,318
Redwood City $2,128 $44,032 $20,756 ($16,768) $23,660
San Carlos $1,848 $15,815 $7,455 ($6,023) $9,581
San Mateo $2,856 $49,489 $23,329 ($18,847) $27,057
County Franchised Area $168 $4,875 $2,298 ($1,856) $2,552 WBSD $112 $2,034 $959 ($775) $1,107
Total $15,121 $204,497 $96,399 ($77,877) $115,121
1 In accordance with Attachment I, the maximum annual incentive or disincentive, except for Single-Family and Commercial Missed Pick-up Events is $100,000 or ($100,000).

Performance Incentives and Disincentives
Negative number in parenthesis denotes Incentive payment due to Recology.

Performance Incentive/Disincentive Payments 2024
248
Adjustment Multiplier 1.45%

RESIDENTIAL RATES
R20G RES WASTE 20G 41.62R32G RES WASTE 32 GAL 49.66R64G RES WASTE 64 GAL 97.76R96G RES WASTE 96 GAL 146.64COMMERCIAL/MULTI FAMILY RATES Times Per Week 12345 6 7
C1YG COMML WASTE 1 YD 276.56 563.07 854.47 1,149.29 1,446.46 1,805.26 2,129.98C1YO COMML ORGANICS 1 YD 193.61 394.13 598.12 804.50 1,012.53 1,263.69 1,491.00C15CG COMML WASTE 1.5 YD COMPACTOR 1,007.50 2,015.01 3,022.51 4,030.02 5,037.52 6,045.03 7,052.53C15CO COMML ORGANICS 1.5 YD COMPACTOR 705.26 1,410.51 2,115.76 2,821.01 3,526.27 4,231.52 4,936.78C20G COMML WASTE 20 GALLON 53.11 109.25 162.66 223.31 282.54 353.52 430.65C2YG1 COMML WASTE 2 YD 556.31 1,121.76 1,692.54 2,267.48 2,850.54 3,365.24 3,985.54C2YO COMML ORGANICS 2 YD 389.43 785.21 1,184.79 1,587.23 1,995.35 2,355.66 2,789.89C32G COMML WASTE 32 GALLON 58.96 121.40 180.70 248.12 313.91 392.78 478.48C32O COMML ORGANICS 32 GAL 41.30 84.97 126.49 173.70 219.74 274.98 334.96C3CG COMML WASTE 3 YD COMPACTOR 2,014.69 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00C3YG COMML WASTE 3 YD 839.01 1,688.15 2,542.27 3,398.93 4,258.56 5,169.70 6,087.20C3YO COMML ORGANICS 3 YD 587.29 1,181.74 1,779.60 2,379.26 2,980.98 3,618.79 4,261.04C4YG1 COMML WASTE 4 YD 1,145.33 2,310.45 3,475.61 4,654.01 5,837.38 7,069.85 8,328.11C4YO COMML ORGANICS 4 YD 801.74 1,617.32 2,432.91 3,257.81 4,086.15 4,948.94 5,829.68C64G COMML WASTE 64 GALLON 114.03 230.09 349.12 469.42 596.69 727.13 851.22C64O COMML ORGANICS 64 GAL 79.84 161.06 244.37 328.62 417.69 508.95 595.85C6YG1 COMML WASTE 6 YD 1,761.44 3,572.46 5,370.01 7,152.28 8,959.93 10,831.77 12,686.54C6YO COMML ORGANICS 6 YD 1,233.01 2,500.73 3,759.00 5,006.60 6,271.96 7,582.22 8,880.57C96G COMML WASTE 96 GALLON 164.82 337.61 512.34 693.04 876.18 1,102.92 1,286.73C96O COMML ORGANICS 96 GAL 115.37 236.32 358.64 485.11 613.33 772.03 900.71SOLID WASTE COMPACTOR RATE PER YARD 155.00 Rate Year 2026
Recology San Mateo County
City of Belmont
Attachment L
249
Series Id:

Series
Title:

Area:

Item:

Base
Period:

Years:

Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual HALF1 HALF2 2015 249.809 252.875 254.736 256.060 256.107 255.492 253.910 252.041 255.780 2016 257.141 259.386 261.017 262.326 264.026 263.222 260.830 258.715 262.946 2017 265.569 268.896 269.508 269.827 271.272 271.342 268.990 267.426 270.555 2018 275.699 278.039 280.219 281.536 283.183 283.278 279.572 277.035 282.110 2019 284.758 288.266 288.581 288.514 291.707 289.456 288.192 286.615 289.770 2020 292.010 290.304 292.420 293.062 294.442 295.687 292.601 291.297 293.906 2021 297.170 302.294 304.971 307.423 309.656 312.019 304.602 300.275 308.928 2022 316.463 322.021 328.137 325.932 329.331 326.465 323.900 320.408 327.391 2023 331.875 333.478 335.725 336.663 337.698 335.597 334.662 332.718 336.605 2024 341.595 346.671 345.789 344.633 345.472 342.582 343.886 343.520 344.253 2025 350.836 352.077 352.456 350.453
Series Id:

Series
Title:

Area:

Item:

Base
Period:

Years:

Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec HALF1 HALF2 2015 440.969 442.783 444.020 446.663 447.213 446.271 446.773 446.536 447.289 450.065 451.371 451.072 444.653 448.851 2016 454.175 458.295 458.620 459.994 461.230 462.075 464.164 468.379 469.154 469.230 469.333 469.447 459.065 468.285 2017 471.700 474.546 474.561 473.582 473.512 474.360 476.126 476.869 476.485 477.121 477.198 477.802 473.710 476.934 2018 481.060 482.897 483.984 484.034 484.853 486.019 485.193 484.172 484.708 485.269 486.886 487.409 483.808 485.606 2019 490.204 491.227 492.306 493.331 494.928 495.563 497.687 500.916 501.468 506.100 507.541 509.689 492.927 503.900 2020 512.149 513.923 515.605 517.053 519.194 520.734 522.686 523.295 522.528 520.725 519.848 518.766 516.443 521.308 2021 522.133 524.207 524.734 524.585 523.918 522.989 524.219 525.247 524.818 527.564 528.877 530.026 523.761 526.792 2022 535.048 536.932 539.739 541.515 543.488 546.717 549.562 553.429 556.323 554.043 550.844 551.002 540.573 552.534 2023 551.422 549.487 547.805 547.219 547.420 547.432 546.698 548.082 548.431 549.762 551.769 553.485 548.464 549.705 2024 557.215 557.236 559.935 561.612 564.249 565.301 564.039 564.407 566.266 567.870 568.773 569.189 560.925 566.757 2025 571.899 573.320 574.739 576.988 578.250 580.978 576.029 1982-84=100
2015 to 2025
Medical care
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
All items
1982-84=100
2015 to 2025
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
Original Data Value
CUUR0000SAM
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Medical care in U.S. city average, all urban consumers, not seasonally adjusted
U.S. city average
All items in San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA, urban
wage earners and clerical workers, not seasonally adjusted CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) Original Data Value
CWURS49BSA0
Not Seasonally Adjusted
250
Series Id:

Series
Title:

Area:

Item:

Base
Period:

Years:

Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual HALF1 HALF2 2015 193.209 209.050 250.324 240.323 269.479 253.019 257.434 247.551 223.945 208.973 202.552 196.642 229.375 235.901 222.850 2016 195.010 178.296 191.074 202.420 208.843 213.139 209.663 197.818 204.532 207.138 200.994 200.151 200.757 198.130 203.383 2017 208.379 212.552 223.591 224.219 229.642 227.099 218.805 221.035 233.253 227.464 236.297 232.445 224.565 220.914 228.217 2018 239.938 248.958 254.538 264.816 276.100 277.231 275.852 273.651 274.578 284.833 278.051 264.929 267.790 260.264 275.316 2019 255.355 251.375 259.552 290.028 297.662 280.364 272.104 263.865 268.181 300.258 286.954 261.728 273.952 272.389 275.515 2020 254.945 251.171 235.263 209.994 208.040 220.382 229.239 236.785 239.082 236.633 236.201 237.489 232.935 229.966 235.905 2021 246.145 253.600 277.844 289.079 301.702 310.278 315.657 322.785 321.903 330.112 343.726 342.260 304.591 279.775 329.407 2022 340.187 343.538 408.338 414.030 435.497 464.377 428.878 391.441 401.663 435.974 383.334 325.704 397.747 400.995 394.499 2023 323.764 340.659 354.292 354.844 349.579 350.034 351.675 370.944 398.486 401.688 366.097 340.105 358.514 345.529 371.499 2024 335.924 331.815 359.973 397.919 386.142 359.602 345.396 339.116 357.154 348.189 329.737 315.722 350.557 361.896 339.219 2025 321.299 349.590 346.761 358.556 362.740 346.571 347.586 Series Id:

Series
Title:

Area:

Item:

Base
Period:

Years:

Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual HALF1 HALF2 2015 254.910 257.622 259.117 259.917 261.019 260.289 258.572 256.723 260.421 2016 262.600 264.565 266.041 267.853 270.306 269.483 266.344 263.911 268.777 2017 271.626 274.589 275.304 275.893 277.570 277.414 274.924 273.306 276.542 2018 281.308 283.422 286.062 287.664 289.673 289.896 285.550 282.666 288.435 2019 291.227 294.801 295.259 295.490 298.443 297.007 295.004 293.150 296.859 2020 299.690 298.074 300.032 300.182 301.736 302.948 300.084 299.109 301.059 2021 304.387 309.419 309.497 311.167 313.265 315.805 309.721 306.724 312.718 2022 320.195 324.878 330.539 328.871 332.062 331.222 327.060 323.408 330.711 2023 337.173 338.496 340.056 340.094 341.219 339.915 339.050 337.689 340.411 2024 345.151 351.247 351.064 349.290 349.370 348.001 348.417 347.857 348.977 2025 354.432 355.707 356.460 354.522
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
All items
1982-84=100
2015 to 2025
CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
Original Data Value
CUURS49BSA0
Not Seasonally Adjusted
All items in San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA, all urban consumers, not seasonally adjusted
2015 to 2025
CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
Original Data Value
CUURS49BSETB
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Motor fuel in San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA, all urban consumers, not seasonally adjusted
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
Motor fuel
1982-84=100
251

ATTACHMENT Q
SCHEDULE OF CONTRACTOR’S MAXIMUM RATES

FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Collection Services Franchise Agreement with Recology San Mateo County Attachment Q City of Belmont Additional Services

Page 1 of 5 ends

For Rate Years Eleven (2021) through the remaining Rate Years in the Term, the Maximum Rate for additional services specified in Attachment Q shall be adjusted annually in accordance with Section 11.05. For Rate Year 2026, the current effective Maximum Rates are multiplied by the April 2025 CPI-U-General value of 355.707 and divided by the April 2024 CPI-U-General value of 351.247.

The Maximum Rate for additional services for Rate Year Ten (2020) shall be the Maximum Rates for Rate Year Ten (2020) as determined under the 2009 Franchise Agreement. These amounts will be adjusted as provided in Section 11.05 of this Agreement to determine the Maximum Rates for Rate Year Eleven (2021).

Two additional services are included in this Attachment Q there were not in Attachment Q of the 2009 Franchise Agreement. The two new services are Container Relocation Service and AgencySpecific Reporting for Abandoned Waste Collections. Maximum Rates for these services are presented in the table below.

Charges for Additional Services may not exceed the Maximum Rates approved by the City for the respective Rate Year.

Service Reference
AgencyApproved
Maximum Rate
Description
Additional Services for Customers
1 Single-Family Dwelling
Backyard Collection
Service
Section

5.02.A
See Maximum
Rate in the table at
the end of this
Attachment
See Maximum Rate in the table
at the end of this Attachment
2 Long Distance Service for
MFD, Mixed Use, and
Commercial Accounts
(Note: only applicable to
Containers with wheels)
Sections

5.02.B,

5.02.C; and

8.02.B
A – No more than
10% of base
monthly Maximum
Rate of the
Collection Rate for
each Container
requiring Long
Distance Service
B – 25% of base
monthly Rate of
the Collection Rate
for each Container
requiring Long
Distance Service
A – Distance greater than 50 feet
and less than or equal to 100
feet
B – Distance greater than 100
feet
Distance shall be measured from
the face of the curb, or from the
edge of the roadway nearest the
closest edge of the Container, if
there is no curb.
252

ATTACHMENT Q
SCHEDULE OF CONTRACTOR’S MAXIMUM RATES

FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Collection Services Franchise Agreement with Recology San Mateo County Attachment Q City of Belmont Additional Services

Page 2 of 5 ends

Service Reference
AgencyApproved
Maximum Rate
Description
3 Container Relocation
Service
Sections

5.02B and

8.02B
A – 12% of base
monthly rate of the
Collection Rate for
each Container
requiring Container
Relocation Service
B – 27% of base
monthly Rate of
the Collection Rate
for each Container
requiring Container
Relocation Service
A – Distance greater than 50 feet
and less than or equal to 100
feet
B – Distance greater than 100
feet
Distance shall be measured from
the face of the curb, or from the
edge of the roadway nearest the
closest edge of the Container, if
there is no curb.
4 On-Call Pick-up for SFD,
MFD, Mixed Use, and
Commercial Customers
Sections

5.02.A,

5.02.B, and

5.02.C
25% of the base
monthly Rate for
the size of
Container
Collected once per
week
Per Collection event per
Container for Collection
requested by Customer
5 Return Trip (SFD, MFD,
Mixed Use, or
Commercial)
Sections

5.02.A, B, C;

5.03.A, B, C;

5.04.A, B, C
$21.19 for SFD
$21.19 for
Commercial, Mixed
Use, and MFD
Per Collection event (i.e.,
request to return and provide
Collection service after the
Customer failed to properly set
out their Container(s) for
regularly scheduled Collection)
6 Additional Targeted
Recyclable Materials or
Organic Materials Cart
Service for SFD
Sections

5.03.A and

5.04.A
$1.39 per
Recycling Cart
$4.21 per Organic
Materials Cart
Per Cart per month (any Cart
size). Six month minimum
charge required. Includes onetime Cart delivery upon start of service and removal of Cart
when service is discontinued by
Customer.
7 Additional On-Call Bulky
Item Collection
Sections

5.05, 5.06
$115.18 Per Bulky Item Collection event
(in addition to the events
provided at no charge to
Customer pursuant to Section

5.12)
253

ATTACHMENT Q
SCHEDULE OF CONTRACTOR’S MAXIMUM RATES

FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Collection Services Franchise Agreement with Recology San Mateo County Attachment Q City of Belmont Additional Services

Page 3 of 5 ends

Service Reference
AgencyApproved
Maximum Rate
Description
8 Collect Contaminated
Targeted Recyclable
Materials or Organic
Materials Container
Section

6.03.A and

8.02.F
25% of the base
monthly Solid
Waste Rate for the
size of Container
Collected once per
week
plus
Return Trip Fee if
applicable
Per Collection event for
Container with Contamination
Level greater than the maximum
level pursuant to Table 1 in
Section 6.02.B
9 Lock Service (Key
Service)
Section

8.02.B
A – $12 per usage
B – $13.41 per
usage
Monthly cost:

A – Residential Customers
B – Commercial Customers
10 Lock Purchase Section

8.02.B
$24.01 per lock Per lock
11 Overage Service Section

8.02.G
100% of the base
monthly Solid
Waste Collection
Rate
Per Collection event (after the
first two events)
12 Overage Bags Cost Section

8.02.G
50% of the base
monthly Solid
Waste Collection
Rate or $11.28
minimum
Per bag
13 Container Cleaning
Service
Section

8.05.D
A – $70.62
B – $120.05
A – per Cart
B – per Bin or Drop-Box
Charge only applies to cleaning
or Container exchange in
addition to the service to be
provided at no charge to the
Customer pursuant to Section

8.05.D
254

ATTACHMENT Q
SCHEDULE OF CONTRACTOR’S MAXIMUM RATES

FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Collection Services Franchise Agreement with Recology San Mateo County Attachment Q City of Belmont Additional Services

Page 4 of 5 ends

Service Reference
AgencyApproved
Maximum Rate
Description
14 Dirty Cart Replacement
(Exchange) Service
Section

8.05.D
A – $91.80
B – $105.93
C – $120.05
A – per 32 gallon Cart
B – per 64 gallon Cart
C – per 96 gallon Cart
Charge only applies to cleaning
or Container exchange in
addition to the service to be
provided at no charge to the
Customer pursuant to Section

8.05.D
Additional Services for Agency
15 Additional Confidential
Document Destruction
Service Event
Section 5.07 $1,694.72 Per event
16 Additional Compost
Material Delivery
Section 5.11 A – $176.52 per
delivery
B – $353.08 per
delivery
A – “one-way” only delivery by
Contractor where Contractor
delivers to and unloads compost
at an Agency-approved location
B – “Round-trip” delivery by
Contractor where Contractor
delivers compost in a Drop Box
to an Agency-approved location
and returns at a later time or
date to pick up the Drop Box and
any remaining compost (charge
includes the delivery of and later
pick-up of the Drop Box)
17 Community Drop-Off
Events
Section 5.13 $28,810.47 per
event or day
Per event or day targeting 5,000
households. Does not include
disposal or public education
expenses.
18 Collection for AgencySponsored and NonAgency sponsored Community Events
Section 5.08 A – $4,236.82
B – $7,061.38
C – $10,592.08
A – One day event with a
projected 2,500 or fewer
attendees
B – One (1) or two (2) day
events with a projected 2,501 to
7,500 attendees per day
C – One (1) or two (2) day
events with a projected 7,501 to
10,000 attendees per day
255

ATTACHMENT Q
SCHEDULE OF CONTRACTOR’S MAXIMUM RATES

FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Collection Services Franchise Agreement with Recology San Mateo County Attachment Q City of Belmont Additional Services

Page 5 of 5 ends

Backyard Collection Service Charge
for Single-Family Dwellings*
(Section 5.02.A)
Distance from Curb**
Backyard
Charge for
Customers
with One (1)
Solid Waste
Cart
Backyard
Charge for
Customers with
Two (2) Solid
Waste Carts
Backyard
Charge for
Customers with
Three (3) Solid
Waste Carts
Backyard
Charge for
Customers with
Four (4) Solid
Waste Carts
Distance <= 50 feet $25.40 $40.54 $81.14 $121.68
50 < Distance <= 100 feet $29.66 $44.81 $85.36 $125.93
100 < Distance <= 150 feet $33.87 $49.03 $89.57 $130.16 150 < Distance <= 200 feet $38.14 $53.28 $93.82 $134.42 200 < Distance <= 250 feet $42.36 $57.50 $98.08 $138.65 250 < Distance <= 300 feet $46.60 $61.73 $102.31 $142.86 300 < Distance <= 350 feet $50.85 $65.97 $106.56 $147.09 Each additional 50 foot
increment over 350 feet
Amount equals the difference
between the Charge for 250 to 300 feet and 300 to 350 feet * Backyard Collection Service Charges are charges added to the base monthly Rate for Single-Family Collection service, and cover the provision of Backyard Collection Service for all of Customer’s Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials, and Organic Materials Carts.
** Distance shall be measured from the face of the curb, or from the edge of the roadway nearest the closest edge of the Cart, if there is no curb. 256

Page 1 of 2 ends

City Council GBI Update Staff Report - 9-9-25CC – Grand Boulevard Initiative (GBI) Update/Presentation

STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: September 9, 2025
Agency: City of Belmont
Staff Contact: Carlos de Melo, Community Development Director, (650) 595-7440, [email protected]
Agenda Title: Grand Boulevard Initiative (GBI) Update/Presentation Agenda Action: For Information Only
Recommendation
Receive a presentation regarding the Grand Boulevard Initiative. No action is required.

Strategic Focus Area
Infrastructure and Mobility
Background
SamTrans is leading the Grand Boulevard Initiative (GBI), which is a collaboration in San Mateo County between 15 local jurisdictions, three countywide agencies, and Caltrans. The project aims to make El Camino Real (State Route 82) a safer and more comfortable place to walk, bike, drive, and take transit by installing streetscape improvements along the corridor.

Over the past year, GBI convened a Task Force and a Working Group comprised of staff representing all cities and various agencies and organizations along the corridor through a series of workshops. These groups have provided initial direction on corridor-wide challenges and needs, potential solutions, public and stakeholder engagement, and preliminary vision for the corridor. These groups meet bi-monthly and SamTrans is using this feedback to develop a GBI Action Plan.

The GBI Action Plan is a planning document that evaluates corridor-wide needs, establishes a cohesive vision, and builds momentum toward implementation. Once the Action Plan is complete, SamTrans will lead the first phase of a coordinated Caltrans project development process, called a Project Initiation Document (PID), for all of El Camino Real in San Mateo County. The PID will define the purpose and need for transportation improvements within the corridor as well as establish potential design alternatives.

Historically, implementing changes on this Caltrans facility has been difficult. There are a variety of improvement projects at different stages along the corridor, and utilizing a GBI structure can streamline the Caltrans approval process for cities. Belmont has been actively engaged in the GBI.

Analysis
In February 2025, SamTrans launched the Central El Camino Real Multimodal Plan, which is a corridor study for the 8.5-mile segment of El Camino Real in partnership with the cities of San Mateo, Belmont, San Carlos, and Redwood City. This study, which will conclude in Fall 2026, is part of the larger GBI 257

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City Council GBI Update Staff Report - 9-9-25CC – Grand Boulevard Initiative (GBI) Update/Presentation effort. The Central El Camino Real Multimodal Plan is conducting community engagement and developing design draft alternatives for El Camino Real that build off prior city plans and studies. The alternatives will be used as inputs for the coordinated Caltrans process being led by GBI.

As noted earlier, tonight’s presentation serves as a progress report on the project. No action is required by the City Council, although initial feedback is requested.

Alternatives

1. Not applicable
Attachments

1. Grand Boulevard Initiative (GBI) Presentation

2. Grand Boulevard Initiative (GBI) Fact Sheet
Fiscal Impact
☒ No Fiscal Impact
At this time, there is no fiscal impact relating to this informational report. Fiscal impacts will be identified with requests for Council approval as necessary for any
recommendations moving forward.
☐ Funding Source Confirmed:

Source: Purpose: Public Outreach:

Staff Plan Implementation* Posting of Agenda
258
SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
Fall 2025 Progress Update
Belmont City Council
259
Background and Overview
260
What is the Grand Boulevard Initiative?
Corridor-wide effort to
modernize transportation
infrastructure on El
Camino Real in San Mateo
County.

Convene a Task Force of
staff from cities, countywide
agencies, Caltrans,
advocates, and business
groups to establish a
cohesive vision for the
corridor.

Builds momentum toward
implementation by
advancing a coordinated
project through the Caltrans
approval process.
3 261
GBI is coordinating across nine different projects
and studies underway
4 El Camino Real GBI Action Plan & Project Initiation Document Caltrans SR-82 North Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan (including San Francisco and San Mateo Counties)
262
GBI Action Plan
263
GBI Action Plan
GBI Action Plan
GBI Outcomes
Caltrans Project
Initiation Document
6 The Action Plan is the precursor to
beginning a countywide Caltrans project
development process:
• Evaluate corridor-wide needs
• Establish a cohesive vision
• Build momentum toward implementation
264
GBI Action Plan Engagement
7 2024 2025
Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Task Force &
Working Group
GBI Steering
Committee
City Councils
SamTrans & TA
Board
265
Draft Corridor-Wide Vision
El Camino Real is a safe and
vibrant street where people of all
ages and abilities travel
comfortably
8 266
Problem Statements and Goals
Transform El Camino Real into a
complete street that works for all
users.

Create a new framework for
change aligning vision, process, and
funding.

El Camino Real has an unusually
high rate of fatal or serious injury
crashes, particularly for people
walking and biking.

El Camino Real’s highway-like
design discourages walking, biking,
and transit use.

It’s too challenging to develop,
implement, and fund transportation
projects on El Camino Real.

SAFETY
Adopt a safety-first mindset to
eliminate fatal and serious injury
crashes.

SAFETY

MOBILITY

PROCESS

MOBILITY

PROCESS
→
→
→

PROBLEM STATEMENTS GOALS
267
Streetscape Changes Under Study
Safety
• Traffic calming
• Traffic signal gap
closures
• Medians
• Lighting
Active
Transportation
• Wider sidewalks
• Crosswalk
improvements
• Separated bikeways
• Street trees
Transit
• Bus stop
enhancements
• Bus lanes
• Transit signal priority
• Access improvements
10 268
GBI Aligns with the Central ECR Study
underway in Belmont
269
Next Steps & Discussion
270
GBI Timeline and Cost
13 2025 2026
~$750M
Rough order of magnitude cost for
up to 22 miles of streetscape redesign ($2025)
2027 2028-2029 2030+
271
Discussion
GBI Action Plan Framework
Problem Statements and Goals: What goals do you have for the corridor?
Process: How can we best work together to advance the GBI Vision?
14 272
Thank you!
15 For more information please visit
www.samtrans.com/projects/gbi
Cassie Halls & Nicholas Yee
[email protected]
273

PROBLEM STATEMENTS GOALS
SUMMER 2025 PROGRESS UPDATE
Grand Boulevard Initiative
Action Plan Factsheet
El Camino Real’s highway-like design
discourages walking, biking, and
transit use.

It’s too challenging to develop, implement,
and fund transportation projects on
El Camino Real.

El Camino Real has an unusually high rate of
fatal or serious injury crashes, particularly
for people walking and biking.

About the Grand Boulevard Initiative
SamTrans is leading the Grand Boulevard Initiative (GBI), a corridor-wide effort to modernize El Camino Real. GBI coordinates local transportation planning efforts along El Camino Real, bringing together cities, countywide agencies, Caltrans, advocates, and business groups.

Over the past year, GBI convened a Task Force and a Working Group comprised of staff representing all cities and various agencies and organizations along the corridor in a series of workshops. These groups provide direction on corridor-wide challenges and needs, potential solutions, public and stakeholder engagement, and the vision for the corridor. They meet bimonthly and SamTrans is using this feedback to develop the GBI Action Plan.

What is the
GBI Action Plan?
The GBI Action Plan is a planning document
that evaluates corridor-wide needs, establishes
a cohesive vision, and builds momentum
toward implementation. It serves as a precursor
to beginning a countywide Caltrans project
development process.

DALY
CITY

COLMA SOUTH

SAN FRANCISCO
SAN

BRUNO MILLBRAE BURLINGAME SAN MATEO BELMONT SAN

CARLOS REDWOOD CITY MENLOPARK
PALO
ALTO

SAN FRANCISCO

ATHERTON
NORTH
FAIR
OAKS

MOBILITY

ACTION PLAN DRAFT VISION STATEMENT

PROCESS
El Camino Real is a safe and vibrant street where people of all ages and abilities travel comfortably.

Transform El Camino Real into a complete
street that works for all users.

Create a new framework for change,
aligning vision, process, and funding.

Adopt a safety-first mindset to eliminate
fatal and serious injury crashes.

What will the
Action Plan address?
The Action Plan is organized around a
corridor-wide vision statement and three key
goals that will lay the foundation for a grand
boulevard connecting communities in
San Mateo County.

SAFETY
274
SUMMER 2025 PROGRESS UPDATE
How are we collecting
feedback on the
Action Plan?
We are sharing key pieces of the
draft Action Plan and engaging
stakeholders through:
• Workshops with the GBI Task
Force
• Presentations to city councils
• Presentations to key
stakeholder groups, including
business groups, advocacy
groups, and SamTrans advisory
committees.

The Action Plan will be brought
to the SamTrans and San Mateo
County Transportation Authority
Boards for adoption at the end of
2025.

Visit samtrans.com/gbi for more
information
What comes after the Action Plan?
Once the Action Plan is complete, SamTrans will
lead the first phase of a coordinated Caltrans project
development process, called a Project Initiation
Document (PID), for all of El Camino Real in San Mateo
County. The PID will define the purpose and need for
transportation improvements to the corridor as well as
establish potential design alternatives.

Project Schedule
FALL 2024 - ONGOING
Convene GBI Task Force and Working Group
SUMMER/FALL 2025
Develop and seek input on the Action Plan
2026
Develop the Project Initiation Document and
Define the Scope of Improvements
2027
Initiate Project Approval and Environmental
Document, Identify a Preferred Alternative, and
Develop a Prioritization and Phasing Strategy
2028 TO 2029
Develop Plans, Specifications, and Estimates
2030 ONWARDS
Construct Streetscape Improvements
[email protected]
+1 (800) 660 - 4287
275

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Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Update - Staff Report

STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: September 9, 2025
Agency: City of Belmont
Staff Contact: Karen Clark, Management Analyst, [email protected] Agenda Title: Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Update Agenda Action: For Information Only
Recommendation
Receive presentation; no action required.

Strategic Focus Area
Quality of Life
Background
State law requires local jurisdictions to incorporate climate adaptation policies into their General Plan Safety Elements. In addition, many jurisdictions develop Climate Action and Adaptation Plans identifying specific measures to help achieve local, regional, and state greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, as well as measures for climate adaptation and resiliency.

In 2017, the City of Belmont adopted its first Climate Action Plan. The City is now updating the plan with new data and current best practices as well as incorporating adaptation measures. The resulting Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (the "Plan") will establish key strategies for increasing resilience to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while aligning with State targets. The Plan is expected to take 18 months to complete, with an estimated City Council adoption in fall of 2026. The Planning Commission will be tasked with reviewing and making a recommendation on the Plan to the City Council prior to its adoption.

Rincon Consultants, Inc. have been engaged by the City to help refresh the now-eight-year-old plan. The plan update will include:
• An inventory, analysis, and forecast of local GHG emissions • Setting emissions reductions targets in alignment with the State • Engaging stakeholders in critical discussions about the mitigation measures necessary to meet these targets
• Integrating the General Plan Safety Element update project that is underway and building on its recommendations regarding adaptation to the impacts of climate change

276

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Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Update - Staff Report Analysis
GHG Emissions Inventory, Forecasts, and Targets
Rincon has completed an inventory and forecast of local GHG emissions, which will help identify the level of effort needed by the City to meet State targets. Key findings are as follows.

In 2023, Belmont emitted 102,656 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MT CO2e). Figure 1 below illustrates each sector’s share of the total emissions. Together, on-road transportation and building natural gas accounted for over 90% of Belmont’s emissions.

Figure 1 Key Sources of GHG Emissions in Belmont (2023) 277

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Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Update - Staff Report Figure 2 bellow shows trends in GHG emissions in Belmont by sector. From 2005 to 2023, emissions declined across most sectors, most notably in building electricity (95%) and solid waste (41%). The only sector to experience a net increase during this period was off-road equipment, with emissions rising by 18%, though it is important to note that this sector comprises only 3% of the City’s total emissions.

Figure 2 GHG Emissions Trends in Belmont (2005-2023)
Overall, Belmont’s emissions declined by approximately 28% between 2005 and 2023, though minimal emissions reductions occurred between 2021 and 2023, indicating a need for new strategies to continue seeing progress.
0 20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
160,000
2005 2021 2023
GHG Emissions (MT CO2e)
Building Electricity Building Natural Gas On-road Transportation Off-road Equipment Solid Waste Wastewater
278

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Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Update - Staff Report To maintain consistency with State targets, Rincon calculated the following provisional GHG emissions reduction targets for Belmont.
• Reduce GHG emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 (SB 32 target year) • Make substantial progress towards carbon neutrality by 2045 (AB 1279 target year) Figure 3 below illustrates the level of effort required by the City to meet the State’s 2030 and 2045 targets.

This is visually highlighted through the gap between the Adjusted Forecast (red line) and State Targets (green line). While the business-as-usual (BAU) forecast (blue line) reflects emissions if 2023 activities were to continue, the Adjusted Forecast shows how adopted State legislation is currently projected to reduce emissions. Both the BAU and Adjusted Forecasts factor in projected growth trends for population, housing, employment, and transportation activity.

Figure 3 GHG Emissions Forecast vs. Targets (2023-2045) Local Mitigation Measure Development
With GHG emissions inventories, forecasts, and reduction targets defined, the next major stage of this project will be to develop actions the City can realistically take to address the gaps illustrated in Figure 3.

As a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, the Plan will also integrate the City’s Safety Element update, building on its recommendations regarding adaption to the impacts of climate change. 279

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Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Update - Staff Report To understand the City’s progress to-date and which goals have been most successful historically, Rincon reviewed various City planning documents, soliciting staff input on the status and success of associated goals and actions. The review focused on goals and actions relating to energy, transportation, sea level rise, water, waste, and adaptation to climate hazards (e.g., wildfire). Rincon found that actions that were specific, with clearly assigned staff and funding sources, were most likely to succeed, while vague or underfunded ones stalled. Key barriers included grant funding limitations, staff capacity, legal barriers, and a lack of capacity and/or framework to monitor ongoing programs.

Under the 2017 Climate Action Plan, the City did exceed its 2020 target of returning to 1990 GHG emission levels or below. These emission reductions primarily resulted from the transition to Peninsula Clean Energy, which was established in 2016 to provide carbon free electricity to San Mateo County. The City has opted into their ECO100 plan to ensure all municipal facilities are powered by 100% renewable electricity. Other actions the City has taken include energy efficiency retrofits to municipal facilities, installing bike lanes, and adopting building reach codes for new development requiring electrification (which is now paused) and increased electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. Regionally, a rise in EV ownership and Caltrain’s electrification of their transportation system have also lowered emissions.

Despite these strides, Belmont is now among many jurisdictions not tracking to meet the State’s ambitious target of 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 (SB 32). Achieving the State’s targets will require major shifts in how communities within California live and build, obtain and use energy, and transport themselves and goods. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recommends that jurisdictions first strive to exceed the SB 32 target, while establishing a policy framework to achieve the longer-term target of carbon neutrality by 2045 (AB 1279).

Key climate strategies this Plan will explore include:
• Implement Healthy and Resilient Buildings — Leveraging PCE’s carbon free electricity and switching from gas to electric appliances
• Improve Mobility — Reducing single occupancy vehicle miles traveled • Electrify Transportation — Switching internal combustion engine cars to EVs • Enhance Urban Ecosystems — Reducing organic waste sent to landfill and increasing carbon sequestration
Community Outreach
Initial community engagement has launched, including flyer distribution, digital outreach, and pop-ups at community events. These efforts serve to drive participation in the first community workshop, to be held virtually on Thursday, September 11, 7-8:30 p.m., as well as an initial survey that will gauge the community’s interests in various climate strategies. Information on the workshop and survey, along with a sign up for an email interest list, are available at www.belmont.gov/climateaction. Additionally, staff provided this informational update to the Planning Commission at their September 2, 2025, meeting. 280

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Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Update - Staff Report Alternatives

1. None.

Attachments
A. None.

Fiscal Impact
☒ No Fiscal Impact
There is no direct fiscal impact relating to this information report. Any resulting recommendations with operational or capital impacts will get identified with requests for Council approval as necessary.
☐ Funding Source Confirmed:

Source: Purpose: Public Outreach:

Staff Council Vision/Priority Other*
*In addition to posting the meeting agenda, public outreach has included creation of a project website, social media, and notifications to an email interest list. 281

Belmont City CouncilSeptember 9, 2025

Belmont City Council
September 9, 2025