STAFF REPORT
CITY OF BURBANK
PUBLIC
WORKS
DATE: December 5, 2023
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Ken Berkman, Public Works Director KB
VIA: John Molinar, Assistant Public Works Director - Street and Sanitation SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing Agreements for the Purchase and Installation of an Agricultural Structure and Concrete Foundation Blocks to Cover Burbank Landfill No. 3's Organics Transfer Site; and Approving an Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK AUTHORIZING
AGREEMENTS FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF AN AGRICULTURAL
STRUCTURE AND CONCRETE FOUNDATION BLOCKS TO COVER BURBANK LANDFILL NO. 3'S ORGANICS TRANSFER SITE; AND APPROVAL OF A BUDGET AMENDMENT (Attachment 1).
BACKGROUND
Public Works has been operating Burbank Landfill No. 3 (Landfill) since 1971. When this landfill was opened, there were no regulations requiring the diversion of materials.
However, in the late 1990s, the State implemented regulations to increase diversion of recyclables and greenwaste from the landfill. A greenwaste transfer site was constructed at the Landfill to comply with the new regulations. Subsequently, new state mandates have placed further diversion requirements on the City. The latest and most all- encompassing mandate is Senate Bill 1383 (SB1383) which requires that food waste be diverted as a part of a new organics program.
At the end of 2022 under the leadership of the Burbank Recycle Center, the City implemented the organics program which requires residents to place food waste into their green cart and, in cooperation with Solid Waste Collection staff, oversaw the inclusion of source separated organics and recycling at all businesses served by the City's refuse services. All organics collected by the City go to the transfer site at the Landfill. Because food waste is now being deposited at the transfer site, new regulations must be considered and the Landfill's greenwaste permit upgraded to a composting permit.
In keeping with the City Council's goals of Sustainability, City Services, Quality of Life and Infrastructure, this contract is a continuation of the City's ongoing efforts to maintain its Landfill infrastructure, comply with State mandates, and serve our residents. The project is located on our active Landfill located at 1600 Lockheed View Drive.
DISCUSSION
The new regulations for the City transfer site require that a cover be placed over the organics to ensure that the State's water resources are protected. As this is a timely requirement that must be fulfilled, staff researched several companies to find a suitable cover system for the organics site. The only proven option that met the City's needs and requirements was a system from ClearSpan Fabric Structures (ClearSpan), which is used at other landfill facilities and agricultural operations. In addition, ClearSpan's quote is consistent with pricing provided to Sourcewell, a government agency that competitively solicits goods and services that may be used by other public agencies, allowing the City to take advantage of economy-of-sale pricing.
Any new structure on an active landfill requires a proper "floating" foundation. Staff reached out to several companies to procure the proper large concrete blocks required to support the structure. Staff contacted five qualified companies and found that Concrete Block Supply was the only vendor that could deliver the blocks to our site. Staff recommends authorization to contract with Concrete Block Supply for the purchase and delivery of such blocks:
Based upon staff's review, the pricing for the quoted, mandated work and materials is competitive. This cover will keep the City's organics operation in compliance with State regulatory agencies. Without this cover, the regulatory agencies could find the City in violation of applicable regulations, halt the organics program, and expose the City to potential fines. As such, staff recommends authorization and approval for such agreements because the pricing and completion times provide the best value for, and is in the best interest of, the City.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Staff recommends that Council find the resolution approving this Contract categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to Sections 15301(b) and (f) of the State CEQA Guidelines.
In this case, CEQA Section 15301 relates to the operation, repair, maintenance, and permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing City Landfill facilities and mechanical equipment and involves no expansion of the existing use beyond that of the Landfill's permitted requirements. Specifically, Section 15301(b) exempts the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing facilities of publicly owned utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewerage, or other public utility services (including Landfills); and 15301(f) exempts such activities related to the addition of safety or health protection devices for use in conjunction with existing structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment. Sections 15301(b) and (f) apply to this approval because the underlying activities involve minor alterations to a public landfill and address safety and health protection related to the reduction of greenhouse gases statewide.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total quote by ClearSpan for the cover and installation on the foundation blocks is $307,529. With a construction contingency of 10% ($30,752.90), the total cover construction budget is $338,281.90.
The total quote by Concrete Block Supply for the purchase and delivery of the foundation blocks is $37,981.13. Landfill staff will self-perform grading and placement of the foundation blocks prior to cover construction. This brings the total cover construction budget to $376,263.03.
Staff recommends amending the FY2023-24 Budget by appropriating $376,263.03 from 498.ND000.30011.0000.00000 (Refuse Collection and Disposal Fund, Non- Departmental Assigned Fund Balance) to 498.PW31B.15032.0000.24910 (Refuse Collection and Disposal, Refuse Disposal, Infrastructure, Landfill Organics Cover) to fund this project.
CONCLUSION
Staff respectfully recommends that Council adopt the attached resolution that authorizes the purchase and installation of an agricultural structure to ClearSpan Fabric Structures, the purchase and delivery of concrete foundation blocks to Concrete Block Supply, and approve the budget amendment. Doing so would allow the City to further the City's ongoing efforts to maintain its Landfill infrastructure and ensure compliance with State mandates while continuing to serve its residents.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 - Proposed Resolution
Attachment 2 - ClearSpan Quote
Attachment 3 - Concrete Block Supply Quote
Attachment 4 - Sourcewell Agreement 071223
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