REPUBLIC
SERVICES
Sustainability in Action
May 11, 2023
Via E-mail
Mr. Dante Hall, City Manager
City of Hercules
1111 Civic Drive
Hercules, California 94547
Re: Franchise Agreement
Dear Mr.Hall:
As we enter the full implementation phase of new solid waste collection and organics diversion and processing requirements of SB 1383, we believe it is critically important to plan for the City's solid waste disposal, recycling and organics processing capacity to protect the City long-term. Richmond Sanitary Service, Inc. (RSS) is committed to continuing to ensure that the City remains in full compliance with the State's solid waste laws and regulations, which we anticipate will be reinforced in the next several years.
The new and likely additional regulatory requirements as a result SB 1383 are an unfunded State mandate that will continue to place compliance pressure and increased costs on the City to meet the obligations of these new laws.
As you know, we have complied with some of the initial mandates of SB 1383 through meticulous planning and strategic utilization of standard operational activities with nominal impact on rates, but the City also will need to consider having committed long-term organics processing capacity past the expiration date of the current Franchise Agreement (and Post- Collection Agreement) arrangements as the full effect of SB 1383's requirements come into play.
RSS has direct access to long-term materials processing capacity available to meet the City's needs located nearby at the closed West Contra Costa Sanitary Landfill complex, which includes the West County Composting Facility and Golden Bear solid waste transfer station. In addition, as you know, RSS also has direct access to the Integrated Resource Recovery Facility (IRRF) in North Richmond, where the City's source-separated recyclable materials collected in our curbside program currently are processed.
We think the time is right for the City and RSS to sit down and consider the contractual options for managing increased collection and compliance requirements and--most importantly--the City's need to secure long-term organics processing capacity to meet more stringent State regulatory requirements.
3260 Blume Dr, Suite 115, Richmond, CA 94806 | RichmondSanitaryService.com | Organics, Recycling & Waste Mr. Dante Hall, City Manager
May 11, 2023
We believe a negotiated extension of the term of our current Franchise Agreement is the best opportunity to take advantage of our nearby processing facility options for the City's solid waste, recyclables and organic materials. We are, therefore, requesting to meet at your earliest convenience to begin discussions on these important long-term compliance matters.
We look forward to meeting with you at your earliest opportunity.
Sincerely,
Shawn Moberg
General Manager
SM:cg
cc: Honorable Mayor and
Members of the City Council