City Council Agenda Report
February 17, 2026
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager
BY: Albert Mendoza, Director of Public Services/City Engineer Mario Mera, Engineering Division Manager
Run Chen, Principal Civil Engineer
Randall Hillman, Associate Engineer
SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING - ORDINANCE NO. 26-1767 - GRANTING A NON-PUBLIC
UTILITY PIPELINE FRANCHISE
Background:
The California Public Utilities Code (CPUC) (Article 6231.5) and the Norwalk Municipal Code (NMC) (Title 13, Chapter 13.20 Pipeline Franchises) require any person, firm, or corporation utilizing public streets for the conveyance of petroleum, wet gas, water, wastewater, or other products to have a valid franchise with the City of Norwalk. In November 2006, City Council granted a pipeline franchise (franchise) to Heraeus Metal Processing, Incorporated (HMPI) to construct and operate a 6-inch wastewater line along Alondra Boulevard from Shoemaker Avenue to Studebaker Road. The franchise expired November 21, 2021. HMPI has requested to continue operation of the franchise. The franchise term will be 15 years from adoption of the ordinance, ending March 3, 2041.
HMPI is a refiner and recycler of precious metals, including gold, silver, and platinum group metals from spent industrial catalysts and other primary and secondary materials. HMPI also manufactures precious metals containing chemical compounds for the automotive, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries; fabricates precious metal catalysts for nitric acid and fertilizer plants.
The subject 6” diameter High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipe conveys treated wastewater from the HMPI facility in Santa Fe Springs, along Alondra Boulevard through the cities of Norwalk and Santa Fe Springs, then connects to a Los Angeles County Sanitation District (LACSD) sewer trunk line at the intersection of Alondra Boulevard and Studebaker Road for final processing.
City Council February 17, 2026
Ordinance 26-1767 – First Reading - Granting Pipeline
Franchise to Heraeus Metal Processing, Inc.
Page No. 2
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Resolution No. 26-11, adopted by the City Council on January 20, 2026 established the City’s intention to consider granting a franchise to HMPI and set a public hearing date for the matter to be considered. Adoption of the resolution does not create an obligation to grant a franchise.
Fiscal Impact:
The City would receive a base granting (renewal) of $7,500 and annual payments based on a formula associated with the internal diameter and length of the pipelines adjusted for the Consumer Price Index.
Citizens Advised:
Notice of the Public Hearing was posted at the City’s three designated posting places and City website on January 23 2026, and published in The Norwalk Patriot on the same date.
Strategic Plan 2023 Implementation:
The recommended actions will further the City’s Strategic Plan Goal 3: Create and sustain a resilient and economically prosperous city.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommend City Council introduce by title only Ordinance No. 26-1767, AN ORDINANCE
OF THE CITY OF NORWALK GRANTING A PIPELINE FRANCHISE TO HERAEUS METAL PROCESSING, INCORPORATED for 15-years ending March 3, 2041, and schedule for adoption.
Attachments:
Ordinance No. 26-1767