CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
2/23/2026
1 SUBJECT:
Approval of Memorandum of Understanding with the County of San Mateo for Participation in the Compost for Climate Solutions Program
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt a resolution entitled, "Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pacifica Approving the Memorandum of Understanding with the County of San Mateo for Participation in the San Mateo County Compost for Climate Solutions Program to Support Senate Bill 1383 Procurement Compliance."
STAFF CONTACT:
Roland Yip, P.E., DPW Deputy Director
(650) 738-3771
[email protected]
Melissa Tibgao, P.E., Public Works Director
(650) 738-3767
[email protected]
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
In 2016, Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) established statewide targets to reduce methane emissions from organic waste disposed of in landfills. SB 1383 requires jurisdictions to reduce organic waste disposal by 75 percent from 2014 levels by 2025 and to procure significant quantities of recovered organic waste products (ROWP), such as compost, mulch, and renewable natural gas, on an annual basis. Each jurisdiction, including the City of Pacifica, has been assigned an annual ROWP procurement target by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).
The Compost for Climate Solutions Program (CCSP) was launched in 2021 as a collaborative effort among the County of San Mateo, the San Mateo Resource Conservation District, and the cities and towns within the county to help meet these requirements. Between 2021 and 2025, the CCSP procured and applied more than 30,000 tons of compost to local farms and rangelands, contributing to countywide procurement targets while improving soil health and climate resilience along the county’s coastline.
Beginning in 2026, the County of San Mateo will serve as the administrator of the Program and will enter into a single intergovernmental agreement with the San Mateo Resource Conservation District to implement compost procurement, delivery, application, and required SB 1383 recordkeeping on behalf of participating jurisdictions.
Under this structure, the City of Pacifica would enter into this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the County and provide an annual financial contribution to the CCSP. In return, the City will receive SB 1383 procurement credit in proportion to its contribution without the need to directly manage contracts, field activities, or carry out record keeping activities.
Pacifica City Council 2
February 23, 2026
For calendar year 2026, the City of Pacifica proposes to contribute $74,714.15, which is anticipated to result in around 1750 tons of recovered organic waste product procurement credit. Of this amount, the County will retain between two and four percent to offset staff time required to administer and coordinate the Program on the jurisdiction’s behalf. The final administrative percentage will be documented by the County for the City’s review.
The County will provide the City of Pacifica with procurement documentation and reporting information necessary for inclusion in the City’s Electronic Annual Report (EAR) to CalRecycle and will provide written program status updates.
Participation in the Compost for Climate Solutions Program is expected to increase access to cost-subsidized compost for local farms and ranches, improve soil health, enhance carbon sequestration, and support climate-resilient agriculture. Compost application provides long-term environmental and economic benefits across the county.
The City Manager recommends adopting the resolution and approving the Memorandum of Understanding (Attachment 1) between the City of Pacifica and San Mateo County.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
The Council may choose not to approve the MOU. However, this could result in the City not meeting SB 1383 requirements. Staff does not recommend this alternative action.
RELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND WORK PLAN:
Approval of the MOU is consistent with the following Council adopted Goals:
Improve and Steward City Infrastructure: Approving the MOU will help the City reduce methane emissions from organic waste disposed of in landfills and reduce the effects to climate change.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The 2026 City of Pacifica contribution is limited to the authorized amount in the MOU. For calendar year 2026, the City’s contribution is $74,714.15, which is anticipated to result in around 1750 tons of recovered organic waste product procurement credit. The City has the option to contribute additional funds to the CCSP or other County-led projects for additional procurement credit under this MOU with additional written approval from the City. Participation provides a cost-effective and administratively efficient approach to meeting SB 1383 procurement requirements.
There is no fiscal impact for this year, as there are enough funds from a CalRecycle grant to cover the full cost of $74,714.15. Future MOU contribution will be included in the City’s annual budget.
ORIGINATED BY:
Public Works
Pacifica City Council 3
February 23, 2026
ATTACHMENT LIST:
Pacifica Compost Program Template MOU 01232026 (PDF)
Pacifica City Council 4
February 23, 2026
RESOLUTION NO. ______
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PACIFICA APPROVING THE
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE COUNTY OF SAN MATEO FOR
PARTICIPATION IN THE SAN MATEO COUNTY COMPOST FOR CLIMATE SOLUTIONS PROGRAM (CCSP) TO SUPPORT SENATE BILL 1383 PROCUREMENT COMPLIANCE WHEREAS, Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) requires local jurisdictions to reduce organic waste disposal and annually procure recovered organic waste products (ROWPs), such as compost, to support greenhouse gas reduction and organic waste diversion goals; and WHEREAS, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) has assigned the City of Pacifica an annual ROWP procurement target pursuant to SB 1383 regulations; and
WHEREAS, since 2021, the San Mateo County Compost for Climate Solutions Program (CCSP) has delivered over 30,000 tons of compost to farms and ranches in San Mateo County, supporting soil health, carbon sequestration, and climate-resilient agricultural practices while contributing to the City of Pacifica SB 1383 compliance; and WHEREAS, beginning in 2026, the County of San Mateo will serve as CCSP administrator and will enter into a single intergovernmental agreement with the San Mateo Resource Conservation District to implement compost procurement, delivery, application, and required SB 1383 recordkeeping on behalf of participating jurisdictions; WHEREAS, under this structure, participating cities will provide the County of San Mateo financial contribution to the CCSP in exchange for receiving SB 1383 procurement credit in proportion to their contribution and avoiding duplicative administrative effort; and WHEREAS, by participating in a County-administered program, the City of Pacifica avoids the cost and staff time associated with developing and managing separate contracts, conducting procurement processes, coordinating field activities, and establishing recordkeeping and reporting processes, resulting in a more cost-effective and administratively efficient approach to SB 1383 compliance; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the MOU as to form and substance and desires to enter into the agreement; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Pacifica hereby authorizes the City Manager, or their designee, to execute the Memorandum of Understanding with the County of San Mateo for participation in the San Mateo County Compost for Climate Solutions Program, for and on behalf of the City.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager, or their designee, is authorized to approve annual program authorization letters and funding contributions pursuant to the MOU, subject to the availability
• • • • •
Pacifica City Council 5
February 23, 2026
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Pacifica, California, held on the 23rd day of February, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES, Councilmembers:
NOES, Councilmembers:
ABSENT, Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN, Councilmembers:
_____________________
Christine Boles, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________ ________________________
Sarah Coffey, City Clerk Michelle Kenyon, City Attorney