CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
7/13/2026
1 SUBJECT:
Approval of Annual Agreements for the Department of Public Works - Wastewater Division for FY 2026-2027 - 2028-2029 for Polydyne, Inc. for $240,000 and Synagro West, LLC for $180,000 for FY 2026-2027.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Move to adopt the following resolutions to approve Annual Agreements for the Department of Public Works - Wastewater Division for FY 2026-2027:
1. Adopt the Resolution titled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pacifica Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Purchase Agreement with Polydyne, Inc. In The Amount Of $720,000 For the Calera Creek Water Recycling Plant’s FY 2026-27, 2027- 2028 and 2028-2029 Annual Supplies of Polymer.
2. Adopt the Resolution titled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pacifica Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Amendment 2 for Master Agreement for Biosolids Services and Task Order No. 3 with Synagro West, LLC In the Amount Of $180,000 For the Calera Creek Water Recycling Plant’s FY 2026-27 Annual Biosolids Hauling and Disposal.
STAFF CONTACT:
Dan Patten, P.E. Engineering Manager
(650) 922-7248
[email protected]
Desmond Barca, Interim Deputy Director of Public Works (Wastewater) (650) 446-4704
[email protected]
Melissa Tigbao, P.E., Director of Public Works
(650) 501-6016
[email protected]
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
During the FY 2026-27 budget approval process, the Council approved funding for Department of Public Works - Wastewater Division (WW) Operations and Maintenance Expenditures (Fund 18). The Council approved funding for the WW chemical expenses for the purchase of the polymer supply, and the WW Sludge Hauling expense for biosolids hauling and disposal services.
Each fiscal year, WW estimates the quantity of services, equipment, supplies and materials that will be needed for recurring maintenance, repairs, and operations during the fiscal year. Items that are proprietary and sold only through the manufacturer, have only one authorized distributor in the area, or have proven to be the only product/service acceptable are sole-sourced.
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July 13, 2026
The following are supplies, materials or services that were deemed by staff to be sole source procurement, or the least cost compared to known vendors:
Polymer Chemical Supply:
Polymer is used in gravity belt thickeners and centrifuges at the Calera Creek Water Recycling Plant (Plant) to thicken and dewater sludge during the wastewater treatment process. It is imperative that the polymer dosed in the centrifuge reacts well with the wet sludge to produce a clear centrate (wastewater liquid and polymer byproduct) that goes back to the Plant’s headworks to be retreated. Having a clear centrate is an indication that the sludge has been dewatered well, thus producing a dryer bio-solid cake. Moreover, the centrate should be clear of solids prior to going back to the headworks for retreatment so as not to clog and/or damage the pumps and other equipment.
Up to the late 2009, the Plant used various types of polymers but ended up clogging the pumps, and the biosolids produced were not the desired dryness. Because of constant equipment breakdowns more manpower was needed to keep the Plant in operation. These on-going issues prompted staff to invite polymer manufacturer representatives to run their polymer through our system. Clarifloc WE-2123 (Clarifloc) polymer supplied by Polydyne, Inc. and Zetag 8818 (Zetag) supplied by Kubwater have similar and excellent performance. However, the cost of Zetag is $2.18 per pound or $5,014 per tote while the cost of Clarifloc is $1.75 per pound or $4,186 per tote - a net saving of $828 per tote or $37,260 annually for 45 totes if Clarifloc is used. Based on Clarifloc being the lesser cost per pound, a Purchase Order with Polydyne is recommended.
Approval of the Purchase Agreement with Polydyne, Inc. in the amount of $720,000 is recommended and will cover the polymer chemical expenditure for WW for Fiscal Years 2026- 2027, 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 as projected by staff. The agreement provides for a three-year term at an annual cost of approximately $240,000, for a total contract amount not to exceed $720,000. Funding for the first year is included in the adopted Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget. Staff anticipates requesting funding for the subsequent years through the City's annual budget process, subject to future appropriations and City Council approval.
Synagro West LLC Biosolids Hauling and Disposal Services:
Biosolids are nutrient-rich organic materials resulting from the treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment facility. When treated and processed, theseresiduals can be recycled and applied as fertilizer to improve and maintain productive soils and stimulate plant growth.
The Plant is required to manage the disposal of the biosolids according to EPAStandard 40 CFR Part 503, which says that biosolids that are to be land applied must meet these strict regulations and quality standards. The Part 503 rule governing the use and disposal of biosolids contains numerical limits, for metals in biosolids, pathogen reduction standards, site restriction, crop harvesting restrictions and monitoring, record keeping and reporting requirements for land applied biosolids as well as similar requirements for biosolids that are surface disposed or incinerated. Most recently, standards have been proposed to include requirements in the Part 503 Rule that limit the concentration of dioxin and dioxin like compounds in biosolids to ensure safe land application. Due to the complexities and specialized knowledge needed to manage the program, a third party with this expertise is needed. The third party must also keep up with current regulations and know how to direct biosolids into clean and safe materials for land applications. Synagro West, LLC has such expertise to provide biosolids hauling and management services.
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The following are reasons why Synagro West LLC have been determined to be Sole Source services:
• Synagro provides turnkey residuals management services that includes hauling, agronomic management, permitting and monitoring, which other haulers don't provide.
Their proprietary Residuals Management System sets the industry standards for tracking, monitoring and compliance activities.
• Because of Synagro's unique expertise in biosolids disposal, the Plant is able to divert its biosolids to land application, composting and to landfill as a last resort. During 2025, the Plant produced 1,229.24 wet tons (346.26 dry tons) of biosolids which were land applied in farms in Sacramento County.
• This is proven to be the most cost-effective way to remove this biohazardous material from the City's property and to meet mandated environmental requirements.
Approval of Amendment 2 for Master Agreement for Biosolids Services and Task Order No. 3 in the amount of $180,000 with Synagro West, LLC are recommended and will cover the biosolid disposal expenditure for WW for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, as projected by staff.
For the above reasons, the City Manager is recommending the approval of the Purchase Agreement with Polydyne, Inc. in the amount of $720,000; $240,000 for each FY 2026-2027, 2027-2028 and 2028-2029, and approval of the Amendment 3 for Master Agreement for Biosolids Services and Task Order No. 4 with Synagro West, LLC in the amount of $180,000; for FY 2026-2027 for a total of $900,000 from Fund 518.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
The Council may choose not to approve the Annual Agreements; however, doing so would delay the treatment of wastewater and is likely to violate the Plant’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The City Manager does not recommend this alternate action.
RELATION TO CITY GOALS AND WORK PLAN:
Approval of the Annual Agreements is consistent with the following Council adopted Goals:
• Stewardship of City Infrastructure, streets and facilities: this includes repairing/replacing outdated city facilities such as city hall, libraries, fire stations, etc., improving streets, and responding to impacts of sea level rise. The Annual Purchase Agreement for the polymer, biosolids dewatering and disposal, and centrifuge services will ensure continuous treatment of wastewater at the Calera Creek Water Recycling Plant and compliance with its NPDES permit.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Source and Use of Funds spreadsheet is shown below:
Vendor Total Use of
Funds
Funds Total
Project
Source per
Year
Total
Project
Source per
3 Year
Estimated
Project End
Balance
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Term
Polydyn
e
$720,000 Enterprise Fund (Fund 518)
52342-518451-52607
$320,233 $960,699 $240,699
Synagro $180,000 Enterprise Fund (Fund 518)
52402-518451-52602
$180,000 N/A $-
Total $900,000 $500,233 $960,699
No additional budget authority for FY 2026-27 is necessary as sufficient funds have been allocated in the Wastewater Enterprise Fund FY 2026-27 budget for these purchases. Additional funds of $240,000 shall be requested in FY 2027-28 and 2028-29 each for a total of $480,000.
ORIGINATED BY:
Public Works - Wastewater Division
ATTACHMENT LIST:
Purchase Agreement Polydyne FY 2026-27 - 2029-30 (PDF)
CCON_Pacifica, CA_Biosolids MSA_AMD 3_SIGNED (PDF)
CCON_Pacifica, CA_Biosolids_Task Order 4_SIGNED (PDF)
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RESOLUTION NO. ________
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PACIFICA AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH POLYDYNE, INC.
IN THE AMOUNT OF $720,000 FOR THE CALERA CREEK WATER RECYCLING PLANT’S FY 2026-27, 2027-2028 AND 2028-2029 ANNUAL SUPPLIES OF POLYMER WHEREAS, each fiscal year, Wastewater Division estimates the quantity of services, equipment, supplies and materials that will be needed for recurring maintenance, repairs, and operations during the fiscal year. Items that are proprietary and sold only through the manufacturer, have only one authorized distributor in the area, or have proven to be the only product/service acceptable are sole-sourced; and
WHEREAS, during the FY 2026-27 budget approval process, the Council approved sufficient funding for Department of Public Works - Wastewater Division (WW) Operations and Maintenance Expenditures (Fund 518) that includes these purchases; and WHEREAS, funds will be requested for FY 2027-28 and 2028-29 budget approval processes to include polymer supplies for these Fiscal Years; WHEREAS, consistent with the City of Pacifica Administrative Policy #76, Purchasing Policy, section 7.4, authorizes the City Manager to waive bidding requirements for sole source purchases if he/she determines sufficient justification exist; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Pacifica has considered the City Manager’s recommendation to approve the Purchase Agreement with Polydyne, Inc. in the amount of $720,000 for the Calera Creek Water Recycling Plant’s FY 2026-27, 2027-28 and 2028-2029 annual supplies of polymer;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Pacifica to authorize the City Manager to execute the Purchase Agreement with Polydyne, Inc. in the amount of $720,000 for the Calera Creek Water Recycling Plant’s FY 2026-27 annual supply of polymer.
• • • •
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Pacifica, California, held on the 13th day of July 2026, by the following vote:
AYES, Councilmembers:
NOES, Councilmembers:
ABSENT, Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN, Councilmembers:
_________________________________
Christine Boles, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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______________________________ _________________________________ Sarah Coffey, City Clerk Michelle Kenyon, City Attorney Pacifica City Council 7
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RESOLUTION NO. ________
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PACIFICA AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT 3 FOR MASTER AGREEMENT FOR BIOSOLIDS SERVICES AND TASK ORDER NO. 4 WITH SYNAGRO WEST, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $180,000 FOR THE CALERA CREEK WATER RECYCLING PLANT’S FY 2026-27 ANNUAL BIOSOLIDS HAULING AND DISPOSAL
WHEREAS, each fiscal year, Wastewater Division estimates the quantity of services, equipment, supplies and materials that will be needed for recurring maintenance, repairs, and operations during the fiscal year. Items that are proprietary and sold only through the manufacturer, have only one authorized distributor in the area, or have proven to be the only product/service acceptable are sole-sourced; and
WHEREAS, during the FY 2026-27 budget approval process, the Council approved sufficient funding for Department of Public Works - Wastewater Division (WW) Operations and Maintenance Expenditures (Fund 518) that includes these purchases; and WHEREAS, consistent with the City of Pacifica Administrative Policy #76, Purchasing Policy, section 7.4, authorizes the City Manager to waive bidding requirements for sole source purchases if he/she determines sufficient justification exist; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Pacifica has considered the City Manager’s recommendation to approve the Amendment 3 for Master Agreement for Biosolids Services and Task Order No. 4 with Synagro West, LLC In the Amount Of $180,000 for the Calera Creek Water Recycling Plant’s FY 2026-27 Annual Biosolids Hauling and Disposal; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Pacifica to authorize the City Manager to execute the Amendment 3 for Master Agreement for Biosolids Services and Task Order No. 4 with Synagro West, LLC In the Amount Of $180,000 for the Calera Creek Water Recycling Plant’s FY 2026-27 Annual Biosolids Hauling and Disposal. • • • •
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Pacifica, California, held on the 13th day of July 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