RESOLUTION NO. XX-24
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND,
CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A LETTER
OF INTENT (LOI) WITH WEST COUNTY WASTEWATER (WCW) FOR THE LEASE OF SLUDGE PONDS BEGINNING IN 2025
WHEREAS, the West County Agency (WCA), a joint authority formed between West County Wastewater (WCW) and the City of Richmond (COR), has been responsible for multiple key operations including the management of the City’s biosolids processing using sludge ponds located at WCW’s East Site; and
WHEREAS, the WCA is set to dissolve by the end of 2024, which will necessitate securing a new lease agreement with WCW for the continued use of the sludge ponds for the City’s wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) biosolids processing; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond’s WWTP utilizes tertiary treatment, and the final - stage sludge byproduct, consisting of the solid remainders from the entire treatment process, including digestion and clarification, is processed at WCW’s sludge ponds, as the City currently lacks the facilities to process final sludge on its own; and
WHEREAS, West County Wastewater is developing a new biosolids treatment facility, but this facility will not be fully operational by the end of 2024, requiring an interim solution to continue biosolids processing; and
WHEREAS, the Letter of Intent (LOI) between the City of Richmond and WCW will serve as a good faith commitment to continue leasing the sludge ponds, ensuring that the City can maintain uninterrupted wastewater treatment operations while a formal lease agreement is negotiated; and
WHEREAS, failure to secure continued access to the sludge ponds could result in significant operational and regulatory impacts for the City’s WWTP, including potential environmental non-compliance; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Richmond, as follows:
Section 1: The foregoing recitals are true and correct, and this City Council hereby so finds and determines.
Section 2: The City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to execute a Letter of Intent (LOI) with West County Wastewater (WCW) for the lease of sludge ponds, ensuring continued biosolids processing at the City’s wastewater treatment plant starting in 2025.
Section 3: The Letter of Intent will serve as a preliminary agreement, with the final lease terms to be negotiated and brought to the City Council for final approval.
Section 4: The City Council acknowledges that this interim measure is necessary to ensure the continuity of wastewater treatment operations following the dissolution of the West County Agency (WCA).
Section 4: the City Manager is authorized to take any additional actions necessary to finalize and implement the terms of the LOI, and to return to the City Council with the formal lease agreement for approval.
Section 5: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage. **********************
I hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution of the Council of the City of Richmond was duly passed and adopted at a meeting thereof held November 19, 2024, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTION:
___________PAMELA CHRISTIAN___________
CLERK OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND
Approved:
Mayor
Approved as to form:
City Attorney