December 16, 2025
Economic Development
DATE: December 16, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Nannette Beacham, Director of Economic Development
James Atencio, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Samantha Carr, Environmental Manager
Subject:
Amendment No. 1 to the Golden Bear Transfer Station
Agreement.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Extending the Golden Bear Transfer Station Agreement ensures continued payment of franchise fees established in Exhibit A to the Agreement.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City and Golden Bear Transfer Services, Inc.
(“GBTS”) entered into an exclusive franchise agreement
entitled “Exclusive Franchise Agreement Between City of Richmond and GBTS effective dated June 28, 2004
(“GBTS Franchise Agreement”) and continue through
December 31, 2025 (“Initial Term”). The Franchisee,
GBTS, has provided notice to the City of extension
election 180 days prior to the expiration of the
agreement’s Initial Term.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: ADOPT a resolution to APPROVE the first amendment to the Exclusive Franchise Agreement with Golden Bear
Transfer Services, Inc. extending the term through
December 31, 2035, and AUTHORIZE the city manager
to execute the agreement – Economic Development
(Samantha Carr 510-620-5407).
AGENDA
REPORT
December 16, 2025
DISCUSSION:
The City of Richmond’s solid waste and recycling services are provided pursuant to the following agreements:
1. An exclusive Solid Waste Collection Franchise Agreement (Collection Agreement) with Richmond Sanitary Services (RSS), managed by the City of Richmond, and authorized by City Council on June 24, 2025, for a term through June 30, 2040;
2. An exclusive Post-Collection Solid Waste Franchise Agreement (Post-Collection Agreement) with Republic Services, managed by the West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority (RecycleMore) and authorized by RecycleMore on November 13, 2025, for a term through June 30, 2040; and
3. An exclusive Franchise Agreement for solid waste transfer and processing between the City and Golden Bear Transfer Services, Inc. (“GBTS”) dated June 28, 2004 (“GBTS Franchise Agreement”) for a term through December 31, 2025 (“Initial Term”) (Attachment 1).
Earlier this year, the City Council and RecycleMore took action regarding agreements number 1 and 2, above. The third agreement requires further action so as not to let the term of the GBTS Franchise agreement expire. Per Section 3 of the GBTS Franchise Agreement, the agreement may be extended for a period of ten (10) years through and including December 31, 2035, upon written notice to the City or Franchisee, as appropriate, no less than 180 prior to the expiration of the Initial Term. The Franchisee, GBTS, provided notice to the City of extension election more than 180 days prior to the expiration of the agreement’s Initial Term.
Extending the GBTS Franchise Agreement does not affect the City’s Collection Agreement with RSS nor RecycleMore’s Post-Collection agreement with Republic Services. Extending the GBTS Franchise Agreement continues the City’s relationship with GBTS as it relates to GBTS’ payment of franchise fees, established in Exhibit A to the initial GBTS Franchise Agreement.
City staff request the City Council adopt a resolution approving the first amendment to the Exclusive Franchise Agreement with Golden Bear Transfer Services, Inc. extending the term through December 31, 2035, and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and all necessary documentation (Attachments 2 and 3).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Original Contract
Attachment 2 – Resolution
Attachment 3 – Contract First Amendment Draft