SALINAS
City of Salinas
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CALIFORNI 200 Lincoln Avenue Salinas, California 93901 (831) 758-7201 Fax (831) 758-7368 February 26, 2013
The Honorable Timothy P. Roberts
Presiding Judge of the Superior Court (2012)
County of Monterey
240 Church Street
Salinas, CA 93901
RE: Response to 2012 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury Interim Final Report No. 5-"Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority"
Dear Judge Roberts:
On February 26, 2013, the Salinas City Council approved the following responses to the findings and recommendations in the 2012 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury Interim Final Report No. 5-"Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority." The responses follow the findings and recommendations found on pages 6 and 7 of the Final Report.
FINDINGS:
F5. "The CGJ has found that Waste Management's Madison Lane Transfer Station accepts solid waste from self-haul customers. These are self-haul customers that prefer to go to this site rather than the SSTS or Johnson Canyon landfill."
Response: The City of Salinas agrees with this finding. Historically, there have been a number of customers who have preferred to self-haul to Madison Lane as it is more convenient to their homes and businesses than the transfer station. While Madison Lane Transfer Station tonnage has declined, the usage of the Sun Street Transfer Station has been increasing.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
R3. "The CGJ recommends shutting down the residential waste re-handling process at SSTS. The CGJ further recommends that SVSWA cease in its desire to replace the SSTS with a site on Work Street.
The CGJ feels the Work Street location is not feasible for this site as it is similar to SSTS. The location has two motels, a car lot, agriculture warehouses, and offices within a 1/4 - 1/2 mile radius. Work Street is also a heavily traveled route to Hwy. 101 north and south exits." Response of the City Council of the City of Salinas
Monterey County Civil Grand Jury 2012
February 26, 2013
Response: The City of Salinas concurs with the recommendation that the SSTS cease operations but believes further analysis is required before a response can be offered to appropriate relocation sites.
Relocation of the SSTS is a top priority for the City of Salinas. By necessity this would preclude the continuation of activities at the SSTS. City of Salinas staff is working with SVSWA Board and staff to determine the appropriate relocation site and is reviewing all documentation being developed as part of the CEQA study underway to determine relocation impacts.
It is the understanding of the City that the CEQA document will evaluate a number of alternatives including the Work Street site. The Work Street site is ideally suited for a transfer station as it is designated an Industrial Park area, it is between a hot mix asphalt plant and a tallow rendering plant, and is well-situated for large transfer trailers with its proximity to transportation corridors. Traffic and all other impacts for alternatives will be studied in the CEQA compliance process.
R5. The CGJ recommends that the City of Salinas and unincorporated NE Monterey County utilize the Madison Lane Transfer Station site as a self-haul and Materials Recovery Center.
Response: The City of Salinas believes this recommendation requires further analysis:
The City of Salinas has been party to several conversations over the past ten years concerning the use of Madison Lane as a transfer station. Initially, issues involving transfer station operating costs and the proposed construction of the Rossi Street extension prevented this project from going forward. In 2008, the concept of the Madison Lane Transfer Station was again raised however the project was halted due to opposition from the surrounding community indicating traffic in the nearby commercial area. Other sites including the current SSTS and proposed Work Street Site were identified as better suited for the proposed Material Recovery Center.
However, the City of Salinas has been informed that SVSWA will revisit the Madison Lane Transfer Site as an alternative to be studied in the CEQA process.
R6. The CGJ recommends that SVSWA and the City of Salinas work closely with its citizens and businesses by creating an advisory committee to address issues of the recommended closures of SSTS and the utilizing of a facility already in place, Madison Lane Transfer Station.
The SVSWA and the City of Salinas will continue to work closely with its citizens and businesses by creating an advisory committee.
Response: The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future in conjunction with the environmental review of the alternative transfer station, not to exceed two years.
Response of the City Council of the City of Salinas
Monterey County Civil Grand Jury 2012
February 26, 2013
The City concurs that formation of a Citizens Advisory Committee would be advantageous. The membership criteria and focus would be determined by the Authority Board of Directors which includes representation from the City of Salinas.
On behalf of the City Council and community of the City of Salinas, thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on the findings and commendations of the 2012 Grand Jury concerning the Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority.
Sincerely,
Joe Gunter
Mayor
JG/V
CC: City Manager Ray E. Corpuz, Jr.
City Attorney Vanessa W. Vallarta
Public Works Director Gary Petersen