City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: January 13, 2026
Agenda Item: 4.C
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Rick Valte, Public Works Director, Public Works, Resource Recovery & Recycling
Subject: Approval of the Fifth Modification to Agreement #11051 with Clean Earth Environmental Solutions for Hazardous Waste Services
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemptions pursuant to Sections 15301 and 15308 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a fifth modification to Agreement #11051 in an amount of $582,031 with Clean Earth Environmental Solutions, Inc. (formerly Stericycle Environmental Solutions), for hazardous waste services for the Public Works Department. This will result in a five-year, eight-month amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $2,780,031, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
Summary
In compliance with California regulations and the City’s commitment to environmental responsibility, the City utilizes the services of Clean Earth Environmental Solutions, Inc. (Clean Earth) for the following services:
• Support for the Residential Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Door-to-Door Collections Program; and
• Transportation, recycling, and disposal services for hazardous waste generated by City operations, emergency response activities, and small-quantity business generators that drop off at the City’s hazardous waste facility located in the City Yards.
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Due to the pending contract expiration in January 2026, staff recommends increasing Agreement #11051 by $582,031 to cover anticipated costs while the staff completes a competitive bidding process. This fifth modification would result in a new not-to-exceed amount of $2,780,031 and extend the original five-year contract term by eight months to support Resource Recovery and Recycling operations.
Discussion
According to the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), it is illegal to dispose of HHW in the garbage, storm drains, or on the street. Untreated toxic chemicals can pollute the environment and cause harm to both animals and people. Typical HHW includes paints, adhesives, batteries, aerosols, fluorescent lamps, electronics, used oil, and pesticides.
The City’s Resource Recovery and Recycling Division requires the disposal of hazardous waste from its hazardous waste facility and the residential door-to-door pickup program. In April 2020, the City’s Resource Recovery and Recycling and Water Resources Divisions issued Request for Proposals #257 to solicit hazardous waste disposal services. Staff reviewed the five bids received and recommended awarding a five-year agreement to Clean Earth Environmental, Inc., based on price and the ability to provide the required service.
The Resource Recovery and Recycling Division entered into an agreement with Clean Earth Environmental Solutions, Inc. for hazardous waste disposal in January 2021, with a contract amount of $1,080,000. Due to increasing service costs—primarily related to the residential door-to-door program—a contract modification was necessary to increase the total compensation for the remainder of the contract, resulting in a new notto-exceed amount of $2,198,000.
Staff are currently in the process of conducting a competitive bidding process for hazardous waste services; however, the posting, award, and contract execution process 3 of 4
will not be completed by the contract expiration date of January 19, 2026. A contract extension is needed for an additional eight months while staff complete the bidding process. This extension would require an additional $582,031 to continue hazardous waste services until a new contract can be executed.
Environmental Review
The disposal of hazardous waste is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15301 and Section 15308 of the CEQA Guidelines. Section 15301 provides an exemption (Class 1 – Existing Facilities) for the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination. Section 15308 exempts Class 8 projects consisting of actions taken by regulatory agencies as authorized by state law or local ordinance to assure the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment. The agreement for household hazardous waste services would not result in any modifications to existing facilities, including the hazardous waste facility at the City Yards, and would ensure the safe and proper disposal of hazardous waste for protection of the environment. Therefore, the award of the agreement is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 and 15308 of the CEQA Guidelines.
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
06/23/2020 Original Bid and Award of CT #11051 (CCS) with Clean Earth Environmental Solutions, Inc. (formerly known as Stericycle Environmental Solutions) for hazardous waste disposal.
12/17/2024 Fourth modification to CT #11051 (CCS) with Clean Earth Environmental Solutions, Inc.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
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Staff seeks authority to approve available funding from the Resource Recovery and Recycling Fund to increase the amount of contract #11051 (CCS) with Clean Earth Environmental Solutions, Inc. for hazardous waste disposal.
Contract Modification Request
Agreement
#
Current
Authorized
Amount
FY 2025-26
Request
Amount
Future
Years
Amount
Department
Account #
Total Revised
Contract
Amount
11051
(CCS) $2,198,000 $413,306 $168,725 54500003.550070 $2,780,031 Future year funding is contingent on Council budget approval.
Prepared By: Ryan Kraemer, Senior Administrative Analyst Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Attachment A - CT 11051 (CCS) - Clean Earth (Original) B. Attachment B - CT 11051 (CCS) - Clean Earth (Mod 1)
C. Attachment C - CT 11051 (CCS) - Clean Earth (Mod 2)
D. Attachment D - CT 11051 (CCS) - Clean Earth (Mod 3)
E. Attachment E - CT 11051 (CCS) - Clean Earth (Mod 4)
F. Attachment F - Clean Earth Oaks Initiative Form 2025 G. Attachment G - Clean Earth Levine Act Disclosure Form 2025 H. June 23, 2020 Staff Report (web link)
I. December 17, 2024 Staff Report (web link)