City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: April 28, 2026
Agenda Item: 4.G
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Christopher Dishlip, Director of Public Works, Water Resources Division Subject: Award Bid #4514 to Clean Earth Environmental Solutions, Inc. for Sewer Diversion Unit Cleaning and Hazardous Waste Disposal for the Water Resources Division
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Award Bid # 4514 to Clean Earth Environmental Solutions, Inc. for sewer diversion unit cleaning and hazardous waste disposal for the Public Works Department; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Clean Earth Environmental Solutions, Inc, in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000 over a 5- year period, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
Summary
In compliance with state regulations and the City of Santa Monica’s (City) commitment to protect the environment, the City maintains six Continuous Deflection Separator (CDS) units throughout the City to intercept potential contaminants that may be present in urban runoff from flowing into Santa Monica Bay. The CDS units require routine transportation, pumping, cleaning and disposal services for hazardous waste to ensure they operate as designed. After a formal Request for Bid (RFB) process for these services, staff recommends Clean Earth Environmental Solutions, Inc. as the best bidder for a contract in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000, over a five-year period.
Discussion
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The City’s Water Resources Division manages a series of below-ground, high-efficiency hydrodynamic separators that use a swirling vortex and indirect screening to reduce pollution in urban runoff before it reaches Santa Monica Bay. These systems are located underground on the west side of the City along Ocean Avenue, as well as at the City’s Public Works Yards. The systems are designed to capture pollution and require regular maintenance to pump, clean, and dispose of the waste removed from urban runoff to maintain their treatment efficiency and prevent system failure. In addition, the City must comply with state and regional water quality requirements. RFB #4514 was issued for these services, and Clean Earth Environmental Solutions, Inc. was selected as the best bidder to provide these services.
Vendor Selection
Bidder Recommendation
Best Bidder Clean Earth Environmental Solutions, Inc.
Evaluation Criteria Price and References.
Municipal Code SMMC 2.24.180
Bid Data
Date Posted Posted On Advertise In
(City Charter & SMMC)
Vendors
Downloaded
Date Publicly
Opened
02/02/2026 City's Online
Bidding Site Santa Monica Daily Press 27 03/03/2026
Best Bidder Justification
Clean Earth Environmental Solutions, Inc. was selected as the best bidder by a committee Submittals Received
Clean Earth Environmental Solutions, Inc.
Total Hourly Labor: $981.00/HR
Total Equipment (Hourly): $2,842.15/HR
Waste Disposal Minimum Charge: $1,405.00
Clean Harbors Environmental Services,
Inc.
Total Hourly Labor: $888.00/HR
Total Equipment (Hourly): $1,482.00/HR
Waste Disposal Minimum Charge: $12,140.00
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comprised of Water Resources staff based on price and references. They offered the overall lowest price and have performed similar services for large operations and facilities comparable to those in Santa Monica. Although Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc.’s hourly labor rate was lower, their minimum charge of $12,140 is 8.5 times that of Clean Earth Environmental Solutions, Inc., which would result in a higher overall cost per job as the majority of jobs required by the City would be less than the $12,140 minimum.
Environmental Review
Maintenance and hazardous waste disposal of the City’s CDS units is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the CEQA Guidelines. Section 15301 provides an exemption 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.
The agreement would not expand or materially change existing facilities or operations.
Therefore, the award agreement is categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to approve available funding from the Water and Wastewater Funds to award a contract to Clean Earth Environmental Solutions, Inc. for the transportation, pumping, cleaning and disposal of hazardous waste collected at the City’s CDS units.
Contract Request
FY 2025-26
Request
Amount
Future Years
Amount
Department Account
#
Total Contract
Amount
$225,000 $1,275,000 51500001.529440 $1,500,000
$75,000 $425,000 50500001.550010 $500,000
$300,000 $1,700,000 $2,000,000
Future year funding is contingent on Council budget approval. 4 of 4
Prepared By: Thomas Poon, Engineering Support Services Administrator Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. FY 25-26 Oaks Initative (Clean Earth)
B. FY 25-26 Levine Act (Clean Earth)