City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: May 26, 2026
Agenda Item: 4.B
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Christopher Dishlip, Director of Public Works, Resource Recovery & Recycling Division
Subject: Authorization to Enter into an Agreement with the City of Culver City for Recyclable Materials Tip and Transfer Services
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemptions pursuant to Section 15301 and Section 15308 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with the City of Culver City for recyclable materials transfer services for the Public Works Department. This recommended contract is made as an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Section 2.24.250 (g) and is for a total amount not to exceed $6,334,059 with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
Summary
The City of Santa Monica’s (City) Resource Recovery and Recycling (RRR) team collects recyclables, organics, and landfill trash from every resident and business within Santa Monca. Once collected, landfill trash and organics are taken to Southern California Disposal (SCD), which is adjacent to the City Yards, to be transferred by SCD’s contractor to their respective processing destinations. However, recyclable materials are taken by RRR staff to the City of Culver City’s transfer and recycling station due to lack of space at SCD. The current five-year contract #11164 with Culver City expires in July 2026, thus staff recommends entering into a new five (5) year term contract with the City of Culver City to continue to provide recyclable materials transfer services until a new tip and transfer area is permitted. This contract was approved as an 2 of 5
exception to the competitive bidding process approved by the Procurement Manager on ECB# 386 per SMMC 2.24.250(g).
Discussion
Due to the closure of the Santa Monica Community Recycling Center in June 2019, the City began contracting with Southern California Disposal (SCD) for recyclable material transfer services at a space (known as the tip and transfer area) within the City Yards, adjacent to the Fire Department training facility. This meant that Resource Recovery and Recycling (RRR) drivers collected recyclable materials—such as glass, plastic, and cardboard—curbside, brought them to the state-permitted tip and transfer area, and staff from SCD loaded the materials into trailers to transfer them to the City’s contracted recycling processing facility in Wilmington.
Council’s approval of the acceleration of the Fire training facility expansion as part of the City Yards Modernization Plan in April 2021 eliminated this tip and transfer area on City property. In turn, the City had to locate an external state-permitted tip and transfer area within a reasonable distance for RRR drivers to take recyclable materials. SCD, which is adjacent to the City Yards, currently does not accept recyclable materials due to a lack of space, so RRR identified the City of Culver City’s municipally owned and operated transfer station as the most viable option due to its proximity.
A contract with a transfer station outside of Santa Monica must remain in place until the City obtains final approval from the Los Angeles County Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) through a lengthy permitting process to allow a state-permitted tip and transfer area to return to Santa Monica. Staff have identified an area within the City Yards, and the LEA has indicated that the location may be considered pending permitting and environmental review and approval prior to the execution of any plans. Approval is not guaranteed. In addition to the LEA’s regulatory processes, requisite site improvements must be identified, designed, and constructed, along with long-term contract extension negotiations and subsequent Council authorization. The multi-year permitting process is 3 of 5
underway; the final approval date is unknown and subject to the LEA’s approval timeline.
There are only two solid waste transfer stations on the west side of Los Angeles: SCD, adjacent to the City Yards, and the City of Culver City’s municipal transfer and recycling station, located 6.5 miles from the City. The next closest transfer station is near downtown Los Angeles, about 16 miles from the City and not operationally feasible for RRR collection drivers to drive to and from twice per day and maintain timely route service. Consequently, Culver City remains the only viable alternative at this time.
Exception to Competitive Bidding
Staff recommends the City of Culver City to provide transfer services for recyclable materials as an exception to competitive bidding per the Procurement Manager approved ECB #386 pursuant to Muni Code 2.24.250 (g).
g. The individual or entity with authority to make a purchase or award determines and documents in writing in accordance with procedures set forth in administrative regulations that the time necessary to use the competitive solicitation processes set forth in this Chapter, due to circumstances outside of the control of the City, would result in a substantial economic loss to the City, substantially compromise a legal position, or substantially interfere with a required City operation Environmental Review
The procurement for transfer services for recyclable materials is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Sections 15301 and 15308 of the CEQA Guidelines. Section 15301 of the CEQA State Guidelines provides Class 1 (Existing Facilities) exemption for projects that involve the operation, repair, maintenance, leasing, licensing, permitting, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, with negligible or no expansion of the existing or former use. The procurement for transfer services for recyclable materials would not result in any modifications to existing 4 of 5
recyclable material processing facilities. Transfer services for recyclable materials currently exist, and the procurement would not expand or materially change the operations of existing recyclable material processing facilities’ operations. The selected vendor is required to comply with existing solid waste regulations and provide similar services to those currently required and provided. Therefore, the contract for transfer services is categorically exempt as set forth in Section 15301 of the CEQA State Guidelines.
The contract for transfer services is also exempt pursuant to Section 15308 of the CEQA Guidelines. Section 15308 (Class 8 Actions for Protection of Environment) exempts actions taken by a regulatory agency, as authorized by state and local ordinances, to ensure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for environmental protection of the environment. The procurement would ensure City compliance with solid waste disposal regulations for the protection of the environment including:
• Integrated Waste Management Act (IWMA) of 1989 requires cities to permit and regulate solid waste handling
• Assembly Bill 341 (2011) requires both businesses that generate four cubic yards or more of solid waste and multifamily projects with five units or more to participate in a recycling program
• City’s Zero Waste Plan (Updated 2019) provides an environmental policy framework to guide the City on its path to achieving zero waste.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to approve available funding from the Resource Recovery and Recycling Fund to contract with the City of Culver City to provide recyclable materials transfer services. Funds will be included in the proposed Operating Budget for FY 2026-
27. Contract Request
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FY 2026-27
Request Amount Future Years Department Account # Total Contract Amount
$883,740 $5,450,319 54500002.550150 $6,334,059
Future year funding is contingent on Council budget approval.
Prepared By: Ryan Kraemer, Senior Administrative Analyst Approved Forwarded to Council