Agenda packet — Sonora City Council, September 2, 2025

CITY OF SONORA
City Council Regular Meeting
Agenda
Tuesday, September 02, 2025
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on September 2, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the City of Sonora Council Chambers located at 94 N. Washington Street Sonora, CA 95370.

This meeting is physically open to the Public and citizens who wish to provide public comment during the meeting will be invited to do so by the Mayor.

Written comments can be submitted to be included as part of the administrative record; they will not be read during the meeting. All comments must be received by 3:00 pm on the day of the noticed meeting and can be submitted to the City Clerk at 94 N. Washington Street Sonora, CA 95370, or via email to [email protected].

Public Access Audio and Video Live Streaming
The Public will not have access to give public comments via public access audio and video live streaming; they are available for audio and visual only; and can be accessed via our website at www.sonoraca.com.

Remote viewing of the meeting via live streaming is provided to members of the public as a courtesy. If the live streaming connection malfunctions for any reason and no Council Members are attending via teleconference, the City Council will continue the public meeting in Chambers without remote access.

CITY COUNCIL appreciates your interest and encourages participation. Regularly scheduled meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.

The numerical order of the items on this agenda is for convenience of reference. Items may be taken out of order upon request of the Mayor or Council Members. All questions shall be directed to the Mayor who, at their discretion, will refer to Staff.
___________________________________________________________________________________________ Mayor Ann Segerstrom
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill
Council Members Bess Levine, Stephen Opie, Mark Plummer City Administrator Melissa Eads
City Attorney Douglas White
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 1 Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM

1. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3. ROLL CALL

4. CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING

5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

6. PUBLIC COMMENT (NON-AGENDA ITEMS)
The public may address the Council on any item of public interest not otherwise on the agenda that is within the jurisdiction of the City. No action may be taken. Matters to be addressed may be referred to City Staff or placed on a subsequent meeting Agenda. Speakers are limited to a three (3) minute presentation.

7. PRESENTATIONS
A. Receive a Presentation from the Sierra Nevada Energy Watch (SNEW) Program Staff Outlining Benchmarking Completed for the City of Sonora; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.

8. CONSENT CALENDAR
Items on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be voted on in one motion unless a Council member or member of the public has a question or wishes to discuss an item. In that case, the item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and considered separately.

A. Consider Approval of the Meeting Minutes from August 4, 2025; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.

B. Waive Second Reading, Read by Title Only, and Adopt the Updated Defensible Space Ordinance No. 907, Modifying and Updating Chapter 8.12.010-8.12.090 of the Sonora Municipal Code; Gary Carlson, Interim Fire Chief.

C. Receive a Proclamation Recognizing National Suicide Prevention Week and National Suicide Prevention Month in Observance of 988 Day; Andy Merrill, Vice Mayor.

D. Consider Approval of Dewberry Engineers Inc. (Dewberry) Task Order No. 26-04 Mobile LiDAR Database and Pavement Condition Index (PCI) Reporting in the Amount of $62,892.88 for Engineering and Surveying Services to Generate a Mobile LiDAR Database of All City-Owned Streets within the City of Sonora and to Prepare a PCI Assessment for Each Street; Melissa Eads, City Administrator, Mike Pugh, City Engineer. 2 Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
E. Consider Approval of Dewberry Engineers Inc. team (Dewberry) Task Order No. 26-05 Church Street Slope Stabilization Engineering Services in the Amount of $40,900 for Engineering, Geotechnical, and Surveying Services to Stabilize the Failing Slope Near 85 E. Church Street; Melissa Eads, City Administrator, Mike Pugh, City Engineer.

9. NEW BUSINESS
A. Consider Approval of a New Two-Year Memorandum of Agreement with Columbia College to use Dragoon Gulch as an Extension of the Campus Learning Environment for the Sierra Forestry Corp Program to Learn and Practice Forestry Management Skills; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.

B. Consider Approval of the Solid Waste Franchise Agreement to California Waste Recovery Systems, LLC (Cal-Waste) for Subscription-Based Solid Waste, Recycling, and Green Waste Collection and Management Services; Carlye Buchholz, P.E, P.L.S, City Engineer.

10. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
A. Receive a Letter to All Councilmembers from Waste Management: Request for Proposals for Solid Waste, Recycling, and Green Waste Collection and Management Services.

11. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS

12. ADJOURNMENT
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at City Hall (209) 532-4541, [email protected]. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting (28 CFR

35.102-35.104 ADA Title II).

Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the City Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the City Administrator’s Office at 94 N. Washington Street, Sonora, CA 95370 during normal business hours (8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays). The agenda and supporting public documents are also available on our City website www.sonoraca.com listed under the agenda/minutes link on the Government page.
3 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP DATE: August 18, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Presentation of the City of Sonora’s Energy Usage Benchmarking Report by the Sierra Business Council who Authored the Document and will Summarize the Findings.

RECOMMENDATION:

Receive a Presentation from the Sierra Nevada Energy Watch (SNEW) Program Staff Outlining Benchmarking Completed for the City of Sonora.

BACKGROUND:

Energy benchmarking is a valuable tool used to evaluate energy and cost efficiency. Benchmarking involves analyzing account-specific energy consumption and cost data and comparing the results to historical data or reference performance levels. The analysis can be used to determine opportunities to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy costs, and enhance operation.

DISCUSSION / ANALYSIS:

The City of Sonora completed an Energy Action Plan1 (EAP) with Sierra Business Council in 2018 using 2010 baseline energy data to do a 2015 re-inventory comparison. In 2010, municipally operated streetlights, traffic signals, and highway lighting totaled 266,352 kWh in 2010, and 269,425 kWh in 2015 (Table A-4 from Appendix A of the City of Sonora’s Energy Action Plan).

Current data analysis in this report revealed that the City used 137,101 kWh of public lighting electricity in 2023.

The 2018 EAP indicates that substantial retrofit of City streetlights had already been initiated at the time of the 4 Item A.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP report: “Traditional streetlights can be upgraded to LEDs and achieve savings between 50-70% of energy use – which could equate to more than 130,000 kWh saved in Sonora. The City has opted in to PG&E’s retrofit program for full turnkey LED replacement services for PG&E owned and operated streetlights.” Analysis from this report shows that annual City lighting electricity usage has decreased by 49% from 2015 to 2023, the equivalent of 129,251 kWh.

While the 2018 report does not call out specifically 2015 costs, it does state that the City spent $68,913 in 2010 on public lighting and used 266,352 kWh of electricity. In 2023, the City spent a total of $79,798 and used 137,101 kWh of electricity. From 2010 to 2023, lighting electricity usage decreased by 49%, while costs increased by 16%, indicating a large increase in the price of electricity from the utility level. Table 3 shows electricity usage and costs from 2010, 2015, and 2023.

The Report and Analysis was free to the City of Sonora. The Sierra Nevada Energy Watch Program (SNEW) is funded by Pacific Gas and Electric (PGE) and represents a partnership between the Utility, Sierra Business Council (SBC) and the City.

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment A- City of Sonora—Benchmarking Report (2021-2023) Attachment B- Presentation Slides of Report
CORE COUNCIL PRIORITIES:

Fiscal Responsibility and Stability, Economic Development/Growth and General Plan 5 Item A.

PG&E ENERGY USE

BENCHMARKING REPORT
2 0 2 1 - 2 0 2 3
Published: July 2025
City of Sonora
Prepared by:
6 Item A.

Sierra Nevada Energy Watch | www.sierraenergy.org | (530) 582-4800 | [email protected] Table of Contents
Summary of Key Findings................................................................................................................2 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................6 Data & Methods ...............................................................................................................................8 Electricity Usage and Costs.............................................................................................................9 Trends by Facility.......................................................................................................................... 14 Conclusions................................................................................................................................... 28 Appendix A: Time of Use Rates and Cost Saving Strategies ...................................................... 29 Appendix B: Electricity Usage and Cost Data.............................................................................. 30 7 Item A.
2 Summary of Key Findings
The City of Sonora’s (City) PG&E electricity accounts show relatively consistent electricity usage despite increasing costs over the 3-year time frame. From 2021-2023, total cost increased by 19% (Table 1 and Figure 1), while usage only increased by 3% (Table 2 and Figure 2). Among the sixteen facilities analyzed, 94 N Washington showed the most usage due to the multiple public streetlights on one account. The 2023 costs for all lighting on 94 N Washington account were 17% higher than that of costs in 2021 (Table 1), resulting in a cost increase of over $10,000 throughout the benchmarked period. Usage for all lights on the 94 N Washington account increased by 3% (Table 2).

Table 1. Total Electricity Costs
Account
Total Annual Electricity Costs ($)
2021 2022 2023 3-Year Total Percentage Change
94 N Washington $57,846 $63,134 $67,902 $188,883 17%
11 S Washington $1,327 $1,581 $1,880 $4,788 42%
2 S Green $1,447 $1,545 $1,622 $4,614 12%
Greenley & Mono $1,191 $1,414 $1,604 $4,208 35%
S Washington $1,030 $1,401 $1,583 $4,014 54%
School $1,298 $1,230 $1,310 $3,838 1%
1101 Sanguinetti $721 $831 $916 $2,468 27%
Old Wards $601 $823 $901 $2,325 50%
Mono Way $338 $379 $412 $1,129 22%
Alpine Ln $315 $345 $375 $1,035 19%
Cor Washington $309 $148 $305 $762 -1%
Woods Creek $221 $255 $255 $730 16%
Poplar and Bradford $272 $256 $186 $713 -32%
E/S Grenley $110 $220 $262 $592 138%
41 Theall $154 $164 $165 $483 7%
1142 Southgate $121 $120 $120 $360 -1%
Total $67,301 $73,846 $79,798 $220,942 19%
8 Item A.
3 Table 2. Total Electricity Usage (kWh)
Account
Total Annual Electricity Usage (kWh)
2021 2022 2023 Total Percentage
Change
94 N Washington 104,686 107,437 107,615 319,738 3%
11 S Washington 7,082 7,101 7,083 21,266 0%
2 S Green 1,603 1,596 1,601 4,800 0%
Greenley & Mono 4,981 4,992 5,089 15,062 2%
S Washington 4,190 4,927 5,004 14,121 19%
School 1,715 1,709 1,713 5,137 0%
1101 Sanguinetti 2,664 2,622 2,625 7,911 -1%
Old Wards 2,070 2,593 2,572 7,235 24%
Mono Way 852 852 852 2,556 0%
Alpine Ln 684 684 686 2,054 0%
Cor Washington 768 93 549 1,410 -29%
Woods Creek 403 456 402 1261 0%
Poplar and Bradford 602 457 197 1,256 -67%
E/S Grenley 577 987 983 2,547 70%
41 Theall 134 141 130 405 -3%
1142 Southgate 1 0 0 1 -100%
Total 133,012 136,647 137,101 406,760 3%
Almost all of the City’s PG&E electricity accounts increased in cost over three years except for Poplar & Bradford, which decreased by 32% (Table 1) due to a large decrease in usage (Table 2). Out of the eight accounts with the highest electricity costs, five increased by a significant margin (over 25%): 11 S Washington (42%), Greenly & Mono (35%), S Washington (54%), 1101 Sanguinetti (27%), and Old Wards (50%) (Table 1). The percentage change in the usage of these five accounts is as follows: 11 S Washington (0%), Greenly & Mono (2%), S Washington (19%), 1101 Sanguinetti (-1%), and Old Wards (24%) (Table 2).

These findings suggest that while the City is not increasing its lighting electricity usage significantly, it is experiencing a significant increase in costs due to rising rates at the utility level.
9 Item A.
4 Figure 1. Total Electricity Cost Over Three Years
Note: Vertical axis breaks from $10,000 to $56,000 to better visualize all accounts' costs. 10 Item A.
5 Figure 2. Total Electricity Usage Over Three Years
Note: Vertical axis breaks from 8,000 to 104,000 kWh to better visualize all accounts’ usage. 11 Item A.
6 Introduction
Energy benchmarking is a valuable tool used to evaluate energy and cost efficiency.

Benchmarking involves analyzing account-specific energy consumption and cost data and comparing the results to historical data or reference performance levels. The analysis can be used to determine opportunities to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy costs, and enhance operation.

This benchmarking report, conducted by Sierra Business Council (SBC) under the Sierra Nevada Energy Watch (SNEW) program, measures the PG&E electricity usage of the City of Sonora’s public lighting accounts over three years. The objective of the report is to help the City better understand and track electricity usage from street lighting and assess opportunities for efficiency. As SNEW is funded by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), its benchmarking reports evaluate energy sources provided by PG&E. PG&E supplies electricity to the City of Sonora’s street lighting accounts. The City receives the rest of its municipal energy from Tuolumne Public Power Agency and private propane companies, which are not analyzed in this report.
2010 and 2015 Energy Action Plan Electricity Usage Comparison The City of Sonora completed an Energy Action Plan1(EAP) with Sierra Business Council in 2018 using 2010 baseline energy data to do a 2015 re-inventory comparison. In 2010, municipally operated streetlights, traffic signals, and highway lighting totaled 266,352 kWh in 2010, and 269,425 kWh in 2015 (Table A-4 from Appendix A of the City of Sonora’s Energy Action Plan).

Current data analysis in this report revealed that the City used 137,101 kWh of public lighting electricity in 2023. The 2018 EAP indicates that substantial retrofit of City streetlights had already been initiated at the time of the report: “Traditional streetlights can be upgraded to LEDs and achieve savings between 50-70% of energy use – which could equate to more than 130,000 kWh saved in Sonora. The City has opted in to PG&E’s retrofit program for full turnkey LED replacement services for PG&E owned and operated streetlights.” Analysis from this report shows that annual City lighting electricity usage has decreased by 49% from 2015 to 2023, the equivalent of 129,251 kWh.

While the 2018 report does not call out specifically 2015 costs, it does state that the City spent $68,913 in 2010 on public lighting and used 266,352 kWh of electricity. In 2023, the City spent a total of $79,798 and used 137,101 kWh of electricity. From 2010 to 2023, lighting electricity 1 https://www.sonoraca.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Sonora-Energy-Plan.pdf 12 Item A.
7 usage decreased by 49%, while costs increased by 16%, indicating a large increase in the price of electricity from the utility level. Table 3 shows electricity usage and costs from 2010, 2015, and 2023.

Table 3. Baseline Comparison of Public Lighting Electricity Usage and Cost Baseline Comparison Electricity Usage and Cost
2010 2015 2023 Percentage Change
Electricity Usage (kWh) 266,352 269,425 137,101 -49%
Electricity Cost ($) $68,913 N/A $79,798 16%
The City of Sonora can use this baseline data to further analyze progress and determine future actions to meet the goals outlined in the 2018 EAP.

The following sections provide an overview of the data, methods, and results of this analysis, along with recommendations and next steps for improving energy efficiency and reducing costs.
13 Item A.
8 Data & Methods
SBC benchmarked sixteen PG&E public lighting accounts for this report. The accounts are classified by the associated PG&E account address and are listed in the table below in order of highest annual electricity cost to lowest. The accuracy of any benchmarking analysis is dependent on the comprehensiveness of the account information and data collected.

Table 3. Account Addresses and Shorthand
Account Address Account Shorthand
94 N WASHINGTON ST 94 N Washington
11 S WASHINGTON ST STE 200 11 S Washington
2 S GREEN ST 2 S Green
GREENLEY RD & MONO WAY Greenley & Mono
S WASHINGTON ST S Washington
SCHOOL ST School
1101 SANGUINETTI RD 1101 Sanguinetti
OLD WARDS FERRY RD Old Wards
MONO WAY AT BARETTA Mono Way
ALPINE LN @ TRAIL HEAD Alpine Ln
COR WASHINGTON AND Cor Washington
WOODS CREEK PK Woods Creek
POPLAR AND BRADFORD Poplar and Bradford
E/S GRENLEY RD 275' N/O HWY 108 E/S Grenley
41 THEALL ST 41 Theall
1142 SOUTHGATE DR 1142 Southgate
PG&E provided electricity usage and cost data for the City accounts. Annual account electricity usage and cost data were evaluated for the three-year period of January 2021 through December 2023. Benchmarking multiple years provides a comprehensive look at changing electricity usage over time and utility rate changes. 14 Item A.
9 Electricity Costs and Usage
Electricity Costs
Total electricity costs by account are shown in Table 1 and Figure 1. Table 1 also includes a three-year average and percent change over the period analyzed.

Out of the eight accounts with the highest electricity costs, the accounts with the largest increases are 11 S Washington (42%), Greenley & Mono (35%), S Washington (54%), 1101 Sanguinetti (27%), and Old Wards Ferry (50%). Overall, the City spent $12,497 more on PG&E electricity bills in 2023 than in 2021, equating to a 19% increase.

The only account that experienced a significant decline in cost (-32%) was Poplar & Bradford, due to a large decrease in usage. Several accounts remained relatively stable in electricity costs over the benchmarked years, including School (1%), Cor Washington (-1%), 41 Theall (7%), and 1142 Southgate (-1%).
16 Item A.
11 Electricity Usage
Total electricity usage by account is shown in Table 2 and Figure 2. Table 2 also includes the three-year average and percent change over the period analyzed.

Table 2. Total Electricity Usage (kWh)
Account
Total Annual Electricity Usage (kWh)
2021 2022 2023 Total Percentage Change
94 N Washington 104,686 107,437 107,615 319,738 3%
11 S Washington 7,082 7,101 7,083 21,266 0%
2 S Green 1,603 1,596 1,601 4,800 0%
Greenley & Mono 4,981 4,992 5,089 15,062 2%
S Washington 4,190 4,927 5,004 14,121 19%
School 1,715 1,709 1,713 5,137 0%
1101 Sanguinetti 2,664 2,622 2,625 7,911 -1%
Old Wards 2,070 2,593 2,572 7,235 24%
Mono Way 852 852 852 2,556 0%
Alpine Ln 684 684 686 2,054 0%
Cor Washington 768 93 549 1,410 -29%
Woods Creek 403 456 402 1261 0%
Poplar and Bradford 602 457 197 1,256 -67%
E/S Grenley 577 987 983 2,547 70%
41 Theall 134 141 130 405 -3%
1142 Southgate 1 0 0 1 -100%
Total 133,012 136,647 137,101 406,760 3%
17 Item A.
12 Figure 2. Total Electricity Usage Over Three Years
Note: Vertical axis breaks from 8,000 to 104,000 kWh to better visualize all accounts’ usage.

Of the eight accounts with the largest usage, only two accounts increased significantly: S Washington (19%) and Old Wards (24%). The largest account, 94 N Washington, only increased in usage by 3%.

Two accounts decreased by a large margin in usage over three years. These accounts were Cor Washington (-29%) and Poplar & Bradford (-67%). All other accounts remained relatively stable. Across all lighting accounts, the City’s electricity usage only increased by 3% over the period measured. This is to be expected when considering that street lighting typically has consistent daily and seasonal usage.
18 Item A.
13 Electricity Usage and Cost Analysis
When comparing electricity usage and cost changes over three years, it is likely that cost increases are not a direct result of changes in electricity usage. Usage over three years increased by 3% overall, while costs increased by 19%. This 19% increase in cost resulted in the City spending $12,497 more in 2023 than 2021. Of this $12,487 increase, 83% of it can be attributed to rate increases. This was calculated by finding the difference in yearly cost when the 2021 average $/kWh rate is applied to 2023 ($69,369) and what the City truly paid in 2023 ($79,798). Electricity rates are increasing at the utility level, and the City’s lighting accounts are experiencing that change.

To highlight some specific accounts with cost and usage discrepancies, 11 S Washington experienced no change in its electricity usage, while its cost increased by 42% due to rate increases over the three-year period from 2021-2023. Similarly, electricity costs at 94 N Washington increased by 17% while electricity usage only increased by 3%.

In addition to increasing rates, many accounts showed different costs per kWh because of different rate plans. For example, Old Wards used a total of 2,572 kWh in 2023, costing $901.

This would be an average rate of about $0.35 per kWh. However, S Green used 1,601 kWh in 2023, costing $1,622, which equates to an average rate of $0.99 per kWh. PG&E Rate Plans2 are decided by PG&E and depend on the type of facility and amount of usage. 2 https://www.pge.com/en/account/rate-plans/how-rates-work.html#accordion-37bdd0d106-item1951100da3 19 Item A.
14 Trends by Facility
The following sections depict and discuss electricity usage and costs of the benchmarked accounts from 2021 to 2023. For each account, a single figure illustrates both monthly kWh electricity usage as an area graph and monthly electricity cost as a line. If Time-Of-Use (TOU) data is available for an account, the total electricity usage will be represented as a stacked column illustrating On-Peak and Off-Peak usage. TOU data was only available for four of the sixteen accounts analyzed. With a TOU rate schedule, prices are higher during peak hours (4 pm - 9 pm) and lower during all other times of the day. However, since this report only analyzes PG&E lighting accounts, there may be less opportunity to shift usage to optimize a TOU rate schedule. More information regarding TOU rates and PG&E’s Peak Day Pricing plan can be found in Appendix A. These figures can help the City investigate and identify opportunities to implement energy efficiency measures.

Figure 3. 94 N Washington Monthly Electricity Usage and Cost 20 Item A.
15 Key Takeaways
• Figure 3 shows that over the three-year benchmarking period, 94 Washington monthly bills have increased by almost $1,000, with bills in 2023 reaching about $6,000 per month.
• Total electricity usage remained relatively constant, around 9,000 kWh per month, despite this increase in cost, which is due to electricity rate increases at the utility level.
• Figure 3 also shows slight increases and decreases in usage of around 500 kWh per month, which reflects variable usage time every month, and the likelihood that these lights are not on timers.

Figure 4. 11 S Washington Monthly Electricity Usage and Cost Key Takeaways
21 Item A.
16 • Figure 4 shows that at the 11 S Washington site, there is a steady rise in costs, increasing from $110 per month to $170 per month over the observed period. • Monthly kWh usage remained stable with slight fluctuations, indicating a likely lack of timers or scheduled usage.

Figure 5. 2 S Green Monthly Electricity Usage and Cost
Key Takeaways
• Figure 5 shows little change in both costs and usage across the three-year period. • Costs slowly increased around $20 per month, and usage showed negligible changes. 22 Item A.
17 Figure 6. Greenly & Mono Monthly Electricity Usage and Cost Key Takeaways
• Figure 6 displays a cost increase of approximately $50 per month. • Usage fluctuated during the benchmarked period but overall showed little change between the first and last data points in 2021 and 2023. 23 Item A.
18 Figure 7. S Washington Monthly Electricity Usage and Cost Key Takeaways
• The costs and usage data for S Washington shown in Figure 7 rose steadily together, but costs increased at a faster rate than usage over three years. • Costs increased by approximately $60 per month.
• Usage increased from 375 kWh to 450 kWh over three years. 24 Item A.
19 Figure 8. School St Monthly Electricity Usage and Cost Key Takeaways
• Electricity usage and costs stayed very stable for much of the three-year period at the School St account.
• There was an apparent dip in usage and cost because of PG&E’s billing that shifted usage from June 2021 to July 2021.
25 Item A.
20 Figure 9. 1101 Sanguinetti Monthly Electricity Usage and Cost Key Takeaways
• Figure 9 shows 1101 Sanguinetti costs slightly increased by $20 per month. • Usage fluctuated within the benchmarked period, but overall remained stable, remaining around 200-250 kWh per month.
26 Item A.
21 Figure 10. Old Wards Monthly Electricity Usage and Cost Key Takeaways
• The costs and usage data for S Washington shown in Figure 10 rise steadily together, but costs increase at a higher rate than usage.
• Costs increased by approximately $35 per month by the end of 2023. • Usage increased from 160 kWh to 225 kWh over three years. 27 Item A.
22 Figure 11. Mono Way Monthly Electricity Usage and Cost Key Takeaways
• Figure 11 shows usage for the Mono Way account, in which usage remained the same every month, indicating the use of timers at this site. • Costs increased variably, usually at a greater rate in the summertime, due to rate increases from the utility and higher summertime rates. 28 Item A.
23 Figures 12-18. Alpine – 1142 Southgate
Figures 12-18 show very little electricity usage relative to other accounts and will be analyzed together in a single Key Takeaways section below at the end of this section.

Figure 12. Alpine Monthly Electricity Usage and Cost
29 Item A.
24 Figure 13. Cor Washington Monthly Time of Use and Cost Figure 14. Woods Creek Monthly Time of Use and Cost
30 Item A.
25 Figure 15. Poplar & Bradford Monthly Time of Use and Cost Figure 16. E/S Grenley Monthly Electricity Usage and Cost 31 Item A.
26 Figure 17. 41 Theall Monthly Time of Use and Cost
32 Item A.
27 Figure 18. 1142 Southgate Monthly Electricity Usage and Cost Key Takeaways (Figures 12-18)
• Figures 12-18 exhibit very low usage and contributed little to overall City-wide electricity costs. However, there are still some notable instances in these accounts’ usage.
• Cor Washington used very little electricity in 2022 (Figure 13). • Woods Creek showed a decrease in usage each fall around August-November (Figure 14) and an increase in overall usage and On-Peak usage from December through July each year.
• Poplar & Bradford had high On-Peak usage until September of 2022 when its overall usage and On-Peak usage declined (Figure 15).
• 41 Theall is used on a seasonal basis from June through the end of the year and has no Partial-Peak or On-Peak usage (Figure 17).
• 1142 Southgate was not in use between 2021-2023, but the City still pays a monthly service fee around $10/month (Figure 18).
33 Item A.
28 Conclusions
Analysis of the sixteen electricity accounts in the City of Sonora revealed that, although usage remains relatively constant over three years, electricity costs are increasing disproportionately, likely due to increasing energy rates at the utility level.

SNEW recommends the following next steps to reduce electricity use and save money through energy efficiency projects:
• Install and utilize timers, motion sensors, and schedules for lighting accounts to reduce unnecessary prolonged usage.
• Consider shifting usage to avoid using electricity during On-Peak hours between 2- 9pm where appropriate. Follow the recommendations found in Appendix A: Time of Use Rates and Cost Saving Strategies.
• Upgrade lighting fixtures to more efficient LEDs.
• Identify energy efficiency upgrades that can be phased in during normal upgrade cycles to improve economics.
• Provide resources and education to staff to reduce energy waste at facilities.

If you have any questions regarding this report, please contact the Sierra Nevada Energy Watch team at Sierra Business Council at [email protected]. 34 Item A.
29 Appendix A: Time of Use Rates and Cost Saving
Strategies
Peak, partial-peak, off-peak, and super off-peak usage refer to the different times of the day during which electricity is consumed. Figure A-1 shows the breakdown of these TOU rates for different times of the day and different seasons. During hours of higher electricity demand (i.e., peak usage), electricity is more expensive per kilowatt hour. However, electricity used in the middle of the day is cheaper because it is during off peak and super off-peak hours. This highlights the importance of energy efficiency upgrades to reduce usage during more expensive times of the day, specifically from 4 to 9 pm.

Figure A-1. PG&E Time-of-Use Rate Schedules
Peak energy demand is measured in 15-minute intervals for peak, partial peak, and off-peak times. The highest measured 15-minute energy demand during each time frame determines the cost rate for the total usage in the demand window (i.e., peak, partial peak, off peak, super off peak). Figure A-1 shows PG&E’s breakdown of peak, partial peak, off peak, and super off-peak hours. Any ability to spread usage out or move it completely out of peak and partial peak time frames would result in cost savings. For lighting accounts, this can be difficult due to the typically scheduled usage of street lighting. However, try taking advantage of summertime daylight hours and wait longer to turn on the lights. Implementing motion sensors can also reduce usage.
35 Item A.
30 Appendix B: Electricity Usage and Cost Data
Table B-1: 94 N Washington Electricity Usage and Cost Data Date Electricity Usage (kWh) Cost
January 2021 8,291 $4,782.52
February 2021 9,119 $4,765.77
March 2021 8,013 $4,783.98
April 2021 8,291 $4,797.30
May 2021 8,646 $4,820.16
June 2021 8,041 $4,681.12
July 2021 9,522 $4,953.09
August 2021 9,347 $4,839.53
September 2021 8,832 $4,843.22
October 2021 8,665 $4,858.19
November 2021 9,049 $4,858.19
December 2021 8,870 $4,863.15
January 2022 8,572 $4,917.35
February 2022 9,403 $4,988.37
March 2022 8,851 $5,138.79
April 2022 8,925 $5,287.22
May 2022 9,068 $5,287.15
June 2022 8,600 $5,321.63
July 2022 9,188 $5,365.73
August 2022 9,348 $5,365.76
September 2022 8,832 $5,365.53
October 2022 8,665 $5,365.57
November 2022 9,301 $5,365.67
December 2022 8,684 $5,365.57
January 2023 8,879 $5,408.90
February 2023 9,329 $5,473.81
March 2023 8,888 $5,549.42
April 2023 9,357 $5,627.49
36 Item A.
31 May 2023 8,600 $5,627.25
June 2023 8,637 $5,597.02
July 2023 9,650 $5,654.47
August 2023 8,553 $5,758.22
September 2023 8,832 $5,783.46
October 2023 9,440 $5,818.36
November 2023 8,544 $5,801.73
December 2023 8,906 $5,801.86
Table B-2: 11 S Washington Electricity Usage and Cost Data Date Electricity Usage (kWh) Cost
January 2021 621 $110.45
February 2021 563 $108.54
March 2021 582 $108.92
April 2021 601 $110.78
May 2021 582 $110.77
June 2021 582 $110.77
July 2021 621 $110.79
August 2021 582 $110.85
September 2021 563 $111.26
October 2021 621 $111.28
November 2021 563 $111.25
December 2021 601 $111.37
January 2022 582 $112.78
February 2022 582 $119.82
March 2022 582 $121.55
April 2022 601 $132.83
May 2022 582 $132.82
June 2022 582 $133.34
July 2022 621 $138.01
August 2022 582 $137.99
37 Item A.
32 September 2022 563 $137.99
October 2022 621 $138.01
November 2022 563 $137.99
December 2022 640 $138.01
January 2023 582 $138.94
February 2023 563 $145.10
March 2023 621 $147.01
April 2023 563 $155.21
May 2023 582 $155.21
June 2023 621 $154.53
July 2023 582 $152.94
August 2023 563 $163.82
September 2023 563 $163.96
October 2023 621 $167.76
November 2023 582 $167.75
December 2023 640 $167.76
Table B-3: 2 S Green Electricity Usage and Cost Data
Date Electricity Usage (kWh) Cost
January 2021 132 $120.37
February 2021 145 $120.10
March 2021 127 $120.40
April 2021 132 $120.61
May 2021 136 $120.61
June 2021 132 $120.61
July 2021 132 $120.61
August 2021 140 $120.67
September 2021 132 $120.72
October 2021 127 $120.72
November 2021 136 $120.72
December 2021 132 $120.80
January 2022 127 $121.67
38 Item A.
33 February 2022 140 $122.65
March 2022 132 $126.36
April 2022 132 $129.61
May 2022 136 $129.61
June 2022 127 $130.17
July 2022 136 $130.77
August 2022 140 $130.77
September 2022 132 $130.78
October 2022 127 $130.77
November 2022 140 $130.77
December 2022 127 $130.77
January 2023 132 $131.47
February 2023 140 $132.38
March 2023 132 $133.60
April 2023 140 $134.66
May 2023 127 $134.67
June 2023 127 $134.17
July 2023 145 $135.17
August 2023 127 $136.61
September 2023 132 $137.03
October 2023 140 $137.51
November 2023 127 $137.50
December 2023 132 $137.51
Table B-4: Greenley & Mono Electricity Usage and Cost Data Date Electricity Usage (kWh) Cost
January 2021 472 $109.15
February 2021 422 $96.39
March 2021 451 $104.62
April 2021 391 $94.22
May 2021 389 $94.31
June 2021 404 $98.36
39 Item A.
34 July 2021 376 $91.64
August 2021 382 $92.99
September 2021 426 $103.51
October 2021 394 $95.44
November 2021 407 $98.11
December 2021 467 $112.07
January 2022 429 $104.35
February 2022 431 $112.11
March 2022 447 $119.38
April 2022 388 $112.50
May 2022 388 $113.00
June 2022 402 $117.82
July 2022 374 $110.90
August 2022 384 $113.48
September 2022 423 $124.48
October 2022 410 $119.67
November 2022 422 $122.75
December 2022 494 $143.23
January 2023 457 $132.60
February 2023 435 $128.19
March 2023 466 $139.40
April 2023 404 $126.47
May 2023 405 $127.24
June 2023 424 $132.97
July 2023 393 $122.78
August 2023 387 $126.63
September 2023 439 $143.60
October 2023 416 $137.94
November 2023 412 $136.28
December 2023 451 $149.80
Table B-5: S Washington Electricity Usage and Cost Data 40 Item A.
35 Date Electricity Usage (kWh) Cost
January 2021 373 $89.60
February 2021 337 $79.85
March 2021 354 $84.23
April 2021 359 $88.67
May 2021 335 $83.27
June 2021 334 $83.06
July 2021 358 $88.96
August 2021 338 $83.96
September 2021 332 $82.67
October 2021 376 $93.20
November 2021 336 $83.49
December 2021 358 $89.07
January 2022 374 $93.04
February 2022 398 $104.66
March 2022 400 $106.56
April 2022 414 $120.07
May 2022 398 $115.53
June 2022 405 $117.46
July 2022 441 $129.11
August 2022 426 $124.27
September 2022 407 $118.91
October 2022 441 $129.11
November 2022 391 $114.79
December 2022 432 $127.29
January 2023 390 $115.27
February 2023 382 $114.30
March 2023 422 $127.51
April 2023 382 $120.36
May 2023 406 $127.53
June 2023 440 $137.49
July 2023 421 $130.21
41 Item A.
36 August 2023 417 $135.34
September 2023 419 $135.99
October 2023 456 $150.79
November 2023 420 $139.15
December 2023 449 $149.20
Table B-6: School Electricity Usage and Cost Data
Date Electricity Usage (kWh) Cost
January 2021 141 $124.09
February 2021 155 $123.98
March 2021 136 $124.28
April 2021 141 $124.51
May 2021 198 $170.17
June 2021 0 $0.00
July 2021 230 $155.09
August 2021 150 $95.01
September 2021 141 $95.07
October 2021 136 $95.07
November 2021 146 $95.07
December 2021 141 $95.16
January 2022 136 $96.10
February 2022 150 $97.16
March 2022 141 $100.35
April 2022 141 $103.16
May 2022 146 $103.16
June 2022 136 $103.77
July 2022 146 $104.42
August 2022 150 $104.43
September 2022 141 $104.42
October 2022 136 $104.42
November 2022 150 $104.43
December 2022 136 $104.42
42 Item A.
37 January 2023 141 $105.16
February 2023 150 $106.15
March 2023 141 $107.44
April 2023 150 $108.60
May 2023 136 $108.59
June 2023 136 $108.06
July 2023 155 $109.13
August 2023 136 $110.67
September 2023 141 $111.11
October 2023 150 $111.63
November 2023 136 $111.63
December 2023 141 $111.62
Table B-7: 1101 Sanguinetti Electricity Usage and Cost Data Date Electricity Usage (kWh) Cost
January 2021 220 $59.28
February 2021 199 $53.00
March 2021 217 $58.52
April 2021 203 $55.79
May 2021 220 $59.76
June 2021 241 $65.04
July 2021 233 $62.41
August 2021 238 $63.52
September 2021 248 $66.84
October 2021 219 $59.40
November 2021 208 $57.13
December 2021 218 $60.73
January 2022 190 $54.18
February 2022 200 $59.94
March 2022 216 $65.84
April 2022 201 $65.17
43 Item A.
38 May 2022 214 $68.95
June 2022 237 $75.93
July 2022 229 $73.64
August 2022 235 $75.18
September 2022 248 $79.51
October 2022 218 $70.32
November 2022 209 $68.01
December 2022 225 $74.09
January 2023 202 $66.85
February 2023 196 $65.61
March 2023 216 $73.07
April 2023 198 $69.27
May 2023 214 $74.20
June 2023 239 $81.83
July 2023 228 $77.44
August 2023 226 $79.89
September 2023 246 $87.40
October 2023 224 $81.10
November 2023 208 $75.88
December 2023 228 $83.77
Table B-8: Old Wards Electricity Usage and Cost Data
Date Electricity Usage (kWh) Cost
January 2021 164 $48.21
February 2021 149 $43.27
March 2021 159 $47.09
April 2021 149 $44.75
May 2021 177 $50.97
June 2021 192 $55.02
July 2021 178 $51.17
August 2021 178 $51.23
September 2021 182 $53.25
44 Item A.
39 October 2021 175 $50.33
November 2021 176 $50.54
December 2021 191 $55.16
January 2022 197 $55.65
February 2022 207 $61.52
March 2022 222 $67.22
April 2022 203 $65.67
May 2022 211 $68.18
June 2022 229 $73.90
July 2022 219 $71.07
August 2022 224 $72.36
September 2022 237 $76.68
October 2022 210 $68.26
November 2022 207 $67.50
December 2022 227 $74.61
January 2023 206 $67.89
February 2023 200 $66.66
March 2023 219 $73.87
April 2023 198 $69.27
May 2023 211 $73.36
June 2023 225 $77.96
July 2023 217 $74.41
August 2023 213 $76.11
September 2023 234 $83.90
October 2023 217 $79.03
November 2023 205 $74.99
December 2023 227 $83.47
Table B-9: Mono Way Electricity Usage and Cost Data
Date Electricity Usage (kWh) Cost
January 2021 71 $26.32
February 2021 71 $25.27
45 Item A.
40 March 2021 71 $25.63
April 2021 71 $26.69
May 2021 71 $29.34
June 2021 71 $30.08
July 2021 71 $30.74
August 2021 71 $30.16
September 2021 71 $30.84
October 2021 71 $29.86
November 2021 71 $26.50
December 2021 71 $26.21
January 2022 71 $27.97
February 2022 71 $27.62
March 2022 71 $29.09
April 2022 71 $30.37
May 2022 71 $32.87
June 2022 71 $33.91
July 2022 71 $34.61
August 2022 71 $33.96
September 2022 71 $34.62
October 2022 71 $33.63
November 2022 71 $30.42
December 2022 71 $29.92
January 2023 71 $31.49
February 2023 71 $30.69
March 2023 71 $31.94
April 2023 71 $31.76
May 2023 71 $34.91
June 2023 71 $36.08
July 2023 71 $36.51
August 2023 71 $36.36
September 2023 71 $37.65
October 2023 71 $37.09
46 Item A.
41 November 2023 71 $34.77
December 2023 71 $32.72
Table B-10: Alpine Electricity Usage and Cost Data
Date Electricity Usage (kWh) Cost
January 2021 56 $26.16
February 2021 62 $26.04
March 2021 55 $26.16
April 2021 56 $26.25
May 2021 58 $26.26
June 2021 56 $26.27
July 2021 56 $26.25
August 2021 60 $26.28
September 2021 56 $26.30
October 2021 55 $26.30
November 2021 58 $26.29
December 2021 56 $26.34
January 2022 55 $26.71
February 2022 60 $27.13
March 2022 56 $28.07
April 2022 56 $28.88
May 2022 58 $28.88
June 2022 55 $29.12
July 2022 58 $29.39
August 2022 60 $29.39
September 2022 56 $29.38
October 2022 55 $29.39
November 2022 60 $29.39
December 2022 55 $29.39
January 2023 56 $29.68
February 2023 60 $30.07
March 2023 56 $30.60
47 Item A.
42 April 2023 60 $31.05
May 2023 55 $31.05
June 2023 55 $30.84
July 2023 62 $31.27
August 2023 55 $31.88
September 2023 56 $32.06
October 2023 60 $32.27
November 2023 55 $32.26
December 2023 56 $32.27
Table B-11. Cor Washington Electricity Usage and Cost Data Date Electricity Usage (kWh) Cost
January 2021 250 $69.35
February 2021 57 $22.74
March 2021 54 $22.45
April 2021 52 $22.92
May 2021 45 $20.77
June 2021 42 $20.10
July 2021 43 $22.14
August 2021 41 $21.00
September 2021 43 $21.30
October 2021 52 $24.66
November 2021 55 $23.02
December 2021 34 $18.55
January 2022 19 $14.56
February 2022 6 $11.60
March 2022 6 $11.50
April 2022 6 $11.89
May 2022 5 $11.39
June 2022 5 $11.30
July 2022 5 $12.15
August 2022 5 $11.39
48 Item A.
43 September 2022 5 $11.22
October 2022 6 $12.53
November 2022 6 $11.30
December 2022 19 $16.69
January 2023 19 $15.70
February 2023 49 $24.74
March 2023 63 $30.38
April 2023 54 $27.22
May 2023 50 $25.99
June 2023 50 $26.81
July 2023 46 $25.88
August 2023 84 $49.72
September 2023 0 $0.00
October 2023 49 $28.71
November 2023 51 $27.57
December 2023 34 $22.61
Table B-12: Woods Electricity Usage and Cost Data
Date Electricity Usage (kWh) Cost
January 2021 41 $20.39
February 2021 40 $18.90
March 2021 57 $23.89
April 2021 39 $18.78
May 2021 38 $18.95
June 2021 29 $17.62
July 2021 24 $16.32
August 2021 19 $15.33
September 2021 21 $16.63
October 2021 20 $15.27
November 2021 30 $16.88
December 2021 45 $21.61
January 2022 51 $22.26
49 Item A.
44 February 2022 45 $21.82
March 2022 48 $23.69
April 2022 43 $22.15
May 2022 48 $24.06
June 2022 46 $24.27
July 2022 35 $21.51
August 2022 20 $16.43
September 2022 29 $21.00
October 2022 17 $14.93
November 2022 30 $18.50
December 2022 44 $24.10
January 2023 36 $20.62
February 2023 40 $21.83
March 2023 37 $22.18
April 2023 50 $25.58
May 2023 36 $21.41
June 2023 46 $25.33
July 2023 40 $24.31
August 2023 28 $20.45
September 2023 29 $21.87
October 2023 16 $15.59
November 2023 15 $14.77
December 2023 29 $20.88
Table B-13: Poplar & Bradford Electricity Usage and Cost Data Date Electricity Usage (kWh) Cost
January 2021 53 $23.17
February 2021 49 $21.05
March 2021 51 $21.88
April 2021 53 $23.04
May 2021 50 $21.93
June 2021 49 $21.78
50 Item A.
45 July 2021 52 $24.57
August 2021 48 $23.16
September 2021 46 $22.38
October 2021 52 $24.70
November 2021 48 $21.34
December 2021 51 $22.88
January 2022 49 $22.12
February 2022 50 $23.11
March 2022 43 $21.52
April 2022 44 $23.13
May 2022 43 $22.49
June 2022 43 $22.54
July 2022 45 $25.40
August 2022 42 $23.78
September 2022 25 $17.99
October 2022 26 $18.96
November 2022 23 $16.44
December 2022 24 $18.03
January 2023 21 $16.09
February 2023 20 $15.84
March 2023 22 $17.32
April 2023 17 $15.12
May 2023 15 $14.57
June 2023 15 $15.53
July 2023 14 $14.88
August 2023 28 $29.11
September 2023 0 $0.00
October 2023 15 $16.25
November 2023 14 $14.85
December 2023 16 $16.35
Table B-14: E/S Grenley Electricity Usage and Cost Data 51 Item A.
46 Date Electricity Usage (kWh) Cost
January 2021 0 $0.00
February 2021 0 $0.00
March 2021 0 $0.00
April 2021 0 $0.00
May 2021 0 $0.00
June 2021 0 $0.00
July 2021 170 $32.39
August 2021 81 $15.43
September 2021 78 $15.49
October 2021 86 $15.50
November 2021 78 $15.49
December 2021 84 $15.50
January 2022 81 $15.70
February 2022 81 $16.68
March 2022 81 $16.92
April 2022 84 $18.50
May 2022 81 $18.48
June 2022 81 $18.56
July 2022 86 $19.22
August 2022 81 $19.21
September 2022 78 $19.20
October 2022 86 $19.22
November 2022 78 $19.20
December 2022 89 $19.22
January 2023 81 $19.34
February 2023 78 $20.20
March 2023 86 $20.46
April 2023 78 $21.60
May 2023 81 $21.61
June 2023 86 $21.51
July 2023 81 $21.29
52 Item A.
47 August 2023 78 $22.80
September 2023 78 $22.82
October 2023 86 $23.36
November 2023 81 $23.35
December 2023 89 $23.36
Table B-15: 41 Theall Electricity Usage and Cost Data
Date Electricity Usage (kWh) Cost
January 2021 0 $10.51
February 2021 0 $9.53
March 2021 0 $9.85
April 2021 0 $10.18
May 2021 0 $9.86
June 2021 23 $15.31
July 2021 27 $17.57
August 2021 21 $15.29
September 2021 22 $15.31
October 2021 32 $18.75
November 2021 9 $11.63
December 2021 0 $10.19
January 2022 0 $9.86
February 2022 0 $9.86
March 2022 0 $9.86
April 2022 0 $10.18
May 2022 0 $9.86
June 2022 22 $16.14
July 2022 35 $21.67
August 2022 22 $17.00
September 2022 24 $17.20
October 2022 30 $19.81
November 2022 8 $11.77
December 2022 0 $10.84
53 Item A.
48 January 2023 0 $9.86
February 2023 0 $9.53
March 2023 0 $10.51
April 2023 0 $9.53
May 2023 0 $9.86
June 2023 19 $16.67
July 2023 25 $18.37
August 2023 43 $34.45
September 2023 0 $0.00
October 2023 30 $21.37
November 2023 13 $14.25
December 2023 0 $10.84
Table B-16: 1142 Southgate Electricity Usage and Cost Data Date Electricity Usage (kWh) Cost
January 2021 1 $10.67
February 2021 0 $9.53
March 2021 0 $10.51
April 2021 0 $9.58
May 2021 0 $9.91
June 2021 0 $10.51
July 2021 0 $9.86
August 2021 0 $9.91
September 2021 0 $10.52
October 2021 0 $9.52
November 2021 0 $9.53
December 2021 0 $10.51
January 2022 0 $9.53
February 2022 0 $9.86
March 2022 0 $10.51
April 2022 0 $9.53
May 2022 0 $9.86
54 Item A.
49 June 2022 0 $10.51
July 2022 0 $9.86
August 2022 0 $9.86
September 2022 0 $10.51
October 2022 0 $9.52
November 2022 0 $9.53
December 2022 0 $10.84
January 2023 0 $9.85
February 2023 0 $9.53
March 2023 0 $10.51
April 2023 0 $9.53
May 2023 0 $9.86
June 2023 0 $10.51
July 2023 0 $9.85
August 2023 0 $9.53
September 2023 0 $10.51
October 2023 0 $9.85
November 2023 0 $9.53
December 2023 0 $10.84
55 Item A.
1 City of Sonora
PG&E Benchmarking Report
2021-2023
Luca Viera | Climate & Energy Tech
Kristina Weldon | Climate & Energy Tech
56 Item A.

Blank slide to copy
2 ● Facility Energy Audits
● Building Energy Use Benchmarking
● Energy Efficiency Project Management
● Contractor Referrals
● Funding Solutions: Incentives, Rebates &
Interest Free Loans
● GHG Inventory
● Climate/Sustainability Action Planning
Sierra Nevada Energy
Watch (SNEW) Program
No-cost program that connects local public agencies to
funding opportunities that support energy efficiency
projects while reducing operating and maintenance costs.

Services include:
57 Item A.

Purpose of the City of Sonora Electricity
Analysis
● Review electricity use and
identify abnormalities
● Retrofit follow up from
Energy Action Plan goals
3 58
Item A.

Average Annual Electricity Costs ($)
$596,172
4 Total $67,301 $73,846 $79,798 $220,942 19%
Largest % Changes:
● S Washington
● Old Wards
● 11 S
Washington
Annual Cost ‘21-’23
percent change:
+19%
59 Item A.

Average Annual Electricity Usage (kWh)
5 Total 133,012 136,647 137,101 406,760 3%
Annual Usage
‘21-’23 percent
change:
+3%
Largest % Changes:
● S Washington
● Old Wards
60 Item A.

Annual Electricity Cost Trends
6 61
Item A.

Electricity Cost Trends - Excluding 94 N Washington
7 62
Item A.

Annual Electricity Usage Trends
8 63
Item A.

Electricity Usage Trends - Excluding 94 N
Washington
9 64
Item A.
2021-2023 Rate Comparison
Difference in Fixed
‘21 Rate to True ‘23
Rate:
$10,364
10 Percent increase
due to rate
changes:
83%
65 Item A.

Mono Way - Electricity Rate Fluctuation Example
11 Usage:
0%
Change
Cost
+22%
Average
Annual Cost
$376
66 Item A.
12 Thank you
Follow up info:

Luca Viera | Climate & Energy Tech
Kristina Weldon| Climate & Energy Tech
Sierra Business Council
Email: [email protected]
Website:
https://www.sierrabusiness.org/archives/snew/ 67
Item A.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP DATE: September 2, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk
SUBJECT: Meeting Minutes from August 4, 2025.

RECOMMENDATION:

Consider Approval of the Meeting Minutes from August 4, 2025.

BACKGROUND:

Staff Recommends that the City Council Approve the Meeting Minutes from August 24, 2025.

FISCAL IMPACT:

No Fiscal Impact to the General Fund.

ATTACHMENTS:

Meeting Minutes from August 4, 2025
CORE COUNCIL PRIORITIES:

Fiscal Responsibility and Stability, Infrastructure and Engineering, Public Safety and Disaster Preparedness, Economic Development/Growth and General Plan, Homelessness Issues, Staffing - Salary, Benefits, Training, and Retention
68 Item A.

CITY OF SONORA
City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
Monday, August 04, 2025
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on August 4, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the City of Sonora Council Chambers located at 94 N. Washington Street Sonora, CA 95370.

This meeting is physically open to the Public and citizens who wish to provide public comment during the meeting will be invited to do so by the Mayor.

CITY COUNCIL appreciates your interest and encourages participation. Regularly scheduled meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.

CALL TO ORDER
Called to order at 4:01 PM.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT
Mayor Ann Segerstrom
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Stephen Opie
Councilmember Mark Plummer

PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comment.

ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION

1. Public Employee Appointment (Government Code Section §54957): Public Works Specialist; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.

2. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation. Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section §54956.9, Paragraph (2) of Subdivision (d): One (1) Potential Case; Rachel Rappaport, City Attorney, Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.

RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM
Called to order at 5:00 PM.

REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Ann Segerstrom stated direction was given to staff.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Stephen Opie led the Pledge of Allegiance. 70 Item A.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT
Mayor Ann Segerstrom
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Stephen Opie
Councilmember Mark Plummer
CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda was posted on Friday, August 1, 2025, at 8:37 am.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Mark Plummer. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer

PUBLIC COMMENT (NON-AGENDA ITEMS)
The public may address the Council on any item of public interest not otherwise on the agenda that is within the jurisdiction of the City. No action may be taken. Matters to be addressed may be referred to City Staff or placed on a subsequent meeting Agenda. Speakers are limited to a three (3) minute presentation.

A member of the public shared concerns over litter in the City.

Allan Zimmerly Historic Dome Preservation Group gave an update on their attempt to purchase the Dome.

Mayor Ann Segerstrom gave a public service announcement on the Northern Rural Energy Network.

PRESENTATIONS

3. Receive an Update from the President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce Katie Dunn; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.

Katie Dunn President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce and Laurie Livingston Executive Director of Tuolumne County Arts presented the beautification pilot program - Art Everywhere on Washington Street; Tyler Summersett Community Development Director shared items from the Strategic Plan that this program would help to address.

Councilmembers and staff made comments and discussed with the presenters.

Katie Dunn President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce informed those in attendance the 2nd Annual Sidewalk Sale will be Saturday September 27th, and the theme is Stroll, Shop and Save. 71 Item A.

CONSENT CALENDAR
Items on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be voted on in one motion unless a Council member or member of the public has a question or wishes to discuss an item. In that case, the item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and considered separately.

4. Consider Approval of the City of Sonora Meeting Minutes from July 21, 2025; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.

5. Consider Acceptance of the Quarterly Investment Report for the Period Ended June 30, 2025; Chris Gorsky, Assistant City Administrator.

6. Consider Declaration of City Vehicles as Surplus Property Pursuant to Government Code Section 54221 and Council Authorization to Sell the Vehicles at Fair Market Value and/or at a Public Auction; Chris Gorsky, Assistant City Administrator.

7. Consider the Adoption of Resolution 08-02-2025-C and Approval of the Updated Records Retention Policy and Schedule; Tracy Skelly, Administrative Services Officer/City Clerk.

No public comment.

Motion made by Councilmember Mark Plummer, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea:

Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer

NEW BUSINESS

8. Consider Adoption of Resolution 08-04-2025-A, Approving the Vacation of Excess Right-of-Way Located Within APN 056-108-015; and Resolution 08-04-2025-B Approving and Authorizing Execution of a Roadway Vacation Agreement with the Applicant for the 956 Oregon Street Project; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director, Josh Varinsky, City Attorney.

Tyler Summersett Community Development Director explained the history of the project; discussed the Vacation of Excess Right-of-Way, and the Vacation Agreement.

A member of the public addressed concerns over the Right-of-Way.

Lee Pagni gave a brief overview of the current situation.

Bill Canning gave a brief history and made comments.

Councilmembers and Staff made comments and discussed.
72 Item A.

Lee Pagni made additional comments.

Mayor Ann Segerstrom and Vice Mayor Andy Merrill made final comments.

Motion made by Councilmember Stephen Opie, Seconded by Councilmember Mark Plummer. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
Written comments were submitted to be included as part of the Administrative Record and are attached to these minutes.

9. Receive a Presentation from Przybyla Advisors and Give Direction on Economic Development Strategies; Cole Przybyla, Przybyla Advisors.

Tyler Summersett Community Development Director introduced Cole Przybyla, Przybyla Advisors.

Cole Przybyla, Przybyla Advisors presented the Strategic Economic Development Update.

Councilmembers and Staff made comments and discussed with the presenter.

Cole Przybyla made final comments.

During Councilmember Reports Melissa Eads City Administrator reminded the Mayor there was no public comment on this Item.

Mayor Ann Segerstrom re-opened public comment on Przybyla Advisors Presentation.

Mike Holland Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor made comments and suggestions.

A member of the public made additional comments.

COMMUNICATIONS

10. Receive Communications on the Reviewed Financial Statements for Visit Tuolumne County for the Year Ending June 20, 2023 and 2024.

11. Receive Communications Regarding Pioneer Community Energy Joint Powers Agreement Amendment Filing with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). 73 Item A.

COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Mark Plummer attended Cable 8 - Access Tuolumne.

Councilmember Stephen Opie attended the Sheriff's Posse Camp Out; and shared the next upcoming Committee meetings.

Councilmember Bess Levine read an announcement on Lisa Mayo President and CEO of Visit Tuolumne County.

Vice Mayor Andy Merrill attended the Amador Tuolumne County Action Agency (ATCAA) Internal Affairs meeting.

Mayor Ann Segerstrom shared information from her trip abroad.

ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 7:18 PM.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at City Hall (209) 532-4541, [email protected]. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting (28 CFR

35.102-35.104 ADA Title II).

City lot to Bill Canning
To whom it may concern:

As a nearby resident who was opposed to the large scale of Mr. Cannings mixed development off Oregon St, I would like to go on record as opposing the "sale" of the city lot to Mr. Canning for his development.

With nearby facilities renting land from the city of a smaller size, I would hope that at least our city values the property properly knowing it could generate over $700/month if valued likethe neighboring leased property.

The area experiences traffic backups, so not widening Washington street is a disadvantage to all of us who commute and in case of emergency and evacuation.

Kayla Weldon
209-768-4312
75 Item A.

Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
South Washington Street is supposed to be a scenic gateway corridor to Sonpra. leveling a hillside,and cutting down a row of mature trees to asphalt a parking lot right next to the corridor will be a blight for residents, and visitors. Thank you.

Sincerely, Judith Chalmers
76 Item A.

Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
August 1, 2025 Tyler
Summersett
Community Development Director 94
North Washington Street Sonora, CA
95370
Dear Mr. Summersett,
As a property owner in the neighborhood affected by the 956 Oregon Street (APN 056-106-004) and portion of APN 056-108-015: Design Review/Site Review/Use Permit Rezoning proposal, I joined my neighbors and submitted comments opposed to this project in November 2023. I also sent a letter opposing the project on May 13, 2024 when the Sonora Planning Commission met to approve or disapprove the Design Review, Site Plan review, and Use Permit application for the multi-use residential and commercial project proposed at APN 056-106-004 (956 Oregon Street) and a portion of APSN 056-108-015. Finally, on June 17, 2024 I sent you a letter urging the City Council to vote against the approval of the two items related to this property listed in the Notice of Public Hearing for June 17, 2024.

This fourth letter specifically addresses the motion to sell or cede a 30-foot-wide shoulder of South Washington Street to the developer of the property mentioned in the first paragraph of this letter.

Since South Washington Street serves as a major evacuation route for the city of Sonora, it would be un-wise for the City to abrogate the option of potentially using that property to either widen South Washington or add another exit lane to the Highway 108 junction. Thank you for sharing my concern with the members of the Sonora City Council.

Sincerely,
David Pagni, property owner 977
Oregon
Sonora, CA 95370
77 Item A.

Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
From:Sharon Pagni <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 4, 2025 12:42 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: South Washington Street entry into Town
To the Community Development Tyler Summersett and Council Members...

Please listen to the local community, residents of the County and neighbors that are not in favor of the City giving away a very important parcel on south Washington... leaving it as public property is much more valuable to our community as a resource for improving traffic conditions and evacuation safety than it is as a parking lot. Aesthetically, a parking lot will NOT be an improvement to another main entrance into town for the tourism aspect of the area. Also, many parking lots in the area are not kept clean - how would the City have any control of that ?
Thank You and please think of how we can really improve that area without a parking lot..

Sincerely, Sharon
Pagni
Sharon Pagni, Realtor® Sotheby's
International Realty Cal DRE
#01350567
cell: 831-402-2528
[email protected]
78 Item A.

Sonora, CA 95370
City of Sonora
94 N. Washington St.

Sonora, CA 95370
To the Sonora City Council:

Subject: Objection to Resolutions Related to Right-of-Way Vacation and Associated Approvals (956 Oregon Street Project)
This letter is submitted for the public record in relation to the proposed resolutions (08-04-2025-A and 08- 04-2025-B) concerning the vacation of public right-of-way for the development project at 956 Oregon Street.

Please consider the following points, which may be relevant to future legal proceedings:

1. Conflict oflnterest and Misuse of Public Land
The proposed resolutions would result in the transfer of a significant portion of the South Washington Street corridor - a publicly owned right-of-way and the City's primary emergency evacuation route -to a private party who is a former mayor of Sonora. The stated purpose of this transfer is to facilitate the expansion of a private parking lot associated with the development project. This raises serious ethical and legal concerns. Transferring critical public infrastructure to a former elected official, without sufficient public justification or analysis, may constitute a breach of the public trust and a failure of fiduciary responsibility.

2. Lack of Traffic and Emergency Planning Analysis
The proposed parking lot is designed to accommodate approximately 49 vehicles. However, no comprehensive traffic impact study has been completed or disclosed to assess the consequences of increased vehicle flow in an already congested corridor. South Washington Street is a key emergency evacuation route, as reflected in multiple local planning documents and emergency preparedness materials. Reducing the available right-of-waycurrently approximately 60 feet wide- by half would eliminate the potential for future improvements such as an additional traffic or emergency lane. Making such a permanent change without proper transportation analysis may violate planning and zoning laws and could expose the City to liability in the event of a public safety failure.
79 Item A.

3. Public Opposition and Procedural Transparency
This project has been met with documented community opposition. A petition objecting to the project has reportedly been signed by I00% ofresidents living within a one-mile radius. In addition, despite my submission of a California Public Records Act (CPRA) request seeking information regarding how the City negotiated the rightof-way transfer with the former mayor, the City produced almost no documentation. This raises serious concerns about procedural transparency and compliance with public records obligations.

4. Planning Commission Misrepresentation
In the July I8, 2025 Staff Report ("2025.07.18\_(StaffReport) Right-of-Way Vacation 956 Oregon Street.pdf'), it isstated that "The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed vacation for consistency with the City s circulation element of the General Plan, to determine if the right-of way is excess not necessary for present or fi1ture public use. " However, I attended that meeting and can attest that the Planning Commission did not meaningfully discuss the circulation element. Instead, the discussion was primarily focused on the perceived need for housing. The record appears to inaccurately reflect the nature of the Planning Commission's deliberation, which may render the findings legally insufficient.

5. Pending Litigation and Pattern of Governance Issues
It should also be noted that the City is currently involved in ongoing litigation related to this project. Proceeding with further approvals while litigation remains unresolved risks compounding potential legal liabilities. This is occurring against the backdrop of a recent Grand Jury report criticizing Tuolumne County leadership for favoritism and lack of transparency - issues that are reflected in the City's current handling of this matter.

Formal Requests
In light of the above, I formally request that the City:

1. Publicly disclose the individuals involved in negotiating the proposed transfer of public right-of-way to the former mayor, and provide a detailed explanation of the rationale behind this decision.

2. Provide a legal and policy justification explaining how this transfer serves the best interests of the City's current and future residents, particularly in light of itsimpact on emergency and transportation infrastructure.

3. Explain why public land is necessary for this project and why the developer cannot use his own property to meet his parking needs, rather than relying on the conveyance of public assets.

These actions are essential to avoid the appearance - or reality - of favoritism and to uphold the City's legal obligations to transparency, accountability, and public interest. 80 Item A.

Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
This letter is being submitted as part of the administrative record and may be introduced as evidence in future legal proceedings.

Lee Pagni
August 4, 2025
81 Item A.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP DATE: August 18, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Gary Carlson, Interim Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Ordinance No. 907 – “Defensible Space” Modify and Update Chapter 8.12.010-8.12.090 of the Sonora Municipal Code
RECOMMENDATION:

Waive Second Reading, Read by Title Only, and Adopt the Updated Defensible Space Ordinance No. 907, Modifying and Updating Chapter 8.12.010-8.12.090 of the Sonora Municipal Code.

BACKGROUND:

State law for defensible space, Public Resources Code (PRC) 4291 and Government Code Section 51175-51189, requires that owners of improved parcels (parcels having a building, structure, or dwelling) maintain 100 feet (or to the limit of their property line) of defensible space around any buildings, structures, or dwellings. This ordinance will also address parcels that may or may not have buildings, structures or dwellings on them, by requiring the property owner to maintain a 10 foot reduced fuel zone along each property line that borders (1) a building, structure or dwelling or (2) an area that might be used for exiting and/or an evacuation route, including but not limited to a driveway.

DISCUSSION / ANALYSIS:

This ordinance intends to provide guidance for the implementation of Public Resources Code 4291 and Government Code Section 51175-51189 and minimize the spread of fire within a 100-foot defensible space around a building, structure, or dwelling, and define clearances for all property owners.

Under the updated ordinance, property owners will be required to maintain a 5-foot ember-resistant zone around a building, structure, or dwelling by removing all combustibles, and in addition, maintain a 30-foot defensible space zone around a building, structure, or dwelling by removing and clearing away all flammable vegetation. Property owners will also be required to complete a reduced fuel zone between 30-100 feet from each building, structure or dwelling on their property, or to the limit of their property line; And provide a 10 foot reduced fuel zone around the perimeter of their property line that borders a building, structure or dwelling; or an area that might be used for exiting and/or evacuation routes, including but not limited to a driveway.

The Fire Department and staff recommend the Sonora City Council's approval of the described Ordinance No. 907, which would modify and update the Sonora Municipal Code Chapter 8.12.010 through 8.12.090. 82 Item B.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP FISCAL IMPACT:

Adopting this ordinance may have fiscal impacts, including potential changes to future fire insurance rates and possible fines for properties within the city’s jurisdiction that fail to comply.

ATTACHMENTS:

Ordinance No. 907
CORE COUNCIL PRIORITIES:

Public Safety and Disaster Preparedness
83 Item B.

TITLE 8, CHAPTER 8, SECTIONS 8.12.010 – 8.12.090.

ORDINANCE NO. 907
“Defensible Space”
The City Council of the City of Sonora, California, does hereby ordain as follows:

Section 8.12.010 – 8.12.090 is hereby adopted to read as follows:

8.12.010 Definitions
Aerial fuels: All live and dead vegetation in the tree canopy or above surface fuels, including tree branches, twigs, cones, snags, moss, and high brush.

Building, structure, or dwelling: Any building, structure, or dwelling, whether occupied or not.

Contiguous parcels: One or more parcels of land held by the same owner(s) and not traversed by a public street.

Defensible space: Means the area adjacent to a building, structure, or dwelling where wildfire prevention or protection practices are implemented to provide defense from an approaching wildfire or to minimize the spread of a building, structure, or dwelling fire to wildlands or surrounding areas. The area is characterized by the establishment and maintenance of an ember-resistant zone within 5 feet of a building, a defensible space zone within 30 feet of a building, structure, or dwelling, and a reduced fuel zone that extends between 30-100 feet away from a building, structure, or dwelling or to the property line.

Ember resistant zone: Also known as Zone 0, is a 0-5 foot area around a structure that is specifically designed to be resistant to wildfire embers.

Flammable and combustible vegetation: Fuel is defined as dead or dying.

Fuel: Vegetative material, live or dead, which is combustible during normal summer weather and/or any combustible material, including petroleum-based products and wildland fuels.

Horizontal spacing standard: The spacing standard depends on the slope of the land and the height of the shrubs or trees. (Reference CALFIRE Standard; http://www.readyforwildfire.org/Defensible-Space/) Ladder fuels: Fuels that can carry a fire vertically between or within a fuel type.

Parcel of land: A geographical area of land identified by a specific Assessor’s Parcel Number, which is used or capable of being used under the regulations of this Article. 84 Item B.

ORDINANCE NO. 907

8.12.010 Definitions
Reduced Fuel Zone: In all cases, reduced fuel zone means arranging the trees, shrubs, and other fuel sources in a way that makes it difficult for fire to transfer from one fuel source to another. It does not mean cutting down all trees and shrubs, or creating a bare ring of earth across the property. This is the area within 30-100 feet of all buildings, structures, or dwellings, or to the property line. All property lines that border (1) a building, structure, or dwelling or (2) an area that might be used for exiting and/or an evacuation route, including but not limited to a driveway.

Single specimen Tree: any live tree that stands alone in the landscape so as to be clear of buildings, structures, combustible vegetation, or other trees, and that does not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from the vegetation to a building, structure, dwelling, or from a building, structure, or dwelling to the vegetation.

Surface fuels: Loose surface litter on the soil surface, normally consisting of fallen leaves or needles, twigs, bark, cones, and small branches that have not yet decayed enough to lose their identity; also, grasses, low and medium shrubs, tree seedlings, heavier branches, and downed logs.

8.12.011. Purpose
State law for defensible space, Public Resources Code (PRC) 4291 and Government Code Section 51175-51189, requires that owners of improved parcels (parcels having a building, structure, or dwelling) maintain 100 feet (or to the limit of their property line) of defensible space around all buildings, structures, and dwellings.

Parcels that may or may not have buildings, structures or dwellings on them must keep the property maintained by clearing a ten (10) foot reduced fuel zone along each property lines that borders (1) any building, structure or dwelling or (2) an area that might be used for exiting and/or an evacuation route, including but not limited to a driveway.

The requirements of fuel modification measures are to create defensible space around all buildings, structures, dwellings, and property lines as identified. A defensible space perimeter provides firefighters with a safe working environment that allows them to protect buildings, structures, and dwellings from encroaching wildfires and minimizes the chance that a building, structure, or dwelling fire will escape to the surrounding wildland.

Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to require the removal from any such lots of any ornamental trees, shrubs, plants, or lawns of a reasonable growth, provided the same are not in any manner obstructions to the free use of the sidewalks or streets in front of or along said property. (Ord. 250 § 4, 1954).

8.12.12.1 Requirements
A. Ember Resistant Zone: 0–5-foot clearance around the immediate building, structure, or dwelling.

1. Remove or replace all combustible materials within a 5-foot radius around each building, structure, or dwelling.
85 Item B.

ORDINANCE NO. 907

2. Replace combustible mulches like bark and wood chips with non-combustible options like gravel, stone, or concrete.

3. Remove all vegetation within the 5-foot zone, including dead plants, dry grass, and brush.

4. Regularly clean roofs and gutters of debris like leaves and needles to prevent ember accumulation.

5. Consider using hardscape materials like concrete, pavers, or stone for patios and walkways within the zone.

6. Install ember- and flame-resistant vents with 1/8-inch metal mesh screening to prevent embers from entering the attic.

7. Do not store firewood, lumber, or other combustibles within the 5-foot zone.

8. Limit combustible items on decks and screen or box in areas under decks and patios with wire mesh.

B. Defensible Space Zone: 5–30-foot clearance around the immediate building, structure or dwelling.

1. Maintain clearance by removing and clearing all dead or dying flammable or combustible vegetation within 30 feet of each building, structure, or dwelling.

2. Remove all branches within 10 feet of stovepipes or chimneys. Equip chimneys/stovepipes with metal screens 3/8” to 1/2” openings.

3. Remove leaves, needles, and all dead or dying vegetation on roofs, gutters, decks, porches and stairways, etc.

4. Remove all dead or dying trees, branches, shrubs, or other plants adjacent to, or overhanging, the building, structure, or dwelling.

5. Remove lower branches of trees to a height of 6 feet or 1/3 of the tree height, whichever is less.

6. Cut all dead or dying grass to a maximum height of two (2) inches and remove all trimmings. (Recommendation is to remove all dead or dying grass and replace it with drought-tolerant live vegetation).
86 Item B.

ORDINANCE NO. 907

7. Remove all fallen leaves.

C. Reduced Fuel Zone: 30-100 feet, and along certain property lines (See definition in Section

8.12.010).

1. Provide an additional 70 (30-100) feet of reduced fuel zone to complete the 100-foot defensible space. If the building, structure, or dwelling is less than 100 feet from the property line, the owner is responsible for the reduced fuel zone up to the property line.

2. All property owners are required to maintain a ten (10) foot reduced fuel zone of clearance along each property line that borders or is adjacent to (1) a building, structure or dwelling, or (2) an area that might be used for exiting and/or an evacuation route, including but not limited to a driveway.

2.1 Single parcels or contiguous lots, which exceed an acre in size and/or where slope, fuel model, and/or topography make fuel reduction difficult, shall fall under a reduced fuel plan created by the Fire Chief or designee, which, in his or her discretion, complies with the provisions, set forth in this ordinance.

3. Modify or reduce the amount of fuel 30-100 feet from any building, structure, or dwelling, providing separation between fuel types and/or reshaping retained fuels/vegetation by trimming. Maintain the “horizontal spacing standard” appropriate to the parcel slope. (See definition in Section 8.12.010.)

4. Cut dead or dying grass to a maximum of two (2) inches; trimmings may remain on the ground.

5. Live flammable ground cover less than eighteen (18) inches in height may remain; however, the lower branches of trees overhanging or adjacent to the ground cover must be removed to a height of 6 feet or 1/3 of the tree, whichever is less.

6. Single specimens of trees or other vegetation may be retained provided they are wellspaced, well-trimmed, and create a condition that avoids the spread of fire to other vegetation or to a building, structure, or dwelling. Remove lower branches of trees to a height of six (6) feet or 1/3 the tree height, whichever is less. Reduce any ladder fuels to a maximum height of eighteen (18) inches.

7. All dead or dying woody surface fuels and aerial fuels within the reduced fuel zone shall be removed. (Tree removal will be on a case-by-case basis and part of the reduced fuel zone plan.) Loose surface fuels shall be permitted to a depth of two (2) inches. This requirement is primarily intended to eliminate trees, bushes, shrubs, and surface debris that are completely dead or with substantial amounts of dead branches or leaves/needles that would readily burn. 87 Item B.

ORDINANCE NO. 907

8. Down logs or stumps anywhere within 100 feet of a building, structure, or dwelling, when embedded in the soil, may be retained when isolated from other vegetation.

8.12.013 Violations
The violation of any provision of Sections 8.12.010 through 8.12.090 shall constitute an infraction and be subject to the general penalties and code enforcement provisions set forth in Chapter 1.08, and all other applicable provisions of the Sonora Municipal Code.

Pursuant to Government Code section 36937, subdivision (a), this Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) calendar days after its final passage by the Sonora City Council.

Publication shall occur within fifteen calendar days after its final passage as mandated by Government Code section 36933.

The foregoing Ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Sonora, California, on August 18, 2025, and passed and adopted as an Ordinance of said City at a regular meeting of said City Council on September 2, 2025, by the following vote:

AYES: ___________________________________________________ NOES: ___________________________________________________ ABSENT OR ABSTAIN: ___________________________________________________ _________________________________
Ann Segerstrom, Mayor, City of Sonora
ATTEST:_______________________________
Tracy Skelly, City Clerk, City of Sonora
Approved as to Form:
__________________________________________
Douglas L. White, City Attorney
88 Item B.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP DATE: September 2, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Andy Merrill, Vice Mayor
SUBJECT: Receive a Proclamation Recognizing National Suicide Prevention Week and National Suicide Prevention Month in Observance of 988 Day
RECOMMENDATION:

Receive a Proclamation Recognizing National Suicide Prevention Week and National Suicide Prevention Month in Observance of 988 Day.

BACKGROUND:
988 Day is recognized nationally as part of National Suicide Prevention Week and National Suicide Prevention Month.

This annual day of action, observed on Monday, September 8, 2025, is dedicated to raising awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and promoting mental health support within communities.

The proclamation:
 Recognizes the importance of mental health and crisis intervention resources.  Encourages community participation in awareness activities, such as events, walks, runs, and educational sessions.
 Promotes public use of the 988 Lifeline and the campaign theme “Compassionate Help. Anytime. Anywhere.”  Supports the City’s commitment to building a safer and more supportive community.

DISCUSSION / ANALYSIS:

By issuing this proclamation, the City of Sonora will join communities across the nation in acknowledging 988 Day and encouraging residents to participate in awareness efforts. This action aligns with the City’s dedication to public health and safety and reinforces our role as a community leader in mental health advocacy.

FISCAL IMPACT:

No Fiscal Impact to the General Fund.

ATTACHMENTS:

Proclamation – “In Observance of 988 Day”
89 Item C.

A PROCLAMATION

OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SONORA
IN OBSERVANCE OF 988 DAY
WHEREAS, the City of Sonora, in collaboration with National Suicide Prevention Week and National Suicide Prevention Month, is recognizing 988 Day; and
WHEREAS, Monday, September 8, 2025, marks 988 Day, an annual day of action dedicated to spreading awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and emphasizing the importance of mental health support; and
WHEREAS, a day of action encourages all City residents to engage in discussions with friends and loved ones about mental health; and
WHEREAS, Sonora residents can participate in events, including walks, runs, and community information sessions, focusing on school and youth, military and veterans, and more; and WHEREAS, by using #988Day to share how the 988 Lifeline promotes “Compassionate Help.Anytime.

Anywhere,” Sonora residents can raise awareness of 988 and mental health resources; and WHEREAS, 988 Day provides another crucial step in the right direction to build a safer and more supportive community and to put an end to suicide in Sonora and Tuolumne County NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Sonora hereby recognizes September 8, 2025, as 988 Day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City to be affixed this 2nd day of September of the year two thousand and twenty-five.

Signed ___________ Attest ___
Ann Segerstrom, Mayor Tracy Skelly, City Clerk
90 Item C.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP DATE: September 2, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Melissa Eads, City Administrator
SUBJECT: Consider Approval of Dewberry Engineers Inc. (Dewberry) Task Order No. 26-04 Mobile LiDAR Database and Pavement Condition Index (PCI) Reporting in the Amount of $62,892.88 for Engineering and Surveying Services to Generate a Mobile LiDAR Database of All City-Owned Streets within the City of Sonora and to Prepare a PCI Assessment for Each Street.

RECOMMENDATION:

Consider Approval of Dewberry Engineers Inc. (Dewberry) Task Order No. 26-04 Mobile LiDAR Database and Pavement Condition Index (PCI) Reporting in the Amount of $62,892.88 for Engineering and Surveying Services to Generate a Mobile LiDAR Database of All City-Owned Streets within the City of Sonora and to Prepare a PCI Assessment for Each Street.

BACKGROUND
The City of Sonora (City) is prioritizing roadway preservation, rehabilitation, and reconstruction projects to improve vehicular traffic, safety, and rideability throughout the City. To plan for these improvements, we need to first gather data on current roadway conditions and assign the appropriate pavement treatment. Assessing and prioritizing the City-owned roadways is the first step in planning for future projects and forecasting future budget needs.

DISCUSSION:

This project involves the use of Mobile LiDAR technology to collect high-resolution spatial data along City-owned roadway corridors for the purpose of evaluating pavement surface conditions and generating PCI reports in accordance with ASTM D6433 standards.

The scope of work is as follows:

Task 1- Project Management/Pre-Project Planning ($4,197.17)  Review project limits and existing control networks.
 Develop data acquisition routes and schedule.
 Confirm required PCI segments.
91 Item D.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP Task 2 - Data Acquisition & Processing ($30,796.79)
 Deploy our RIEGL VMY-2 Dual Scanner Mobile Mapping System to scan pavement corridors at traffic speeds, capturing:
o 3D point clouds at high density (≥ 3,000 points/m²)
o High-resolution imagery or 360° photos (if used for visual confirmation) o GNSS and INS data for accurate georeferencing
 Identify and extract pavement surface features and distresses such as:
o Longitudinal and transverse cracks
o Alligator cracking
o Patching, potholes
o Rutting, raveling, bleeding
o Validate findings using imagery (if applicable) and/or manual review for QA/QC.

Task 3 - PCI Calculation and Reporting ($27,898.92)
 Calculate PCI for each defined pavement segment using distress data per ASTM D6433:
o Distress identification
o Severity classification
o Deduct value calculation
 Assign PCI ratings (0–100 scale) with descriptive condition grades (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, Failed).  Generate reports including:
o Tabular PCI data per segment
o Maps showing PCI distribution
o Summary of methodology, assumptions, and QA procedures FISCAL IMPACT:

The cost of engineering and surveying servicesfor this task is $62,892.88, and it is anticipated to be funded through the General Fund.

ATTACHMENTS:
 Task Order No. 26-04 Mobile LiDAR Database and Pavement Condition Index (PCI) Reporting CORE COUNCIL PRIORITIES:

September 2, 2025
City of Sonora
Attn: Ms. Melissa Eads
94 N. Washington Street
Sonora, CA 95370
Subject: Task Order No. 26-04 Mobile LiDAR Database and Pavement Condition Index (PCI) Reporting
Dear Ms. Eads,
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this Task Order to provide engineering and surveying services to generate a Mobile LiDAR database of all City owned streets within the City of Sonora and to prepare a PCI assessment a report for each street.

Understanding
This project involves the use of Mobile LiDAR technology to collect high-resolution spatial data along designated roadway corridors for the purpose of evaluating pavement surface conditions and generating Pavement Condition Index (PCI) reports in accordance with ASTM D6433 standards. The objective is to provide a systematic, data-driven assessment of pavement health to support maintenance planning and asset management.

Objectives
• Acquire high-resolution mobile LiDAR data of paved surfaces within the designated project area.
• Extract pavement surface condition features using automated and manual processes. • Calculate PCI values per ASTM D6433 and generate segment-based reports. • Deliver geospatially referenced PCI data for integration into GIS or pavement management systems (PMS).

Scope of Services
Task 1- Project Management/Pre-Project Planning
• Review project limits and existing control networks.
• Develop data acquisition routes and schedule.
• Confirm required PCI segments.
• Coordinate with client on classification standards, scoring thresholds, and expected formats.

Task 2 - Data Acquisition & Processing
• Deploy our RIEGL VMY-2 Dual Scanner Mobile Mapping System to scan pavement corridors at traffic speeds, capturing:
o 3D point clouds at high density (≥ 3,000 points/m²)
o High-resolution imagery or 360° photos (if used for visual confirmation) o GNSS and INS data for accurate georeferencing

93 Item D.
94 Item D.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP DATE: September 2, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Melissa Eads, City Administrator
SUBJECT: Consider Approval of Dewberry Engineers Inc. team (Dewberry) Task Order No. 26-05 Church Street Slope Stabilization Engineering Services in the Amount of $40,900 for Engineering, Geotechnical, and Surveying Services to Stabilize the Failing Slope Near 85 E.

Church Street.

RECOMMENDATION:

Consider Approval of Dewberry Engineers Inc. team (Dewberry) Task Order No. 26-05 Church Street Slope Stabilization Engineering Services in the Amount of $40,900 for Engineering, Geotechnical, and Surveying Services to Stabilize the Failing Slope Near 85 E. Church Street.

BACKGROUND
A slope failure measuring approximately 32 linear feet and located at the turn in Church Street, just west of the intersection of S. Green Street, has occurred. Interim slope stabilization measures currently consist of visqueen plastic sheeting deployed as a temporary moisture barrier to cover the exposed slope face, minimizing further infiltration and surface erosion. Church Street is a narrow, dead-end road approximately 16 feet wide, lacking shoulders or sidewalks, which constrains access and remediation efforts. 95 Item E.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP DISCUSSION:

This Task Order provides engineering design, geotechnical design, and surveying services to develop plans, specifications, and an estimate for permanent slope stabilization. A key challenge in designing this solution is the presence of an adjacent Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) utility pole, which complicates conventional excavation and reconstruction efforts due to its proximity and the need to maintain structural stability for the pole. To address both the slope instability and the utility pole constraint, several stabilization options will be considered.

The scope of work is as follows:

Task 1 –Project Management – Quality Control ($4,700)
Task 2 – Site Investigation ($7,500)
Task 3 – Engineering Analysis ($2,200)
Task 4 – Geotechnical Memorandum ($3,800)
Task 5 – Utility & Property Owner Coordination ($4,900) Task 6 – Topographic Survey ($9,000)
Task 7 – Plans, Specifications & Estimate (PS&E) ($6,000) Task 8 – Bid Support ($2,800)
FISCAL IMPACT:

The cost of engineering, geotechnical, and surveying services for this task is $40,900.00 and the cost of construction is anticipated to be $114,00, for a total estimated cost of $154,900 to be funded through the General Fund.

ATTACHMENTS:
 Task Order No. 26-05 Church Street Slope Stabilization Engineering Services CORE COUNCIL PRIORITIES:

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP DATE: September 2, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Renew an existing Memorandum of Agreement with Columbia College to use Dragoon Gulch as an Extension of the Campus Learning Environment for Sierra Forestry Corp Program to Learn and Practice Forestry Management Skills.

RECOMMENDATION:

Consider Approval of a New Two-Year Memorandum of Agreement with Columbia College to use Dragoon Gulch as an Extension of the Campus Learning Environment for the Sierra Forestry Corp Program to Learn and Practice Forestry Management Skills.

BACKGROUND:

This Trail provides visitors with a 3 ½ mile nature trail through beautiful oak woodlands. Being an interpretive trail, it includes information about historic mining sites and native plants to enhance the visitor’s experience. A portion of the trail is surfaced to allow those with limited mobility an opportunity to enjoy this serene location too.

As it is located in the heart of the City it is available for a lunchtime hike or for the High School’s cross-country team. This is the first trail of its kind in Tuolumne County with walkers, bicyclists, runner’s strollers and those simply looking for some fresh air can regularly be found utilizing the resource.

The City purchased and is developing the 35-acre site with funding under a State Department of Parks and Recreation Roberti-Z’Berg-Harris Nonurbanized Area Need-Basis Competitive Grant.

Utilizing the same funding, the City was able to purchase an additional 67 acres adjacent to this property which has been partially developed with additional trails and included within the Dragoon Gulch Trail System thus creating a 102-acre trail park.

The trail is currently maintained and supervised by a caretaker who lives in a home that is situated on the property.

In July of 2024 the City Council executed the original pilot project with Columbia College to use Dragoon Gulch as an outdoor learning program to practice forest management and trail building skills practically. The program was 97 Item A.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP a benefit for the students, the College and the City. The original agreement was for one (1) year and recently expired. Staff would like to continue this partnership and is bringing back an updated MOA with the College to cover the next two (2) years.

DISCUSSION / ANALYSIS:

There is roughly 4 miles of trail currently available at Dragoon Gulch through 6 different trail segments. Amenities include a parking lot and trailhead kiosk at Alpine Lane and another parking and Trailhead located at Woods Creek Park. Signage is located throughout the trail network and small trash receptacles are placed along the Creekside trail.

Typical trail maintenance activities include clearing the trail tread of downed limbs, branches or other natural foliage that has blown onto the trail. Winter storms can cause more extensive damage if low snow occurs. Erosion, particularly around where the trail was cut into the hillside can lead to soil sloughing off onto the trail narrowing the width of the traversable area. User impacts are also part of maintenance responsibilities, including trash removal, eliminating non-authorized segments of trails and repairing vandalism (on occasion).

In addition to basic maintenance, there is the master trails plan mentioned earlier, and a desire to increase the amount of trails to enjoy. Columbia College is looking for areas to train members of their Forestry program. The City can benefit from bringing students to Dragoon Gulch to help manage the property in a myriad of ways, as outlined in the memorandum of agreement.

Forest Corps is a program partnership between AmeriCorps and the United States Forest Service (USFS) facilitating direct, hands-on service in the areas of wildfire risk mitigation, reforestation, environmental conservation, and resource management. Your service project could include hazardous fuels reduction, protecting threatened habitats, conducting prescribed burns, wildlife surveys, infrastructure or trail maintenance, or providing nursery services to support growing seedlings.

FISCAL IMPACT:

No Fiscal Impact to the General Fund.

ATTACHMENTS:

Memorandum of Agreement.

CORE COUNCIL PRIORITIES:

Fiscal Responsibility and Stability, Infrastructure and Engineering 98 Item A.
1 Memorandum of Understanding
Between Yosemite Community College District
and City of Sonora
Columbia College Forestry Corps and Wildland Fire Programs Effective Dates: September 2, 2025 – June 30, 2027
The purpose of this agreement is to establish the basic parameters of the Columbia College Forestry Corps participation in fire fuels reduction work in partnership with the City of Sonora at the Dragoon Gulch open space property.

This Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into this date of September 1, 2025, by and between the Yosemite Community College District (“District”) and City of Sonora (“City” ).

The Yosemite Community College District is a public educational institution. References to “District” include all of the campuses within the Yosemite Community College District (“YCCD”), its officers, officials, employees, volunteers, students, agents and assigns.

District and Contractor agree as follows:

1. Location: Physical location of work site is Dragoon Gulch Trail

2. Term: September 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027

3. Contract Amount: $0

4. Scope of Work to be Performed under this contract: This Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into this date of September 1, 2025, by and between the Yosemite Community College District (“District”) and City of Sonora (“City”).

Responsibilities of Yosemite Community College District:
a. Provide fire fuels reduction services including cutting, piling and burning in agreed upon locations for the City of Sonora and in accordance with all state and local regulations.
b. Provide student workers, who have received training in chainsaw safety, to perform fuels reduction with student training as the priority. c. Perform trail maintenance including tread work, drainage improvements, and hazard removal.
d. Assist with trail planning and scouting.
e. Provide supervision during all onsite activities. On site supervisor to coordinate with City representative.
f. Provide tools, saws and supporting logistical needs. g. Yosemite Community College District provides Workers Compensation coverage for all Fellows (student workers). All on-the-job injuries will be covered by the YCCD policy.
99 Item A.
2 Responsibilities of City of Sonora and Site Supervisor:

1. Provide projects and tasks consistent with the management goals and development of Dragoon Gulch as a community resource while providing hands on experience for Columbia College Forestry Corps / Wildland Fire Program volunteers in:
a. Trail System Management
b. Trail enhancements, including maintaining current trail and building new trail(s)
c. Fuels Reduction
d. Signage
e. Volunteer Event coordination
f. Flora/Fauna/History Interpretation
g. Maintenance/Placement of System amenities, including—trash receptacles, seating and other projects designed to improve the user experience

2. Designate Site Supervisor(s) to collaborate with the Forestry Corps / Wildland Fire supervisor while they are working at your organization/agency

5. Indemnification: Each Party (the "Indemnifying Party") agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold the other Party (the "Indemnified Party") and the other Party's elected and appointed council members, commissions, directors, officers, employees, agents, and representatives (collectively, "Indemnified Party's Agents") harmless from and against any and all actions, claims, loss, damage, injury (including, without limitation, disability, injury, or death of an employee of the Indemnifying Party or its subcontractors), costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs) to the extent they are caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of the Indemnifying Party or its employees, contractors, representatives, or agents, or anyone else that the Indemnifying Party controls (collectively "Indemnifying Party's Liabilities"). Such Indemnifying Party's obligations to defend, hold harmless, and indemnify the Indemnified Party shall not apply to the extent caused by the negligence, active negligence, or willful misconduct of Indemnified Party or any of them, but shall apply to all other liabilities.

6. Insurance: Both parties shall maintain during the term of this Agreement General Liability Insurance with a limit of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage. Workers Compensation insurance within the statutory limits is required of employers. Both parties shall exchange copies of certificates of insurance upon request.

7. Nondiscrimination: The Contractor shall not unlawfully discriminate, either in the provision of services or in employment, against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, or veteran’s status. The Agency shall 100
Item A.
3 comply with all applicable laws relating to non-discrimination, and equal employment opportunity.

8. Assignments: This agreement is not assignable by the Contractor either in whole or in part, without written consent of the District.

9. Authorized Signature: Each party to this Agreement represents that the person signing this Agreement on its behalf is authorized by each respective party to do so.

10. Miscellaneous: This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties concerning the matters contained herein and supersedes all other Agreements between the parties concerning such matters. No provision of this Agreement may be waived or modified except in writing signed by the party against whom such waiver or modification is sought.

CITY OF SONORA YOSEMITE COMMUNITY

COLLEGE DISTRICT
Authorized Signatory: _________________________ Authorized Signatory: ____________________ Date: _______________________________________ Date: _________________________________ Name: ______________________________________ Name: ________________________________ Title: _______________________________________ Title: _________________________________ 101
Item A.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP DATE: September 2, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Carlye Buchholz, P.E., P.L.S., City Engineer
SUBJECT: Consider Approval of the Solid Waste Franchise Agreement to California Waste Recovery Systems, LLC (Cal-Waste) for Subscription-Based Solid Waste, Recycling, and Green Waste Collection and Management Services.

RECOMMENDATION:

Consider Approval of the Solid Waste Franchise Agreement to California Waste Recovery Systems, LLC (Cal-Waste) for Subscription-Based Solid Waste, Recycling, and Green Waste Collection and Management Services.

BACKGROUND:

Effective solid waste collection is essential for maintaining public health, preventing pollution, and ensuring a clean and attractive environment. The average household generates between 60-90 gallons of trash, 30-60 gallons of recyclables, and 30-90 gallons of green waste per week. A well-managed waste collection system reduces illegal dumping, minimizes fire hazards, and controls pests, all of which contribute to a safer community.

As the City of Sonora (City) approaches the expiration of their current contract with Cal Sierra Disposal, a Waste Management (WM) Company, for solid waste (i.e. garbage and recyclables) collection, City staff have been evaluating ways in which to maximize the City’s benefits associated with solid waste management. Detailed within this report are factors that were weighed when evaluating solicitation for solid waste collection service providers.

On July 22, 2025, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit competitive bids and proposals for solid waste, recycling, and green waste collection and management services in the City of Sonora. On August 11, 2025, the City received three proposals from companies interested in providing these services within the City. 102
Item B.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP DISCUSSION / ANALYSIS:

Of the three proposals received, one was non-responsive to the requirements of the RFP, and the other two were scored based on the following criteria:

1. Value

2. Contractor’s Experience and Demonstration of Quality Service Delivery

3. Exceptions to the RFP
A four-person evaluation committee comprised of City staff and community members met on August 20, 2025, to review and discuss the proposals. After the meeting, each committee member independently scored the proposals based on the evaluation criteria. Cal-Waste was the highest ranked company by all four committee members. A scoring summary can be found below:

Cal-Waste
Scoring Subcategory # Pts.

Available
Eval #1 Eval #2 Eval #3 Eval #4 Total
Score by
Category
Value
Residential Rates 20 20 19 10 20 69
Commercial Rates, Garbage 10 9 9 8 7 33
Commercial Rates, Recycle 10 9 8.5 10 10 37.5
Roll-off Container Rates 5 2 4 5 3 14
Franchise Fee 5 5 5 5 5 20
Recycling Revenue Sharing 5 5 5 5 5 20
Transfer Station 5 5 5 5 5 20
Other Value-Added Services 5 3 4 5 3 15
Quality &
Experience
Quality of Service 10 9 8 5 10 32
Experience 10 10 8 5 8 31
Efficiency 5 5 4 5 5 19
Exceptions
to the RFP Exceptions to the RFP 10 10 10 10 10 40
Total Score 100 92 89.5 78 91 350.5
WM Cal Sierra Disposal
Scoring Subcategory # Pts.

Available
Eval #1 Eval #2 Eval #3 Eval #4 Total
Score by
Category
Value
Residential Rates 20 16 16 8 18 58
Commercial Rates, Garbage 10 8 9.5 10 10 37.5
Commercial Rates, Recycle 10 10 9.5 8 7 34.5
Roll-off Container Rates 5 5 5 5 5 20
103
Item B.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP Franchise Fee 5 5 5 5 5 20
Recycling Revenue Sharing 5 0 0 5 3 8
Transfer Station 5 0 3 0 0 3
Other Value-Added Services 5 5 5 4 5 19
Quality &
Experience
Quality of Service 10 8 7 4 9 28
Experience 10 10 8 5 10 33
Efficiency 5 3 3 4 5 15
Exceptions
to the RFP Exceptions to the RFP 10 10 8 10 10 38
Total Score 100 80 79 68 87 314
Key Factors that contributed to the scores above include:

Residential Rates
Cal-Waste offered more competitive residential rates than WM Cal Sierra. Below is a summary table of the subscription based residential rates offered by both companies compared to the current rates that residents are paying.

Residential Service* Current Rate
(monthly)
Cal-Waste
(monthly)
WM Cal Sierra
(monthly)
Garbage (35 gal) $33.26 $33.26 $34.87
Garbage (64 gal) $50.96 $50.96 $53.42
Garbage (96 gal) $66.80 $66.80 $70.03
Recycle (64 gal) $0.00 N/A $0.00
Recycle (96 gal) N/A $0.00 N/A
Green Waste (96 gal) $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
*Cart sizes vary minimally by company. Prices shown are for one cart per subscriber. Other options are available.

Commercial Rates, Garbage
Below is a summary table of the subscription-based commercial rates offered by both companies compared to the current rates that businesses are paying for garbage hauling. Cal-Waste offers lower rates for fewer frequencies (i.e. one pickup per week) and WM Cal Sierra offers lower rates for higher frequencies (i.e. two or more pickups per week). However, Cal-Waste offers larger sized bins, making fewer pickups more feasible and the rates for larger sized bins with fewer trips are lower than WM Cal Sierra’s rate for smaller bins with more trips. As an example, service for a 2-yard bin that gets emptied 3 times per week (6 yards total per week) is $863.81/month per WM Cal Sierra’s proposed rates and a 6-yard bin that gets 1 time per week (6 yards total per week) is $824.30/month per Cal-Waste’s proposed rates.
104
Item B.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP Commercial Garbage
Service
Current
Rate
(monthly)
Cal-Waste
(monthly)
WM Cal Sierra
(monthly)
Garbage (35 gal, 1x Week) $47.57 $49.47 $49.87
Garbage (64 gal, 1x Week) $63.41 $65.94 $66.47
Garbage (96 gal, 1x Week) $74.73 $77.71 $78.34
Garbage (1 yard, 1x Week) $160.65 $167.03 $168.41
Garbage (1 yard, 2x Week) $293.34 $367.47 $307.51
Garbage (1 yard, 3x Week) $425.93 $609.67 $446.50
Garbage (1 yard, 4x Week) $558.65 $785.05 $585.63
Garbage (1 yard, 5x Week) $691.31 $960.43 $724.70
Garbage (1 yard, 6x Week) $823.89 $1,119.11 $863.68
Garbage (1.5 yard, 1x Week) $227.03 N/A $238.00
Garbage (1.5 yard, 2x Week) $425.93 N/A $446.50
Garbage (1.5 yard, 3x Week) $624.94 N/A $655.12
Garbage (1.5 yard, 4x Week) $823.89 N/A $863.68
Garbage (1.5 yard, 5x Week) $1,023.14 N/A $1,072.56
Garbage (1.5 yard, 6x Week) $1,221.94 N/A $1,280.96
Garbage (2 yard, 1x Week) $293.34 $305.00 $307.51
Garbage (2 yard, 2x Week) $558.65 $671.00 $585.63
Garbage (2 yard, 3x Week) $824.01 $1,113.26 $863.81
Garbage (2 yard, 4x Week) $1,089.16 $1,433.51 $1,141.77 Garbage (2 yard, 5x Week) $1,354.45 $1,753.76 $1,419.87 Garbage (2 yard, 6x Week) $1,619.79 $2,043.51 $1,698.03 Garbage (3 yard, 1x Week) N/A $442.87 N/A
Garbage (3 yard, 2x Week) N/A $974.31 N/A
Garbage (3 yard, 3x Week) N/A $1,616.47 N/A
Garbage (3 yard, 4x Week) N/A $2,081.48 N/A
Garbage (3 yard, 5x Week) N/A $2,546.49 N/A
Garbage (3 yard, 6x Week) N/A $2,967.21 N/A
Garbage (4 yard, 1x Week) N/A $580.87 N/A
Garbage (4 yard, 2x Week) N/A $1,277.91 N/A
Garbage (4 yard, 3x Week) N/A $2,120.17 N/A
Garbage (4 yard, 4x Week) N/A $2,730.08 N/A
Garbage (4 yard, 5x Week) N/A $3,339.99 N/A
Garbage (4 yard, 6x Week) N/A $3,891.82 N/A
Garbage (5 yard, 1x Week) N/A $691.55 N/A
Garbage (5 yard, 2x Week) N/A $1,521.41 N/A
Garbage (5 yard, 3x Week) N/A $2,524.16 N/A
Garbage (5 yard, 4x Week) N/A $3,250.29 N/A
105
Item B.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP Garbage (5 yard, 5x Week) N/A $3,976.41 N/A
Garbage (5 yard, 6x Week) N/A $4,633.39 N/A
Garbage (6 yard, 1x Week) N/A $824.30 N/A
Garbage (6 yard, 2x Week) N/A $1,813.46 N/A
Garbage (6 yard, 3x Week) N/A $3,008.70 N/A
Garbage (6 yard, 4x Week) N/A $3,874.21 N/A
Garbage (6 yard, 5x Week) N/A $4,739.73 N/A
Garbage (6 yard, 6x Week) N/A $5,522.81 N/A
Commercial Rates, Recycling and Recycling Revenue Sharing Below is a summary table of the subscription based commercial rates offered by both companies compared to the current rates that businesses are paying for recyclables hauling.

Commercial Recycling
Service
Current
Rate
(monthly)
Cal-Waste
(monthly)
WM Cal Sierra
(monthly)
Recycling (64 gal, 1x Week) $4.80 N/A $5.30
Recycling (96 gal, 1x Week) N/A $50.51 N/A
Recycling (1 yard, 1x Week) $37.91 $108.57 $39.74
Recycling (1 yard, 2x Week) $75.83 $238.86 $79.49
Recycling (1 yard, 3x Week) $113.74 $396.28 $119.23
Recycling (1 yard, 4x Week) N/A $510.28 N/A
Recycling (1 yard, 5x Week) N/A $624.28 N/A
Recycling (1 yard, 6x Week) N/A $727.42 N/A
Recycling (2 yard, 1x Week) $37.91 $198.25 $41.66
Recycling (2 yard, 2x Week) $75.83 $436.15 $83.33
Recycling (2 yard, 3x Week) $113.74 $723.62 $124.99
Recycling (2 yard, 4x Week) N/A $931.78 N/A
Recycling (2 yard, 5x Week) N/A $1,139.94 N/A
Recycling (2 yard, 6x Week) N/A $1,328.28 N/A
Recycling (3 yard, 1x Week) N/A $287.86 N/A
Recycling (4 yard, 1x Week) N/A $377.56 N/A
Recycling (5 yard, 1x Week) N/A $449.51 N/A
Recycling (6 yard, 1x Week) N/A $535.80 N/A
While Cal-Waste has higher commercial recycling rates, they are also proposing a Recycling Revenue Share benefit where 90% of the revenue generated from the sale of all recyclables collected within the City would be returned to the City and go into the General Fund. Once in the General Fund, the money could be spent on community services, enhancements, and programs.
106
Item B.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP WM Cal Sierra elected to not provide a Recycling Revenue Share program and stated in their proposal that they have structured rates to pass the value of recyclable materials directly back to residents through lower overall collection costs. The residential rates do not show savings, in comparison to the proposed Cal-Waste rates, but the commercial recycling rates are lower, which could be a product of the recycling revenue that WM Cal Sierra receives.

Proposed Franchise Fee to the City
Both Cal-Waste and WM Cal Sierra proposed a Franchise Fee of 6% of the gross revenue to the City.

Value-added services
The following is a list of value-added services that both Cal-Waste and WM Cal Sierra have proposed to the City.

Some of these services are required as part of the Franchise Agreement, so they were included since no exceptions to the Franchise Agreement were made for these items.  Contamination Outreach and Education
 Green Waste Program Outreach and Education
 Mobile App
 AB 341 Compliance Tracking
 No-cost services to City facilities and Main Street trash cans  Senior/Low Income Discounts
In addition to the list above, the following are value-added services that only Cal-Waste proposed.  Opportunity for a new Transfer Station on City-owned property for increased City revenue  Recycling Revenue Share Program
 Additional recycling volume for all residential customers (standard size is 95 gal cart instead of 65 gal cart)
 Two additional larger material disposal opportunities for residential customers per year (one large pickup item, one 3.5 CY Handy-Hauler roll-off bin)  On-site school education for all public schools within the City In addition to the list above, the following are value-added services that only WM Cal Sierra proposed.  Two Transfer Station Vouchers totaling two cubic yards of disposal per year  Two bulky item collections per year
 Free disposal of illegally dumped material (up to 500 tons per year) collected by City staff and local nonprofit partners engaged in cleanup efforts
 Bi-annual recycling events with document shredding, electronic waste disposal and compost giveaways  Three downtown business mixers per year to connect with the business community  Annual $500 grant to every K-12 school in the City to create a plan that promotes environmental awareness and improves recycling on campus
 A new art supply donation shed for Tuolumne County Arts at the WM Recycling Buy-Back Center 107
Item B.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP The WM Cal Sierra proposal also lists curbside motor oil drop off and sharps disposal drop off at the Recycling Buy-Back Center and Cal Sierra Transfer Station, however the evaluation committee believes those services are available to all residents within the County, whether or not the resident subscribes to household collection services.

Quality of Service
Both Cal-Waste and WM Cal Sierra are highly qualified to provide the services requested. Both companies reported excellent response times to customer service tickets, a focus on safety in their day-to-day operations, and technologies that will video collections for compliance requirements and maximize route efficiency. Both companies are also capable of including organic food waste collection, should that service be needed in the future.

A demonstration of quality is Cal-Waste’s recycling program and state-of-the-art Material Recovery Facility (MRF), which has the ability to divert more than 76% of recyclables from the landfill and market clean materials with minimal contamination.

Efficiency
As seen in the rate and service options above, the optimal Cal-Waste service plans are those that require collection once a week. Incentivizing minimal collection trips keeps trucks out of traffic, leading to less congestion, and minimizes expensive wear-and-tear on City streets. Cal-Waste is also proposing to use split-body trucks which collect materials into separate compartments of a singular truck, minimizing truck trips and traffic disruptions.

The trucks for both companies are outfitted with camera systems that streamline compliance reporting and analyze truck routes to maximize efficiency.

Exceptions to the RFP
Cal-Waste made no exceptions to the RFP or Franchise Agreement. WM Cal Sierra requested exceptions and changes to the Franchise Agreement; however, the requests were minor in nature. WM Cal Sierra also delayed the start of the green waste program to March 2026 rather than providing the service at the beginning of the new contract on November 1, 2025.

WM Cal Sierra has made a request for public review of their proposal. See Attachment for the full Cal-Waste proposal and the full WM Cal Sierra proposal.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The fiscal impacts of engaging in a Franchise Agreement with Cal-Waste include increased franchise fee revenue (6% gross revenue) estimated at $160,000 per year and recyclable material revenue estimated at $30,000 per year for the City’s General Fund, along with the opportunity to construct a transfer facility on City-owned property for additional future revenue. The previous Franchise Agreement had a 2% gross revenue franchise fee which generated approximately $50,000 per year for the City’s General Fund. 108
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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP ATTACHMENTS:
 Attachment A – Cal-Waste Recovery Systems Proposal
 Attachment B – WM Cal Sierra Disposal Proposal
CORE COUNCIL PRIORITIES:

Cal-Waste Recovery Systems | 175 Enterprise Court, Ste. A, Galt, CA 95632 | (209) 369-6887 August 11, 2025
Carly Buchholz, PE
City Engineer
[email protected]
RE: City of Sonora Request for Proposals for Solid Waste, Recycling, and Green Waste Collection and Management Services Dear Carly Buchholz,
California Waste Recovery Systems, LLC (Cal-Waste) has been providing refuse collection and recycling services in Northern California for nearly 100 years. Our commitment to the highest level of customer service and diversion of solid waste from landfills puts us in a ready position to provide superior and sustainable collection services for the City of Sonora at a cost-effective rate.

Through our proven methodology and program improvements, we will deliver a comprehensive Solid Waste & Recycling Program for the City that meets State Compliance requirements both now and moving forward. This initiative will foster an authentic partnership characterized by broad transparency and offer substantially greater value than the current solid waste contractor.

Highlights of our proposal include:
 A New 3 Cart Residential System For Trash, Recycling & Green Waste
 Additional Recycling Volume For Every Residential Customer  Recyclable Material Revenue Share From Generated Recyclables Processed At Cal-Waste State-Of-The-Art MRF
 New Handy-Hauler Services For Residents
 Two Additional Services Per Resident Per Year To Assist Customers In Managing Larger Materials For Disposal (1 Large Item Pickup & 1 Handy-Hauler)
 On-Site School Education For All Public Schools Within The City Of Sonora
 High Quality Customer Service With Local Knowledge In Our Live Call Center
 Mobile App Providing Customer Service At Your Fingertips, Including Notifications For Collection Days & Schedules, As Well As Guidance On The Proper Disposal & Diversion Of Items Not Included In The Regular Collection Program
 Split Body Trucks To Reduce Trips & Traffic Disruption  Community Outreach & Education Teach Customers How To Effectively Participate In Our Recycling & Green Waste Programs Our proposal includes all existing Agreement
services plus significant enhancements for the
residents and businesses of Sonora.
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Cal-Waste Recovery Systems | 175 Enterprise Court, Ste. A, Galt, CA 95632 | (209) 369-6887  Engagement With Community & Sponsorships
 Industry Leading Software & Technology Solutions Designed For Efficient Routing, Recording & Management Of Customer
Service Requirements
 Sustainability & Innovation For Cost Saving Measures
 Discounted Rates For Low-Income Residents
 Cart And Route Audits For Compliance With Contamination & State Mandates, Leaving Cart Tags To Educate Customers
 New Transfer Station On City Owned Property To Provide Increased Value
 Ongoing Collaboration With The City And Partners To Create Value Through Projects Such As A Transfer Station, Biomass Plant, Or Other Renewable Energy Initiatives
Our Project Manager for this proposal is Mr. Casey Vaccarezza, who is authorized to negotiate and contractually bind Cal-Waste with the City for the requested services. Contact information is provided below:

Casey Vaccarezza, Vice President & Treasurer
[email protected]; Mobile: (209) 327-1676
Fax: 209.754.2863; Address: 175 Enterprise Court, Suite A, Galt, CA 95632
Required Policies & Disclosures
Cal-Waste acknowledges receipt of the August 5th, 2025
Addendum No. 1: Reflecting Changes, Clarifications, and Additions to the RFP. Cal-Waste has reviewed the RFP and its attachments and has no exceptions to the RFP, Sample Solid Waste Franchise Agreement or Addendum No. 1: Reflecting Changes, Clarifications, and Additions to the RFP.

This proposal and associated terms will remain in effect for 120 days following the date of submittal. Cal-Waste complies with the indemnification, insurance and performance bond requirements outlined in Article 1.06 “PUBLIC LIABILITY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE, INSURANCE”, and Article 1.09 “INDEMNIFICATION” of the Exhibit A.

Cal-Waste attests that we have policies that eliminate unlawful discrimination in employment that is integrated into our employee hiring processes. Additional information about Cal-Waste’s hiring practices, can be provided to the City upon request.

Cal-Waste has no conflicts of interest in performing these services required.

Cal-Waste complies with the State of California’s General Prevailing Wage Rate requirements in accordance with the California Labor Code, Section 117, and all federal, state, and local laws and ordinances to the work.
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Cal-Waste Recovery Systems | 175 Enterprise Court, Ste. A, Galt, CA 95632 | (209) 369-6887 Cal-Waste will comply with all Federal, State, and Local laws for handling refuse.

We look forward to the opportunity to provide exemplary services for the City of Sonora. Should the City have any questions on the following proposal, Cal-Waste is willing to meet with the City to discuss or refine any items. Our thoughtful approach will provide the City with State compliance and a significant value for the future.

Best Regards,
Casey Vaccarezza
Vice President & Treasurer
California Waste Recovery Systems, LLC
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Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Technical Proposal .................................................................................. 1 A. Summary of Capabilities & History ................................................. 1 History ............................................................................................. 1 Business Structure............................................................................ 2 Facilities........................................................................................... 3 Collection Experience ....................................................................... 4 History ............................................................................................. 5 Customer Service Experience ............................................................ 6 Billing............................................................................................... 6 Collection Vehicles ........................................................................... 7 Vehicles Maintenance / BIT Compliance ............................................. 7 Safety Record ................................................................................... 8 Safety Requirements for Employees................................................... 8 Driving & Route Supervisor Training .................................................... 9 Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Management Protocols ............... 9 HHW Inspection Program & Training ................................................... 9 Response to Identification of HHW During Collection ......................... 9 Spill Response Plan........................................................................... 9 Fire Reporting & Response Plan.......................................................... 9 Health & Safety Management Procedures ..........................................10 Recyclables Revenue Share Experience.............................................10 Low-Income Experience ...................................................................10 Transition Experience.......................................................................10 Transfer Station Experience ..............................................................12 Community Engagement ..................................................................12 References..........................................................................................14 Primary Reference...............................................................................16 Cost Proposal......................................................................................17 115
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Cal-Waste Recovery Systems 1
Technical Proposal
A. Summary of Capabilities & History
Having been in business for nearly 100 years, Cal-Waste and its current owners Dave, Casey, and Rudy Vaccarezza, have a long history as a customer-centered provider of waste collection services in the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada. Cal-Waste also operates a state-of-the-art regional Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Galt with proven success. In addition to collection services and advanced processing operations, Cal-Waste is deeply involved in the communities we serve through various memberships, sponsorships, and donations to local organizations and charities.

Our community involvement extends to educational outreach as we built a custom observation room and education center at our MRF so we can offer tours and educational programs for
community members of all ages. By dedicating resources to public education and outreach efforts, we are raising awareness about the importance of recycling and environmental stewardship, fostering a culture of sustainability within the community.

We are excited to partner with the City of Sonora to provide best in class collection services and diversion programs. Our goals are directly in line with the City’s and our proposals reflect our desire to implement effective and high-quality services at reasonable rates while prioritizing the hierarchy of waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, then landfilling as a last resort.

Cal-Waste has the equipment, experience, and customer
relationships to ensure collection services never skip a beat. We pride ourselves on providing courteous, reliable, and high-quality collection services. As an experienced and dedicated service provider, we focus our attention on implementing seamless collection services, new service enhancements, and associated public education and outreach efforts. We will engage customers through convenient channels including our website and social media, in-person site visits and community workshops and meetings. Combining face-to-face outreach and direct mail with social and local media, we will ensure the community understands the benefits of the newly expanded services and diversion programs we are proposing for the City of Sonora.

History
Cal-Waste has been a pioneer in recycling for nearly a century, dating back to 1927 when Colombo Vaccarezza began collecting rubbish using horse-drawn wagons from residents in Lodi. Over the decades, CalWaste has
evolved into a
regional leader in
recovery and
diversion.

Innovation has
been a driving
force behind CalWaste's success.
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We were an early adopter of curbside recycling practices and continue to lead the industry in innovation and advancements in processing technology.

In the 1980s, long before recycling became a state-mandated activity, Cal-Waste introduced curbside recycling services. Under the leadership of Dave Vaccarezza, the company distributed recycling buckets to households, enabling residents to separate recyclables like glass, paper, and metal from regular waste. This early adoption of recycling practices positioned Cal-Waste as a leader in waste recovery and set the stage for future advancements in the industry. Our recent $35 million upgrade to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Galt is a testament to our commitment to staying at the forefront of the industry. The upgrade included advanced sorting technology (using Artificial Intelligence) and increased capacity, which positions us and our jurisdictions to meet future challenges and continue providing high-quality services for years to come. Today, Cal-Waste provides excellent customer service and collection operations, as well as operating the state-ofthe-art MRF that has the ability to divert more than 76% of recyclables from the landfill and market clean materials with minimal contamination.

Business Structure
Although the
company’s
beginnings
date back to
1927, CalWaste was
officially
formed in
1997. Upon
successful
award of this Contract, Cal-Waste Recovery Systems, LLC. will be the legal entity that will provide a corporate guarantee and sign the final Franchise Agreement. Cal-Waste’s owners (holding more than 10% equity) are the Vaccarezza Family Trust, Casey Vaccarezza, and Rudolph Vaccarezza. Cal-Waste’s Officers are David Vaccarezza (President), Rudolph Vaccarezza (Secretary), and Casey Vaccarezza (Treasurer).
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Cal-Waste Recovery Systems 3
Cal-Waste Facilities
• Cal-Waste Headquarters: 175 Enterprise Court, Suite A, Galt CA, 95632
• Cal-Waste MRF: 175 Enterprise Court, Galt CA, 95632
• Cal-Waste Arnold: 1149 Dunbar Road, Arnold, CA 95223
• Cal-Waste Double Springs: 3524 Double Springs Rd, Valley Springs, CA 95252
• Cal-Waste Lodi Yard: 1065 E. Turner Rd., Lodi, CA 95240 118
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Cal-Waste Recovery Systems 4
Collection Experience
Cal-Waste has decades of experience providing regular, weekly scheduled or on call curbside collection of solid waste, bulky items, recyclables and green waste or organics for residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal service, as well as processing services for numerous jurisdictions.

Our programs ensure that:
 Current & Future Public Health, Regulatory &
Environmental Compliance is met
 Collection Routes are Optimized to Minimize
Environmental Impact, Disruption, Noise & Traffic During Designated Operating Hours
 Quality Solid Waste Containers are Supplied, Designated, Clearly Labeled & Maintained to Accommodate Customer
Needs & Inspected for Contamination
 Collected Trash, Recyclables, Green Waste/Organics & C&D are Hauled to Approved & Permitted Disposal or Diversion Facilities
 State of the Art & Industry Specific Technology is Utilized to Accurately Document & Track Activities for Compliance & Regular Reporting of Jurisdiction’s Solid Waste Program Performance
 Landfill Diversion is Maximized via Comprehensive
Programs, Strategies & Public Outreach Campaigns
 A Broad Range of Recyclable Material including Paper, Cardboard, Glass, #1-7 Plastic Containers, Aluminum &
Steel Cans are Accepted, Collected & Sold at Market Value for Revenue Sharing at the Permitted State of the Art CalWaste Material Recovery Facility  Green Waste Materials Including Grass Clippings, Leaves, Branches & Tree Trimmings are Accepted, Regularly &
Seasonally Collected & Handled According to Guidelines
 Collaborative Annual Reviews of the City & Cal-Waste’s Performance
 All Necessary Permits, Licenses & Insurance are
Maintained for the Operation of Collection, Hauling &
Disposal/Processing Activities
Cal-Waste has a history of innovation and sustainability which has resulted in increased diversion, recovery and environmental benefits for our customers. We were an early adopter of automated collection using carts for residential customers.

Transitioning customers from 5-gallon buckets and tubs was done using a variety of communication and outreach approaches to ensure all residents and customers were well aware of the new collection and diversion programs available using carts. Our proactive and effective public education and outreach program also informed the community on the benefits of participating in a more comprehensive recycling and organics diversion program. We take great pride in implementing effective recyclables collection and processing services well before State mandates made it a requirement.

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of split container collection programs using spilt-body vehicles. In Galt and Woodbridge, we collect refuse and organics weekly using split-body trucks to reduce vehicle trips through the community, by only passing the residence one time per week. Again, we used our experience in implementing a comprehensive and effective public education and outreach program to educate the communities on how to participate in the program and keep contamination to a minimum.

Customer Service Experience
Our focus is all about the customer experience. We strive to provide clear and consistent messaging to deliver the desired and expected level of service. Regardless of whether the customer is a resident, commercial account, or industrial enterprise, our personnel convey a unified and friendly message. For this reason, whether on the street, at events, or in the community, all Cal-Waste staff is trained to be a customer service ambassador. This deliberate effort to align customer service with the customer experience is integral to our strategy aimed at enhancing service efficiency and ensuring customer satisfaction with our offerings. One of the ways we can be more transparent, and customer focused by:
 Providing proactive contract management.
 Managing the customer’s account and experience.
 Initiating the appropriate action.
 Taking responsibility for customer service issues and offering one call resolution.
 Engaging the customer in a two-way conversation.

The team’s collective goals are straightforward and integrated into all our interactions with service recipients:
 Improve customer experience.
 Streamline communication.
 Support operations.
 Increase and promote collection and diversion efficiencies.

To ensure we are meeting customer needs quickly, we monitor several performance indicators to ensure customer experience and satisfaction. We document and respond promptly to complaints and service issues and take immediate action to resolve the issue in less than 24 hours. We continually look for ways to improve customer service, measure meaningful success, and to engage customers and our employees. Cal-Waste has been operating CSR Offices and Call Centers for decades providing excellent service to our customers at our locations. We operate our customer service 120
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Cal-Waste Recovery Systems 6
offices during regular business hours with tool-free phone numbers to handle inquiries, complaints and service requests. Our main office is in Galt and our other offices are in Arnold and Double Springs. Additional CSRs are staffed at our other locations to provide local knowledge and experience. We also provide user friendly mobile and online apps for customers to conveniently communicate with our employees, manage their accounts,
schedule pickups and access educational materials.

Billing Experience
Cal-Waste has decades of experience providing billing services to more than 21,000 customers (residential and commercial). We offer billing terms monthly in advance and arrears as well as bimonthly and quarterly.

All Single-Family customers in the City of Sonora will be on a consistent basis in advance of services provided. On-call and/or non-recurring services will be billed no more frequently than monthly and only for services provided during the previous billing period.

Cal-Waste will make every effort to enroll customers in electronic billing using paperless invoices; however, customers who decline paperless, will be mailed standard (paper) invoices. Bills can be paid by an electronic check or credit card and can be automatically charged on a recurring basis. Customers can also pay their bills by cash, check, electronic check, money order, and credit card. The Soft-Pak system allows for a seamless online billing platform and in an effort to reduce paper consumption, we will promote the use of electronic billing.

Billings and receipts will be kept for inspection and verification by the City Contract Manager for the entire term of the Franchise Agreement.

Collection Vehicles
Cal-Waste takes great pride in its fleet and employsteams of people to keep our vehicles safe, clean and ready to do the job at the highest standard. Dedicated and compartmentalized trucks are provided to ensure containment and not cross contamination. We propose to utilize renewable diesel-powered collection vehicles for our operations in the City of Sonora. Cal-Waste has great working relationships with a variety of vehicle manufacturers and vendors.

We are working with specific vehicle manufacturers that can meet the procurement schedule.
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ZEV & Fleet Readiness. Reducing impacts from Cal-Waste’s vehicle emissions has been a cornerstone priority for our operations. For operations in the City of Sonora, we will operate collection vehicles that are fueled by renewable diesel which is an entirely renewable and sustainable drop-in fuel that delivers superior emissions benefits while meeting performance needs. Renewable diesel lowers maintenance costs and helps to reduce air quality impacts.

On-Board Monitoring System for Collection Vehicles. Our vehicle hoppers will be equipped with a video camera and monitoring system that is a part of our customer service and routing suite of software called Soft-Pak. Additional information on the Soft-Pak benefits and capabilities are discussed in the Customer Service section of this Proposal and are available on Soft-Pak's website at:
https://soft-pak.com/mobile-pak/.
3rd Eye Camera System. In addition to the hopper camera and SoftPak onboard computer, we also utilize safety monitoring equipment from 3rd Eye, which allows for improved safety, productivity, and sustainability. With innovations that allow for driver education and development, positive service verification, route and facility contamination detection, and more, 3rd Eye provide automated solutions that previously required manual action, letting drivers focus on providing the best customer service in the safest manner.

Vehicle Maintenance / BIT Compliance
Our primary maintenance facilities are at Double Springs located at 3524 Double Springs Rd, Valley Springs, CA 95252 and Galt located at 175 Enterprise Court. Cal-Waste has an excellent track record in terms of keeping our fleet of more than 50 collection and transfer vehicles operating at full capacity and within manufacturers’ specifications.

In addition, our
main
maintenance
facility in Galt
received a
satisfactory
rating from the
California
Highway Patrol
during its BIT
compliance
inspection in
September
2024 as
documented in
the cover page
shown here.
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Safety Record
Our safety record reflects our commitment to protecting employees through the implementation of a proactive (not reactive) safety program. Our worker’s compensation x-mod over the past 3 years is as follows:
 2024: 0.68
 2023: 0.83
 2022: 0.68
To continue to achieve high levels of successful performance, CalWaste knows it is imperative to protect our most valuable resource – our employees. For this reason, Cal-Waste strives to eliminate any foreseeable hazard that may result in accident, injury, or illness; property damage or loss; or business interruption. Cal-Waste has developed and implements an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) that serves as a guideline for all employees in the safe performance of their daily activities. The objectives of our IIPP include fully involving all employees, supervisors, and management to identify any exposure to workplace hazards, correct hazards in an appropriate and timely manner, and provide and receive effective training.

Safety Requirements for Employees
Cal-Waste employees are trained and oriented on our IIPP.

Employees are also required to complete intensive training programs covering topics including, but not limited to, nonresidential driver safe work practices, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hazard communication, seat belt requirements, confined space entry protocols, pre-trip/post trip inspections, and lockout/tag out requirements and procedures. Cal-Waste’s employee handbook is consistent with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance, Drug and Alcohol Testing protocols. All commercial drivers are required to pass the DOT physical exam as a part of maintaining their commercial driver’s license and undergo drug and alcohol testing. Drivers and other Safety-sensitive employees are subject to drug
or alcohol
testing in the
following
situations: Preemployment,
reasonable
suspicion/
cause, random,
return-to-duty,
follow-up, post-accident. Our approach to safety is a purposeful combination of driver training, excellent maintenance protocols, and technology deployment. Each plays a role in supporting our core value of safety.

Driver & Route Supervisor Training
Cal-Waste is dedicated to ensuring a safe and professional workforce where our drivers and route supervisors are the daily face of the operations, so that their conduct, abilities to complete collection services to the customer’s expectations, and commitment to safety is the foundation of our service program.

Training is a key component of this, especially as programs expand and reporting requirements change to ensure compliance with SB 1383. All drivers will be trained in the new technology and on the 123
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Cal-Waste Recovery Systems 9
requirements of SB 1383. Comprehensive driver and route supervisor training will occur annually where targeted training topics will be provided monthly, unless otherwise determined by Cal-Waste or the City.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Management
Protocols
The goal of our Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Management Protocol is to prevent hazardous waste from entering the waste stream through our collection operations. Our HHW Management Protocols also provide guidance for safely managing prohibited wastes that were inadvertently collected on the route. In order to detect and deter hazardous waste, we have developed the following programs and training for drivers and operations personnel.

HHW Inspection Program & Training
All drivers are trained to identify hazardous waste and are reminded about the importance of our hazardous waste screening protocol during monthly safety meetings. We also educate customers about hazardous and unpermitted waste through our outreach materials and interactions with the community.

Response to Identification of HHW During Collection
If hazardous waste is found prior to collection, the container will not be collected, and a notice will be attached detailing the reason for the non-collection. Every occurrence will be documented, and the driver will provide proper hazardous waste handling and disposal procedures to the customer. In the event that any hazardous waste is disposed in the waste stream, immediate and appropriate action will be taken to safely contain and remove it.

Spill Response Plan
If hazardous materials are spilled or a hazardous materials container is accidentally broken, the route supervisor will be notified immediately, and the collection crew will make every reasonable effort to safely contain the spill. After inspection by the route supervisor, the materials may be cleaned up by the collection crew, or in the case of a serious or dangerous hazardous waste spill, a specially trained and equipped hazardous waste contractor using State and Federally approved methods will be deployed. The route supervisor will maintain all necessary emergency response, notification, and response procedure records.
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Fire Reporting & Response Plan
These guidelines are to be followed in the event a vehicle fire breaks out in the body of the collection vehicle. These types of fires can be caused during compaction where hazardous or combustible materials are inadvertently and unknowingly collected.

Driver’s Responsibilities Include:
 Identify the origin of fire.
 Immediately call dispatch, then 911 for Fire Department Response.
 Continue sweeping the blade or using the packer if the fire is inside the truck body until you have found a safe place nearby to safely eject the load.
 Do not eject loads near schools or shopping centers, near businesses, on the freeway, or near trees or overhead wires.  Keep radio clear for emergency communications.

Health & Safety Management Procedures
Cal-Waste’s safety plan is predominately conducted through the continued implementation of an extensive health and safety program. All Cal-Waste drivers participate in monthly safety meetings, office personnel participate in quarterly safety meetings, and the management team is trained and certified in First Aid, CPR and AED.

Recyclables Revenue Share Experience
Cal-Waste provides recyclable revenue sharing to five local jurisdictions. Cal-Waste provides roughly 90% revenue share of the values of all recyclables processed. It is estimated that Sonora will receive roughly a $1.00-$1.50 in reimbursement per resident served. Depending on whether subscription or mandatory service is selected the value to the city may be between $20,000 to $40,000 per year.

Low-Income Experience
In partnership with applicable jurisdictions, Cal-Waste has implemented low-income rate programs to meet residents’ needs.

For example, in the City of Angels’ Customer Assistance Program (CAP), qualified residents are offered a low-income discount based on the PG&E California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program eligibility requirements.

Transition Experience
On multiple occasions, Cal-Waste has transitioned services from previous haulers. We have successfully taken over 6 of our Franchise Agreements from previous haulers with minimal disruption to customers. For our operations in City of Sonora, we are proposing to implement the same strategies we’ve successfully demonstrated to roll out new collection vehicles and containers as seamless as possible. By thoroughly preparing our transition plan, we can ensure minimal disruption to customers during the distribution of containers.

Cal-Waste will start distribution prior to the start of services. We will designate the City into sections that will be classified into distribution zones. We will complete the distribution of all 3 carts for all households within each sector within one week or earlier. All carts for each residence will be delivered on the same day and carts 125
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will have a clear posting designating that they shall not be used until Cal-Waste commences collection services. This shall be done with both prior outreach as well as “on-the-cart” information (i.e. cart hangers or brochures left behind with the cart). Distribution schedules and maps detailing the distribution timeline will be provided to the City in advance of delivery.

In order to ensure that customers receive the cart size that they want and to reduce multiple exchanges, Cal-Waste will mail out a postcard with the new service offerings, available sizes, and accompanying rates. Customers will have the ability to select the service level that they want and send it using prepaid postage, call our CSR Call Center number provided on the postcard, or use our website to fill out an electronic version of the postcard, and select their cart size. If we do not receive a timely response from customers, we will default to their current refuse service level and receive the standard cart size for recyclables and organics. Our overall strategy is to make it as convenient as possible for customers to transition between haulers and collection services.

Cal-Waste will have a multi-faceted outreach approach related to the new services and programs that are required and offered as well as notifying customers of the change in new service provider and programs. This will include direct mailing campaigns informing households of any changes and timelines, community workshops hosted by Cal-Waste (in-person and virtual), social media campaigns both on our platforms and paid advertisements targeting City of Sonora residents within the service area, as well as radio ads. On top of these strategies for transition outreach we will provide a “Customer Welcome Packet” that will include everything the customer needs to know including acceptable material lists, customer’s service calendar, Cal-Waste’s contact information and options to sign up service with the accompanying rates if they have not done so already.

Cal-Waste has practical experience in all elements of outreach related to transitioning customers to new services and has a dedicated staff that is ready to assist customers and their variable needs and situations. Our online resources will help customers during the transition because all outreach and new service information will be available as downloadable PDFs. Acceptable material lists, best practices for at home composting and other SB 1383-related compliance tips, as well as a robust YouTube channel related to tips and tricks for sorting waste at home will be available on our website. Cal-Waste will work with the City to ensure our messaging is complimentary to the City’s current programs and we will collaborate with the City on the overall outreach plan and transition strategy.

Cal-Waste will open a local office to ensure an efficient transition of services. To assist in a smooth transition, Cal-Waste will request the existing customer database from the current hauler in electronic format and in collaboration with the City and the current hauler, we will start the database conversion to the Soft-Pak customer service software format. Once the database has been converted, we will do a thorough review and verify for accuracy by following routes and conducting frequent audits to update the database to ensure the most accurate and up-to-date customer information is in our system and utilized to optimize routes.
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Related to the fleet aspect of the transition, we have commitments from vehicle manufacturers to ensure that purchase orders will be filled in a timeframe that ensures our collection vehicles for City of Sonora will be fully operational before the commencement of services. In addition to ordering new vehicles, we have an existing fleet that can provide the same services proposed for City of Sonora.

In addition to providing transition services in the City of Galt, we also conducted a successful transition from the previous hauler in Calaveras County. Some of the contract details are:
 Transitioned the entire County from Waste Connections to Cal-Waste in 2013.
 New 3 cart collection program was implemented and
included distribution through the lower portion of Calaveras County, while a 2-cart system was provided in the portion of the County where snow falls.
 Over the two-week container distribution period, we
removed old containers and distributed new carts to
roughly 7,500 residential customers.
 We used direct mail and called residents via phone to notify them of the change and distribution of new carts. We also provided outreach electronically and with the new carts.  Well before the commencement of services, we
collaborated with the previous hauler to migrate all
customer information and billing to our database.

Transfer Station Experience
Over the years Cal-Waste has developed a multitude of solid waste transfer stations in California requiring our team to develop expertise in:
• Design
• Build
• Permitting
• Environmental Impacts
• Traffic Studies
• Operation
Community Engagement
Cal-Waste is deeply involved in the community. The company has been a member of the Lodi Chamber of Commerce since the 1950s, reflecting its longstanding commitment to supporting local businesses and community events. Cal-Waste is also a sponsor of numerous events and charities in the region and our community involvement extends to educational outreach as well. As Cal-Waste continues to grow and evolve, our core mission remains
unchanged: to "Give More Than We Take." This guiding principle shapes every aspect of the company's operations, from waste collection and recycling to community engagement and charitable activities. Cal-Waste has established itself as an integral part of the communities it serves, exemplifying sustainable business practices through its consistent commitment to both community
engagement and environmental responsibility.

Community involvement is essential to Cal-Waste. By supporting and engaging with the local community, we can closely connect 127
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with stakeholders. This relationship allows us to truly listen and understand the needs of the community, empowering us to elevate our operations and make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. Together, we can create a brighter future for everyone.

Cal-Waste sponsors and engages in many types of regional events and looks forward to participating in the City of Sonora community! 128
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B. References
Refer to the Reference Table below for contact information for our references that can be contacted to rate our performance.

Cal-Waste Jurisdictional References
Jurisdiction Services Provided by Cal-Waste Customer
Information Operational Data Transition Highlights
City of Galt
Collection & processing of MSW, recyclables, &
organics
Materials processed at Cal-Waste MRF/Transfer
Station in Galt
8,770 residential &
280 commercial
accounts
7 drivers / 8 staff /
collection of 20,079
tons per year
Cal-Waste acquired contract in 1988
and rolled out the 3-cart system in
1993 (one of the first in CA & 2 years
before AB939 threshold mandates).

Contact: Robin Nelson, Administrative Analyst Phone: 209.366.7288 & Email: [email protected] City of Isleton
Collection & processing of MSW, recyclables, &
organics; Low-population SB 1383 waiver
Materials processed at Cal-Waste MRF/Transfer
Station in Galt
272 residential & 29
commercial
accounts
2 drivers / 8 staff /
collection of 851
tons per year
The existing contract with Waste
Management was expiring and CalWaste took over services in roughly 6 months with great success.

Contact: Yvonne Zepeda, Deputy City Clerk Phone: 916.777.7770; Email: [email protected] Calaveras
County
Collection & processing of MSW, recyclables, &
organics; Low-population SB 1383 waiver
Materials are transferred from our 2 Transfer
Stations in Calaveras County to our MRF in Galt for
processing
7,485 residential &
779 commercial
accounts
10 drivers / 6 staff /
collection of 17,815
tons per year
Acquired Waste Connections
Calaveras contract in 2013. Rolled out
3 cart service to County residents at
lower elevation and 2 cart service
above 3,000 feet.

Contact: Jennifer Casci, Director Integrated Waste Management Phone: 209.754.6055; Email: [email protected] City of Angels
Collection & processing of MSW, recyclables, &
organics; Low-population SB 1383 waiver
Materials processed at Cal-Waste MRF/Transfer
Station in Galt
1,179 residential &
158 commercial
accounts
2 drivers / 6 staff /
collection of 3,472
tons per year
Acquired Waste Connections Angels
Camp contract in 2013. Rolled out 3
cart service to City residents.

Contact: Rose Beristianos, Administrative Services Officer/ City Clerk Phone: 209.736.2181; Email: [email protected] Rancho
Murieta
Community
Services
District
Collection & processing of MSW, recyclables, &
organics
Materials processed at Cal-Waste MRF/Transfer
Station in Galt
2,642 residential
5 drivers / 8 staff /
collection of 4,113
tons per year
Acquired from Sac County in 2005,
replaced an antiquated cart system
with 3 cart system.

Contact: Tim Maybee, Director Phone: 916.354.3700; Email: [email protected] 129
Item B.

Cal-Waste Recovery Systems 15
Cal-Waste Jurisdictional References
Jurisdiction Services Provided by Cal-Waste Customer
Information Operational Data Transition Highlights
Alpine County
Collection & processing of MSW, recyclables, &
organics
Materials are transferred from our 2 Transfer
Stations in Calaveras County to our MRF in Galt for
processing
98 residential & 21
commercial
accounts
2 drivers / 6 staff /
collection of 471
tons per year
Acquired Waste Connections Alpine
County Franchise in 2013. Rolled out
refuse and recycling services to
residents and businesses on the
western slope of Alpine County.

Contact: Samuel Booth, Director Alpine County Community Development Phone: 530.694.2140; Email: [email protected] Woodbridge
Sanitary
District
Collection & processing of MSW, recyclables, &
organics
Materials processed at Cal-Waste MRF/Transfer
Station in Galt
1,346 residential &
25 commercial
accounts
5 drivers / 8 staff /
collection of 2,659
tons per year
Cal-Waste has been providing
excellent services to this community
for nearly 40 years!
Contact: Irlanda Mora, Board Secretary/ Office Manager Phone: 209.368.0900; Email: [email protected] Budget & Schedule Performance: In all the jurisdictions referenced above, Cal-Waste has not received any liquidated damages for nonperformance during a transition. All jurisdictional reporting and compliance have been performed in ways that have satisfied all Franchise Agreement schedules. Rate changes have been completed and approved by jurisdictions in accordance with changes in scope of services.

Subcontractors: Cal-Waste does not utilize subcontractors to provide collection services in the jurisdictions above. 130
Item B.

Cal-Waste Recovery Systems 16
C. Primary Reference
Primary Reference: The City of Galt
Cal-Waste has been providing residential collection and processing services to roughly 8,000 customers in the City of Galt for almost 40 years! As of July 2025, Galt's population was more than 25,000 residents. Current services provided to the residents of Galt are the following:
 3 cart residential automated collection service
 Food waste commingled with yard waste collected weekly  Commercial collection offers source separated food waste processing
 1 free bulky collection at the curb (includes e-waste) per year
 1 free handy hauler (3.5 cubic yard “mini” debris box) per residential customer for disposal of unwanted items
 “What Goes Where?” search tool to help customers
determine what material goes in what container
 Use of Recycle Coach application in coordination with the City to track compliance with SB 1383
Equipment utilized in the City of Galt includes split-body collection vehicles that service
carts, reducing
vehicle trips on
roadways. The
technology we
deploy in all our
jurisdictions is SoftPak, which includes
Mobile-Pak, and integrates seamlessly into our customer database and dispatch operations. Vehicles are also equipped with GPS, 3rd Eye system, cameras, and additional safety features.

Our transition in the City of Galt
included a comprehensive roll-out of
services that were compliant with SB
1383 due to our foresight and
collaboration with the City. Carts were
purchased well in advanced in order to
comply with SB 1383.
131
Item B.

Cal-Waste Recovery Systems 17
Cost Proposal
Submitted as a separate PDF pursuant to the RFP.

Value Added Services
Value Added Services Overview
All our additional value-added services are being provided in the spirit of benefiting and beautifying the City of Sonora. We are committed to providing the most valuable and convenient services to customers in Sonora. We believe the required recyclables revenue sharing will engrain sustainable recycling habits and create long term value to offset future program expenses or fund alternative City sustainability initiatives; these additional services will greatly reduce litter and illegal dumping as each one of these services provide an added mechanism to dispose of waste at no additional cost to the City.

Recycling & Organics Education in Schools
Approach: Each year, Cal-Waste connects with more than 83,000 students at over 150 school sites sharing the practical application and values of recycling, landfill diversion, and sustainability.

Experience: Our Recycle Ambassadors engage students and teachers through classroom experience, school assemblies, virtual learning, community events and MRF tours. We also focus on training janitorial and cafeteria staff regarding SB 1383, food waste recycling and recovery, and have helped students at school and at home to separate food from trash, thereby diverting a large amount of food scraps from landfills.

Deliverables: Details of our school education and outreach activities will be described in our Annual Report to the City.

Sustainability: Educating the youth about landfill diversion, recycling and organics programs, and sustainability creates positive behavior change and improves the health, safety, and environment of the community.

Value: Estimated $50,000 per year benefit
Residential Large Item & Handy-Hauler Curbside
Collections
Approach: Cal-Waste will provide one (1) additional large item curbside collection and one (1) Handy Hauler collection for all customers in the City of Sonora, for a total of two (2) additional curbside collections provided per year per household. Customers call in to schedule their curbside collection service and will be informed of our next available day and time for collection. We track curbside Large Item and Handy-Hauler collection events in our database to ensure customers are eligible for two (2) per year.

Experience: We currently provide other franchised customers multiple on-call bulky curbside collection services each year. We use a combination of rear-loader collection vehicles and flatbed trucks to collect and separate materials for recovery.

Deliverables: Cal-Waste will provide the City metrics on the utilization of the additional bulky item collections in our Annual Report to the City. Increased recovery and diversion are expected with the additional, free curbside services.
132
Item B.

Cal-Waste Recovery Systems 18
Sustainability: By providing an additional, convenient, and on-call curbside collection service, we are encouraging and helping residents to responsibly manage their unwanted waste, reducing illegal dumping in the community, while also ensuring materials are diverted from local landfills.

Value: Customers will receive approximately 2.5 cubic yards more per customer per year than the current offering.

Additional Volume of Recycling Cart
Approach: Cal-Waste will use 95-gallon carts for all recycling services in order to provide all customers with a larger volume of service.

Value: Customers will receive approximately 30 gallons more per service than the current offering.

Supporting Those in Need
In an effort to safeguard individuals who may be low-income, CalWaste is pleased to offer a discount rate to low-income residents utilizing cart service. This discount will be applicable to the initial service level for refuse, recycling, and organics and eligibility will be determined by the City.

Value: $10,000 - $15,000 in discounts per year for low-income residents.

Transfer Facility Development
Cal-Waste is open and interested in the potential development and operation of a Transfer Facility on a City-owned site. If selected, Cal-Waste will commit to the following scope of services:
• Site Assessment and Proposal
• Facility Development
• Operation
• Lease Agreement
• Reporting
• Community Considerations
133
Item B.

Cal-Waste Recovery Systems 19
https://www.cal-waste.com/
134
Item B.

Cost Proposal Solid Waste Collection Management Services Narrative Summary
Cal-Waste proposes a comprehensive solid waste management program for residents and businesses of the City of Sonora. The program aims to promote responsible waste disposal and recycling practices, with a focus on diverting waste from landfills and achieving sustainability goals. All materials will be collected by dedicated, well-maintained, clean vehicles equipped with appropriate safety features and waste containment systems to prevent littering or spillage during transport to permitted transfer, disposal or diversion facilities.

Key Elements of the Cal-Waste Proposal are/include:
 A New 3 Cart Residential System For Trash, Recycling & Green Waste  Additional Recycling Volume For Every Residential Customer  Recyclable Material Revenue Share From Generated Recyclables Processed At Cal-Waste StateOf-The-Art MRF  New Handy-Hauler Services For Residents
 Two Additional Services Per Resident Per Year To Assist Customers In Managing Larger Materials For Disposal (1 Large Item Pickup & 1 Handy-Hauler)
 On-Site School Education For All Public Schools Within The City Of Sonora  High Quality Customer Service With Local Knowledge In Our Live Call Center  Mobile App Providing Customer Service At Your Fingertips, Including Notifications For Collection Days & Schedules, As Well As Guidance On The Proper Disposal & Diversion Of Items Not Included In The Regular Collection Program
 Split Body Trucks To Reduce Trips & Traffic Disruption  Community Outreach & Education Teach Customers How To Effectively Participate In Our Recycling & Green Waste Programs
 Engagement With Community & Sponsorships
 Industry Leading Software & Technology Solutions Designed For Efficient Routing, Recording & Management Of Customer Service Requirements
 Sustainability & Innovation For Cost Saving Measures
 Discounted Rates For Low-Income Residents
 Cart And Route Audits For Compliance With Contamination & State Mandates, Leaving Cart Tags To Educate Customers
 New Transfer Station On City Owned Property To Provide Increased Value  Ongoing Collaboration With The City And Partners To Create Value Through Projects Such As A Transfer Station, Biomass Plant, Or Other Renewable Energy Initiatives 1 135
Item B.

Cost Proposal Structure: Cal-Waste is proposing four (4) Cost Proposal Options. Assumptions and Rate Overviews are provided followed by detailed rate sheets.

Assumptions: All required assumptions are clearly addressed in the following pages and/or in the rate tables.

Residential Collection: Residential Servies will include: Weekly collection of Trash, Bi-Weekly collection of Recyclables and Bi-Weekly collection of Green Waste.

Commercial Collection: Commercial businesses will have cart service options and additional options for 1 to 6 yd containersto right size their waste and recycling needs. Multiple frequency collection options will also be offered to fit each business’s needs.

Rate Escalation: Due to inflation, fuel cost changes and other relevant factors, all rates will be subject to an annual adjustment equal to the annual change in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Water and Sewer and Trash Collection services Series CUSR0000SEHG https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/srgate
Franchise Fee: A 6% fee of gross revenue is offered to the City of Sonora.

Recycling Revenue Sharing: 90% revenue share to the City, as described in the Recyclables Revenue Share Experience section of the main proposal.

Term: 5 years with a City option to extend an additional 5 year term at their discretion.

Value Added Services: An itemized list of Value Added Services is provided in the following pages. Note that Proposed Value Added Services are the same for all Options. For additional detail of Value Added Services, please see the Value Added Services Section of the main proposal.

Transfer Station Costs: Estimated capital costs, annual operating and maintenance costs are included in the applicable Option Proposals. The per account rates include the cost allocation methodology and are presented in the assumptions.

Rates & Extras Tables: All required rates are presented in a tabular format with separate table for each proposed option with clear delineation of costs associated with residential and commercial accounts Cal-Waste is dedicated to delivering the highest value proposal for the City of Sonora by leveraging our extensive experience in solid waste collection and our thorough understanding of the City’s needs. Our proposal ensures full compliance with all required services and introduces meaningful enhancements to the current collection program, creating new opportunities and reinvesting recycling revenue back into the City for the benefit of its residents. Please find our Cost Proposal in the following pages. 2 136
Item B.

Cost Assumptions
Operating Assumptions - All included
in rates below
Option 1
Mandatory
Option 2
Subscription
Option 3
Mandatory
Option 4
Subscription
Residential Customers 2190 1,314 2190 1,314
Commercial Customers 220 220 220 220
Rate Adjustment Escalation Factor Annual WST CPI Annual WST CPI Annual WST CPI Annual WST CPI Anticipated
Regulatory/Environmental Costs Included Included Included Included Franchise Fee 6.0% 6.0% 6.0% 6.0%
Cost of Transfer Station (per resident) $0.00 $0.00 $3.69 $5.07 Recyclable Materials Revenue Share 90% 90% 90% 90%
Term of Contract 5 Years 5 Years 5 Years 5 Years
Residential Rates
Option 1
Mandatory
Option 2
Subscription
Option 3
Mandatory
Option 4
Subscription
35 Gallon Trash $32.26 $33.26 $32.26 $33.26
65 Gallon Trash $49.96 $50.96 $49.96 $50.96
95 Gallon Trash $65.08 $66.08 $65.08 $66.08
Commercial Trash Rates Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 35 Gallon $49.47 $49.47 $49.47 $49.47
65 Gallon $65.94 $65.94 $65.94 $65.94
95 Gallon $77.71 $77.71 $77.71 $77.71
1 Yard $167.03 $167.03 $167.03 $167.03
2 Yard $305.00 $305.00 $305.00 $305.00
3 Yard $442.87 $442.87 $442.87 $442.87
4 Yard $580.87 $580.87 $580.87 $580.87
5 Yard $691.55 $691.55 $691.55 $691.55
6 Yard $824.30 $824.30 $824.30 $824.30
*All commercial customers are serviced weekly. Additional frequency can be see found on full rate sheets Commercial Recycling Rates Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 95 Gallon $50.51 $50.51 $50.51 $50.51
1 Yard $108.57 $108.57 $108.57 $108.57
2 Yard $198.25 $198.25 $198.25 $198.25
3 Yard $287.86 $287.86 $287.86 $287.86
4 Yard $377.56 $377.56 $377.56 $377.56
5 Yard $449.51 $449.51 $449.51 $449.51
6 Yard $535.80 $535.80 $535.80 $535.80
*All commercial customers are serviced weekly. Additional frequency can be see found on full rate sheets *Residential rates include one trash cart serviced weekly, one 95 gallon recycling cart serviced bi-weekly, and one 95 gallon green waste cart serviced bi-weekly Without Transfer Station With Transfer Station
3 137
Item B.

Roll-Off Rates Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4
10 yard Haul Charge $613.64 $613.64 $521.60 $521.60
20 yard Haul Charge $818.18 $818.18 $695.45 $695.45
30 Yard Haul Charge $1,029.33 $1,029.33 $874.93 $874.93 Disposal Charge $83.14 $83.14 $83.14 $83.14
*All Roll-Off services are done through on-call schedueling. Rates include 14 days of occupancy, each day additional day is charged $12.00 per day.

Transfer Station Development Initial Capital
Monthly
Operating Cost
Building and Land Improvements $355,085.00 $2,959.04
Transfer Equipment $510,000.00 $4,250.00
Operation and Maintenance $17,113.42
TTL Monthly Operating Cost $24,322.46
Allocation Method (based on tons) % of TTL Tons Cost Allocation Residential 30% $7,406.10
Commercial 18% $4,305.58
Roll-Off 52% $12,610.78
*Cost allocation varies depending on mandatory vs. subscription service Value Added Services:

Recyclable Revenue Sharing $30,000
Low-Income Discount $10,000-15,000
Recycling & Waste Education in Schools $50,000
Recycling Cart Additional Volume
Large Item Handy-Hauler Additional Volume
4 138
Item B.

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES - with or without Transfer Station Subscription Mandatory $33.26 $32.26
$50.96 $49.96
$66.08 $65.08
Rate Unit
$29.03 per Service
$29.03 per Service
$29.03 per Service
$14.52 per Service
$14.52 per Service
$14.52 per Service
$29.03 per Service
$29.03 per Service
$29.03 per Service
$58.07 per Service
$58.07 per Service
$58.07 per Service
$5.28 per Month
$5.28 per Month
$5.28 per Month
$3.96 per Month
$19.79 per Month
$19.79
per Month +
additional $15/mile
after 1st mile (1-way)
$23.75 per Cart
$197.95 per Restart
$158.36 per Each
One 35 gallon trash cart serviced weekly; One 95 gallon recycling cart serviced bi-weekly; One 65 gallon Green Waste cart serviced bi-weekly One 65 gallon trash cart serviced weekly; One 95 gallon recycling cart serviced bi-weekly; One 65 gallon Green Waste cart serviced bi-weekly One 95 gallon trash cart serviced weekly; One 95 gallon recycling cart serviced bi-weekly; One 65 gallon Green Waste cart serviced bi-weekly Deposit to Restart Service after stopped for non-payment Lost Cart or Can/destroyed Cart or Can
Green Waste Cart
Monthly Cart or Can Rent for On–Call Services
Each Additional Recycle Cart or Can (must be kept for 6 months minimum) Each Additional Green Waste Cart (must be kept for 6 months minimum) Cart equipped with Locking Lid
Walk-In / Backyard Service
Recycle Cart or Can
Green Waste Cart
Drive-In/Long Driveway Service (Calculated from where leaving City-maintained road
Cart or Can Steam Cleaning
Recycle Cart or Can
Trash Cart
Recycle Cart or Can
Special Charges (On an unscheduled service day)
Trash Cart or Can
Green Waste Cart
Extra Charges (On a scheduled service Day)
Trash Cart or Can
Recycle Cart or Can
On-Call Charges (on an unscheduled service day for that route area) Extra & Special Residential Charges Same for all Options Green Waste Cart
On-Call Charges (on a scheduled service day for that route area) Trash Cart
139
Item B.

Cart/Can
Size, Gals
Cart or Can
Count
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 $49.47 $108.82 $180.55 $232.49 $284.42 $331.42
2 $103.88 $228.53 $379.15 $488.22 $597.29 $695.97
3 $163.23 $359.12 $595.81 $767.20 $938.60 $1,093.67
4 $217.65 $478.82 $794.41 $1,022.94 $1,251.47 $1,458.23 5 $262.16 $576.76 $956.90 $1,232.17 $1,507.45 $1,756.50 1 $65.94 $145.07 $240.68 $309.92 $379.15 $441.79
2 $138.47 $304.64 $505.43 $650.82 $796.22 $927.77
3 $217.60 $478.72 $794.24 $1,022.72 $1,251.20 $1,457.92 4 $290.13 $638.29 $1,058.99 $1,363.63 $1,668.27 $1,943.90 5 $349.48 $768.85 $1,275.60 $1,642.55 $2,009.51 $2,341.51 1 $77.71 $170.95 $283.63 $365.22 $446.81 $520.63
2 $163.18 $359.00 $595.61 $766.95 $938.29 $1,093.32
3 $256.43 $564.14 $935.96 $1,205.21 $1,474.46 $1,718.07 4 $341.90 $752.19 $1,247.95 $1,606.95 $1,965.95 $2,290.76 5 $411.84 $906.05 $1,503.21 $1,935.65 $2,368.08 $2,759.32 Container
Size, CY
Container
Count
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 CY 1 $167.03 $367.47 $609.67 $785.05 $960.43 $1,119.11 2 $302.79 $666.14 $1,105.18 $1,423.11 $1,741.04 $2,028.69 3 $551.20 $1,212.65 $2,011.90 $2,590.66 $3,169.42 $3,693.07 4 $734.94 $1,616.87 $2,682.53 $3,454.21 $4,225.90 $4,924.09 5 $885.27 $1,947.59 $3,231.23 $4,160.76 $5,090.29 $5,931.29 2 CY 1 $305.00 $671.00 $1,113.26 $1,433.51 $1,753.76 $2,043.51 2 $640.50 $1,409.11 $2,337.84 $3,010.37 $3,682.89 $4,291.37 3 $1,006.51 $2,214.31 $3,673.74 $4,730.57 $5,787.40 $6,743.58 4 $1,342.01 $2,952.41 $4,898.32 $6,307.43 $7,716.54 $8,991.45 5 $1,616.51 $3,556.32 $5,900.25 $7,597.59 $9,294.92 $10,830.60 COMMERCIAL TRASH SERVICES - Same for all Options
Trash Cart/Can Pickups per week
Trash Container Pickups per week
Monthly Rates For Commercial Trash Service
35 Gallon
Cart or 32
Gallon Can
65 Gallon
Cart
95 Gallon
Cart
140
Item B.

Container
Size, CY
Container
Count
1 2 3 4 5 6
3 CY 1 $442.87 $974.31 $1,616.47 $2,081.48 $2,546.49 $2,967.21 2 $930.02 $2,046.05 $3,394.58 $4,371.10 $5,347.63 $6,231.15 3 $1,461.46 $3,215.22 $5,334.34 $6,868.88 $8,403.41 $9,791.80 4 $1,948.62 $4,286.96 $7,112.45 $9,158.50 $11,204.55 $13,055.74 5 $2,347.20 $5,163.84 $8,567.27 $11,031.83 $13,496.39 $15,726.23 4 CY 1 $580.87 $1,277.91 $2,120.17 $2,730.08 $3,339.99 $3,891.82 2 $1,219.82 $2,683.61 $4,452.36 $5,733.17 $7,013.99 $8,172.82 3 $1,916.87 $4,217.11 $6,996.56 $9,009.27 $11,021.98 $12,843.01 4 $2,555.82 $5,622.81 $9,328.75 $12,012.36 $14,695.98 $17,124.01 5 $3,078.60 $6,772.93 $11,236.90 $14,469.44 $17,701.97 $20,626.65 5 CY 1 $691.55 $1,521.41 $2,524.16 $3,250.29 $3,976.41 $4,633.39 2 $1,452.26 $3,194.96 $5,300.73 $6,825.60 $8,350.47 $9,730.11 3 $2,282.12 $5,020.65 $8,329.72 $10,725.94 $13,122.16 $15,290.17 4 $3,042.82 $6,694.20 $11,106.29 $14,301.25 $17,496.22 $20,386.89 5 $3,665.22 $8,063.47 $13,378.03 $17,226.51 $21,074.99 $24,556.94 6 CY 1 $824.30 $1,813.46 $3,008.70 $3,874.21 $4,739.73 $5,522.81 2 $1,731.03 $3,808.27 $6,318.26 $8,135.84 $9,953.42 $11,597.90 3 $2,720.19 $5,984.42 $9,928.69 $12,784.89 $15,641.09 $18,225.27 4 $3,626.92 $7,979.22 $13,238.26 $17,046.52 $20,854.79 $24,300.36 5 $4,368.79 $9,611.34 $15,946.08 $20,533.31 $25,120.54 $29,270.89 Trash Container Pickups per week

COMMERCIAL TRASH SERVICES
Monthly Rates For Commercial Trash Service
141
Item B.

Cart/Can
Size, Gals
Cart or Can
Count
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 $50.51 $111.12 $184.36 $237.39 $290.42 $338.41
2 $106.07 $233.35 $387.15 $498.52 $609.89 $710.66
3 $166.68 $366.69 $608.38 $783.39 $958.40 $1,116.75
4 $222.24 $488.92 $811.17 $1,044.52 $1,277.87 $1,488.99 5 $267.70 $588.93 $977.09 $1,258.17 $1,539.25 $1,793.56 Container
Size, CY
Container
Count
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 CY 1 $108.57 $238.86 $396.28 $510.28 $624.28 $727.42
2 $196.81 $432.99 $718.37 $925.02 $1,131.68 $1,318.65
3 $358.28 $788.22 $1,307.73 $1,683.93 $2,060.13 $2,400.49 4 $477.71 $1,050.96 $1,743.64 $2,245.24 $2,746.83 $3,200.66 5 $575.42 $1,265.93 $2,100.30 $2,704.49 $3,308.69 $3,855.34 2 CY 1 $198.25 $436.15 $723.62 $931.78 $1,139.94 $1,328.28 2 $416.33 $915.92 $1,519.59 $1,956.74 $2,393.88 $2,789.39 3 $654.23 $1,439.30 $2,387.93 $3,074.87 $3,761.81 $4,383.33 4 $872.30 $1,919.07 $3,183.91 $4,099.83 $5,015.75 $5,844.44 5 $1,050.73 $2,311.61 $3,835.17 $4,938.43 $6,041.70 $7,039.89 COMMERCIAL RECYCLE SERVICES - Same for all Options
Recycle Cart Pickups per week
Recycle Container Pickups per week
Monthly Rates For Commercial Recycling Service
95 Gallon
Cart
142
Item B.

Container
Size, CY
Container
Count
1 2 3 4 5 6
3 CY 1 $287.86 $633.30 $1,050.70 $1,352.96 $1,655.22 $1,928.69 2 $604.51 $1,329.93 $2,206.48 $2,841.22 $3,475.96 $4,050.25 3 $949.95 $2,089.89 $3,467.32 $4,464.77 $5,462.22 $6,364.67 4 $1,266.60 $2,786.52 $4,623.09 $5,953.03 $7,282.96 $8,486.23 5 $1,525.68 $3,356.49 $5,568.73 $7,170.69 $8,772.65 $10,222.05 4 CY 1 $377.56 $830.64 $1,378.11 $1,774.55 $2,171.00 $2,529.68 2 $792.89 $1,744.35 $2,894.03 $3,726.56 $4,559.09 $5,312.33 3 $1,245.96 $2,741.12 $4,547.77 $5,856.03 $7,164.29 $8,347.95 4 $1,661.28 $3,654.83 $6,063.69 $7,808.04 $9,552.39 $11,130.61 5 $2,001.09 $4,402.40 $7,303.99 $9,405.14 $11,506.28 $13,407.32 5 CY 1 $449.51 $988.92 $1,640.70 $2,112.69 $2,584.67 $3,011.70 2 $943.97 $2,076.72 $3,445.47 $4,436.64 $5,427.80 $6,324.57 3 $1,483.37 $3,263.42 $5,414.32 $6,971.86 $8,529.40 $9,938.61 4 $1,977.83 $4,351.23 $7,219.09 $9,295.82 $11,372.54 $13,251.48 5 $2,382.39 $5,241.26 $8,695.72 $11,197.23 $13,698.74 $15,962.01 6 CY 1 $535.80 $1,178.75 $1,955.65 $2,518.24 $3,080.82 $3,589.83 2 $1,125.17 $2,475.37 $4,106.87 $5,288.30 $6,469.72 $7,538.64 3 $1,768.12 $3,889.87 $6,453.65 $8,310.18 $10,166.71 $11,846.43 4 $2,357.50 $5,186.50 $8,604.87 $11,080.24 $13,555.61 $15,795.24 5 $2,839.71 $6,247.37 $10,364.95 $13,346.65 $16,328.35 $19,026.08

COMMERCIAL RECYCLE SERVICES
Recycle Container Pickups per week
Monthly Rates For Commercial Recycling Service
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Item B.

Rate Unit
Special Charges (On an unscheduled service day)
Trash Cart/Can $29.03 per Cart/Can
Recycle Cart/Can $29.03 per Cart/Can
Trash Container
1 CY $33.27 per Service
2 CY $66.53 per Service
3CY $106.46 per Service
4 CY $144.72 per Service
5 CY $179.65 per Service
6 CY $216.24 per Service
Recycle Container
1 CY $19.35 per Service
2 CY $29.05 per Service
3CY $90.49 per Service
4 CY $123.01 per Service
5 CY $143.25 per Service
6 CY $183.81 per Service
Extra Charges (On a scheduled service Day)
Trash Cart/Can $14.52 per Cart/Can
Recycle Cart/Can $14.52 per Cart/Can
Trash Container
1 CY $21.95 per Service
2 CY $43.91 per Service
3CY $70.25 per Service
4 CY $95.50 per Service
5 CY $118.54 per Service
6 CY $142.69 per Service
Recycle Container
1 CY $12.77 per Service
2 CY $19.16 per Service
3CY $59.71 per Service
4 CY $81.17 per Service
5 CY $94.52 per Service
6 CY $121.29 per Service
On-Call Charges (on the scheduled service day for that route area) Trash Cart/Can $29.03 per Service
Recycle Cart/Can $29.03 per Service
Trash Container
1 CY $33.27 per Service
2 CY $66.53 per Service
3CY $106.46 per Service
4 CY $144.72 per Service
5 CY $179.65 per Service
6 CY $216.24 per Service
COMMERCIAL SPECIALS, EXTRAS, ON-CALL, MISCELLANEOUS - Same for all options 144
Item B.

Rate Unit
Recycle Container
1 CY $19.35 per Service
2 CY $29.05 per Service
3CY $90.49 per Service
4 CY $123.01 per Service
5 CY $143.25 per Service
6 CY $183.81 per Service
Cart/Can $19.79 per Month
$19.79 per Month + additional $15/mile
after 1st mile (1-way)
Monthly Rent for On–Call Accounts
Cart $5.28 per Month
Container $26.39 per Month
Locks and Lock Bars
Cart equipped with Locking Lid $3.96 per Month
Container unlocking service $10.56 per Month
Steam Clean
Cart/Can $23.75 per Cart/Can
All container sizes $85.78 per Container
Deposit to Restart Service after stopped for nonpaymentComputed value of three (3) times monthly service rate
Walk-In Service
Drive-In/Long Driveway Service (Calculated from where
leaving County-maintained road

COMMERCIAL SPECIALS, EXTRAS, ON-CALL, MISCELLANEOUS
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Item B.

Haul Charge Option 1
Mandatory
Option 2
Subscription
Option 3
Mandatory
Option 4
Subscription
10 Yard Bin $613.64 $613.64 $521.60 $521.60
20 Yard Bin $818.18 $818.18 $695.45 $695.45
30 Yard Bin $1,029.33 $1,029.33 $874.93 $874.93
Disposal per Ton $83.14 $83.14 $83.14 $83.14
Rate Unit
$100.00 per Hour (time
spent)
10-20 CY Bins $130.00 per Month
30 CY Bins $150.00 per Month
Rate Unit
Unacceptable Materials Charges when found in Rolloff Loads; Appliances $49.49 per Each
Tires-Small $4.95 per Each
Tires-Small on Rim $9.90 per Each
Tires-Truck $15.84 per Each
Tires-Truck on Rim $19.79 per Each
Electronic Waste (E-Waste) $13.20 per Each
Unacceptable Materials Charges

ROLLOFF SERVICES
Roll Off Trip Charge and Monthly Rent - same for all options Trip Charge (Assessed whenever work scheduled is not accessible) Total Customer Charge is sum of Appropriate Haul Charge plus tons hauled multiplied by Transfer Station Charge per Ton
Monthly Rent (Assessed whenever a permanently placed bin is not serviced for 30 days) Rolloff rates include 14 days on customer's site, not including day of delivery or day of removal. Per-day rental charge after 14 days on customer's site is $12.00 per day. w/o Transfer Station w/ Transfer Station
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Trash
Green
Waste C&D

3.5 CY $110.85 $100.29 $121.41

5.0 CY $217.75 $204.55 $237.54
Rate Unit
$26.39 per Item
$49.49 per Each
$4.95 per Each
$9.90 per Each
$15.84 per Each
$19.79 per Each
$13.20 per Each
Tires-Truck
Tires-Truck on Rim
Electronic Waste (E-Waste)
Large Item Service
Special Materials Charges when setout with Large Items; Appliances
Tires-Small
Tires-Small on Rim
Large Item Charges

HANDY-HAULERS AND BULKY WASTE
Handy-Haulers
Handy-Hauler rates include 7 days on customer's site, not including day of delivery or day of removal. Per-day rental charge after 7 days on customer's site is $12.00 per day. 147
Item B.
148
Item B.

Date: August 11, 2025
To: City of Sonora
Attn: Melissa Eads, City Administrator
94 N. Washington Street
Sonora, CA 95370
RE: Response to Request for Proposals – Solid Waste, Recycling, and Green Waste Collection and Management Services
Dear Ms. Eads and Members of the City Council,
On behalf of WM Cal Sierra, we are pleased to submit our proposal to continue our decades-long partnership with the City of Sonora for the delivery of solid waste, recycling, and green waste services.

As your longtime service provider, we value the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the community, evolve our programs to meet today’s needs, and remain a reliable, proactive partner for years to come.

WM Cal Sierra brings Sonora a uniquely strong partnership, rooted in extensive local operations, regional expertise, and a consistent track record of service. We employ over 40 local team members and operate a hauling yard, transfer station, recycling buy-back center, and green waste facility within Tuolumne County. Our team has served the City for more than a decade, providing steady service through staffing transitions, service expansions, and community initiatives.

This proposal includes a range of service enhancements designed to support the City’s priorities, including fire prevention, community engagement, neighborhood cleanliness, and improved customer service. New offerings emphasize connection, education, and community pride — from downtown business mixers and annual Sonora Schools Sustainability Awards to free recycling drop-off events, compost giveaways, and other programs that bring residents together while advancing the City’s environmental goals. These community investments are paired with practical service upgrades such as every-other-week curbside green waste collection, bulky item pickup, and free disposal support for illegal dumping cleanups, ensuring Sonora receives both innovative programs and reliable day-to-day service.

Although the City of Sonora is currently exempt from SB 1383, WM Cal Sierra—an integral part of WM’s
Northern California network—brings unmatched
expertise and operational capacity in the
implementation of organics programs across the state.

From Monterey to the Central Valley, we have
successfully developed, launched, and managed fully
WM Project Manager for City of Sonora
Name: Vanessa Barberis
Phone: (209) 323-0257
Email: [email protected]
Office: 1333 E Turner Rd., Lodi, CA. 95240
149
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compliant, community-focused solutions in jurisdictions throughout California. This proven track record positions us as a trusted partner, ready to support the City in meeting future regulatory requirements and advancing local and statewide sustainability goals.

This proposal reaffirms WM Cal Sierra’s commitment, ability, and intent to provide services as outlined in the City’s Request for Proposals. Through this document, WM Cal Sierra also confirms its ability to provide a performance bond as specified in the boilerplate agreement. WM Cal Sierra contract exceptions are included in Appendix D.

WM Cal Sierra will fully adhere to the State of California’s General Prevailing Wage Rate Requirements in accordance with California Labor Code, Section 117, as well as applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances governing the scope of work. As an equal opportunity employer, WM Cal Sierra fully supports affirmative action principles.

WM Cal Sierra acknowledges receipt of Addendum No. 1, dated August 4, 2025, to the City of Sonora RFP for Solid Waste, Recycling, and Green Waste Collection and Management Services. WM Cal Sierra meets all specified requirements for licensing, insurance, and indemnification. There are no known conflicts of interest associated with this submission. Additionally, all terms and pricing presented in this proposal shall remain valid for a minimum of 120 days from the submission deadline.

Thank you for the opportunity to continue serving the City of Sonora. We look forward to building on our shared success and remain committed to delivering reliable, high-quality service that supports the City’s long-term goals.

Sincerely,
Alex Oseguera | President Vanessa Barberis | Public Sector Manager Cal Sierra Disposal WM Cal Sierra
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Executive Summary......................................................................................................................1 Company Overview......................................................................................................................2 Approach to Scope of Work.........................................................................................................4 Collection Services: Solid Waste, Recycling, and Green Waste ..........................................................4 Commitment to Safety........................................................................................................................4 Routing, Scheduling, Equipment, and Containers ..............................................................................5 Public Education, Rollout Plan, and Ongoing Community Outreach ..................................................5 Contamination and Monitoring Outreach Strategy............................................................................6 Outreach Samples...............................................................................................................................7 Monitoring, Data Tracking, and Reporting .........................................................................................8 Customer Service and Complaint Resolution .....................................................................................9 Modern Tools to Meet Today’s Customer Expectations ..................................................................11 Regulatory Readiness........................................................................................................................12 Support for Sonora’s Historic Downtown.........................................................................................12 Transition and Implementation Plan.........................................................................................13 Experience and Qualifications....................................................................................................14 Key Staff Personnel...........................................................................................................................15 Primary Reference ............................................................................................................................17 Partnership Highlights.......................................................................................................................17 Similar Reference Services................................................................................................................19 Partnership Highlights.......................................................................................................................21 Optional Transfer Facility Collaboration....................................................................................22 VALUE-ADDED SERVICES ................................................................................................23 Existing Benefits to the City of Sonora.......................................................................................23 New and Expanded Community Programs...............................................................................24 APPENDICES....................................................................................................................25 Appendix A – Cost Proposal.......................................................................................................26 .........................................................................................................................................26 ..................................................................26 ..............................................................26 151
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.................................................................................27 ............................................................................................27 ...................................................28
..................................34
Appendix B – Transfer Station Permit........................................................................................40 Appendix C – Sonora Business License......................................................................................44 Appendix D – Boilerplate Exceptions.........................................................................................45 Appendix E – Letters of Support................................................................................................46 Appendix F – Implementation Plan ...........................................................................................50 152
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WM Cal Sierra is pleased to submit this proposal to continue serving as the City of Sonora’s exclusive provider of solid waste, recycling, and green waste collection and management services. As Sonora’s long-standing service partner, we offer not only a proven record of safety, reliability, and operational excellence but also a forward-thinking approach that positions the City for future success.

In this proposal, WM Cal Sierra outlines several service enhancements designed to increase convenience, address environmental priorities, support the community, and help the City meet immediate and future needs. These enhancements include:
✓ Every-other-week curbside green waste collection for all single-family homes, beginning March 2026 ✓ Curbside bulky item collection by request, up to twice per year, to reduce illegal dumping and support residents without access to the transfer station ✓ Free disposal of up to five hundred tons per year of material collected through community-led illegal dumping cleanups
✓ Curbside Christmas tree collection to simplify post-holiday disposal at no additional cost to the City ✓ New 10% discount for qualifying low-income households and senior residents ✓ Emergency response and fire risk mitigation support, including coordination on public education and debris disposal following local events or weather incidents ✓ Ongoing public education and outreach, including print, digital, and event-based engagement to promote service participation and community pride
✓ Bi-annual community recycling events offering free document shredding, electronic waste drop-off, and compost giveaways to promote sustainability and reduce illegal dumping ✓ Downtown business mixers three times per year to provide an open forum for local business owners to connect directly with WM Cal Sierra’s operations team and recycling coordinator ✓ Partnership with Tuolumne County Arts to expand the community art supply donation program, including a new donation shed at the Recycling Buy-Back Center to increase material donations and benefit local artists
✓ Sonora Schools Sustainability Awards providing a $500 annual grant to each K–12 school in Sonora to support on-campus recycling and sustainability projects These additions also support the region’s broader fire prevention efforts by diverting flammable green waste material. WM Cal Sierra has a long-standing partnership with the Sonora Fire Department to cohost seasonal green waste drop-off events at our Slash Transfer Station. These events help reduce wildfire risk while engaging and educating residents about proper green waste disposal.

In the immediate future, WM Cal Sierra will focus on ensuring full compliance with AB 341 Mandatory Commercial Recycling, providing education and outreach to local businesses and multi-family properties.

Should the City advance toward future organics requirements, our team stands ready to support with the same level of expertise and care we have brought to similar communities. 154
Item B.

WM Cal Sierra is proud of the decades of partnership with the City. With this proposal, we reaffirm our commitment to local service, long-term environmental progress, and a public-private partnership that helps the community thrive.

WM Cal Sierra is the dedicated local operating company for WM, North America’s leading environmental services provider. Our structure blends national capabilities with deep local roots, enabling us to provide dependable, community-based waste and recycling services to the City of Sonora and greater Tuolumne County. We operate four local facilities: a hauling yard, transfer station, recycling buy-back center, and green waste processing site, all located near Sonora. These sites are staffed by more than 40 employees, over 80% of whom live in Tuolumne County, with half residing in Sonora itself.

The adjacent map illustrates the location of these facilities and the home areas of our employees, underscoring the deep community roots of our team. WM Cal Sierra’s employees live, work, and raise families in the region, delivering safe, reliable service to their neighbors each day.

What sets WM Cal Sierra apart is not just our local presence but the strength and resilience of our team.

In 2024, our local leader, District Manager Jim Garcia, passed away following a sudden and brief battle with cancer. Jim left a lasting impact on our organization and the community he proudly served. In the months that followed, Terri Douglass, a Sonora native and longtime route manager, stepped up to guide the team through a challenging transition. She was promoted to District Manager in early 2025 and continues to lead with integrity, local insight, and a deep commitment to the people and neighborhoods 155
Item B.
we serve. We are proud and inspired to see her leading the way, paving the path for greater female leadership within our industry.

WM Cal Sierra is also supported by an experienced regional team. Vanessa Barberis, Public Sector Manager, and Derek Fuji, Senior Financial Analyst, have partnered with Cal Sierra for more than a decade, guiding service transitions, contract negotiations, and program development across Sonora and Tuolumne County. Their long institutional knowledge provides stability and strategic insight that supports both local staff and City leadership.

The organizational chart below illustrates how our local leadership is directly supported by specialized experts in customer service, public outreach and education, compliance, and finance. This structure ensures that the City of Sonora benefits from both dedicated local oversight and the strength of WM’s broader operational support network.

The WM Cal Sierra organizational chart reflects 247 years of accumulated industry expertise, showcasing a
leadership structure built on decades of hands-on
experience, operational excellence, and deep knowledge of the waste management industry.
156
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WM Cal Sierra has provided reliable solid waste and recycling collection services to the City of Sonora for decades. Our experienced team of drivers and operations staff is deeply familiar with the community and the daily realities of navigating Sonora’s diverse neighborhoods, from the scenic hillside properties to the historic downtown.

As part of this proposal, WM will add bi-weekly green waste collection to the existing service schedule. This addition aligns with Sonora’s growing emphasis on fire prevention and community resiliency and complements the City’s goals for enhanced environmental stewardship.

At WM Cal Sierra, safety is a core value and the foundation of our operations.

We take seriously our responsibility to protect the well-being of our employees, the public, and the communities we serve. In Sonora, this means ensuring every collection route is executed with the highest safety standards in mind - every day, without compromise.

WM Cal Sierra’s safety program is built on four key pillars: employee training, safe equipment, proactive culture, and continuous improvement.

All drivers complete rigorous onboarding and ongoing training, including route-specific safety protocols, incident response, and defensive driving.

Locally, our team participates in regular tailgate meetings and monthly safety stand-downs to reinforce accountability and safety awareness.

Our trucks are equipped with industry-leading safety features, including:
✓ Full camera systems for 360° visibility
✓ Backing alarms and trapezoidal side lights for added awareness ✓ Disc brakes and air-ride driver seats for increased vehicle control and comfort WM Cal Sierra’s safety performance speaks for itself. Over the last year, our Cal Sierra team has delivered more than 879,000 residential lifts with 99.4% on-time accuracy, while maintaining an excellent safety record and strong customer satisfaction.

WM’s “Get Home Safe Every Day” program empowers every employee to make safety a personal priority. We believe every injury is preventable - and that safety is not just a practice, but a mindset.

A proud Sonora resident
and WM driver whose local
knowledge aids our daily
operations.

A technician who views his
role as a mission to protect
drivers, his own family, and
the community.
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Our current routing model has been developed and refined over years of on-the-ground experience in Sonora. It accounts for seasonal weather variations, terrain complexity, and road conditions.

Service is provided using a combination of automated side-load and rear-load collection vehicles. In the narrower areas near downtown, our “foot route” is serviced using manual equipment designed to safely navigate tight corridors that would otherwise be inaccessible.

WM maintains the necessary equipment and fleet capacity to continue the current solid waste and recycling service and to seamlessly integrate green waste collection into alternating recycling weeks.

Routing and scheduling will be managed by District Manager Terri Douglass, a Sonora native who leads our local operations team with close attention to daily performance and proactive long-term planning.

WM’s Communications team will support the City of Sonora with a comprehensive and strategic rollout plan for the launch of green waste collection and other new value-added services (see Page 23). This plan will feature targeted outreach, digital and analog tools - including direct mailers, educational materials, signage, and customized digital content - specifically tailored to engage and inform Sonora’s residents, ensuring a smooth and successful service launch.

We are also developing a long-term education strategy tailored to the City’s priorities, while maintaining consistency with regional messaging to support residents and businesses who commute between the City and surrounding areas. This campaign will reinforce participation and support program success over time. Our approach blends traditional print materials with a range of digital media to ensure we effectively reach a diverse customer base, including residents and businesses across all age groups. Our goal is to ensure every new program is clear, accessible, and easy to follow by effectively communicating what is changing, how to participate, and why it matters to the community.

The adoption of a new service and practice will require robust pre-rollout and post-rollout education.

Pre-rollout:
✓ Google display and streaming/YouTube ads
✓ Direct mail introducing the service
✓ Reminder mailer for cart deliveries and days of service ✓ Cart tags to further promote the use of the new service ✓ Radio spots
✓ Website service updates
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Post-rollout:
✓ New sorting signage for all commercial businesses and multifamily dwelling buildings ✓ New green waste service added to annual service brochures and service calendars. ✓ Email campaign to remind businesses and residents about yard waste disposal ✓ Radio spots
The introduction of Smart Truck® (see next section to learn more about the program) requires a monthslong campaign to educate residents and businesses.

Pre-rollout
✓ Direct mailers introducing the
monitoring program, Smart Truck®
technology, and sorting guides
✓ Education notice letters only for
incidents found prior to official warnings
and charges
✓ Reminder postcards prior to official
warnings and charges
✓ Geo-localized Google display and
streaming/YouTube advertisements
educating residents and businesses on
how to avoid contamination
✓ Contamination monitoring collateral and
education added to dedicated Sonora
business and residential websites
Post-rollout
✓ Notification and educational letters sent
directly to customers after each incident
✓ Program information added to annual
service brochures and service calendars.
✓ Geo-localized Google display and
streaming/YouTube advertisements
educating residents
and businesses on how to avoid contamination.
✓ Radio Spots
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Email
Blasts
Direct Mail - Postcard
Direct Mail - Postcards
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WM Cal Sierra will enhance the City’s collection services using WM’s proprietary Smart Truck® technology. This technology captures route-level data through on-board cameras and GPS that record images of carts, locations, and service conditions at the time of collection. These photos are timestamped and geotagged, providing a transparent record of service accuracy and container contents.

As part of this proposal, WM Cal Sierra will implement Smart Truck® on day one for solid waste and recycling routes, launching a 60-day education period for residents. Rather than issuing contamination fees immediately, this phase will focus on proactive education by using real-time images and service alerts to inform residents when contamination is observed and offer guidance on proper sorting. This technology will provide immediate value by:
✓ Helping reduce recycling contamination through targeted education ✓ Improving operational efficiency and service accuracy ✓ Supporting customer service by allowing local representatives to view service photos and videos ✓ Equipping the City with tools that meet and exceed future state mandate requirements WM has successfully deployed Smart Truck® technology across California to meet SB 1383 container audit requirements, including in Lodi, Merced County, and San Joaquin County. This proven system gives the City of Sonora a head start on compliance readiness, supported by established infrastructure and a local team prepared to meet regulatory requirements without interruption.

WM’s municipal compliance and technical assistance tracker, already in use across California, provides Sonora with proven tools for monitoring, education, and state mandate compliance from day one. 161
Item B.

WM Cal Sierra has a dedicated local customer service team consisting of three full-time employees who live in and are part of the local area (see employee spotlight, Judy, page 2). Together, they offer decades of experience addressing the needs of residents and businesses, providing a personal and knowledgeable approach to customer support.

This local team works closely with customers to resolve service requests, answer questions, and support day-to-day needs quickly and effectively. Calls are typically handled on-site at our Cal Sierra office, allowing for real-time coordination with operations when needed.

To ensure uninterrupted service even during high call volumes or seasonal weather events, WM Cal Sierra is backed by our broader Customer Experience Network. This automated system routes calls to our regional and Lodi-based support teams when needed, such as during snowstorms that may temporarily limit access for local employees—so Sonora customers always have assistance available.

When residents contact us, our representatives have access to real-time tools that allow them to track service status, provide accurate updates, and resolve issues efficiently. We take service issues seriously and track them meticulously. On average, standard service tickets are resolved within 0.85 days, while escalated tickets are resolved in 1.4 days, well above national performance standards.

In the past year, our Cal Sierra operations have delivered reliable service across the region, including:
✓ 879,000 residential lifts with 99.4% on-time service
✓ 104,000 commercial lifts with 99.2% on-time service
✓ Service to more than 2,300 roll-off customers
In addition to maintaining high service accuracy, WM Cal Sierra has demonstrated strong coordination with City departments to resolve operational challenges. Our team consistently responds to reported 162
Item B.
service issues within 24 hours, often on the same day. We have proactively addressed barriers such as low-hanging trees, blocked alleys, and unsafe cart placement, particularly along downtown routes. In support of long-term solutions, WM has also proposed collaborative strategies like designated staging zones, curb painting, and signage to improve access and safety for both customers and collection crews.

These efforts reflect our commitment to continuous improvement and dependable service delivery throughout the City.

These outcomes reflect a multi-year trend of consistent, high-quality performance in the greater Tuolumne County area, including Sonora.

Customer feedback reinforces our commitment to excellence:
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Item B.

WM Cal Sierra understands that Sonora residents
expect convenience, flexibility, and reliable
communication when it comes to managing their
waste and recycling services. WM has made significant
investments in technology to ensure customers can
quickly access the information they need, receive
timely updates, and resolve most service requests
from their computer or mobile device—often without
needing to call.

Through wm.com and the My WM mobile app, Sonora
customers can:
✓ Request bulky item pickups, extra pickups, and rolloff services ✓ View and manage their service schedules
✓ Set service reminders and receive service alerts for inclement weather ✓ Manage payments, enroll in AutoPay, and choose paperless billing ✓ Submit service requests or report issues quickly and easily We also offer live chat with WM representatives, a 24/7 virtual assistant, and a callback feature during peak call times, so customers are not left waiting on hold.

WM’s customer service tools are designed to meet people where they are. Whether residents prefer to manage their account online, schedule a pickup from their phone, or speak to someone in person, WM provides flexible options to fit every preference.

Our platforms serve millions of customers across the country. Sonora residents benefit from that same innovation, paired with the responsive, knowledgeable local support they already know and trust. 164
Item B.

While the City of Sonora and Tuolumne County are currently exempt from organics collection mandates, WM Cal Sierra is well-positioned to support the City in the event of future regulatory changes. Our team brings proven experience from successful SB 1383 rollouts throughout California, and we are ready to guide Sonora through any future transition, delivering a seamless,
compliant rollout backed by experience, resources, and
results.

In the meantime, we are focused on meeting and improving compliance with current state laws, including AB 341
Mandatory Commercial Recycling. As of July 2025:
✓ 88 commercial accounts in Sonora are subject to AB 341 ✓ 68 accounts (77%) are in compliance
✓ 20 accounts still require additional support
To help improve compliance and engage the community, WM Cal Sierra hired a dedicated recycling coordinator in 2025. This local team member works directly with City staff and local businesses to:
✓ Conduct on-site service assessments and provide tailored recycling education ✓ Assist non-compliant accounts with achieving compliance ✓ Support community engagement through public events and outreach ✓ Provide ongoing education to promote responsible recycling practices With dedicated community engagement staff, deep local operational expertise, access to both local and national resources, and valuable experience gained from previous rollouts, we are confident in our ability to help the City of Sonora successfully navigate future SB 1383 implementation and any unexpected regulatory changes.

WM Cal Sierra has long recognized the importance of Sonora’s historic downtown — both as a civic focal point and a reflection of the community’s identity. Our team has a history of working with City staff to explore solutions tailored to this unique area, including prior discussions around consolidated collection zones to reduce cart visibility and improve pedestrian flow.

Today, WM continues to provide hand-collection of downtown street cans every Monday and Friday, a service that reflects our detailed attention to the area’s needs. While recent leadership transitions paused some of our collaborative efforts, we now have a renewed focus and team in place to actively re-engage.
68 20
0 20
40 60
80 AB 341 Compliant Out of Compliance
Current AB 341
Compliance
Commercial Businesses 77%
165
Item B.

Javier Sanchez, WM’s newly appointed Public
Outreach Coordinator, has already been
introduced to City Council and is positioned to
serve as a direct liaison to downtown
businesses. His role is to ensure clear
communication, responsive service, and a
visible WM presence in support of future
improvements. Javier and Cal Sierra’s
operations leadership team will also host three
annual after-hours mixers for downtown
business owners. These informal gatherings will
provide an open forum for sharing service
feedback, exploring recycling and diversion
opportunities, and discussing ideas for
improving downtown cleanliness and
accessibility. By creating regular, face-to-face opportunities for dialogue, WM aims to strengthen relationships, address concerns quickly, and ensure downtown businesses feel directly connected to the people managing their service. These mixers will complement WM Cal Sierra’s broader community engagement efforts, including school sustainability awards, recycling drop-off events, and neighborhood clean-up partnerships, ensuring that downtown remains a visible priority within our citywide support strategy.

We are committed to revisiting and expanding on past conversations with City staff — including potential pilot programs, aesthetic improvements, and downtown-specific service enhancements — and doing so in a way that is grounded in partnership, not promises. WM’s approach is to build on what works, stay accountable to what is realistic, and collaborate with the City to deliver progress that lasts.

WM Cal Sierra is uniquely positioned to provide the residents and businesses of Sonora with a seamless, disruption-free transition at the end of the current agreement term. Our team is already operating established routes with the right equipment and staff in place, which allows us to focus entirely on optimizing and introducing new services rather than establishing fundamental operations from the ground up.

Our local team is ready to launch a green waste collection service and introduce other value-added programs within the first six months of the new agreement. If the City decides to keep solid waste and recycling collection non-mandatory, services will continue the current schedule without any disruption.

However, if the City shifts to a mandatory collection model, WM Cal Sierra can implement new services within three months of the City updating its ordinance and authorizing the contract for additional cart procurement.

Javier Sanchez, Cal Serra Outreach Coordinator, pictured at a community event with coworker.
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WM Cal Sierra has a distinct advantage over a new provider, as we are already familiar with the operational demands of Sonora. Unlike newcomers who would need time to learn the area, study routes, hire and train drivers, and acquire equipment, our team has developed specialized collection plans tailored to the City’s unique layout. This includes navigating narrow streets and steep terrain, which requires a combination of rear-load trucks, foot routes, and teams of two drivers for collection.

This level of operational precision cannot be quickly
replicated.

Choosing a new waste hauler carries significant risks,
including confusion, service delays, and an increase in call volumes to City staff. These factors can undermine public trust and place additional strain on already
limited municipal resources. On the other hand,
continuing with WM Cal Sierra ensures operational
continuity, facilitates a smooth onboarding process for new programs, and minimizes the demand on City staff
during implementation. Our local customer service
team is already integrated with City processes, allowing for quick and effective resolution of any issues that may arise.

WM Cal Sierra has served as a reliable and trusted waste and recycling partner for foothill communities and Central Valley jurisdictions for decades. Our service area includes the City of Sonora and Tuolumne County. It extends across Nevada County, Grass Valley, and Nevada City, all of which share similar characteristics with Sonora, such as narrow streets, elevation changes, rural routes, and historic infrastructure. This regional experience informs our ability to design service models that are tailored, efficient, and responsive to local needs.

Our decision to list the City of Lodi, Tuolumne County, and San Joaquin County as formal references reflects both the scale and complexity of those partnerships, where we have delivered multi-phase programs, managed long-term contracts, and consistently met compliance and service performance standards. Letters of support from San Joaquin County and the City of Lodi, included in Appendix E, highlight the trust and collaboration built through these partnerships, particularly in successfully implementing new contracts and community programs. Combined with our foothill experience, this makes WM Cal Sierra uniquely qualified to fulfill the Scope of Work outlined by the City of Sonora.

From a resourcing perspective, we are fully equipped to deliver all services under this agreement. WM Cal Sierra operates a permitted transfer station, buy-back recycling center, and full fleet maintenance facility right here in Tuolumne County. These facilities are supported by a stable team of drivers, mechanics, and customer service staff, most of whom live in the Tuolumne County area.

By building on our existing
foundation, Sonora will benefit
from a stable and proactive
transition with a team that is
already invested, has experience,
and is trusted by the community.

A detailed timeline of our
proposed rollout, including key
milestones for each new service,
is provided in Appendix F –
Implementation Plan.
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Our Central Valley operations further support the Sonora contract with routing expertise, technical systems, and regional customer service capabilities. These shared resources allow us to scale efficiently and meet the City's needs without additional infrastructure investment or staffing requirements.

At every level of our organization, WM Cal Sierra is committed to transparency, partnership, and longterm success. To further support transparency and financial accountability, WM Cal Sierra retains a certified public accounting firm to compile audited financial statements annually and can provide these to the City at no additional cost. Our history, capabilities, and dedicated local presence position us to continue as Sonora’s trusted waste and recycling partner for years to come.

Terri Douglass | District Operations Manager, WM Cal Sierra Terri Douglass is the District Operations Manager for WM Cal Sierra, where she leads day-to-day operations across solid waste, recycling, and green waste services in the City of Sonora and the surrounding County. A lifelong Sonora-area resident, Terri is one of the few women in the region serving in a senior operational leadership role in the waste and recycling industry. Her position reflects WM’s commitment to create a workplace that empowers, encourages, and supports women in an industry traditionally dominated by men.

Terri brings more than two decades of professional experience in customer service, public safety, and emergency response. Before joining WM, she served with the U.S.

Forest Service in Stanislaus County as both a firefighter and an emergency dispatcher. Her career also includes over 15 years in retail and customer service management in downtown Sonora.

At WM, Terri is responsible for overseeing disposal operations, customer service, and transfer station management. Her duties include personnel management, ensuring safety compliance, planning equipment needs, and controlling costs. Terri collaborates closely with local agencies and WM’s leadership team to provide seamless service and maintain strong municipal partnerships.

Terri holds a wide range of certifications in emergency response, fire safety, and aviation dispatch and continues to serve her community through youth programs.

She is an assistant cheer coach for the Summerville Bears and an active volunteer with the local Sonora Girl Scouts. Her leadership style is grounded in local knowledge, operational discipline, and a passion for mentoring the next generation. 168
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Vanessa Barberis | Public Sector Manager
Vanessa Barberis is the Public Sector Manager for WM Cal Sierra, where she oversees city and county contracts throughout the Central Valley. Since 2013, she has been instrumental in supporting WM's agreement with the City of Sonora. With 15 years of experience at WM, Vanessa has successfully navigated operational expansions, implemented regulatory changes, and built strong community partnerships in the region.

Vanessa has played a lead role in securing contract extensions, implementing curbside recycling and green waste programs, and helping jurisdictions prepare for state regulations like AB 341 and SB 1383. She works closely with local staff, elected officials, and WM’s operations and communications teams to ensure smooth service delivery, proactive outreach, and alignment with community priorities.

Vanessa earned her B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of the Pacific and her M.S. in Environmental Science from Indiana University. In addition to her professional role, Vanessa has served as an active member of the Tuolumne County Solid Waste Committee for over a decade, contributing to long-term planning and policy discussions in the region. Her dedication to Sonora is profound; as a behindthe-scenes steward of WM Cal Sierra’s service to the community, she has been present through every challenge and transition, always willing to assist the City in moving forward.

Derek Fuji | Senior Financial Analyst
Derek Fuji has served as the Senior Financial Analyst supporting WM Cal Sierra for over two decades. He has a 25-year tenure at WM and more than 35 years of experience in accounting and finance. He has been involved with the City of Sonora and Tuolumne County since the beginning of his WM career, providing long-term financial oversight and analysis that ensures services remain efficient, cost-effective, and rate-stable for the community.

Derek’s institutional knowledge is unmatched. He has worked alongside six different district managers and supported the site through ownership transitions, including when Cal Sierra was locally owned. His financial stewardship helps ensure that spending is managed wisely, which directly contributes to keeping customer rates lower than those of neighboring jurisdictions.

In addition to his work at Cal Sierra, Derek has led WM’s regional Accounting and Accounts Payable departments. He holds a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting and Finance from California State University, Chico. With deep roots in the operation and a long-standing commitment to service, Derek continues to be a key force behind WM Cal Sierra’s financial stability and community-focused success.
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1 | WM’s Outstanding Partnership with City of Lodi, CA
Jurisdiction: City of Lodi, CA
Service Description: Residential, Commercial, and Multi-family Solid Waste, Recycling, and Organics Collection
Municipal representative: Charles Swimley, Public Works Director (209) 333-6773 office | (209) 663-7112 cell
Contract Term: 2023-2035
Number of residential customers served: 20,416
Annual Contract Budget: Confidential – Available upon request by phone call to Vanessa Barberis (209) 323-0257.

Partnership Highlights
Service Overview: WM has been the exclusive provider of solid waste, recycling, and organics collection services to the City of Lodi for over 30 years, a long-standing relationship similar to WM Cal Sierra’s decades of service to the City of Sonora. In partnership with Lodi, WM recently implemented a major service improvement to add organics collection and expand recycling participation, while enhancing outreach and customer engagement. This project included changes to residential, commercial, and multifamily service schedules, similar in scope to Sonora’s planned addition of curbside green waste service and required extensive public education to ensure a smooth transition.

Approach and Methodology: To ensure a smooth rollout of the new collection program in Lodi, WM partnered closely with City staff to coordinate every stage of planning, communication, and implementation. A multi-channel outreach plan was developed to engage residents, businesses, and multifamily properties well in advance of the change. This included printed mailers, digital materials, dedicated website content with an address lookup tool, bus advertisements, social media campaigns, targeted email updates, and direct phone outreach.

In addition to public outreach, WM hosted a series of community organics workshops to educate customers on proper sorting, contamination reduction, and recycling best practices. WM also worked closely with the City Council to provide ongoing updates, answer questions, and ensure elected officials were fully prepared to respond to any resident inquiries ahead of each step of the contract changes.

Weekly and bi-weekly meetings with City staff were held throughout the project to align on timelines, troubleshoot issues, and adjust outreach based on feedback.

While Sonora is not undergoing a full-service overhaul, the addition of green waste collection and many new value-added services will still require the same kind of community engagement strategies used in Lodi. The planned launch in Sonora will similarly depend on strong public communication, clear education materials, and close coordination with both City staff and City Council. The Lodi experience 170
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demonstrates WM’s ability to implement new services in a way that maintains public trust and minimizes disruption. The City of Lodi has provided a letter of support, included in the appendix, to reflect the strength of this partnership and the success of the project.

Major Work Tasks:
✓ Implemented a major service change that introduced weekly organics collection and required a full re-route of all residential, commercial, and multifamily routes. ✓ Transitioned all customer sectors to the new collection schedule and services. ✓ Delivered mandatory organics carts to commercial and multifamily properties. ✓ Rolled out new, color-compliant residential carts through a coordinated swap-out process.

Minor Work Tasks:
✓ Conducted monthly route audits and monitoring to ensure collection efficiency and on-time service.
✓ Performed residential contamination and overage
monitoring with tracking and reporting to the City.
✓ Provided routine customer service and issue resolution for inquiries, complaints, and special requests.

Supplemental Tasks:
✓ Developed and launched a targeted education campaign
using printed materials, digital ads, website updates, bus ads, social media, and email outreach to explain service changes and SB 1383 requirements.
✓ Coordinated with local media outlets and community groups to keep stakeholders informed and engaged.
✓ Hosted a series of community organics workshops to promote recycling best practices, contamination reduction, and participation in the new organics program. ✓ Maintained a regular meeting cadence with City staff—weekly and bi-weekly during key project phases—to track progress and address issues.
✓ Worked closely with City Council to ensure elected officials were briefed and prepared for any resident questions ahead of each service change milestone.

Performance Metrics:
✓ Measured participation rates, contamination levels, and customer feedback to track progress against the City’s Corrective Action Plan from CalRecycle. ✓ Met all performance targets, including timely collection, proper cart usage, and reduced contamination rates, achieving high customer satisfaction.

Budget & Schedule: WM delivered the new service schedule and compliance measures on time and within budget. Major milestones, including the residential cart swap and delivery of mandatory organics carts, were completed as planned with no delays or cost overruns. This proven ability to manage projects efficiently and on schedule reflects WM’s readiness to introduce green waste collection and other value-added services in Sonora with the same level of precision and accountability.

Hands on the wheel, hearts in the
community. A young visitor gets a
driver’s view at Lodi’s “Touch a
Truck” event, the kind of community
connection WM Cal Sierra looks
forward to bringing to Sonora.
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In addition to the City of Lodi, WM Cal Sierra’s work with San Joaquin County and Tuolumne County reflects our ability to manage service expansions, regulatory compliance, and community engagement in ways that directly align with Sonora’s priorities. San Joaquin County has provided a letter of support (Appendix E), underscoring the trust we have built through transparent communication, strong performance, and collaborative problem-solving — the same approach we will bring to Sonora. 2| Trusted Partner with San Joaquin County’s Area A, B & E Client Name: San Joaquin County Areas A, B & E
Service Description: Residential Solid Waste, Recycling, and Organics Collection
Municipal representative: Maryssa Davidson, Management Analyst Office (209) 468-3066
Service Location: Unincorporated Areas A, B & E of San Joaquin County Contract Term: 2025-2031
Number of residential customers served: 6,143
Partnership Highlights
Service Overview: WM has proudly served San Joaquin County for over 30 years. In 2024, the County awarded WM a new seven-year contract for Areas A, B & E. Under this new agreement, WM launched a suite of collection services, including weekly garbage collection, single-stream recycling, and organics collection in compliance with SB 1383. These programs also included free access to recycling drop-off events, four annual electronic waste cleanup events, one household hazardous waste (HHW) drop-off event each year, and a dump voucher program.

Budget and Schedule Performance: WM has consistently met service deadlines and performed within budget. All rollouts and service enhancements — including the addition of weekly mandated organics collection — were implemented on time, with proactive communication and no service disruption. 172
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Subcontractors: WM performs most services in-house, ensuring quality control and accountability. For specialized needs, WM partners with trusted vendors. During the rollout of new recycling and organics services, WM partnered with Container Pros to deliver more than 3,000 carts over two weeks. For annual Household Hazardous Waste events, WM works with County staff to manage logistics, material handling, and environmental compliance.

Recent Developments: In 2024, following a competitive Request for Proposals process, WM was awarded the franchise for San Joaquin County’s Area C, currently serviced by Republic Services.

The new contract will take effect January 1, 2026. WM was selected as the County’s preferred hauler based on our high-value proposal to expand services and bring Area C into full compliance with SB 1383. This award builds on WM’s long-standing service to Areas A, B, and E. It expands our total residential coverage within the County, reinforcing the County’s confidence in WM’s service quality, regulatory expertise, and rollout capabilities.

Approach and Methodology:

To prepare for the rollout, WM:
✓ Ordered and distributed organics carts in advance of the launch ✓ Developed bilingual customer education, including mailers, FAQs, and digital media ✓ Introduced Smart Truck® Technology to monitor contamination and capture real-time service data ✓ Provided materials to prepare the County Board of Supervisors for calls ahead of service changes ✓ Coordinated closely with County staff in monthly meetings to align on outreach timing and customer communication
All elements of the program were managed using WM’s systems, ensuring strong internal coordination and a high level of responsiveness for both customers and the County. “With this contract award, we see
that an open and transparent process
produces better results for our rate
payers. I am proud to be able to
bring this improved service and
lower rate to consumers, who are
being squeezed by inflation. The new
contract will include up to 45%
savings for residents with the largest
refuse carts and will go into effect on
January 1, 2026, when the current
contract is complete.”
San Joaquin County Board Supervisor
Steve Ding.
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3|Trusted Partner with Tuolumne County
Client Name: Tuolumne County
Contact Person: Debbie Reagan
Solid Waste Director | Tuolumne County | t
209.533.6583| c 209.540.9861
Service Location: Unincorporated Areas of Tuolumne County Contract Term: 2022-3032
Number of residential customers served: 10,155
Partnership Highlights
Service Description: WM has partnered with Tuolumne County for over 30 years. In 2022, WM and the County executed a new long-term agreement for residential collection and transfer station operations.

The contract includes weekly garbage collection and bi-weekly single-stream recycling for residential customers. WM also operates the Cal Sierra Transfer Station and Recycling Buy-Back Center, supporting residential and commercial self-haul needs and diversion programs.

Budget and Schedule Performance: WM Cal Sierra has consistently met service schedules and operated within the approved budget. Our flexibility in addressing rural access and seasonal weather challenges ensures reliable year-round service.

Subcontractors: WM Cal Sierra performs all core services in-house. When needed, we coordinate closely with local partners for special programs and outreach initiatives. This includes our partnership with the Greater Valley Conservation Corps (GVCC), which has provided a letter of support included in Appendix E. GVCC assists with Tuolumne County community recycling drop-off events, helping expand access to recycling and promoting public participation in diversion programs.

Recent Developments: WM Cal Sierra has deepened its collaboration with County leadership and fire prevention partners, including hosting green waste cleanup events with the Sonora Fire Department and adding a shared Recycling Coordinator position supporting both Tuolumne and Merced Counties. Our team maintained service continuity through staff transitions and leadership changes.

Approach and Methodology: WM Cal Sierra’s approach to service in Tuolumne County reflects a strong local presence, coordinated operations, and ongoing commitment to community partnership. Our work includes:
✓ A dedicated operations team based in the County, supported by experienced regional contract managers who provide consistency and institutional knowledge. ✓ Adoption of Smart Truck® Technology to track route data, monitor service performance, and support responsive operations.
✓ Close coordination between our hauling and transfer station teams to streamline waste handling and maintain efficient service.
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✓ Ongoing support for fire prevention efforts, including green waste transfer, seasonal drop-off events, and public education.
✓ A collaborative illegal dumping prevention program, offering free disposal at the Cal Sierra Transfer Station for community-led cleanup efforts.
✓ Regular communication with County staff to plan for upcoming needs, resolve issues, and ensure residents are well-informed and well-served.

The City of Sonora is already well-positioned with access to essential infrastructure through its existing partnership with WM Cal Sierra. WM Cal Sierra currently operates a permitted transfer station (referenced in appendix C), recycling buy-back center, and green waste transfer facility at 14959 Camage Avenue, near city limits. These facilities are conveniently located, compliant with environmental and operational regulations, and able to support all current and proposed services under the new franchise agreement.

The existing facilities are not just operational; they are seamlessly integrated into the local community, providing a reliable foundation for fulfilling the City’s waste and recycling needs. By utilizing these already-established facilities, we
can eliminate the significant
financial burden associated with
siting, permitting, and constructing
a new transfer facility. This
proactive approach not only saves
valuable resources but also protects
Sonora residents and businesses
from incurring extra costs. Choosing
to leverage these operational
facilities ensures a cost-effective
and efficient solution for our
community's waste needs while
safeguarding our environment with
an optimal environmental footprint.

If the City continues its partnership with WM Cal Sierra, it can do so with the assurance that a fullservice local facility is already in place. We are committed to maximizing the use of our existing infrastructure to meet current needs and future growth, while avoiding unnecessary cost or disruption for the community.

Cal Sierra Transfer Station: 19309 Industrial Dr, Sonora, CA 95370 175
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WM Cal Sierra is proud to offer the City of Sonora a comprehensive suite of value-added services that go beyond the standard scope of collection. These programs are designed to enhance community wellbeing, promote environmental stewardship, and provide practical benefits to residents at no added cost to the City.
✓ Free Services to City Facilities: WM Cal Sierra currently provides waste and recycling service at no charge to City buildings and facilities. While the existing franchise agreement includes a capped service value, WM Cal Sierra goes beyond this requirement, delivering approximately $20,000 in additional services each year as a gesture of goodwill and ongoing partnership. ✓ Transfer Station Vouchers for All
Residents: WM Cal Sierra annually mails
vouchers for free disposal at the Cal Sierra
Transfer Station, providing residents with
accessible and convenient disposal options.
✓ Curbside Motor Oil Dropoff: Residents can
bring used motor oil to the Recycling /BuyBack Center for safe disposal and receive a small payment as an incentive. This helps
reduce illegal dumping and encourages
responsible household hazardous waste
disposal practices.
✓ Free Sharps Disposal: Sonora residents can drop off used sharps (needles) at the Cal Sierra Transfer Station at no cost. This program provides a safe and sanitary option for medical waste disposal and supports community health and safety.
✓ Curbside and Drop-Off Collection for Christmas Trees: WM Cal Sierra has offered free Christmas tree drop-off at our Earth Resource Center for decades. In 2022, we expanded this benefit to include curbside collection by request. While not widely advertised, we have consistently honored requests from Sonora residents and will expand education on this free service in 2025 as part of our public education plan.

Year after year, Sonora residents put their transfer
station vouchers to good use — a simple benefit with a
big local impact in reducing illegal dumping.
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✓ 10% Discount for Seniors and Low-Income Residents: To make services more affordable and equitable, WM Cal Sierra will offer a new discount program for qualifying customers. ✓ Bulky Item Collection: WM Cal Sierra will provide residents with curbside bulky item pickup up to two times per year. This is especially valuable for residents without access to a vehicle, reducing illegal dumping and making proper disposal of large items more convenient. ✓ Free Disposal of Illegally Dumped Material: WM Cal Sierra will provide up to 500 tons per year of free disposal for illegally dumped materials collected by City staff and local nonprofit partners engaged in cleanup efforts.
✓ Bi-Annual Recycling Events: WM Cal Sierra will host two community events each year, offering free document shredding, electronic waste disposal, and compost giveaways to promote sustainability and mitigate illegal dumping.
✓ Downtown Business Mixers: WM Cal Sierra will host three mixers each year in the historic downtown district, creating a forum for business owners to connect directly with our operations team and recycling coordinator. These events will provide a space to share feedback, discuss service needs, and explore new waste
reduction and recycling opportunities
tailored to the business community.
✓ Sonora Schools Sustainability Awards:

WM Cal Sierra will offer a $500 grant
to every K–12 school in Sonora each
year to support campus recycling and
sustainability programs. Schools will be
invited to create a plan that promotes
environmental awareness and
improves recycling efforts on campus.
✓ Partnership with Tuolumne County
Arts: WM Cal Sierra is partnering with
Tuolumne County Arts to promote
creative reuse and expand community
art resources. A new art supply donation shed at the Recycling Buy-Back Center will give Sonora residents an additional location to donate usable materials, helping to increase the volume of donations and expand the program’s reach to benefit local artists.

Through these initiatives, WM Cal Sierra is committed to elevating Sonora’s waste and recycling services while actively supporting the City’s broader environmental and community objectives. Our goal is to make responsible waste disposal more accessible, improve public safety, and empower residents to take part in building a cleaner, greener Sonora for generations to come.

Our WM team engaging with students during a school
visit in Stockton—a glimpse of the hands-on learning
and community outreach we will bring to Sonora
through the new Schools Sustainability Awards
program.
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Supporting Permits & Documentation For Sonora Request For Proposal Submitted By WM Cal Sierra
August 11, 2025
It includes supporting documents such as required permits, certifications, implementation plans, and related compliance documentation.

The following documents are attached:
- Appendix A – Cost Proposal
- Appendix B – Transfer Station Permit
- Appendix C – Business License
- Appendix D – Boilerplate Contract Exceptions
- Appendix E – Letters of Support
- Appendix F – Implementation Plan
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WM Cal Sierra’s rate proposal offers the City of Sonora a clear, cost-conscious path to expanded services while maintaining stability for residents and businesses. Rates are simple, transparent, and inclusive of all core enhancements requested by the City, including green waste collection and expanded programs.

More than a seamless transition, this proposal reflects a long-term partnership built on consistency, accountability, and public trust. By aligning with City priorities and delivering reliable, high-value service, WM supports the Council’s broader efforts to build credibility with residents and reinforce Sonora’s reputation as a well-managed, forward-looking community.

WM Cal Sierra currently provides collection under a subscription-based service model, where residents voluntarily opt in. If the City chooses to transition to a mandatory service model, doing so will require an update to the municipal code and a strong community outreach program to ensure a smooth rollout.

The RFP assumes 2,190 total homes for mandatory service. About 1,280 households currently subscribe, meaning approximately 910 additional households would be affected. Should the City proceed, we will support ordinance updates, develop outreach materials, and equip council members to respond to questions before rollout.

WM Cal Sierra has extensive
experience implementing mandatory
programs and understands the
importance of proactive education and
stakeholder coordination. Should the
City move forward with a mandatory
model, our team will work closely with
staff to support ordinance updates,
develop public education materials,
and ensure City Council members are
well-equipped to respond to resident questions before any opposition arises.

WM has provided rate proposals for both subscription and mandatory service, offering flexibility to match the City’s timeline, community feedback, and policy direction.

WM Cal Sierra’s rate proposal reflects a commitment to delivering expanded services while maintaining affordability and long-term rate stability. Our approach is rooted in community responsiveness — providing real value and predictability at a time when inflation and compliance costs continue to rise across the state.

Current Subscribers: 1,280
Total homes: 2,190
Potential Impact: 910 Families
If the City moves forward with
mandatory service, Cal Sierra is ready
to lead with early resident education
and Council preparation for a smooth
transition.
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We share the City’s goal of improving services without compromising the character of Sonora’s historic downtown. Our local team listens to residents, understands their priorities, and designs cost-conscious, sustainable solutions that reflect community expectations.

Under the existing agreement, rates would have increased by 4.98% on August 31, 2025, with no added services. Instead, we are including all proposed enhancements, including bi-weekly green waste collection, within that same 4.98%, with no additional increase. This rate strategy follows one simple principle: enhance services without creating new financial burdens for residents.

WM Cal Sierra’s proposed rates include the 6% franchise fee required by the RFP, helping the City generate revenue while keeping rates affordable for residents and businesses. Should the City wish to increase this fee, WM will work collaboratively with staff to evaluate any impact on customer rates and maintain a fair balance between City revenue goals and affordability.

WM Cal Sierra has also elected not to propose a recyclables revenue share. Instead, we have structured rates to pass the value of recyclable materials directly back to residents through lower overall collection costs. Because recyclable commodity markets are highly volatile — often shifting with global trade conditions, crude oil prices, and manufacturing demand — revenue share models can make it difficult for cities to forecast budgets accurately. With our approach, WM absorbs market risk, ensuring stable rates for customers and predictable revenue for the City.

WM Cal Sierra benefits from WM’s national network of partners, offering the City access to additional services and programs such as street sweeping, household hazardous waste solutions, medical waste partnerships, textile recovery programs, and other sustainable solutions. If the City wishes to add new services, these can be discussed in interviews and incorporated during the negotiation stage. 180
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• Section 1.08: WM has some edits to the form language to make it consistent with WM policies, but WM can provide the insurance coverage limits.
• Section 1.09, second paragraph: WM would like to clarify that it will only be required to indemnify City to the extent fines or penalties are the result of WM failing to perform under the agreement.
• Section 1.15:
o C: Clarify that City must make a claim for liquidated damages within 60 days of the nonperformance event. This is necessary in order for WM to be able to address nonperformance events that it is unaware of. o D:
▪ 4: We believe City changes in law should be included as a “change in law.” ▪ We believe the first 7 days of a labor dispute should be considered an “uncontrollable circumstance”, in order for WM to be able to mobilize replacement workers.
o E: WM would like to discuss the last sentence to clarify when this provision would apply. o H: WM requests a different dispute resolution procedure, involving mediation and then binding arbitration or litigation. We feel an “independent expert” from the waste industry would likely not be qualified to properly adjudicate a matter. • Section 1.16: We believe that "liquidated damages up to $100.00 per day per customer per occurrence” is too vague and legally unenforceable. WM would agree to specific LD amounts for specific performance failures.
• Section 2.02.1: We believe “donated recyclables” should be limited to charities and non-profits and would not include commercial haulers or recyclers unless the customer receives a net payment.
• Section 4.03: WM would like to add language regarding its standard contamination and overage process, using WM’s Smart Truck technology.
• Section 6.03: Residue (which is disposal) may include reasonable amounts of recyclables, by industry standards.
• Section 6.07: WM would like to clarify that customers may not mechanically compact material in WM-owned containers, as that results in damage to the containers. 198
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The implementation plan will be led by Vanessa Barberis and Terri Douglass as Operational Lead.

Vanessa will oversee planning, coordination, and overall execution of the project, while Terri will manage day-to-day operations to ensure a smooth and efficient transition. Together, they bring a strong combination of vision and operational expertise to support successful implementation across all departments.
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COST PROPOSAL

SONORA COUNTY RFP
WM Cal Sierra
Submitted separately as part of the integral Request for Proposal issued by the County of Sonora.
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WM has provided rate proposals for both subscription and mandatory service, offering flexibility to match the City’s timeline, community feedback, and policy direction.

Sonora City CouncilSeptember 2, 2025

Sonora City Council
September 2, 2025