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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02281989 - 2.14 , 2. 14 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on _February 28 , 1989_, by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Powers, Fanden, McPeak, Torlakson NOES: ' None ABSENT: Supervisor Schroder ABSTAIN: None ------------------------------------------------------------------ SUBJECT: Proposed Rate Increases for the Acme Landfill Charles Zahn of the Community Development Department reported that the tipping fee at the Acme Landfill has increased from $25 to $41 per ton this last month with the increase being due solely to the cost of closing the landfill. He advised that Acme had antici- pated that the closure cost for the three operating parcels of the landfill would have come to about $18 million and that the increase over a period of several months to approximately $41 million. He noted that the 97-acre East Parcel and the 22-acre Southern Parcel are designated as domestic landfills and are subject to closure requirements imposed by the State Regional Water Quality Control Board; and that the 125-acre old part of the landfill because of it having deposited a small percentage of hazardous waste is regarded as a hazardous waste facility and therefore subject to the more stringent closure requirements of the State. Department of Health Services and .the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. With a new set of regulations becoming effective this year as a result of the Easton Bill, AB 2448, Mr. Zahn reported that the local enforcement agency (Contra Costa County Health Services Department) and the California Waste Management Board will be required to review closure plans for the domestic landfills. He advised that once the regulations are approved the two enforcement agencies as noted would be more directly involved in the review and approval of the closure plans. Mr. Zahn stated that if the Board desires more information, he would be agreeable to developing a more detailed report on this matter. Supervisor Fanden requested that consideration be given at some future time to review what each of the cities and the fran- chising agencies charge, the basis for the rate charged, and how the revenues received from each franchise are spent. She inquired if any of the fees collected have been used for recycling programs, if the money is added to the general fund of a city or agency, or if it is considered a tax. Supervisor McPeak concurred and stated that the rate review should look at all costs that contribute to the rate. She noted that in the past garbage bills have been relatively low and have not reflected the ultimate cost of closing down a landfill, which is an issue that needs to be conveyed to the public. She asked if there should be any further investigation on rate that would be related to the interim transfer station and how that is impacted by what might be closure or exporting. Supervisor McPeak advised that rate review of the interim transfer station is dependent in -part on a) how long the interim station is in place before a permanent station is established, and b) what the discussion is publicly regarding where the costs are attributed. She expressed support for obtaining detailed information on this subject. Supervisor Torlakson proposed that historical information also be presented, particularly on the question of which agencies might have earlier dealt with the closure cost issue and established a fund for this purpose. He expressed concern that the franchising agencies did not plan ahead for the closure of a landfill and built the cost into the rate structure. Supervisor Powers expressed the need to get a landfill site operational and complete the County' s Solid Waste Plan. He advised that the more work the Board adds to the existing staff without augmentation, the greater the risk in delaying the schedule of accomplishments that needs to be done. He concurred with Supervi- sor Fanden in that most of the franchising information is contained within the cities that issue the franchises and noted that staff has been directed to develop a method by which rates are controlled at landfill sites. Supervisor Fanden commented on the need for more information on how the Board can help facilitate the building of a permanent transfer station. She also commented on the relationship of having franchising agencies committing their garbage to a transfer station in order to make the construction of a transfer station economical- ly feasible. There being no further discussion, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the oral report as presented by Mr. Zahn is ACCEPTED and that the Director of Community Development is REQUESTED to report further on questions raised relative to the distribution of closure costs. IT IS FURTHER ORDER that the issue of commitment of waste to the proposed Acme Fill permanent transfer station is REFERRED to the County Solid Waste Commission for consideration as soon as possible. hereby certify that this is a true and cormcl.copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. cc: Director, CDD SWC ATTESTED: PHIL BATCHELOR, Jerk of the Board County Administrator of Supervisors and County.Administrator By Deputy