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Memo to Board of Supervisors (11/23/09)

Subject: Sonoma County solid waste decisions - Developing support, clarifying issues

Fourteen people spent two hours on November 17 to discuss how to help the County move forward in developing solutions for Sonoma County’s solid waste system. Many in this group also met on November 5 to discuss the same topic. The group plans to meet again before your Dec. 8 meeting.

Participants at the Nov. 17 meeting included: Brant Arthur, Steve Birdlebough, Doug Bosco, Ernie Carpenter, Jessica Diaz, Ann Hancock, Steve McCaffrey, Lisa Schaffner, Alan Siegle, Iver Skavdal, Marlene Soiland, Alan Strachan, Susan Upchurch, and Ken Wells. All are available to speak individually with Board members on this issue.

Goals to support the County to forge a positive solid waste future for Sonoma County

Goals for the short term: 1. Help keep options as open as possible, meaning don’t lock Sonoma County into any agreement that would restrict options for the long term 2. Help design and implement a process for forging a positive solid waste future for Sonoma County

Goals for the long-term:
  1. Maximize greenhouse gas reduction in the solid waste sector
  2. Promote local economy including local jobs
  3. Conduct a process and achieve results satisfactory to major stakeholders (government, business, community)
  4. Forge a broad-based, collaborative, inspiring process that is a model for solving tough community problems
  5. Demonstrate to the public that what’s good for the environment is good for the ratepayer (integrate the 3 E’s: Economy, Environment, Everybody/Equity)

Possible short-term approaches to reduce pressure on County

Regulatory pressure:

  • County and city representatives go together, as a delegation, to state legislators and seek their help with regulators regarding closure issues.

    • Pressure to deal with Sonoma County’s waste after current contracts expire in August 2010:

  • We generally agreed with staff’s recommendation to the BOS on Nov. 3 to pursue concurrent paths – both short-term extensions of existing agreements, and an RFP to solicit competitive bids for these services to select the best option should negotiations fail.
  • Services sought: Outhaul and operation of transfer stations and disposal capacity at other landfills for 2-5 years. Landfill operator to utilize remaining East Canyon capacity at a reduced fill rate. The goal of such short-term agreements would be to secure services and stable rates for Sonoma County’s solid waste disposal, and to relieve regulatory pressure.

    • Criteria for a process to develop long-term solid waste solutions

    The importance of designing a credible process for long term solutions that builds trust with the cities, businesses, and community has been underscored repeatedly in our conversations. We suggest the following process criteria:

    1. County approval
    2. Credibility of major participants
    3. Includes representatives of key stakeholders
    4. Effectively builds alignment
    5. Moves quickly and efficiently
    6. Access to resources (funds, staff, expertise)
    7. Transparent
    8. Distinct from previous process

    We welcome your comments and questions. Thank you.

     

    		 Waste Bins, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County

    Documents

    (11/23/09) Memo to Board of Supervisors: Sonoma County solid waste decisions - Developing support, clarifying issues

    (9/23/09) Letter and 14-page analysis of proposed landfill divestiture

    BVA's Reassessment of the Long-Term Solid Waste Strategy Management Plan

    Additional solid waste reports

     
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