27. Solid waste services franchise agreement LAGCo (Recology)CUPERTINO
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
SUMl'VIARY
AGENDA ITEM a
AGENDA DATE November 30, 2009
SUBJECT AND ISSUE
Consider approving a S-Year Solid Waste Services Franchise Agreement with Los Altos Garbage
Company (LAGCo dba Recology, A Norval Co:alpany} for solid waste collection with additional
collection services and expansion of recycling services, including curbside collection of household
hazardous waste for a rate increase of SO cents a month ($6.00 per year} for the City of Cupertino
effective November 1, 2010 and upon mutual agreement after November 1, 2014 an option for an
additional five years beginning November 1, 201 S and authorize the City Manager to negotiate a f nal
agreement with LAGCo and report back to the City Council for approval by Spring of 2010.
BACKGROUND
On July 7, 2009 Council directed staff to evaluate LAGCo's May 29th proposal for a S-year contract
extension and to report the results of that evaluation and any negotiated agreement on solid waste
services back to Council. This effort has resulted its completed negotiations and a favorable agreement
for the terms of a five-year contract with LAGCo. To ensure that the City and its residents recognize
that the City is retaining the same solid waste sen~ice company, the term LAGCo will continue to be
used for a period of time to allow for sufficient orientation to the new name, Recology. All references
to LAGCo in this report or in other documents will mean LAGCo, dba Recology, A Norval Company
as referenced in the recommendations.
A key component of this agreement, to maintain Cupertino's role as a leader in recycling solid waste,
is that the City staff has, as Council requested, been. able to negotiate a contract with Recology that will
result in a 7S°/a rate in waste diversion, i.e., that '1S% of all solid waste collections will be diverted
from the landfill by recycling for other re-usable products. Currently the State of California requires a
minimum of SO% diversion and Cupertino is currently diverting a b0% of all solid waste collections.
The agreement terms negotiated with LAGCo for a five year contract not only includes a 7S%
diversion goal by the end of the fourth year of tl-e term of the fzve year contract but also includes
expanding recycling features at a minimal cost to tb.e ratepayers.
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Notable expanded recycling features in the proposed Agreement include the collection of:
• Food waste (organics) from residents along with plant trimmings fox processing into
compost (I..AGCo will provide each household a pail in which to save food scraps until
they are combined with plant trimmings~for collection);
• An expanded list of materials in Cupertino's single-stream recycling service;
• Single-stream recycling and food waste from multi-family town homes, condominiums
and apartments;
• Organics from restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses in Cupertino;
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs from residents at curbside when secured in a zip-lock
plastic bag;
• And, cooking oil from residents when contained in a 1-gallon container with a closed
screw-top lid
Additional features of the proposed agreement include:
At least two recycling events for residents per year will be offered by Recology at De
Anza. College. These events will include sensitive document shredding and drop off of
all the items that are currently offered at LAGCo's Environmental Recycling Days (e.g.
large used play structures and toys, construction debris, used clothing, E-waste and
fluorescent bulbs and batteries).
In response to request for lower or competitive debris box rates. from residents and
Cupertino's business community, Recology will offer amid-sized debris box (20 cubic
yard) at $425 ($50 is proposed to be subsidized by the City). Currently, debris boxes
are available with a 16 CY capacity at about $397, and a 26 CY capacity at about $60$
and a 30 CY capacity at $71 $.
The City and LAGCo are also proposing to expand the current household hazardous
waste collection events offered in partnership with Santa Clara County by incorporating
door-to-door collection of household hazardous waste (e.g. paints, pesticides, fertilizers,
cleansers) by appointment. This innovative new service will require a $0.50 per month
($6.00 per year) increase in residential garbage rates upon implementation of the new
agreement. This is the only rate increase proposed and it provides for a new service.
The cost of the expanded commercial organics processing is relatively uncertain. As
such, under the terms of the new contract, LAGCo, at the end of the first year will
evaluate and report any fluctuations in the cost of that expanded service. On the basis of
that evaluation, under the new contract LAGCo may propose a rate adjustment for
commercial users if necessary to cover any increased costs. However, the City will
retain the right to approve, disapprove or modify any such rate proposal.
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NET REVENUE /OPERATIONS PROJECTION
Attachment B (the table of revenue and cost projections), shows a first year projection of net revenues
(the 17% of rate payer revenue called the "operating; revenue") less the Newby Island payment of
approximately $558,000 for solid waste related operations. It should be noted that in the first 2 years of
the new agreement the City is spending slightly moire money on solid waste programs than it is
collecting in solid waste operating revenue. (See T;~.ble below)
Net Revenue / Opt:rations Projection
(Numbers are $1000's rounded)
ITEM 2011 2012 2013 2014
LAGCo Payment $1,258 $1,25f- $1,258 $1,258
Newby Island
Payment (7pp} ~65(~ (6001 (550)
Net to Ci $558 $608 $658 $708
Pro am Costs* (600) 61i) 620) 630
Im act'`* $ 42 $ :~) $ 38 $ 78
*The City's waste management program cost of approximately $600K annually and is expected
to increase by 1-2% per year thereafter. Th~;se expenses include program staff, supplies, public
education, street sweeping and residential p~~rticipation in the County's household hazardous
waste collection (HI3W} events.
**During the first year of the proposed Agreement the City's waste management operations
revenue, expected to be $558,000, will fall :short of covering program expenses, projected to be
approximately $600,000, by approximately $42,000. As landfill costs decrease, with increased
diversion of organics, the solid waste operations revenue from the Franchisee will cover the
costs and ultimately will provide extra funcL~ for the expansion of the City's waste management
programs.
Therefore, as noted above, after the second year, due to the collection of orgazucs and a higher
diversion rate, the City will make enough from the operating revenue to cover all solid waste
management program costs. In the fourth and fiftJi years the City will begin to have about $38K and
$78K to pay for any increases in costs of solid w,~,ste programs and to pay for additional ratepayers'
education for expanding solid waste programs as tb.ey may be required.
CONCLUSION
A summary of the negotiated final agreement of the terms of the new LAGCo 5-year contract is
attached to this report. The current contract expires; on October 31, 2010 and the new contract would
take effect on November 1, 2010. City Staff and LAGCo Management have agreed to all of the
business terms described by the attached General Terms of Agreement. As such staff recommends
approval of these terms.
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FISCAL IlVIPACT
Table A attached to this report outlines a comparison of the cost and revenue distribution under the
new contract in comparison to the current contract. In summary, in order to simplify the transactions,
the Staff and LAGCo have agreed to modify the distribution of costs and revenues such that the city
will receive a smaller percentage of reimbursement from all revenues in exchange for LAGCo paying
directly for all services except for the Newby Island Landfill tonnage fees.
The City retains the responsibility for the~payment of the Newby Island fees. As the diversion rate
increases up to 75%, the tonnage to the landfill decreases resulting in a lower landfill cost to the City.
The cost/revenue projections show a slight increase in net revenue to the City over the life of the new
five-year contract.
The franchise fee of 12% of gross revenues, which goes directly to the general fund, remains
unchanged. Based on the current annual revenue projection of $7,400,000 the franchise fee would be
approximately $888,000 annually. It has occasionally been noted that because the franchise fee goes
to the general fund, which is unrestricted, the fee {currently 12%) should be increased and offset by a
decrease in the percentage of the operations revenue (proposed to be 17%). Since all revenues are from
rate-payers and should be expended to the greatest extent to fund solid waste services, staff does not
recommend making such a change at this time.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Approval of a 5-Year Solid Waste Services Franchise Agreement with Los Altos Garbage Company
(LAGCo dba Recology, A Norcal Company) for solid waste collection with additional collection
services and expansion of recycling services, including curbside collection of household hazardous
waste for a rate increase of 50 cents a month ($6.00 per year} for the City of Cupertino effective
November 1, 2010 and upon mutual agreement after November 1, 2014 an option for an additional five
years beginning November 1, 2015 and authorize the City Manager to negotiate a final agreement
with LAGCo and report back to the City Council for approval by Spring of 2010.
Submitted by:
~~~~~
Ralph A. Qualls, Jr.
Director of Public Works
Approved fox submission:
David W. Knapp
City Manager
Attachments: Terms of Agreement for New Contract between City and LAGCo
A -Table of revenue and cost projectians for new contract
B -Table of Rate Comparisons with other cities
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General Terms of Agreement
DIVERSION GOAL
The City's goal is to achieve a 75% diversion ;;oal by the end of 2014.
LAGCo projects that the expanded programs they have proposed will achieve the 75% diversion
goal for Cupertino, minimize organics from th~~ landfill, and advance the City toward zero waste by
the year 2020. LAGCo must reach the goal of 75% diversion by the end of the 4th year of this new
Agreement to be offered an option to extend tt~e contract for five years following the first f ve-year
term. If by the end of the fourth year, LAGCo does not show that they have reached the 75%
diversion goal for the City, the contract extension may not be granted and the City may exercise its
prerogative to go out to bid and select a new contractor before the end of the f fth year. LAGCo
will provide the City with annual reports startv~g at the end of the first year of this Agreement (by
December 31St of each year, for the period of 1`lovember 1St through October 31St) describing
progress achieved towards the 75% diversion €;oal.
FRANCHISE FEE
LAGCo will continue to pay the 12% franchisf; fee that it currently pays to the City.on gross
receipts related to services provided under this Agreement. In addition to the franchise fee, LAGCo
will pay the City 17% of the applicable operating revenue to fund the City's waste management
operating costs.
PERCENTAGE FOR CITY'S QPERATINC~ REVENUE
LAGCo will pay the City a waste management operations fee {operating revenue} of 17% on
residential, multi-family and commercial revenue. The 17% will not change during the term of this
Agreement, but the revenue received will increase automatically with annual Consumer Price Index
(CPI) increases on customer rates. LAGCo will continue to reimburse the City for costs associated
with debris box disposal at Newby Island Landfill.
CITY LANDFILL CONTRACT
The City has an agreement with International Disposal Corporation {IDC) which is a wholly owned
subsidiary of AIlied Waste Systems, for disposal of wastes at Newby Island Landfill. This
agreement extends through November 20, 202:;, which is beyond the term of LAGCo's contract
extension so the City will continue to pay .for r~;sidential and commercial waste tipping fees at the
landfill.
PAYMENT FOR ORGANICS PROCESSIf~(G
The City's current agreement with the Zanker ]load Landfill for processing organics will terminate
on October 31, 2010, the same day as the current collections contract between the City and
LAGCO. At that time LAGCo will assume all costs associated with organics collection and
processing for the City. The waste managemenrt operations fee (operating revenue fee) will be set
at 17% to continue to fund administration, staffing, program implementation, program promotion,
educational outreach and other services and existing programs.
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ANNUAL REPORTS FROM FRANCHISEE
After the first year of implementation, LAGCo will provide the City with annual reports (by
December 31St each year, for the period of November 1St through October 31St} showing their actual
casts to process organics. These reports will help LAGCo to determine any incremental rate
increases that will be necessary to fund the organics processing services. After providing actual
costs and projections, LAGCo may prepare a request for a rate increase for Council's consideration.
Rate increases would not be applied until the second year of implementing the expanded programs.
Lower organics processing costs are expected during the first two years while customer
participation has not yet reached the maximum.
FRANCHISEE'S DIVERSION GOAL PLAN
Based on waste composition data available from the California Integrated Waste Management
Board (CIWMB), LAGCo will project the percent of diversion that will be achieved from each
program element in their annual reports to the City so the City can determine how LAGCo plans to
achieve the desired diversion goal.
Based on CIWMB estimates, 40% of the municipal solid waste stream is comprised of organic
material. LAGCo projects, through the expansion of their organics recycling programs in the
residential, multi-family and commercial sectors, they will increase diversion of organics by 12,000
tons annually to meet or exceed a 75% diversion goal. LAGCo projects that the diversion will
increase from 62% to 78% in the residential sector and from 20% to 70% in the multi-family and
commercial sector. Before the Agreement implementation date (November 1, 2010}, LAGCo will
provide the City with information on the percentage of customer participation and compliance that
LAGCo is counting on to meet their goal. To help meet the diversion goal, LAGCo will continue
to offer Environmental Recycling Days two times per year, expand their E-waste and U-waste
programs to include the multi-family sectors and will introduce Curbside Inc to iinpleinent a door-
to-door on-call collection for household hazardous waste (HHW). The table below shows
LAGCo's projected increase in diverted tons as a result of the expanded programs:
Landfilied Recycle Organics Percent
Current Residential 9,000 6,256 7,516 62%
Expanded Residential 4,916 6,256 11,592 78%
Current MFD/Commercial 15,000 2,234 1,500 20%
Expanded MFD/Commercial 5,600 3,024 10,200 70%
Expanded Total Diversion 10,516 9,280 21,792 75%
PUBLIC EDUCATION PLAN
Before the Agreement implementation date, LAGCo will provide the City with their plan to reach
residents of multi-family dwellings and effectively educate these residents on how to sort clean
coinpostable materials from garbage and recyclables in order to maximize the success of their
expanded recycling and compostuig programs.
When garbage is collected, soiree of the compostable materials continue to be thrown into the
garbage and taken to landfill. Before the Agreement implementation date, LAGCo will provide a
plan to show the City how they will minimize the amount of cornpostables that are not properly
separated by residential and commercial customers.
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AB 32 REQUIREMENTS
AB 32 requires cities to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To help the City achieve
these reductions, LAGCo will implement the following program elements:
LAGCo will opexate their vehicles using B-40 biodiesel after it has been approved by the California
Air Resources Board {GARB). (There are benefits and drawbacks involved with using a higher
percentage of biodiesel.) LAGCo currently of~erates on B-20 biodiesel and will switch to B-40
upon GARB approval. LAGCo will provide the City with information on the environmental
benefits of using biodiesel B-40 instead of B-2.0; and will weigh the environmental benefits of these
fuels against the benefits of other alternative fi~els such as compressed natural gas (CNG) or
liquefied natural gas (LNG). LAGCo supervisors that work in the City of Cupertino will drive
hybrid half-ton pickups to reduce emissions.
Recycling and organics-processing will be han.dhed locally in Santa Clara County to further reduce
GHG emissions. Since organics disposed of in landfill are a significant generator of methane (a
greenhouse gas}, LAGCo's expansion of food waste and organics recycling in the residential,
multi-family and commercial customer base will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting this
material from landfill and by reducing methane that is produced as organic waste decomposes.
LAGCo's organics program will produce a high quality, best end-use compost to be made available
to Cupertino residents at the City's current corapost pick-up site. Additional items that LAGCo has
implemented or proposed are described under the section of the terms of Agreement which covers
Environmental Program Commitment.
LITTER REDUCTION REQUIREMENTS
LAGCo will add features to their collection vehicles (e.g., modify the hopper shielding} to
minimize litter dispersion, especially from lig):it-weight material (e.g., film and foamed plastic)
which is often blown away as it is dumped out of the carts on windy days and as the truck continues
on its route. Before the Agreement implementation date, LAGCo will provide a plan for customer
education to encourage residents to properly b~zg-in-bag their fihm plastic.
RESIDENTIAL SERVICES
Collection of Recyciables
LAGCo will discontinue the collection of Polystyrene and Styrofoam for recycling due to the lack
of reliable end markets for these materials
LAGCo will continue the weekly colhection of single stream reeyclables from residential customers
and will expand the materials collected to include:
o Aerosol cans (empty)
o Scrap Metal
o Aluminum foil, trays and pans
o Frozen food packaging (paper based)
o All plastics #1-#7
o Film plastic (bagged)
o Empty pizza boxes
o Cooking oil set out at the curb in 1-gallon containers with a closed screw-on top
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After recycling and garbage toters have been emptied, drivers will put all toters back in the place,
where residents put them so that toters do not block any part of a driveway or hinder street traffic.
Special- Services
In the fall of every year for the.term of this Agreement LAGCo will run their "Coats for Kids"
program and expand the program to include blankets. LAGCo will promote this program through
their residential newsletter, LAGCo's website, quarterly utility bill inserts, newspaper ads, and the
City's website and access channel. LAGCo projects that they will collect 1,500 coats through
curbside collection routes. LAGCo will launder the coats and blankets and donate them to local
non-profit organizations to keep children and adults in need warm through the winter months.
Collection of Compostables
LAGCo will provide each home with a kitchen pail to store coinpostable waste. The compostable
material will be placed into customer's existing yard-waste toter for collection on a weekly basis.
Before the Agreement implementation date, LAGCo will provide the City with a list of materials
tlrat should not be placed in the bin for compostables and guidelines for conveying this message to
customers.
Compostable materials that will be collected through the organics recycling program include:
o All food products and bones, such as chicken, turkey, fish, beef, and pork
o Coffee grounds, tea bags and filters
o Dairy products
o Pasta, bread and dough products
o Al] fiuit and vegetables
o Food-soiled pizza boxes
o All soiled paper products, such as napkins, towels, plates, tissue, cups, and take-out containers
o Waxed cardboard
Organics Processing Facility
LAGCo will transfer all compostable material, through their Rogers Avenue Transfer Station in San
Jose, for processing at their affiliate facility, South Valley Organics, located near Gilroy.
• LAGCo will inform the City of the level of contamination that~is acceptable for the
collection and processing of compostable material.
• LAGCo will define the level of contamination that will be allowed before the collected
organics are sent to landfill.
• Prior to the implementation of this agreement, LAGCo will provide a plan to the City that
will address how they will handle organics that are contaminated.
At-Home Composters
LAGCo will provide up to 400 Biostack Bins for residential composters during the first year of this
Agreement and deliver them to requesting residential customers at no additional delivery cost to the
customer. Residents will initially pay for the Biostack Bin, buf will then be reimbursed the full cost
of the Bin through a credit on their next monthly collection bill. LAGCo will report annually on
the number of bins provided to households and issue a quote for additional bins if more than 400
residential customers request them.
Four hundred Biostack bins will accommodate about 3% of Cupertino's households. LAGCo will
include in their annual report to the City, a brief summary on the reduction in the number of tons of
organics that that they process as a result of providing at-home composting bins.
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Collection of E-waste and U-Waste
LAGCo will continue the weekly collection o1'used motor oil, filters, and dry cell batteries.
LAGCo will add the weekly collection of compact fluorescent lamps (CFCs) that are sealed in
separate zip-lock bag and placed at curbside o~i collection day. LAGCo will continue to collect
motor oil in one-gallon containers, filters in clear zip-lock bags and batteries in separate zip-lock
bags. All material will be brought back to the LAGCo yard, located at 650 Martin Avenue, and
segregated into sepazate containers. All batteries, CFCs, E- Waste and U- Waste will be recycled
through AERC, LAGCo's permitted processor, All used oil and filters will be collected and
recycled through Evergreen Environmental, L.~GCo's permitted processor. LAGCo will no longer
charge the City for disposal of batteries.
Collection of Garbage
LAGCo will continue to collect garbage from .residential customers in existing carts. With the
expanded collection programs for single-stream recyclables and organics, minimal material will
remain for disposal. LAGCo will report annu~~lly to the City on the level of can attrition they have
assumed if most households reduce their servi~;e to 32-gallon containers.
Mini-Can Collection
Based on data from programs in surrounding areas, LAGCo projected that approximately 15% of
Cupertino's customer base would utilize amini-can service. This could result in a small savings for
the customer. However, the cost, if the customer needed to have extra garbage picked up a couple
of times per year, may cancel out the savings from the reduction in cart size. There was not a
significant environmental benefit or economic advantage for the residents in offering the insert.
City staff decided not to pursue this option with LAGCo at this time.
MULTI-FAMILY SERVICES
Collection of Recyclables .
LAGCo will offer the same single stream recy~~ling service to all multi-family dwelling (MFD}
complexes as they offer for the single-stream residential program (see list of recyclables on page 4).
LAGCo's Recycling Coordinator will visit every MFD complex during the first year of the
expanded program and customize a program that utilizes either carts or bins. A quarterly list will
be provided by LAGCo to the City listing the 1viFD customers that are utilizing recycling services,
as well as an exception list of MFD complexes that decline to participate in the program, with
reasons for any non-participation in the free program. LAGCo's plan will provide good customer
service by offering a high level of support for the program.
Collection of Compostables
LAGCo will offer the same weekly collection of compostables for all MFD camplexes as they do
for the residential organics program. LAGCo's Recycling Coordinator will visi# every MFD
complex during the first year of the expanded program and customize a program that utilizes either .
carts or bins. Individual dwelling units in complexes that participate in the organics program will
be supplied with kitchen pails. A quarterly list. will be provided by LAGCo to the City listing the
MFD customers that are utilizing the organic services, and an exception list of MFD customers that
decline to participate in the program, with reasons for their non-participation in the program.
Collection of E-waste and U-Waste
E-waste and U-Waste will be collected from multi-family dwellings through the on-call collection
program. As with residential E-waste and U-v~~aste, all material will be brought back to LAGCo's
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yard located at 650 Martin Avenue, segregated and placed into separate containers. LAGCo will
also set up drop-off containers at MFD office locations for battery and cell phone recycling. Prior
to the Agreement implementation date, LAGCo will look into the feasibility of collecting CFLs
from drop-off containers in multi-family locations.
COMMERCIAL SERVICES
Collection of Recyclables
LAGCo will offer the collection of the same weekly single-stream recyclables for commercial
customers as they offer for the residential program. LAGCo's Recycling Coordinator will contact
every commercial customer during the first year of the expanded program and customize a program
that utilizes either carts or bins. A quarterly list will be provided by LAGCo to the City of the
customers that are utilizing recycling services, with an exception list of commercial customers that
decline to participate in the program, and reasons for their non-participation in the free program.
LAGCo anticipates an uicrease of 700 tons of recycling material annually from the conversion of
source separated recycling to single-stream recycling. Before the Agreement implementation date,
LAGCo will provide to the City, their plan to deal with contaminated recyclables containers frown
commercial customers.
Collection of Compostables
LAGCo will offer to collect the same compostables for commercial customers as they collect for
their residential program. Their Recycling Coordinator will visit every commercial customer during
the first year of the expanded program and customize a program that utilizes either carts or bins.
An unlimited number of "slim Jim" containers will be provided for inside storage of organic
materials. A quarterly list will be pxovided for the City by LAGCo of the commercial customers
that are utilizing the organic services, with an exception list of commercial customers that decline
to participate in the program with reasons for their non-participation in the program. LAGCo
anticipates organics tonnage to increase from 1,500 tons to 10,200 tons annually with completion of
the roll-out of this commercial collection program.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND PROMOTION
LAGCo will contact every commercial and MFD customer on an annual basis to ensure they are
maximizing their recycling programs. In addition, LAGCo will promote the expanded recycling
programs through presentations at local civic and homeowners group meetings, community
functions, local schools, the company's website, and the City's website and access channel.
DEBRIS BOX SERVICES
Based on a recent survey of debris box rates in surrounding franchised cites, the franchised debris
box rates in the City of Cupertino fall within the average (see Attachment A on the last page of this
proposal). It was determined that customers would realize a savings if a mid-sized cubic yard (CY)
debris box were offered. Currently LAGCo offers a 16CY, 26CY and 30CY debris box. Most
cities in the surrounding area offer a 15CY, 20CY and 30CY debris box. With Cupertino
customers the smaller debris box (16CY) was either too small or the next size up (26CY) was too
large causing customers to pay more than necessary for their debris box. Based on the findings
listed in Attachment A, LAGCo will offer 20-yard debris boxes at rates that are proportionate to the
rates for the current 16-yard and 30-yard boxes. LAGCo will introduce amid-sized debris box at
$475. Additionally, the City will subsidize $50 of the customer's cost, resulting in a 20-yard debris
box for Cupertino residents at $425. It is anticipated that introducing amid-sized debris box at a
lower price will take care of many of the complain#s from customers who tell us that Cupertino's
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prices for debris boxes are "much higher than in other cities". Rates for debris boxes other than the
20-yard size will stay the same.
SPECIAL SERVICES
Collection at City Facilities
LAGCo will provide the collection of the same single-stream recycling and compostable material at
all City facilities as are collected in the residential program. LAGCo will add new City collection
sites as needed during the term of the new Agreement.
Drop-Off Events
LAGCo will continue to hold drop-off events two times per year on dates mutually agreeable to the
City and LAGCo, at no cost to the City. These events enable residents to drop off recyclables, used
clothing, yardwaste, E-waste, U-Waste, play structures, wood and other recyclable construction
materials, and include document destruction services.
On-Call Collection Days
LAGCO will continue to provide two free on-~~all collection days annually at no charge to the
customer and at no charge to the City.
City-Sponsored Events
LAGCo will participate in a minimum of six City-sponsored events per year. At each event,
LAGCo will provide containers for recyclable.s, compostables, and garbage. LAGCo will staff an
information booth at the events, promoting Cupertino's recycling services and other integrated
waste management programs as appropriate.
Materials Marketing and Promotion of Extf~nded Producer Responsibility
The corporate phlosophy of LAGCo and its p~~.rent company, Recology-Waste Zero, is to collect
and recover all recyclable material, and utilize the products for the highest and best end use.
LAGCo's recycling processor, Smurfit Stone, is located nearby in San Jose and a majority of their
material is marketed locally. All cardboard is processed in Santa Clara, and metal is processed in
San Jose. Bottles, cans, glass, plastics, HDPE and PET are processed in California. Paper and
mixed paper are processed in west coast mills and through Pacific Rim markets, depending on
demand.
In February 200$ Cupertino's City Council ad~~pted an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR}
Resolution. Recology-Waste Zero's corporate philosophy shares Cupertino's goal to reduce,
rethink and reuse all appropriate materials. L~LGCo will adopt a similar extended producer
responsibility (EPR) policy. LAGCo will also send letters, from dine to time, supporting
legislation which puts the burden of disposal, c;specially for hazardous waste, on the manufacturer
rather than on local government. It is believed that this trend will encourage manufacturers to make
improvements in design that promote environrzental sustainability so that at its end-of--life, their
product's materials will be salvaged and reused, thereby preserving valuable resources and
preventing useful materials from accumulating; in landfills.
PROGRAM FUNDING, FINANCING, AND FEES
Recyclables Costs
LAGCo will collect all single-stream recycling; material and pay for all processing costs of the
material and retain all material value and rebates.
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Rate Adjustments
The annual rate adjustments, including those that are defined through any contract extensions, will
be based 100% on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Standard Services
LAGCo will maintain the existing rate structure for residential, MFD, and commercial customers.
LAGCo will eliminate the cost to the City for subsidizing residential bulky item pick-ups. One
bulky item per year, per household, will be picked up by LAGCa at no cost to the customer.
Additional bulky item pick-ups will be offered at the current cost of $25.00 per item and $15 for
pick-up of a TV.
Extra Services
LAGCo will use the rate structure for extra services that is in the current franchise agreement for
residential and commercial customers.
Performance Standards
LAGCo will adhere to the performance standards in Cupertino's current franchise agreement for
residential, MFD, and commercial customers.
Liquidated Damages
LAGCo agrees to pay any liquidated damages incurred as described in Attachment A -Liquidated
Damages, of Cupertino's existing franchise agreement.
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM
Recology operates an award winning, one-of-a-kind program in San Francisco called the Artist in
Residence {AIR) Program. The program provides qualified artists the opportunity to create artwork
out of garbage, which in turn is used to educate others about the environment and the arts. LAGCo
will coordinate an annual tour of the AIR Program for the City of Cupertino and De Anza College
{up to 40 people}.
LAGCo will also coordinate with the AIR Program to provide an opportunity annually for two
student volunteers from the Environmental Studies Program at De Anza College to participate in
the AIR Internship Program.. Inters are educated about the AIR Program, enviromnental issues
and sustainability and may assist with school tours and other AIR Program events.
In addition, LAGCo will partner with the City of Cupertino to showcase projects front the AIR
Program at the City of Cupertino library.
LAGCo has also made arrangements with the AIR Program to accept residency applications from
students in the Art Frogram at De Anza College. This unique opportunity provides students with
workspace and access to "the dump" to scavenge materials for their art project. Participation in the
program is not guaranteed as all applications are reviewed by the AIR Advisory Board and subject
to their selection and approval.
PROGRAM ENHANCEMENT
Curbside Inc. has provided LAGCo with a proposal to provide on call curbside household
hazardous waste (HHVi~ collection to the residents of Cupertino. Based on their experience in
other communities they serve, 10% of the residential base participates in this type of program. The
z~-~z
Page S
cost, based on 10% participation, is $0.45 per :home per month. If participation exceeds 10% up to
20%, the cost per home would increase to $0.`~9 per home, and anything over 20% participation
will be $0.64 per home. LAGCo will collect a. $0.50 fee on each residential bill and will pay
Curbside Inc the costs to run the HHW collection program. LAGCo will track the revenue from the
$0.50 fee along with the monthly cost to pay fir this program and will report the findings to the
City in their annual reports (due on December 31St)
Curbside Inc. will provide one pharmaceutical and one sharps drop-box container at convenient
locations in Cupertino.
RECOLOGY'S STATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM COMMITMENT
In California, established ideas concerning the economic consumption model of extraction,
production, distribution, consumption, and disposal is being seriously challenged. This
transformation is being partially driven by the increasing understanding of climate change and an
entity's carbon footprint. At LAGCo andRecology, Inc. we are taking a systematic approach to
incorporate sustainabiliry, green chemistry, zero waste, closed loop production, renewable energy,
and local living economics in our business pra~~tices. We take caring for the environment very
seriously. It is more than part of our motto - it is at the core of our culture at Recology and our
operating companies.
27-13
F'age 9 -
FY 08-09 Debris Box (Roll-off} Source Separated Rate Comparison
15yd 20yd1 30yd
Cupertino $371 -----' $678
Los Altos $566 N/A $702
Los Altos Hills N/A $405
Saratoga N/A $483 $584
Monte Sereno N/A $473
Campbell N/A $476 $577
Los Gatos N/A $480 $581
Sunnyvale $524 $640 $697
Mountain View $384 $462
Paio Alto $727 N/A $1,014
Santa Clara N/A $527 N/A
Avg Rate $514 $493 $668
N/A
$573
$605
Cupertino's
FY09-10 Non Source Separated Debris Box Rates
16 Cubic Yard $397
26 Cubic Yard $608
30 Cubic Yard $718
' LAGCo currently offers a 26-cubic yard (CY) debris box for Cupertino customers, but does not
offer a 20-CY debris box. Most other cities in the surrounding area offer a 15CY, 20CY and 30CY
debris box. Those cities do not offer the 26CY size.
2 LAGCo will offer amid-sized debris box (20CY) at a price {$475) that is approximately
proportionate to the cost of the 16CY and 30CY debris boxes currently offered. The City has
proposed subsidizing $50 of the cost for each 24CY debris box, resulting in a competitive rate of
$425 for Cupertino customers. Other debris box prices swill remain the same.
27-14
Page IO -
ATTACHE M E NT A
(Revised 1i-13-09}
tos Altos Garbage Company
City of Cupertino
Current annual revenue for Single Family, Mutti••Family, and Commercial Businesses collection
services: $7,400,000
Current Projected Year 1
Z9% 17% iZ%
City City LAGCo
City of Cupertino payment from [AGCa at 29% of revenue
from SFD, MFD and CB
$2,146,000 ~ $1,258,000 ~ $888,000
Newby Island Disposal, $39.38 per ton (21,650 tons) ($852,577)
Newby Island Disposal-Expanded Program Year 1(17,783 ($700,294)
tons-3,867 tonnage reduction from Year 1 organics)
Residential organic Processing, $41.36 per ton (x,427 tons) ($307,180)
Residential organics Processing, $50 per ton- Expanded ($450,000)
Program Year 1(9,000 tons)
Commercial Organics Processing, $77 per ton (1,:!06 tons) ($92,862)
Commercial Organics Processing, $77 perton-Expanded ($269,500)
Program Year 1 (3,500 tans)
Recycling Reimbursement ($390,750) ($390,750)
Impact $502,631 $557,706 ($222,250)
Year 2 Projected Increase for Organics 3.00%
27-15
ATTACHMENT B
May 2009
Residential Rate Comparison
1 32-Gallon Gart
City or Jurisdiction Name Monthly
Rate
Los Altos Hills $33.,'6
Palo Alto $31.00
Los Altos $28:11
Milpitas $26.99
Los Altos County District 5B $26.41
Los Altos County District 5C $26.37
Gilroy $26.22
San Jose $25.80
Sunnyvale $25.31
Monte Sereno $23.98
Morgan Hill $23.55
Saratoga $20.97
Cupertino $19.89
Santa Clara $19.44
Campbell $19.03
Los Gatos $18.95
Mountain View {bi-weekly recycling) $16.40
G~mmercial Front Loader Rate Comparison ' .
y 3-Yd Bin l '1 x Week Service
Palo Alto $382.00
Los Altos $277.44
Monte Sereno $273.41
Sunnyvale $270.40
Saratoga $265.17
Morgan HiII $262.66
Gilroy $253.19
Mountain Vew $251.85
Los Gatos $215.93
Milpitas $206.33
Los Altos County District 5C $202.64
Los Altos County District 5B $202.64
Cupertino County District 5A $202.64
Campbell $193.72
Cupertino $185.63
Santa Clara $157.16
1 Current rate -Proposed rate beginning November 2010 is $20.39
27-16
EXHIBITS
BEGIN
HERE
~~~
Linda Lagergren
From: Quon Phil [Quon Phil@cusdk8.org]
Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 1:19 hM
To: Orrin Mahoney
Subject: Support for Los Altos Garbage Company 5 Year Contract Extension
Hi, Orrin!
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
Just wanted to express my support for Agenda Item #27 -Approval of a 5-Year Solid Waste
Services Franchise Agreement with Los Altos Garbage Company. I support the 5 year
contract extension, the recycling efforts with our schools, and the expanded programs that
they will bring to our community. Thank you for your consideration!
Best,
Phil
Phil Quon, Superintendent
Cupertino Union School District
10301 Vista Drive
Cupertino, CA 95014
408-252-3000 X200
quon phil(c~cusdk8.org
Linda Lagergren ~ ~~
From: Elaine Glissmeyer (Northwest) [eglissmeyer@ymcasv.org]
Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 1:01 ISM
To: Orrin Mahoney; Kris Wang; Mark Santoro; Gilbert Wong; Dolly Sandoval
Cc: City Clerk
Subject: RE: Los Altos Garbage Co. Contra~:t
Attachments: Letter of Support.doc
c~./~ i - _3c -c~9
~7
November 30, 2009
Re: Letter of support
To whom it may concern,
My name is Elaine Glissmeyer, Executive Director of the Northwest YMCA in
Cupertino, California. It is with great pleasure that I write this letter of support in respect
to LAG Corporation.
The Northwest YMCA has conducted business with LAG for many years.
LAG supports many of the non-profit organiza~:ions through volunteer hours and in-kind
donations, as well as provides a box twice a ye~ir for YMCA volunteer work days.
The Northwest YMCA values the business relationship it has established with LAG
Corporation. LAG has provided the Northwest YMCA with all around outstanding,
positive and professional experiences.
Not only is LAG Company extremely dependable, LAG drivers are especially punctual,
helpful and respectful.
Respectfully,
Elaine Glissmeyer
Executive Director
Northwest YMCA
20803 Alves Drive
Cupertino, CA 95014
cc/i~- ~~-~~(
~ ~ -1
Linda Lagergren
From: Hung Wei [hungweichien@hotmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2009 8:52 PM
To: Orrin Mahoney; Kris Wang; Dolly ~;andoval; Gilbert Wong; Mark Santoro
Cc: john zirelli
Subject: proposed 5-year contract with LAGCo dba Recology
Dear Orrin, Kris, Dolly, Gilbert, and Mark,
Hope you all had a warm and happy Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends.
Both my sons are out with friends and I have some time browsing through the agenda items on the
upcoming 11/30/09 City Council meeting. The proposed 5-year contract with Recology caught my
attention. I'd like to take this opportunity to commend i:he efforts of City Manager/staff and Recology for
leading our city into a vision of zero waste by the year ?020. The environmental impacts of garbage are
huge, and I'm very impressed that Recology is taking tt~e lead in proactively expanding its waste diversion
efforts. The 75% rate in waste diversion by the end of :'_014 is a good mid-term goal. With expanded
recycling features at a minimal cost of ratepayers plus Education programs for residents, our city will
make good progress into being a "green" city.
Thanks for taking "garbage" seriously :)
Best regards,
Hung
Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. Sign u~now.
1
c~~ /ii-3~ -~~
~ ~~
C. Donald Allen
14101 Loma :lZio Drive
Saratoga, CA 95070-5412
(H) 408 867-4404 (:F) 408 867-3285
cdallen7na,pa.cbell.net
October 2 i , 2009
Cupertino City Council
10100 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014
Dear Hon. Council Members
Re: 11 /29/09 Agenda Item #27
While I am not a resident of Cupertino, I did sf~end over a decade as the City's banker, as
CEO of Cupertino National Bank. So I feel a responsibility to speak out on occasion
about items of fiscal significance to the community. The upcoming five year franchise
agreement with Los Altos Garbage is one of these issues of fiscal significance.
Speaking strictly for the perspective of cost effectiveness, I believe the proposed
agreement is fair both to the City and to Los Altos Garbage. The increase in fees is very
modest, will result in an increase in revenue to the City, and will provide additional
serviced to Cupertino's homeowners and busirn~sses.
I am particularly appreciative of your efforts to enhance the ecological impact of the
services offered and I believe this will have a positive and continuing effect on the
Cupertino and it's citizens.
I encourage your vote to approve the agreement.
Sincerely,
cc /i i- 3G-C; c(
~ -~
Linda Lagergren
From: Larry Dean [LDean95014@comcast.net]
Sent: Friday, November 27, 2009 11:49 p~M
To: City Council; barry4cupertino@gm2il.com
Subject: City Contract with Recology (LAGGD)
Dear Council Member -
We are writing you to recommend that you approve the new contract extension for Recology, formerly Los Altos Garbage
Company. We have been a customer of theirs for many years ~jnd have been quite pleased with their capabilities and
customer service. We know that Recology has been a superior and very important corporate citizen for the Cupertino
Community and a has fostered community relationship that sho,~ld be continued.
Thank you for your time and support.
Larry and Laurie Dean
22159 Rae Lane
Cupertino, CA 95014
Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4643 (20091127)
The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
http://www.eset.com
CG/it-3C'-~%~
~ ~~
Linda Laaeraren
From: jimdg5170@aol.com
Sent: Friday, November 27, 2009 12:22 F'M
To: Orrin Mahoney; Kris Wang; Mark Santoro; Gilbert Wong; Dolly Sandoval
Cc: City Clerk
Subject: Los Altos Garbage Co. Contract
Dear City Council Members,
We have noticed that the City Council will soon consider a new contract, or a contract extension, with Los Altos Garbage
Co. We are in total support of the City renewing our long time tartnership with Los Altos Garbage Co. They not only
serve their customers well, they seem to willingly go out of their way to keep their customers happy and satisfied.
As 41 year residents of Cupertino, we have long benefited from LAGCo's fine and dependable service to us as residential
customers. For the past 31 years, we have lived on Regnart C~~nyon Drive, a cul-de-sac that serves 10 homes on private
driveways. Each week, the resident's bring their toters down to the cul-de-sac where the LAGCo's trucks make their
pickups. A few years ago, I mentioned to their office that the drivers sometimes left the empty toters a bit "untidy." There
was immediate attention paid to this situation. Now, it appears that our empty toters are "standing at attention," we have
to lift the lids to see if they are empty!
LAGCo is dependable and never misses a pickup day or completely emptying all the toters in our cul-de-sac, even if
they've been brought down late. What more could our resident: ask of their garbage company? How about LAGCo's
willingness to provide "above and beyond" service by their many volunteer hours and in-kind donations to our City's non-
profitand community service organizations? Indeed, they are often our partners in service to our community.
We trust the City will renew our long partnership with Los Altos Garbage Co
Satisfied Cupertino Residents,
Linda and Jim Walker
11660 Regnart Canyon Drive
Cupertino, CA 95014
home: 408-252-1288
cc/i~ -~o_~~
~ ~~ 7
Linda Lagergren
From: Darryl Stow [darryl_s@pacbell.net]
Sent: Friday, November 27, 2009 1:13 PfJI
To: Orrin Mahoney; Kris Wang; Mark Santoro; Gilbert Wong; Dolly Sandoval
Cc: David Knapp; Kimberly Smith; jzirellis@losaltosgarbage.com
Subject: Los Altos Garbage Contract
Honorable Mayor Mahoney and Cupertino City Counc:i.l Members:
We are writing to support the renewal of the ser~iices contract with Los Altos Garbage
Company.
As 43 year residents of Cupertino, we have always found the service provided by the company
to be very dependable and at a reasonable cost. :Cn the very few times we had questions or
issues, they were quickly and courteously resolved to our satisfaction. We have been pleased
to see them become increasingly a "green provider" through enhanced services for recycling.
In addition to being a reliable service provider to the City, Los Altos Garbage Company has
also been an excellent corporate citizen by actively supporting various community non-profit
organizations. Unfortunately, many of the corpor~~tions doing business in Cupertino are not as
community minded as is LAGC. We believe that kind of community support and involvement should
be recognized and rewarded with a renewal of the~_r contract for services in Cupertino.
Thank you for your consideration.
Darryl and Dorothy Stow
20197 Las Ondas Way
Cupertino, CA 95014
1
cc,ii, - 3c-C: `I'
~~
Linda Lagergren
From: Kimberly Smith
Sent: Sunday, November 29, 2009 10:10 PM
To: David Knapp; City Council
Subject: Fwd: Support for Los Altos Garbagf:
Begin forwarded message:
From: Richard Lowenthal <richard.lowenthal(a,coulombtech.com>
Date: November 25, 2009 5:13:55 PM PST
To: David Knapp <Davidk(a~cupertino.org>
Cc: Kimberly Smith <KimS(a,cupertino.org>
Subject: Support for Los Altos Garbage
Dave, could you distribute this to the Council please?
To the honorable Mayor and Council of the City of CupE~rtino:
I'm writing in support of a 5 year renewal of the City's contract with Los Altos Garbage. My experience
with them both as a Councilmember and as a resident f~as always been very positive and beneficial to our
City and its residents.
During my time as a Councilmember issues would come up from time to time and they were always
resolved to the benefit of the City, satisfactorily and quickly. In particular when our residents were
requesting weekly recycling and mixed recycling, Los Altos Garbage brought that service to us quickly
and at no additional cost to the city or its residents.
I strongly recommend a 5 year renewal with Los Altos Garbage.
Yours truly,
Richard Lowenthal
f+ a 7
Linda Lagergren
From: Bove, Polly [polly_bove@fuhsd.org:~
Sent: Sunday, November 29, 2009 5:06 F'M
To: Orrin Mahoney
Subject: Los Altos Garbage
Importance: High
Hi Orren,
I actually never do this sort of thing and I do riot want to interfere but I had some time
to spend this Thanksgiving weekend on work and noticed that you will be considering Los Altos
Garbage's contract on Monday and I thought I wou]_d let you know that they have been
particularly wonderful with us. We were not asking much of them for years and I came in and
wanted way more recycling options and changes in where dumpsters etc go and they were great.
I know that ]ohn Zirelli is a wonderful communit~~ member, but that is not the critical piece
here for me...we are very impressed with the service...just thought you should know...should
I email others?
Thanks,
Polly Bove
This electronic mail transmission and any files transmitted with it may contain confidential
information only for use by the intended recipients. Unless you are the addressee (or
authorized to receive messages for the addressee), you may not use, copy, disclose, or
distribute this message (or any information cont~iined in or attached to it) to anyone. If you
received this communication in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and then
delete the communication from your electronic mail system.
C` %tl- ~G ~K'~~
~7
Linda Lagergren
From: Maria Streeby [Maria.Streeby@thec;ypresshotel.com)
Sent: Sunday, November 29, 2009 12:40 PM
To: Orrin Mahoney; Kris Wang; Dolly ~~andoval; Gilbert Wong; Mark Santoro
Subject: Los Altos Garbage Company -recycling
Dear City Council Members,
The Cypress Hotel and Park Place Restaurant suppor~l the expanded recycling programs and
contract extension for the Los Altos Garbage Company. We have received our green certification
with the assistance of the Los Altos Garbage Company through their excellent recycling programs
and service. They provided training to our kitchen staff and provided great outreach for our staff. We
look forward to working with them and the City of Cupertino to make the Cypress Hotel and Park
Place Restaurant as leader in sustainability.
Warm regards,
Maria Streeby
Maria X, Streeby
General Manager
Cypress Hotel
Director of Hotel Operations -Southwest
Kimpton Hotels
10050 So. De Anza Blvd.
Cupertino, CA 95014
408-342-4805
maria.streeby@thecypresshotel.com
AAA Four Diamond
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