Approving Redevelopment Successor Agency’s sale of South Hall property to City of San Jose
The South Hall Site is the most significant remaining Successor Agency property slated for disposition, This site is located on the block bounded by South Market Street, Balbach Street, Viola Avenue, and South Almaden Road. It is the current site of the “blue tent” addition to the Convention Center.
The Successor Agency posted the Property for sale with bids due July 30, 2018. The City had the highest bid at $47 million; therefore, it should be awarded the sale of the Property.
Where: Redevelopment Dissolution Countywide Oversight Board of Santa Clara County
When: Aug. 20, 2018, 1 pm
Link to item: http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=10605&MediaPosition=&ID=92912&CssClass=
Link to agenda: http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=10605
Redevelopment Successor Agency rejecting all bids for Jose Theater/Improv & resoliciting the property for sale
The Successor Agency to the City of San José Redevelopment Agency (the owns the Jose Theater/Improv Comedy Club, located at 62 South Second Street, San José. The Successor Agency is required to dispose of the Property by sale to the highest bidder through a solicitation process.
The Property has been opened up for competitive solicitations twice now and unsuccessfully received a qualified, highest bidder either time. The first solicitation period ended on May 14, 2018. The Successor Agency received four bids, with the highest at $2,762,000. However, one of the bidders agreed to bid $130,000 over the highest, making the highest bidder unclear. The San José Oversight Board approved resolicitation of the Property with a minimum bid of $2,762,000. This second bidding process ended on July 26, 2018. The only bid received was below the minimum bid at $1,530,000, which does not qualify.
The recommendation is to reject all bids as none qualify, and to resolicit the Property. The minimum bid is recommended at the amount of the only bid from the last round, at $1,530,000. The Countywide Oversight Board may wish to alternatively consider setting the minimum bid at $2,762,000, which was the highest prior bid for the site.
Where: Redevelopment Dissolution Countywide Oversight Board of Santa Clara County
When: Aug. 20, 2018, 1 pm
Link to item: http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=10605&MediaPosition=&ID=92953&CssClass=
Link to agenda: http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=10605
Rejecting all proposals and possibly beginning new RFP process for the 150-acre Fairgrounds site
The Committee will take the following possible action:
- Receive report from the Office of the County Executive relating to the Fairgrounds Request for Proposals (RFP).
- Declare intent to reject all proposals and receive community input.
- Direct Administration to begin new RFP process.
The Board sought to obtain competing proposals for the development and operation of the Fairgrounds to include existing community activities and the annual County Fair, and to propose uses for the balance the property divided equally between active and passive recreation. The Board further indicated that it sought private investment funding to correct maintenance deficiencies at the Fairgrounds and to improve the infrastructure without requiring County general fund contributions or commitments. Furthermore, the RFP expressed a preference for comprehensive proposals for use of all the property. Only one respondent offered a comprehensive proposal, but that proposal also proposed a County financial commitment. The lack of multiple, comprehensive proposals for the entire 150-acre site makes it highly unlikely that any future negotiations would result in achieving the desired results from the current RFP process.
The Administration recommends that the Board reject the five RFP responses. Modifying the RFP substantially, such as offering fee ownership for some portion of the acreage, or offering some portion for commercial use, or specifying a particular level of County financial support for a particular type of development, could change the number and type of interested parties and likely future responses.
Absent a change of RFP priorities by the Board, Administration recommends that the Board direct the Administration to bring back to the Board specific recommendations and costs for improving the operations and governance of the Fairgrounds, to allow for incremental improvements to the infrastructure and additional uses to be submitted to the Board for its approval on a case-by-case basis. The Committee will consider these recommendations before the Board considers them in September.
Where: Santa Clara County Finance and Government Operations Committee
When: 8/23/2018, 1:00 PM, Board of Supervisors’ Chambers, County Government Center, 70 West Hedding Street, 1st floor, San Jose
Link to item: http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=9764&MediaPosition=&ID=92732&CssClass=
Link to agenda: http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=9764
City of San Jose
DEFERRED to 9/11: Implementing Modified Living Wage requirements to Recycle Plus residential contracts
DEFERRED TO 9/11/18 PER ADMINISTRATION
Original item: Staff recommend
(a) Accept the staff report on: (1) The proposed methodology to implement a Modified Living Wage for Recycle Plus Customer Service Representatives, Mechanics, and Materials Recovery Facility workers (“Facility Workers”); and (2) Updated labor peace plans from the Recycle Plus contractors.
(b) Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute contract amendments with GreenTeam of San Jose and GreenWaste Recovery Inc. to implement a Modified Living Wage Requirement for Recycle Plus Facility Workers effective September 1, 2018.
(c) Direct staff to include a Living Wage requirement for the Recycle Plus program in future residential garbage and recycling agreements.
Approval of the recommendation will accept staff’s proposal for a Modified Living Wage (MLW) requirement, specific only to Recycle Plus residential garbage and recycling agreements, so as to implement the City’s Living Wage Policy (Council Policy 3-3) in San Jose facilities that process waste collected both within and outside of San Jose, and will also accept new labor peace plans from all residential solid waste contractors.
Approval of this recommendation will also authorize the City Manager’s Office to negotiate and execute contract amendments with GreenTeam of San Jose (GreenTeam) and GreenWaste Recovery Inc. (GreenWaste) to incorporate a MLW requirement effective September 1, 2018. In FY 2018-2019, the approximate $2.4 million in costs associated with MLW will be offset by the Rate Stabilization Reserve in the Integrated Waste Management Fund (Fund 423). The ongoing costs for implementation ofMLW are approximately $3 million annually. Finally, approval ofthis recommendation will direct staffto include a full living wage requirement across all future Recycle Plus agreements
Memo: http://sanjose.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=995d85d2-f573-48c8-b356-cb8868dcdb54.pdf
Where: San Jose City Council
When: Tuesday August 21, 1.30pm, City Chamber
Link to item: http://sanjose.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?m=l&id=/matter.aspx?key=3790
Link to agenda: https://sanjose.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=610815&GUID=FDF25862-BB9F-493C-A2A1-E10537E7ED41
DEFERRED to 9/11: Stopping negotiations with Recycle Plus for continued service and authorizing option to waive disincentives for 2018
DEFERRED TO 9/11/18 PER ADMINISTRATION
Original item: Staff recommend
(a) Accept staff’s report discussing the negotiations with the current Recycle Plus haulers and providing information on staff’s evaluation that the negotiations were unsuccessful;
(b) Direct staff to end negotiations with the current Recycle Plus haulers;
(c) Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to waive the contractor disincentives for not meeting the required diversion rates for calendar year 2018, if by December 31, 2018 the City Manager determines that the Recycle Plus haulers are unable to meet their required diversion rates because of China’s “National Sword” policy on the import of recyclable materials;
(d) Direct staff to return with recommendations on future waivers as part of the budget process for 2019-2020 if necessary because of the continuing impacts of China’s “National Sword” policy.
This recommendation would direct staff to stop negotiations with the Recycle Plus residential solid waste haulers for continuing services under similar program framework. Recommendations related to pursing a competitive procurement process are outlined in a separate June 5, 2018 Council memorandum: “Parameters for Request for Proposals for Future Residential Solid Waste Services.”
This recommendation would also authorize the City Manager to waive the contractor disincentives for calendar year 2018, if by December 31, 2018 the Recycle Plus haulers are unable to meet required diversion rates due to China’s “National Sword” policy on the import of recyclable materials.
Memo: http://sanjose.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=35cfbfd9-4387-4906-ab7a-7e5175629c40.pdf
Supplemental memo: http://sanjose.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=cf306d9f-3d37-4a8b-87d2-4700e3e5d4d8.pdf
Where: San Jose City Council
When: Tuesday August 21, 1.30pm, City Chamber
Link to item: http://sanjose.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?m=l&id=/matter.aspx?key=3788
Link to agenda: https://sanjose.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=610815&GUID=FDF25862-BB9F-493C-A2A1-E10537E7ED41
DEFERRED to 9/11: Initiating procurement process for residential solid waste services
DEFERRED TO 9/11/18 PER ADMINISTRATION
Original item: Direct staff to:
(a) Initiate development of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit and award agreements for residential solid waste services that would begin July 1, 2021; services will include collection and processing of solid waste, recyclables, and organic materials for each of the two service districts for single-family residences and a citywide district for multi-family residences, and City Facilities;
(b) Establish term of 15 years for the new agreements;
(c) Include the following in the Request for Proposals: (1) Living wage and employee retention requirements consistent with Council’s Living Wage Policy; (2) Solicit ideas for the new system to be flexible to address evolving recycling markets; while continuing to meet zero waste goals; (3) Solicit ideas for the new system to support Climate Smart San José and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; (4) Include optional services for emergency response support; (5) Solicit ideas for providing larger garbage carts to single-family residents and exploring updated customer rate structures; (6) Performance standards that would address leveraging technology and providing ease of use for enhanced customer service, material recovery and marketing, service delivery, environmental compliance, and vehicle standards;
(d) Complete waste characterization studies to inform the RFP;
(e) Explore using City staff for Junk Pick-Up services and customer outreach; and
(f) Procure residential street sweeping and Public Litter Cans services separately from residential waste services.
This recommendation would direct staff to initiate a procurement process for San Jose residential solid waste services with the parameters included in this memorandum. A procurement process will provide the opportunity to innovate the residential solid waste program in ways that address emerging State and local regulations and priorities, uncertain recycling markets, and obsolete contractual terms and hauler service districts.
Memo: http://sanjose.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=ee3fdbaf-884a-48b5-8f61-b934d153ab75.pdf
Where: San Jose City Council
When: Tuesday August 21, 1.30pm, City Chamber
Link to item: http://sanjose.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?m=l&id=/matter.aspx?key=3789
Link to agenda: https://sanjose.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=610815&GUID=FDF25862-BB9F-493C-A2A1-E10537E7ED41
City of Santa Clara
Possible action to admonish Councilmembers Kolstad and Mahan
Council may take action to admonish Council Members Kolstad and Mahan according to an amended petition by Teresa Sulcer, or hire consultants to assist with potential investigations and advice for censure process.
Sulcer submitted a petition on July 11, 2018 to censure Council Members Kolstad and Mahan for refusing to appoint a candidate to fill the vacant council seat. She then amended the petition at the July 17 council meeting from censuring to admonishing. An admonition may typically be directed to all members of the City Council, reminding them that a particular type of behavior is in violation of law or City policy, and that, if it occurs or is found to have occurred, could make a member subject to censure. An admonition may be issued by the City Council prior to any findings of fact regarding allegations, and because it is a warning or reminder, would not necessary require an investigation or separate hearings to determine whether the allegation is true.
Where: Santa Clara City Council
When: Tue, August 21, 2018, 7pm
Link to item: https://santaclara.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3618735&GUID=3A7B5464-5584-4CDE-B9AB-9CC0DFAB07A5&Options=&Search=
Link to agenda: https://santaclara.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=590772&GUID=E673BB47-AA16-43AE-8092-89A4EB4326FF&Options=info&Search=
Report on Convention Visitors Bureau Agreement and Convention Center Management Agreement
Council will receive a report with an update on matters related to its actions regarding the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce’s two contracts to (1) manage the City-owned Santa Clara Convention Center (Center) and (2) provide convention and visitor services to promote tourism and attract bookings for the Center. Combined, the two contracts were valued annually at over $1.6 million of public funds. One of two contracts has expired and Council has directed that no payments of public funds be issued for the second contract. Additionally, the City Council directed that City staff initiate a performance and fiscal audit, which made preliminary findings of inconsistencies which are being analyzed to determine whether this is a material conflict of interest and/or self-dealing; whether Board members used their role to benefit each other; and/or, a violation of State law with respect to political fund-raiser(s) held at the City-owned Center.
On June 26, 2018, the Council made a policy decision not to authorize a new 1-year agreement with the Chamber for convention and visitor services and provided funding to the Chamber for 60 days of salaries and benefits for CVB employees. Understanding that there would be some disruption of service, Council requested staff review the potential of securing a third party consultant/contractor to assist; however, when reviewed against the legal obligations in the Convention Center Management Agreement, the Chamber is still legally responsible for performing marketing and booking duties.
Both the Chamber and City have publicly agreed that the 1984 Management Agreement is severely outdated and lacks basic performance requirements/objectives and management controls. As described in the July 16, 2018 Informational Report, the Management Agreement provides each party with the right to terminate the Agreement with a 180-day notice. Staff will be seeking direction from the Council in regard to transitioning out of the existing contract before the required termination notice of 180 days.
The Auditor will be issuing the final report over the next couple of weeks. Final audit findings will be presented to the City Council in the September timeframe. The City Manager will recommend that the City Council seek early termination of the Management Agreement and relieve the Chamber of the legal obligations to market and book the Convention Center and allow the City to focus on the audit findings. The City will need a contract manager staff position to support contract management for these services.
Staff will also be returning to council in August with a request to include an audit of the Tourism Improvement District in the contract with TAP International. While most of the CVB marketing positions were funded through the annual City CVB contract, two positions were funded by the Tourism Improvement District. Although funds are frozen right now until the District is legally compliant with State law, the funding mechanism for these employees remains intact. Nonetheless, as far as staff understands, the Chamber put TID employees on administrative leave and presented them with a termination notice effective the end of August.
Where: Santa Clara City Council
When: Tue, August 21, 2018, 7pm
Link to item: https://santaclara.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3618739&GUID=1B35B1E1-C388-4B93-8BC3-34FBB57504FC&Options=&Search=
Link to agenda: https://santaclara.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=590772&GUID=E673BB47-AA16-43AE-8092-89A4EB4326FF&Options=info&Search=
Study Session on potential formation of a Santa Clara County RHNA Subregion
Staff are recommending that Council hold a study session and provide staff with further direction related to the formation of a Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) subregion.
This study session was suggested as a follow-up to ongoing conversations within Santa Clara County regarding the formation of regional housing needs allocation subregions. Several jurisdictions in the Santa Clara county expressed their concerns with the regional housing allocation process from the prior housing planning cycle to the Cities Association of Santa Clara County; as a result of which, in the interests of improving the implementation of housing in a more locally relevant regional manner, the Board adopted the exploration of a Santa Clara County RHNA subregion as a priority for the upcoming RHNA cycle (2023 – 2031.) The Board approved the formation of a Regional Housing Task Force/Subcommittee in 2015 to:
- Develop of a framework and process needed to form and implement a subregion in Santa Clara County for the next RHNA cycle (2023 – 2031); and
- Review potential options for further regional response.
The Subcommittee presented its findings at the June 14, 2018 Cities Association Board meeting and requested board members to take the topic of a subregion back to each individual City Council for discussion prior to voting on the formation of a subregion.
Subregions may be formed between any two jurisdictions but must include a county. A subregion is allowed to develop its own methodology, issue draft allocations to member jurisdictions, conduct the revision and appeal processes, and issue final allocations. Each subregion is also required to ensure that its final housing allocation is consistent with the Bay Area’s Sustainable Communities Strategy.
For purposes of this RHNA subregion, the Cities Association is not proposing to change the methodology for determining the allocation. The subregion would allow cities the opportunity to make mutual agreements with cities in the subregion to trade allocations, provided such agreements are consistent with State-defined objectives and that each jurisdiction retain at least some allocation of units for low- and very low income households. Cities can choose not to make any agreements and simply accept the regional allocation. However, being a member of the subregion would allow each city a vote in the final subregional RHNA allocation. If a city chooses not to be a part of the subregion, they would neither have the opportunity to trade allocations nor have a vote in the proposed trades and allocations within the subregion.
Where: Cupertino City Council
When: August 21, 2018, 4:30pm
Link to item: https://cupertino.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3602594&GUID=9B80F112-E296-4972-A0B7-86A283226B09&Options=&Search=
Link to agenda: https://cupertino.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=574550&GUID=2BDCCB8E-0D2E-4758-9D9E-ED492366C0DA&Options=info&Search=
Approving response to Santa Clara Civil Grand Jury Report on Affordable Housing Crisis
Staff are recommending that Council review and authorize the City Manager to send the City’s response to the Grand Jury Report on “Affordable Housing Crisis: Density is our Destiny.”
In June 2018, the City received a letter from Peter L. Hertan, Foreperson of the 20172018 Civil Grand Jury transmitting its final report, Affordable Housing Crisis: Density is our Destiny (See Attachment B). The Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury issued the report on June 21, 2018 pursuant to its investigation into challenges faced by the County of Santa Clara and its 15 cities, and non-profit agencies such as the Housing Authority of Santa Clara County, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD,) in the production of below market rate (BMR) housing (see Attachment C). The Grand Jury Report states that it tackled the issue of affordable, or below market rate (BMR) housing since the need for affordable housing is critical, California’s report card gives Santa Clara County an F grade and the need for more housing has challenged the County for more than a decade.
The Grand Jury researched Housing Elements, Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA,) and actual production of units, for both the current RHNA cycle (2015-2023) and the prior cycle (2007-2014.) The Grand Jury’s review focused on the following topics:
- RHNA
- NIMBY vs YIMBY
- Inclusionary Housing ordinances
- Transit-Oriented Development
- Jobs-Housing Ratios
- Linkage and Impact Fees
- Employer Contributions
- Accessory Dwelling Units
- Governmental Entities other than Cities
The Civil Grand Jury Report directed individual cities to respond to specific findings and recommendations by September 20, 2018.
In summary, the response states that the City agrees with seven findings and partially agrees with three findings. In addition, responses to all nine recommendations to which the City must respond to have also been included. If it requires future implementation, a specific timeframe has been given.
As a result of the Grand Jury Report’s recommendation, the City will begin to publish the number of BMR units constructed on the City’s website starting April 2019.
In addition, as a result of the Grand Jury Report’s recommendations there are three action items that would require further analysis by the City:
- Consideration and formation of a RHNA subregion for Santa Clara County, which the Grand Jury recommends as being beneficial to share allocation and resources between high-cost and low-cost cities.
- Collaborating on two County-led task forces, if and when formed: a) A task force which communicates the value and importance of each city meeting its RHNA objectives for BMR housing and b) A task force to establish housing impact fees for employers to subsidize BMR housing. The City’s response states that the task force should only identify how such an impact fee might be established, but allow cities the flexibility to set rates tailored to each jurisdiction.
Once approved, the responses will be finalized and transmitted to the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury by the deadline of September 20, 2018.
Where: Cupertino City Council
When: August 21, 2018, 4:30pm
Link to item: https://cupertino.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3602593&GUID=665A6AAC-F2F4-4571-B5F8-460FF2FA9EE3&Options=&Search=
Link to agenda: https://cupertino.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=574550&GUID=2BDCCB8E-0D2E-4758-9D9E-ED492366C0DA&Options=info&Search=
Approving “transformative” transportation project proposals for MTC’s Horizon Initiative
Staff are recommending that Council provide direction on submitting projects for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s call for transformative transportation projects for the Horizon Initiative.
The MTC recently released a Request for Transformative Projects for their Horizon Initiative. The MTC is looking for the “biggest, brightest, billion-dollar (or more!) ideas for redefining the way we travel in and around the Bay Area.” The Request for Transformative Projects is focused on major transportation investments that were not previously assessed in Plan Bay Area 2040. These could include visionary transportation projects not submitted for Plan Bay Area 2040 – like a second Transbay Tube, an extension of the Central Subway, or new ideas intended to solve the transportation challenges of today and tomorrow in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ideas such as an aerial tram network or fixed-guideway systems are all within the scope of this $1 billion or more MTC contest. The deadline for submitting projects is September 5, 2018. Five to ten finalists will be announced in October 2018 and projects will then be considered for further analysis as part of the Horizon initiative. In 2019, these projects may be considered for inclusion in Plan Bay Area 2050’s investment strategy.
Staff are proposing to submit five separate projects for the Horizon Initiative, including:
- The Stevens Creek Boulevard Project: In collaboration with the VTA and the cities of San Jose and Santa Clara, a scope is being developed to propose a project to connect De Anza College with San Jose’s Diridon Station via Stevens Creek Boulevard. This project would connect Cupertino to downtown San Jose, and the regional transit network using a high capacity transit system (HCT), which could include technologies such as light rail, subway, bus rapid transit (BRT), or advanced technologies still in development such as a hyperloop system or other emerging technologies such as autonomous fixed-guideway transit. A connection to Diridon station would provide Cupertino with access to pending transportation improvements such as the South Bay Bart extension, California High Speed Rail Project, and an electrified Caltrain network.
- Aerial Fixed guideway System to Mountain View: A proposal for an aerial fixed guideway system using advanced technology in development to connect I-280 at Wolfe Road along route I-280 and northbound into Mountain View, with stops at the Mountain View Transit Center and the North Bayshore area, connecting two technology rich job centers with each other, and also to the growing regional transit network using. The City of Mountain View is currently studying such a system to connect its existing Mountain View Transit Center with North Bayshore.
- I-280/Wolfe Road/Cupertino Station: This project proposes a state of the art multi-modal regional transit center, providing both a regional transit terminal and a public space to access the expanding array of bay area transit systems. The terminal would offer a rich array of pedestrian and bicycle amenities as well, such as an automated bicycle parking structure, with locker rooms, showers, a bicycle service station, and shared-mobility rentals. This new facility could be constructed as a freeway cap, potentially with above and below ground elements, green space, and trailheads to the pending Junipero Serra Trail, which will connect to the existing Don Burnett Bicycle-Pedestrian Bridge and Mary Avenue.
- Silicon Valley High Capacity Transit Loop: This project, as originally envisioned by the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce, will take the first three elements, above, and provide a continuous loop connection to benefit major employment and housing areas of the South Bay Area. Beginning at I-280/Wolfe Road: Cupertino Station, the transit connect would move east along the Stevens Creek Corridor to the Diridon Station and downtown San Jose, then move north to the Mineta San Jose International Airport to Highway 101, and then go northwest to Mountain View’s North Bayshore area, followed finally by closing the loop to the Mountain View Transit Center and then back down Highway 85 to I-280 to the I-280/Wolfe Road: Cupertino Station.
- Highway 85 Transit Guideway: This project, covering the 23.7-mile corridor that connects the cities of Mountain View and San Jose, from the SR 85/US 101 interchange in Mountain View to the SR 85/US 101 interchange in South San Jose, is currently being studied and has an allocation of $350 million with the currently stalled Santa Clara County Measure B, no matter what the ultimate transit solution is selected, will cost in excess of the $1 billion threshold for MTC Horizon Initiative submittals.
Where: Cupertino City Council
When: August 21, 2018, 4:30pm
Link to item: https://cupertino.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3602087&GUID=33EA645F-AB41-4A71-81D0-BF52FBB703E2&Options=&Search=
Link to agenda: https://cupertino.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=574550&GUID=2BDCCB8E-0D2E-4758-9D9E-ED492366C0DA&Options=info&Search=
Considering Storm Water Management Fee and Ballot Initiative
Staff are recommending that Council authorize the hire of a consultant for a contract amount not to exceed $225,000 to complete a property related storm water management fee study and balloting process by June 30, 2019; and Adopt Resolution No 18-XXX approving a Budget Adjustment in the amount of $225,000 to complete a storm water management fee study and balloting process.
At the June 5th study session, Council indicated a willingness to review a process to double the storm drainage charge for residential premises from $12 to $24 per residential dwelling. Commercial and other premises were discussed to double as well. This was in part due to a survey completed by Voxloca that showed 62% of resident’s surveyed expressed support for a storm drainage service charge increase and that 57% of those surveyed supported the charge increasing to $24 or more.
Upon review of Cupertino’s cost to operate an effective storm water program, as well as how other agencies are successfully integrating both operating, permitting and capital costs into their property related storm drainage fees, staff recommends a more detailed analysis of City costs and comprehensive community outreach be completed. The goal is to determine what property related storm water fee structure has the best chance to pass a Proposition 218 or SB231 process. The fee proposed would be a new fee structure – tentatively titled the Storm Water Management Fee, which would be implemented without replacing or affecting the existing charge that has been in place for over 26 years.
Where: Cupertino City Council
When: August 21, 2018, 4:30pm
Link to item: https://cupertino.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3602591&GUID=A2AE859A-6961-417F-8B23-
Link to agenda: https://cupertino.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=574550&GUID=2BDCCB8E-0D2E-4758-9D9E-ED492366C0DA&Options=info&Search=
Update & direction on solid waste rate process and recycling market impacts of China’s new policies
Council will receive a report on city’s process for annual rate adjustments for the collection and hauling of solid waste materials, including organic and recycling materials. The City has a franchise agreement with Milpitas Sanitation, Inc. (MSI). After MSI has submitted their application for rate adjustments, rate adjustments will be put forward for Council consideration in December, with new rates going into effect on January 1 of the following year. The City also has a Franchise Agreement with Waste Management, Inc. (WMI) for solid waste disposal services that are hauled by MSI trucks to the Kirby Landfill. Staff anticipates that rate adjustment applications from both MSI and WMI will be submitted this October for consideration and, after staff review, a recommendation will be brought to the Council by December.
In addition, council will receive a report about the current market for recyclable materials. U.S. recycling companies are grappling with recently enacted recycling policies set by China earlier this year which severely restrict the import of recycled materials that China deems as contaminated. By the end of 2018, policy bans will include post-industrial PE (Polyethylene) PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), PS (Polystyrene), PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and other scrap plastic, unsorted mixed paper, and a variety of metal and electrical appliance scraps. No municipal recovery facility in the U.S. is currently producing paper bales that meet China’s new quality standard. Mixed paper is approximately 40% of the materials recycled by Milpitas residents. CalRecycle estimates that a third of all recyclable material generated in California annually is exported to foreign markets, and 62 percent of that goes to China. Materials that are rejected from import to China would be either stored for possible future sale, or would go directly to the landfill, which adds cost to the recycling market. In the case of mixed paper and some plastics, these commodities are being sold to India, Vietnam and Malaysia. These countries are expanding recycling operations to buy and process recycled materials, which are currently sold mostly to China. Recycled materials from the City of Milpitas are marketed by GreenWaste Recovery, Inc. (GWI), which is the processing contractor used by MSI. At this time, GWI is not experiencing cost increases from China’s recycling policies.
Where: Milpitas City Council
When: Tues. August 21, 2018, 7pm
Link to item: http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/_pdfs/council/2018/082118/Agenda.pdf
Link to agenda: http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/_pdfs/council/2018/082118/Agenda.pdf
Accept Zero Waste Plan; approve 5-year contract extension for GreenWaste and new RFP for garbage services
Staff recommend that council adopt the 2018 Zero Waste Plan, which contains new programs to meet the city’s sustainability and zero waste goals; council may also approve a contract amendment to add to the scope of the current contract with GreenWaste of Palo Alto, Inc. and authorize a Request for Proposals for garbage processing and disposal services to begin 2021.
The extended contract with GreenWaste would be for collection of all refuse containers, processing recyclable and compostable materials (contents of blue and green containers), and implementation of key Zero Waste Plan initiatives. Greenwaste would also implement new short term programs such as deconstruction and source separation of construction related waste, and an expanded clean-up day program focusing on salvage and reuse of materials. In addition to these scope additions, a 5-year contract extension beyond the current termination date of 2021 is recommended to continue existing services and ensure continuity of these new programs and allow for more favorable timing for a new procurement process for services. The new programs would cost approximately $1.2 million per year and begin by July 2019. However, these costs will be offset by excess reserves and increasing revenues. No rate increases for the immediate future (other than potential annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) related increases) are anticipated.
Where: Palo Alto City Council
When: Mon, August 27, 2018, 5pm
Link to item: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/66400
Link to agenda: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?t=51711.07&BlobID=66398
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