Resolution No. 2010-143RESOLUTION NO. 2010-143
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
VERNON APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY'S
SUBMISSION OF A LETTER OF INTEREST TO PARTICIPATE
IN THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY
PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the City of Vernon (the "City") is a municipal
corporation and a chartered city of the State of California organized
and existing under its Charter and the Constitution of the State of
California; and
WHEREAS, since 2004, Los Angeles County has been evaluating
and pursuing the development of solid waste conversion technologies to
reduce dependence on landfill disposal; and
WHEREAS, Los Angeles County, through its Department of
Public Works and its Integrated Waste Management Task Force, has
extended an invitation to the City to participate in efforts to
develop solid waste conversion technology facilities in Los Angeles
County (the "Program"); and
WHEREAS, Los Angeles County's invitation included a request
that the City submit a non -binding preliminary site information
checklist if the City was interested in locating a solid waste
conversion technology facility in the City of Vernon; and
WHEREAS, by memorandum dated September 28, 2010, the
Director of Health and Environmental Control has recommended the
City's submission of a letter of interest to participate in the
Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF VERNON AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
finds and determines that the recitals contained hereinabove are true
and correct.
SECTION 2: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
approves and authorizes the City's submission to Los Angeles County of
a nonbinding letter indicating the City's interest in participating
in the Program, including submission of a preliminary site information
checklist (the "Letter of Interest").
SECTION 3: The.City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
authorizes the City Administrator, or his designee, to take whatever
actions are deemed necessary or 'desirable for the purpose of
implementing and carrying out the purposes of this Resolution and the
actions herein approved or authorized, including without limitation,
execution of the Letter of Interest.
SECTION 4: The City Clerk of the City of Vernon shall
certify to the passage, approval and adoption of this resolution, and
the City Clerk of the City of Vernon shall cause this resolution and
the City Clerk's certification to be entered in the File of
Resolutions of the Council of this City.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 4th day of October, 2010.
ATTES
WiMara G. 'Yam cji, jejy Clerk
Name: Hilario Gonzales
Title: Mayor
2
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
) ss
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
I, Willard G. Yamaguchi, City Clerk of the City of Vernon, do
hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution, being Resolution
No. 2010-143, was duly passed, approved and adopted by the City Council
of the City of Vernon at a regular meeting of the City Council duly
held on Monday, October 4, 2010, and thereafter was duly signed by the
Mayor or Mayor Pro-Tem of the City of Vernon.
Executed this day of October, 2010, at Vernon, California.
Willar G.4am City Clerk
(SEAL)
- 3 -
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
DATE: October 5; 2010
TO: Lewis Pozzebon, Director of Health & Environmental Control
FROM: Willard Yamaguchi, City Clerk
RE: Resolution No. 2010-143 — A Resolution of the City Council of the City of
Vernon Approving and Authorizing the City's Submission of a Letter of Interest
to Participate in the Los Angeles County Conversion Technology Program
Transmitted herewith is a copy of Resolution No. 2010-143, referenced above, which was
approved by City Council on October 4, 2010.
Please ensure that a copy of the non -binding letter indicating the City's interest in participating
in the program is sent to this office.
Thank you.
WY:dj
Attachment
c: Resolution No. 2010-143
RECEIVED
SEP 2 8 2010
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
STAFF REPORT
HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL DEPARTMENT
DATE: September 28, 2010
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Lewis Pozzebon, Director / Health Officer
RE: Request for City Council Approval to Participate in Conversion Technologies' Partnership with
Los Angeles County
BACKGROUND:
By letter dated August 18, 2010 (attached), the County of Los Angeles, Department of Public
Works (County) has extended an invitation to cities to participate in efforts to develop solid
waste conversion technology facilities in Los Angeles County. As indicated in the letter, the
County is requesting non -binding commitments from interested cities to locally site a facility.
I am recommending that the City Council approve the City's submission of a letter of interest to
participate in the County's conversion technology efforts for the following reasons:
1) Solid waste conversion technology will provide a long term and environmentally
favorable solution to solid waste disposal within the City. This would contrast with the
current situation where solid waste from the City will be delivered to distant disposal
facilities.
2) The City will be able to leverage the significant investment, research, and resources that
have already been expended by the County in evaluating conversion technologies.
3) The siting'of a conversion technology facility in Vernon could enable the City to arrange
for the electricity or steam generated from the facility to be utilized within the City.
4) The letter of interest is non -binding.
S)` The City's Solid Waste Ordinance includes provisions to direct solid waste generated in
the City to be delivered to a specific solid waste management facility.
6) There would be a significant reduction in solid waste vehicle mileage and, as a result,
less air pollution impacts. Currently, there are eighteen solid waste haulers that are
franchised to collect waste in Vernon. The haulers operate up to seventy (70) vehicles
which often criss-cross Vernon and deliver waste to distant waste disposal facilities
including Puente Hills, Orange County, and Ventura County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is the potential that the City may be able to generate revenue from a 'host fee' charged
on each ton of waste accepted by the facility. For example, if the City were to receive a host
fee of $1.00 per ton from a 500 ton per day facility, it would receive approximately $150,000 in
new revenue. A greater host fee per ton and or larger facility may generate more revenue.
In addition, some of the conversion technologies include the generation of gasses that can be
used to fuel electrical generation units.
Still to be determined is the unknown amount of initial financial support that may be required
of the City.
RELATEDISSUES:
The current public perception of conversion technology will need to improve. Also, I would
expect the City's solid waste franchised haulers' to be concerned about a change in their
control of waste disposal. However, with the need for additional disposal capacity brought
about by the closure of the Puente Hills Landfill in October 2013, these issues may seem less
daunting in the future..
RECOMMENDATION:
With the concurrence of City Administrator Mark Whitworth, I requested the above
information to be forwarded to the City Attorney for preparation of a resolution approving the
submission of a letter of interest to the County. I recommend that the City Council approve the
resolution at the City Council meeting to be held on October 4, 2010.
Please let me know if you need additional information.
Attachment
Xc: Mark Whitworth, City Administrator
Laurence Wiener, City Attorney
Kevin Wilson, Director, Community Services
Carlos Fandino, Director, Light and Power
Lp/mydoc/admin/memo staff report conv tech
August 18, 2010
Supers° s ors- €r, Octoixe . Ey..pre,-;,qjng, Interest by filling out the ch f fist, dues nul c omm-1
you t he r je-d, It is .& first, stepits evaluating i pr t would e mutu tly _enefidal.
tf you have an 'further ��ues i�. ns, or wou.i like o me o cu he conversion
t l program, please contact hffr. Goby SIqye pf, this office a (2 ) 8- 1 ,
`Next
A the request of tho, Loss Angeles ,Clot lftt '
What s the10cj n f t-��e. tfuanest gas rams issio 1nin,F ern �r�� �i �i�
Pn Le, 13.8 kV of i-eater ,. arid/or subst tic n _o"-7oten'-J { lln�erconnectlon for
sale of p1pefirte quality gasand/or el t-r'icity .
� of veR�
Me o
�t4°vecv e+vssF4
Health and Environmental
Control Dapartmant
To: Mark Whitworth, City Administrator
From: Lewis Poaebon, Director / Health Officer
Date: September 28, 2010
Re: Transmittal of Staff Report Requesting City Council Approval of Conversion Technology Partnership
As discussed yesterday, I am forwarding the subject staff report for submission to the City Council for Monday,
October 4, 2010. 1 confirmed with Eva Muro that the City Attorney's office is preparing a resolution.
Please let me know if you need additional information.
Attachment
Lp/mydor/Admin/memo/City Admin Transmittal Staff Report
RECEIVE
SEP 2 8 2010
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Me 0
Health and
Control
Mark Whitworth, City Administrator
T 11 4 rom: Lewis Pozzebon, Director / Health Officer
ate: September 20, 2010
S� OF VgR*
RECEIVED
�rGaVeLY IN�VZM1 S E P 2 0 2010
Environment -al
D®partmant CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Re: Request for City Council Approval to Participate in Conversion Technologies' Partnership with Los Angeles
County
By letter dated August 18, 2010 (attached), the County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works (County)
has extended an invitation to cities to participate in efforts to develop conversion technology facilities in Los
Angeles County. As indicated in the letter, the County is requesting non -binding commitments from
interested cities to locally site a facility.
am recommending that the City Council approve the City's submission of a letter of interest to participate in
the County's conversion technology efforts for the following reasons:
1) Solid waste conversion technology will provide a long term and environmentally favorable solution to
solid waste disposal within the City. This would contrast with the current situation -where solid waste
from the City will be delivered to distant disposal facilities.
2) The City will be able to leverage the significant investment, research, and resources that have already
been expended by the County in evaluating conversion technologies.
3) The siting of a conversion technology facility in Vernon could enable the City to arrange for the
electricity or steam generated from the facility to be utilized within the City.
4) The letter of interest is non -binding.
5) The City's Solid Waste Ordinance includes provisions to direct solid waste generated in the City to be
delivered to a specific solid waste management facility.
6) There would be a significant reduction in solid waste vehicle mileage and, as a result, less air pollution
impacts. Currently, there are eighteen solid waste haulers that are franchised to collect waste in
Vernon. The haulers operate up to seventy (70) vehicles which often Criss-cross Vernon and deliver
waste to distant waste disposal facilities including Puente Hills, Orange County, and Ventura County.
7) There is the potential that the City may be able to generate revenue from a 'host fee' charged on each
ton of waste accepted by the facility. For example, if the City were to receive a host fee of $1.00 per
ton from a 500 ton per day facility, it would receive approximately $150,000 in new revenue. A
greater host fee per ton and or larger facility may generate more revenue.
There are some issues that will need to be addressed including the unknown amount of initial financial
support that may be required of the City. In addition, the current public perception of conversion technology
will need to improve. Also, I would expec ,the City's solid waste franchised haulers' to be concerned about a
change in their control of waste disposal. However, with the need for additional disposal capacity brought
about by the closure of the Puente Hills Landfill in October 2013, these issues may seem less daunting in the
future.
I, am requesting this information be forwarded to the City Attorney for analysis and comment. Leonard
Grossberg from our department will be attending a County meeting on September 23, 2010 and will collect
additional information.
It is my understanding that there is not a deadline for the expression of interest. However, I would
recommend that the proposal be considered by the City Council as soon as possible.
Please let me know if you need additional information.
Attachment
Xc: Kevin Wilson
Krishna Nand
Lp/mydoc/Admin/memo/City Admin Conversion Tech
• Page 2
GAIL FARBER, Director
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
"To, Enrich Lives Through Effective and Caring Service"
900 SOUTH FREMONT AVENUE
ALHAMBRA, CALIFORNIA 91803-1331
Telephone: (626) 458-5100
http://dpw.lacounty.gov ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO:
P.O. BOX 1460
ALHAMBRA, CALIFORNIA 91802-1460
IN REPLY PLEASE
REFER TO FILE: EP-4
August 18, 2010
Mr. Donal O'Callaghan
City Administrator
4305 Santa Fe Avenue
Vernon, CA 90058-1786
Dear City Administrator:
INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN EFFORTS TO DEVELOP CONVERSION
TECHNOLOGY FACILITIES IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and the Integrated Waste
Management Task Force continue to pursue the development of vital conversion
technologies to help reduce our dependence on landfill disposal and provide new
sources of renewable energy. Enclosed please find a fact sheet with additional
information regarding the program.
On behalf of both Public Works and the Task Force, I would like to invite you to join us
in this critical effort by participating in an informational workshop, to be held on
Thursday, September 23, 2010, from 8 a.m, to 1 p.m. at Public Works Headquarters,
900 South Fremont Avenue, Alhambra, California. Additional information regarding the
workshop, including registration, is available online at www.SoCalConversion.org.
Complimentary continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.
The workshop will outline three conversion technology demonstration projects recently
approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and provide the opportunity
for you to learn about the County's conversion technology program and discuss regional
conversion technology developments.
In addition, we would like to know if you have a site that may be suitable for
development of a conversion technology facility. Should you have interest in
participating, we urge you to fill out and return the checklist as soon as possible so that
your city can be properly represented in the report to the Los Angeles County Board of
August 18, 2010
Page 2
Supervisors in October. Expressing interest by filling out the checklist does not commit
you to the project. It is a first step in evaluating if,a project would be mutually beneficial.
If you have any further questions, or would like to meet to discuss the conversion
technology, program, please contact Mr. Coby Skye of this office at (626) 458-5163,
Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., or by email at cskye@dpw.lacounty.govov.
Very truly yours,
GAIL FARBER
Director of Public Works
PAT PROANO
Assistant Deputy Director
Environmental Programs Division
Enc.
TM:kp
P:\SEC\Convr Tech Mayor Mail Merge_8-17-10
cc: Each City Mayor in Los Angeles County
Each City Recycling Coordinator in Los Angeles County
Each Member of the Los Angeles County Integrated Waste Management Task Force
Background
Since 2004, Public Works in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Integrated Waste
Management Task Force has been evaluating and pursuing the development of
conversion technologies _(CTs) to reduce our dependence on . landfill,. disposal.
Conversion technology facilities include biological, non -combustion thermal,
mechanical, and/or chemical processes that convert solid waste to renewable energy
(electricity and fuels) and other beneficial products, providing greater than 80 percent
diversion from landfill disposal and reduced air emissions. 'Such technologies are often
paired with pre-processing equipment that recovers additional recyclable material while
also preparing the waste for conversion.
To date, the County has followed a deliberate multi -phased approach in evaluating and
promoting the development of conversion technologies:
• Phase I included a preliminary evaluation, screening and ranking of CT
companies, and identification of material recovery facilities and transfer stations
(MRF/TS) that -could potentially host a CT facility.
• Phase II consisted of a detailed evaluation of selected technologies and MRF/TS
sites, followed by a Request for tOffers that was issued to recommended
companies and sites.
• Phase III is currently underway and focuses on County_ support to construct three
CT demonstration projects in Southern California with companies that responded
to the County's Request- for Offers. The purpose of these projects is to
demonstrate the technical, economic, and environmental viability of such facilities
in Southern California. These three demonstration projects are at various stages
of development and include both thermal and biological conversion processes.
• The County has recently initiated Phase IV activities, which focus on establishing
larger, commercial -scale CT facilities in Los Angeles County for the purpose. of
providing alternatives to landfill disposal of post -recycled municipal solid waste
(MSW).; The County envisions one or more commercial CT facilities being
developed in Los Angeles County as a means to provide long-term solid waste
management capacity for post -recycled MSW residuals destined to landfills, to
reduce our dependence on exporting waste to remote landfill sites outside of the
County, and to., stabilize waste disposal rates.
Page 1 of 2 -
Benefits of Conversion'Technologies
If your City participates as a host community and/or partner in the development of a
commercial CT facility, the possible advantages of such a project include:
reduction in truck traffic due to onsite conversion of residual waste into
energy
extension of landfill life due to conversion of waste into energy
potential for revenue and/or use of energy and other products from the CT
project
provision of a long-term, reliable, and cost -competitive means of solid
waste management for your community's municipal solid waste
if the facility is to be a regional facility, the potential for host community
benefits
potential for additional City revenue and/or use -of energy and other
products from the CT project (e.g. electricity, transportation fuels,
aggregate, compost, etc.)
assistance from the County in applying for grants and other types of
financial assistance and funding for the CT project
assistance from the County in land use and environmental permitting -
assistance from the County in public relations and -outreach activities
Next Steps
At the request of the Los Angeles. County Board of Supervisors, Public Works is
preparing a Siting Feasibility Study identifying potential conversion technology sites
within Los Angeles County. This study will be presented to the Board of Supervisors in
October 2010. In advance of this study, we will be hosting a special workshop on
Thursday, September 23, 2010, beginning at 8 a.m. here at 900 South
Fremont Avenue, Alhambra, California 01803. The purpose of this workshop is to
provide more information about the County's conversion technology project and answer
questions from interested parties regarding the potential benefits of participation.
The County would welcome the opportunity to identify your City as an interested
participant, and to meet with you to review your goals and objectives 'and to obtain
information on your potential site. Expressinq interest does not commit you to
participate;.it is the first step in evaluating if a proiect would be mutually beneficial.
if you are interested in being considered and have one or more sites in mind that may
be suitable for such a project, please fill out the enclosed checklist for preliminary site
information enclosed and return to Mr. Coby Skye of this office. Mr. Skye can also be
contacted at (626) 458-5163, Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5:30' p.m., or by
i
e-mail at cskye@dpw.lacounty.gov. For More information regarding the County
conversion technology efforts, please visit www SoCalConversion.org.
Page 2 of 2
Checklist for Preliminary Site Information
[[Aff
ontact Person Site Information
amed Site Name:
iliation o Address/
Address: Location:
Telephone;
Email:
Please provide as much information as possible
Flow big is the site (in acres)*?
Are there any known site characteristics that would reduce the acreage usable. for
project development, such as floodplain, wetlands, endangered/threatened species
and/or critical habitat, underlying fill material (i.e. a landfill), etc.? Please describe
and quantify, if possible.
*Minimum of 6-8 acres is recommended to support a commercial CT facility that is not co -located
with an existing solid waste facility; larger sites (15-25 acres) provide flexibility to support larger -
scale projects that may be more economically viable. Co -location with usable infrastructure can
reduce size requirements.
Please describe the current and planned future use of the site, e.g., undeveloped
land; previously used and currently inactive; in current use for other purposes, etc.
Please describe current use of the properties adjacent to the subject site.
Please identify existing infrastructure on the site that could be usable fora project,
such as roads, weigh scales, receiving aiid storage buildings, recyclin✓ e �!ipment,
i
etc,, (e.g.,
as may be affiliated with an existing waste management. fa-ciliLy';.
Please identify the utilities that are available at the site, such as wdt-er, reclaimed �
water, sewer, gas, electricity, and telephone.
What is the location of the nearest gas transmission main, electrical transmission
line (i.e., 13.8 kV or greater), and/or substation for potential interconnection for
sale of pipeline quality gas and/or electricity?
What is the zoning of the site (e.g., light, medium, or .heavy industrial, etc.)?
Does the site include a permitted Solid Waste Facility (e.g. MRF, transfer station,
landfill)?
If the project is anticipated to be co -located with an existing solid waste
management facility:
What, is the current permitting capacity of that facility_(tons per day)?
What is the average amount of waste received (tons per day)?
Is the site located within a Coastal Zone; designated as Williamson Act land,
Sensitive Ecological Area, or otherwise in an area that could complicate permitting
and project development efforts?
Is the site within an Environmental Justice Zone, or are there other environmental
justice issues or concerns, related to the site?
What other types and quantities of solid paste maybe available for a project (e.g.,
green waste, construction & demolition debris, industrial waste, etc.)?
Please specify who is the owner of the site, and if applicable, the operator of any
existing operations at the site:
i
Please return ;your completed evaluation form to:
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works
Environmental Programs Division
ATTN: Coby Skye, Project Manager
900 S. Fremont Ave, Annex 3rd Floor
Alhambra, CA 91803
OR by e-mail to
cskyePdp\Ar:lacounty.gov