HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2018-07-24 @2:00MINUTES
x 5-k SPECIAL MEETING
n OF THE
�C4 ENVIRONMENTAL SUBCOMMITTEE
c'�LrFO OF THE
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400 Grand Avenue)
South San Francisco, California 94083
Meeting will be held at:
CITY MANAGER CONFERENCE ROOM
400 GRAND AVENUE
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA
TUESDAY, JULY 24, 2018
2:00 P.M.
Call to Order. TIME: 2:05 p.m.
Roll Call. PRESENT: Councilmembers Addiego and Gupta.
ABSENT:
Public Comments.
None.
None.
2. Study Session regarding the franchise agreement with South San Francisco Scavenger
Company. (Richard Lee, Director of Finance)
Director Lee provided background information on the franchise agreement, including
services, diversion requirement, sewage collection, rate adjustments, and rate survey.
Councilmember Addiego stated he wanted a survey to be conducted with comparable cities.
He stated the CPUC was looking at rate reductions for California Water Service fees due to
change in Federal taxation. He asked if that would apply to the franchise agreement. He
suggested ongoing conversations with the Scavenger Co. and City Attorney.
Paul Farmosa, Chief Financial Officer, Scavenger Co., stated they used to have a guaranteed
rate of return, balancing account and massive rate studies. He stated the current process
began in 1997 and the intent was to try to simplify the process with the rate survey. He
indicated he would look into federal taxation and agreed to work with the City.
Councilmember Addiego expressed pleasure with the partnership and discussed the fiduciary
responsibility to the residents. He stated he wanted to understand the rate of return for South
San Francisco versus other agencies. Mr. Farmosa confirmed that they retained separate share
accounts. Councilmember Addiego encouraged ongoing dialogue to ensure the best rate
structure for the residents. He expressed concern with overfull cans resulting in scattered
trash. Doug Button, President, Scavenger Co., discussed the impact on stormwater and pilot
programs to reduce scattered trash, including lockable bins. Mr. Farmosa stated they were
looking at various carts. Councilmember Addiego stated he was interested in the economic
reality of the anaerobic digester. Mr. Button discussed cost effectiveness and environmental
goals. He discussed the upcoming ban on organics from landfills. Mr. Farmosa stated China
had lowered acceptable contamination to a rate that was not obtainable. Mr. Button explained
items that were no longer recyclable. Councilmember Addiego asked the reality of recycling.
Mr. Farmosa stated it would have to be landfilled. Mr. Button discussed efforts to determine
alternatives. Mr. Farmosa encouraged continued recycling and anticipated other opportunities
to arise. Councilmember Addiego discussed a recycling facility in Berkeley selling to
microbreweries. Mr. Farmosa explained glass contamination. Mr. Button discussed the need
to maintain dry paper. Councilmember Addiego discussed incentives in other cities. Mr.
Button stated they were willing to offer incentives.
Councilmember Gupta discussed rate cycles at the utility company where he used to work.
He agreed that similar cities should be used for the survey. He discussed overfilled and
toppling, light cans due to wind. He discussed multiple people in single family homes with
limited trash service. He suggested relocating cans where there were no curbs.
1. Report regarding design concepts for the Orange Memorial Park Stormwater Capture Project.
(Justin Lovell, Public Works Administrator and Project Manager Sharma, Project Manager
CSG Consultants)
Administrator Lovell introduced the project team and provided an update on the conceptual
plan. He stated the team had come up with three alternatives that would meet the Caltrans
goals for treating water. He stated costs were still being worked out. He requested feedback
and reactions.
Councilmember Addiego asked general costs of the alternatives.
Robert Dusenbury, Principal Engineer, Lotus Water, estimated $7.3 million for construction.
He presented an overview of requirements under the stormwater plan, soil conditions, and
goals of the project.
Councilmember Gupta asked the effect of storage of stormwater. Mr. Dusenbury explained
treatment through settlement and potential issues. Councilmember Gupta asked the
requirements for cleaning water for reuse. Mr. Dusenbury discussed concerns about
infiltrating.
Councilmember Addiego asked if there was natural screening. Mr. Dusenbury explained that
it would depend on the constituent.
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Mr. Dusenbury continued his presentation outlining water resource potential benefits, process
and completed tasks, stakeholder input, outreach plan, and the three preliminary alternatives.
Councilmember Addiego suggested an educational opportunity on the gross solid devices.
Mr. Dusenbury continued summarizing the three alternatives.
In response to Councilmember Addiego, Mr. Dusenbury explained the efficiency of the
alternative under the ball fields. He discussed other projects and reports that the sand profile
was not cohesive to gophers. He summarized the differences in trash diversion, cost, and
benefits between the alternatives. He discussed the construction timeline and steering
committee's priority rankings.
Councilmember Addiego asked about Caltrans' charge to reduce PCBs and Mercury. Mr.
Dusenbury stated all three alternatives would meet the requirements.
Project Manager Mo Sharma explained the mandate for 100% trash capture.
Councilmember Addiego asked what entered the system annually. Project Manager Sharma
stated CCAG regional studies could provide that data. Administrator Lovell stated the
modeling team provided data for the design. Mr. Dusenbury explained that the project would
not cover the entire City's trash capture obligation due to location.
Councilmember Gupta discussed the survey results. Mr. Dusenbury stated Option 2 had some
potential fatal flaws.
Councilmember Addiego asked about blending from biotechs. Mr. Dusenbury discussed the
San Francisco process. Councilmember Addiego mentioned the Golden Gate National
Cemetery water reuse
In response to Councilmember Gupta, Project Manager Sharma explained the need for
storage and percolation before the next rain.
Councilmember Addiego stated Santa Clara County identified percolation ponds.
Councilmember Gupta discussed the clay layers. Mr. Dusenbury explained the reason for
moving to the north parcel. Councilmember Gupta asked if low benefits and high cost placed
Option 2 at the bottom. Mr. Dusenbury discussed several issues with Option 2 and
anticipated costs of the three alternatives, with high confidence in Alternative 1.
Councilmember Addiego asked if staff had reviewed Alternative 3. Director Ranals stated
they were still receiving facts and had not yet engaged the community but anticipated the
desire for artificial turf. She discussed the possibility of hybrid grass and turf. Manager
Mediati stated it was a blend of both. Director Ranals stated the location of the Varsity
baseball field was still unknown. Mr. Dusenbury stated part of the ability to treat the water
SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTAL SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING JULY 24, 2018
MINU'T'ES PAGE 2
was to use it for irrigation and he did not think the project could be completed with artificial
turf
Councilmember Addiego asked which option allowed reuse on the Centennial Park Trail.
Mr. Dusenbury stated the water would have to be disinfected.
Councilmember Gupta clarified the need to disinfect the water. Project Manager Sharma
stated public contact required disinfection. Councilmember Gupta asked about disruption to
field use. Director Ranals discussed the impacts to field use and the community. She
mentioned public perception of non - disinfected water. Councilmember Gupta stated it
appeared that Option 1 met the budget constraint.
In response to Councilmember Addiego, Mr. Dusenbury discussed match funding
opportunities.
Councilmember Addiego stated he was drawn to the instream system. He asked if any of the
options allowed for holding back water in the channel. Mr. Dusenbury stated Options 1 and 3
had inflatable instream damns.
Councilmember Gupta discussed the matrix results regarding impacts on the park and
neighborhoods. He stated Option 1 seemed more favorable than Option 3. Mr. Dusenbury
stated Option 1 had lower impact in terms of footprint and construction. Councilmember
Gupta expressed disappointment that Option 2 was not viable.
Councilmember Addiego asked if locations outside of the park had been considered.
Administrator Lovell stated the park had been the identified location and tidal influence had
to be considered. Councilmember Addiego requested information on disinfecting water.
Administrator Lovell explained UV filtration. Mr. Dusenbury stated UV filtration could be
included in Option 1. Administrator Lovell discussed limited funding. Project Manager
Sharma suggested the possibility of a project add on. Director Ranals stated there might be
available grant funds.
Councilmember Gupta agreed that water reuse was valuable.
In response to Councilmember Addiego, Administrator Lovell stated serious discussions with
neighboring cities would ensue once the preferred alternative was selected.
Councilmember Addiego asked about Coleman Creek Flood Advisory. Administrator Lovell
stated their focus was based on flood control but it was a possibility.
Councilmember Addiego suggested the possibility of the San Mateo County Water
Coordinating Committee looking for projects. Administrator Lovell stated he would discuss
the project with the Committee.
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Councilmember Gupta asked why Caltrans did not participate on the project steering
committee. Administrator Lovell stated Caltrans did not want to participate in the committee.
Councilmember Gupta suggested the possibility of requesting more money. Administrator
Lovell stated funds would be lost if deadlines were not met.
Councilmember Addiego confirmed construction costs. Administrator Lovell reminded the
committee of the construction environment.
Councilmember Gupta asked if there was a requirement for City funding. Administrator
Lovell stated there was no required match but the City would be on the hook for the delta.
Adjournment.
Being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 3:59 p.m.
Submitt y:
Gab lel Rodriguez, Deputy City Clerk
City of South San Francisco
Approved by:
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Counci member
City of South San Francisco
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