A request for proposal for a new regional trash contract is expected to go before county supervisors this summer.
The current franchise agreement with Recology was approved in 2007 and had an eight-year term from November 20, 2007 to June 30, 2015.
According to a Hollister staff report, the agreement had an option for a three-year extension that was approved in 2014. The current agreement expires on June 30, 2018.
The 2016 billed revenues from the current hauler is around $7 million.
“The County is facilitating an Ad hoc Committee comprised of the three regional agency members with two elected officials from [San Benito County], San Juan Bautista and Hollister to review decision options for the expiring franchise agreement and Request for Proposal,” said Integrated Waste Management Sustainability Programs Manager Kathleen Gallagher in an email. “Hollister’s City Council, San Juan Bautista’s City Council and the Board of Supervisors will be considering the RFP documents at upcoming meetings in late July and August.”
The San Benito County Integrated Waste Management Regional Agency is a joint powers authority between the county, Hollister, and San Juan Bautista. The regional agency was created in 1995 to cost effectively organize all waste management programs under guidelines from the California Integrated Waste Management Board, also known as CalRecycle.
Gallagher said the three agency members have agreed to work together on a new franchise agreement and competitive RFP process to maintain joint efforts for cost efficiency. The ad hoc committee has held three public meetings.
On June 28, the committee reviewed the draft RFP, the new franchise agreement and briefing documents, Gallagher said.
San Benito County Business Council Executive Director Kristina Chavez-Wyatt spoke during the committee meeting. She sent her statement to the Free Lance via email.
“I am writing on behalf of the San Benito County Business Council to request that the following items be included in the development of the RFP for solid waste, compost and recycling services,” Chavez-Wyatt said.
The request listed four things: Roll-off services to ensure a competitive, open market. A five percent preference for San Benito County-based businesses. A yard located in the county with all sales and equipment purchase transactions generated from a local address, and equipment that is no more than three-years-old.
Gallagher said a public meeting will be held where potential proposers will make presentations.
“These public presentations are tentatively scheduled for December 2017,” she said. “Proposers will present their company qualifications and technical proposal information.”
