Burlingame to look into trash options

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Dec 16, 2008 | by Christine Morente

BURLINGAME -- Concerned about the increasing costs associated with the South Bay Waste Management Authority, the City Council agreed Monday night to investigate how to leave the organization and compare garbage fees among three companies.

The authority holds a contract with Allied Waste Management set to expire at the end of 2010. However, it has since recommended that Norcal Waste Systems become the hauler and recycling agency for the group's 12-member agencies.

Among them: Atherton, Belmont, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Hillsborough, Menlo Park, San Carlos, San Mateo, Redwood City, unincorporated San Mateo County and the West Bay Sanitary District.

If approved by the agencies, a 10-year contract with Norcal would take effect in 2011.

Burlingame remains wary of the authority's recommendation.

For one thing, the council questions the authority's increasing administrative costs.

According to Burlingame Finance Director Jesus Nava, the group's budget is $3.2 million of for fiscal year 2008-09, whereas two years ago it hovered at $2 million.

The city's portion to the budget is $424,637 this year.

In addition, the authority is seeking approval for a $64 million bond measure to rebuild the Shoreway Environmental Center, a recycling and disposal station in San Carlos. Council members agreed to postpone a decision on the issuance of bonds.

Nava told council that if it decided to leave the authority it would have to pay its share of liabilities of $1.9 million, which could be paid off through reserves.

Also, the city would have to give the authority six-months notice before the new rate year because the remaining members would have to absorb costs.

The question is whether the board would allow the city to leave, Nava said.

Burlingame City Manager Jim Nantell told the council he has had a difficult time getting the authority to explain the high cost in services.

He hopes other elected officials in San Mateo County would join and ask the same question.

"We need to look at ways to reduce the cost of SBWMA," Nantell said. "We've got good garbage haulers, but what do we get for the ($424,637) we're spending on SBWMA?"

Larry Patterson, the San Mateo Public Works director and the authority's chairman, invited doubting council members to tour the San Carlos facility in January so they can understand where the need is and how costs have been carried out.

Later, Burlingame Councilwoman Rosalie O'Mahony suggested that the city look at each garbage company's collection methods and costs.

The city could choose between Allied, BEST and Norcal.

Meanwhile, the authority's decision to go with Norcal came with scrutiny.

Pete Hillan, a spokesman for Allied, said the company's bid was $1.3 million less than Norcal's.

The San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury is investigating allegations of bias and misrepresentations in the selection process despite a consultant hired by the authority found the process was fair and unbiased.

Burlingame council members asked for an update on the investigation, but Nava wasn't able to give any.

Staff writer Christine Morente covers faith, families, Burlingame and North County. Reach her at 650-348-4333 or cmorente@bayareanewsgroup.com.