Report Prepared by: Dan McComb, Public Works Manager - Refuse
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of an Early Site Access Agreement with the Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority (MCRWMA) for Early Morning Operations at the Highway 59 Landfill in the Amount of $51,000 Through June 30, 2027
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving an agreement with the MCRWMA for conducting early morning operations at Highway 59 Landfill.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving an Early Site Access Agreement with the Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority in the Amount not to Exceed $51,000 through June 30, 2027; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by staff; or,
2. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200, et seq. and Section 3.04.120 of the Merced Municipal Code.
Services with an estimated value greater than $39,000.00 are made by written contract in accordance with Merced Municipal Code, Title 3 - Revenue and Finance, Chapter 3.04.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2026-27 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
The Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG) was formed to operate as a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) by the seven city and county agencies that make up Merced County to oversee regional issues such as transportation, solid waste and air quality. As such, MCAG governs the Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority (MCRWMA) which is our county landfill. The Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department is the municipal hauler of solid waste for the City of Merced.
The Solid Waste Division is responsible for all solid waste collected within the city limits. This includes scheduled and unscheduled services for residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Our mission is to provide the citizens of Merced excellent solid waste services which protect public health, quality of life, and enhance the city’s general appearance.
The Early Site Access Agreement is the best possible avenue to mitigate the ever-growing traffic, construction, and service time window issues involved with solid waste collection. The early 3:00 AM access time allows the ability for each roll off collection vehicle to service approximately three bins each before businesses open. The front loader collection vehicles can empty the first of two loads before the Landfill opens for business to the general public. City traffic and customer activity at the Landfill increases significantly starting at approximately 7:00 AM. This activity inadvertently increases the remaining Landfill turnaround times for solid waste collection vehicles by approximately 30 minutes each.
The MCRWMA has allowed early site access to the City since the late 1990’s; our current monthly cost is $4,250. The proposed Early Site Access Agreement is for a twelve (12) month term through June 30, 2027, for a monthly cost of $4,250. Staff recommends approval of the agreement to continue the essential early morning operations.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Funding is available within the adopted budget in Enterprise Fund 6002-Refuse Operations for the 2026/27 Fiscal Year.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Early Site Access Agreement