RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AGENCY – M. CHAMBLESS

Approve amendment #3 with Grassetti Environmental Consulting and approve a Budget Adjustment for $46,090.00 (reimbursed by Waste Solutions Group) to complete the County’s independent review of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and all related documents for the John Smith Road Landfill Expansion for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) statutes. (4/5 vote required)

SBC FILE NUMBER: 142

On February 23, 2021, the Board of Supervisors approved a contract with Grassetti Environmental Consulting to perform the County’s independent review of the Environmental Impact Report for the John Smith Road Landfill Expansion in an amount not to exceed $136,685 for the term of March 1, 2021 through December 31, 2023. On May 11, 2021, the Board of Supervisors approved a contract amendment with Contractor to add three subconsultants that were omitted from the Grassetti Environmental Consulting team that were included in their original proposal. On June 8^th, the Board of Supervisors approved a contract amendment with Contractor to add $46,005 in additional funds. The additional funds were needed due to additional meetings and work conducted between County Contractor, Contractor’s subconsultants, and Waste Solutions Group staff and consultants that were not included in the initial scope of the Grassetti contract. Substantial effort was required by Contractor and it’s subconsultants to review additional sections of the initial ADEIR which were not anticipated in the original proposal and scope.

Per the Second Amendment to the Landfill Operating Agreement, the contract cost is fully reimbursed to the County by Waste Solutions Group. 

Section 10.e CEQA Review of the Expansion: Cooperation with Expansion (Page 32 of the Second Amendment to the Landfill Operating Agreement):

“County shall retain a consultant firm (‘County’s Consultant) to conduct an independent review of the administrative draft EIR submitted by Contractor’s Consultant, at Contractor’s sole expense...”

Amendment 3 adds $46,090 to the total contract amount not to exceed $228,780 (total amount to be reimbursed by Waste Solutions Group). A third amendment is needed for an additional round of review of the ADEIR by Grassetti. Specifically, additional funding is needed due to the following reasons (the reasons are also outlined in the budget augment request letter dated 01.26.22 attached): 

1) Additional consulting and coordination required to respond to new organics diversion regulations required under Senate Bill 1383

2) Additional editing, review, and coordination required to address EIR inconsistencies and omissions 

3) Coordination with consultants and County staff to revise alternatives and to address haul route 

4) Additional revisions to several sections of the EIR.

5) Conduct additional traffic studies for the four potential access routes.

Per the Second Amendment to the Landfill Operating Agreement Section 10.e CEQA Review of the Expansion: Cooperation with Expansion (Page 32 of the Second Amendment to the Landfill Operating Agreement):

“County shall retain a consultant firm (‘County’s Consultant) to conduct an independent review of the administrative draft EIR submitted by Contractor’s Consultant, at Contractor’s sole expense...”

The County distributed a Request for Proposal on November 20, 2020 seeking a County Consultant for the above and Grassetti Environmental Consulting was selected as the County's Independent EIR Review Consultant. The contract was approved by the Board of Supervisors on February 23, 2021. 

GENERAL PLAN GOAL PFS-7 To provide solid waste facilities that meet or exceed State law requirements, and use innovative strategies for economical and efficient collection, transfer, recycling, storage, and disposal of solid waste.