HHW disposal services for Sunnyvale residents are provided by the Countywide Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program. In July 1999, the City Council set the City’s Fiscal Year 1999/00 funding commitment to the HHW Program at $229,000, based on an estimate that 2544 Sunnyvale residents would dispose of materials during the year at an average cost of $90. The City’s actual share of costs will be determined by a reconciliation to be carried out after the close of the books on the fiscal year.

As of the beginning of June, 2,464 Sunnyvale residents had delivered materials to the Countywide HHW events, allowing for participation by about 80 additional residents prior to the June 30, 2000 end of Fiscal Year 1999/00. However, a June 17 event at the HHW event site at 164 Carl Road in Sunnyvale was expected to draw approximately 300 Sunnyvale residents. This would bring the annual total to 2,764 and leave the City’s commitment to the Countywide HHW Program short by 220 residents, or roughly $20,000.

Staff is recommending that the City Council increase the City’s formal funding commitment to $255,000. This will allow for uninterrupted provision of HHW disposal services to Sunnyvale residents.

Funding is available in the Solid Waste Program budget, and the recommended action will have no fiscal impacts.

Beginning in July 1999, HHW services to Sunnyvale residents have been provided by the Countywide HHW Program. The City and 13 other jurisdictions have approved agreements under which the County and 14 cities share the costs of operating the Countywide Program. At the beginning of the fiscal year, each city is asked to commit to a specific level of funding for participation by its residents. The funding commitments are calculated based on an estimated cost per participant. At the end of each fiscal year, actual expenses are calculated for each city and compared to the amount of money collected during the year. Depending on actual program costs and the number of participants from each jurisdiction, a city may receive a refund or may owe an extra amount as a result of this reconciliation.

Note that significant changes in the methods used to fund the Countywide Program in future years have been proposed. They are presented for Council consideration in a separate Report to Council on the June 20 agenda.

Solid Waste Sub-element, Policy 3.2E.3—Minimize illegal and inappropriate disposal of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW).

On July 13, 1999 the City Council authorized full City participation in the Countywide Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program. The Council also approved a commitment of $229,000 to cover Sunnyvale resident participation in the Countywide program during FY 1999/00 (RTC 99-302). This financial commitment was based on estimates that 2,544 Sunnyvale resident vehicles would deliver HHW materials to the disposal events run by the County, and that costs would average $90 per delivery.

As of the beginning of June, 2,464 Sunnyvale residents had delivered materials to the Countywide HHW events, allowing for participation by about 80 additional residents prior to the June 30, 2000 end of the fiscal year. However, a June 17 event at the HHW event site at 164 Carl Road in Sunnyvale was expected to draw approximately 300 Sunnyvale residents, bringing the annual total to 2,764. This would leave the City’s commitment to the Countywide HHW Program short by 220 residents, or roughly $20,000.

In order to assure the uninterrupted provision of HHW disposal services to Sunnyvale residents and to assure the County that the City intends to fulfill its financial commitments to the Countywide HHW Program, staff is recommending that the City Council increase the City’s commitment to participation in the Countywide HHW Program from $229,000 to $255,000. This amount includes a $6,200 contingency that would allow for 69 participants more than the staff’s estimate.

The City’s actual share of FY 1999/00 Countywide HHW Program costs will be determined by a year end reconciliation based on actual Countywide Program expenses. This means that the final cost to the City will vary up or down from the amounts estimated for budgetary purposes.

Sufficient funds are available in the Solid Waste Program budget to pay for the HHW services necessary to meet resident demand. The recommended action has no fiscal impact.

Notice has been provided through the publication and posting of the City Council agenda. In addition, all Reports to Council are available in the Library and on the City Internet home page.

Staff recommends that the Council increase the City’s commitment to participation in the Countywide HHW Program from $229,000 to $255,000.

Prepared by:

Mark A. Bowers
Solid Waste Program Manager

Reviewed by:

Marvin A. Rose
Director, Public Works

Approved by:

Robert S. LaSala
City Manager