DATE: March 6, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Budget Resolution for Blue Hills Disposal Site
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2107-18 appropriations for Coalinga Disposal Site Org 9028 in the amount of $470,000 using available fund balance (4/5 vote); and
2. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2017-18 appropriations and estimated revenues for Public Works and Planning, Misc. Pass-Through Org 43601250 in the amount of $470,000 (4/5 vote).
REPORT
The recommended actions will provide sufficient funding to address the requirements of the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) on the Blue Hills Hazardous Waste Facility Post Closure Permit renewal.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
No viable alternatives are known at this time.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. As of January 21, 2018, Coalinga Disposal Site Org 9028, Fund 0710 Subclass 15000 unaudited cash balance was $806,709. Approval of the first recommended action will increase the FY 2017-18 appropriations in the Coalinga Disposal Site Org in the amount of $470,000 as an Operating Transfer Out using available fund balance. Approval of the second recommended action will increase the FY 2017-18 appropriations and estimated revenues in the Public Works and Planning Misc Pass-Through Org 43601250 in the amount of $470,000 through an Operating Transfer In from the Coalinga Disposal Site Org 9028 to fund the renewal of a Hazardous Waste Facility Post Closure Permit for the Blue Hills Hazardous Waste Facility.
DISCUSSION:
The inactive Blue Hills Disposal Facility (Site) is located in the northern extremity of the oil fields in western Fresno County, approximately 9 miles northeast of Coalinga. Between its opening in 1973 to the commencement of closure in 1991, waste was disposed at the 32-acre site in four waste management units. (WMUs) The Site was used as a Class I disposal facility for disposal of empty agricultural containers. All waste disposal operations at the Site ceased in October 1991 and construction of an engineered final cover over the four WMUs was completed in September 1992. The site is in post-closure maintenance and the County is in the process of renewing a 10 year Post Closure Permit through DTSC. The permit expired on September 7, 2017 however since the County submitted the permit application prior to the regulatory deadline and DTSC determined that the submitted permit application was administratively complete, the existing Blue Hills Post Closure Permit will continue in force until the new Post Closure Permit is issued; as long as the County continues in “good faith” to work with DTSC on the renewal process.
In November 2017 the County received a “First Notice of Deficiencies” (NOD) which was issued after the technical review of the application. The NOD required the County to provide a response to the comments by December 22, 2017. The December 22, 2017 deadline was not realistic as the comments in the NOD are extensive and very technical in nature and will require the County to contract out services to complete. Staff has had preliminary discussions with various vendors and estimate that the cost of the contracted services could be up to $470,000. Staff has held multiple discussions/meetings with DTSC and has formally requested an extension to October 1, 2018, but has not received approval back from DTSC on the request.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #51, September 26, 2017
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Exhibit A
On file with Clerk - Budget Resolution 43601250
On file with Clerk - Budget Resolution 9028
CAO ANALYST:
John Hays