DATE: August 9, 2022
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Paul Nerland, County Administrative Officer
Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Riverdale cleanup - 20526 S. Garfield Avenue, Riverdale, CA
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Retroactively approve the submittal of an engagement letter to CalRecycle, requesting CalRecycle’s assistance in cleaning up an illegal dump located at 20526 S. Garfield Avenue, in Riverdale, CA; and
2. Adopt Resolution authorizing the use of $120,000 from the American Avenue Disposal Site Refund Trust account 0700/15060 for the cleanup of an illegal privately-operated dump located at 20526 S. Garfield Avenue, Riverdale, CA, and authorizing the Director of Public Works and Planning and the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector to take all steps necessary to carry out this authorization.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions will allow staff to continue working with CalRecycle on efforts to clean up an illegal, privately-operated dump located at 20526 S. Garfield Avenue, Riverdale, CA. Recommended action No. 2 authorizes the use of the American Avenue Disposal Site Refund Trust account funds to fund a portion of the cleanup. This item relates to a property in District 4.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may elect to not approve the use of the American Avenue Disposal Site Refund Trust Fund account and direct staff to utilize General Funds from Org. 2540 - Interest and Miscellaneous.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If approved as recommended, there is no increase in Net County Cost. Sufficient revenues, through Intrafund Revenue from Fund 0700/subclass 15060, and appropriations exist in the current adopted budget, Org 9026 American Avenue Disposal Site, Account 7295.
DISCUSSION:
The property located at 20526 S. Garfield Avenue, Riverdale, CA has been utilized as an illegal, privately-operated dump for several years. Trespassers have allegedly charged members of the nearby communities to dispose of their garbage on site. The property has been designated a public nuisance and the violations and conditions are so extensive and of such a nature that the property substantially endangers the health, property, safety, and welfare of nearby residents and the public. These conditions violate multiple provisions of the law, including but not limited to, the Fresno County Ordinance Code, Fresno County Zoning Ordinance Code, and the California Health and Safety Code. The County has initiated the administrative abatement process on the property and posted notices requiring all trespassers to vacate the property by the middle of August.
Earlier this year County staff reached out and met with CalRecycle and CalEPA representatives to see if the state would potentially assist the County in removing the debris from this property, as the County does not have the resources needed to remove such a large amount of waste and debris. CalRecycle representatives indicated that there may be funds available to assist with the cleanup, but before they could commit to the project, they requested that the County provide an engagement letter to CalRecycle; indicating how the County would be engaged in the effort. The engagement letter, Attachment A, details how the County will engage, if CalRecycle provides a commitment. The engagement letter was submitted to CalRecycle on July 21, 2022, prior to this agenda item, and at the request of CalRecycle.
One of the proposed methods in which the County proposes to engage CalRecycle is satisfying the solid waste tipping fees at the County owned American Avenue Disposal Site. Recommended action No. 2 authorizes the use of the American Avenue Disposal Site Refund Trust (Trust) account to satisfy the cost of the solid waste tipping fees, estimated to be up to $120,000. The Trust account was established on September 12, 2006, as a result of excess American Avenue Disposal Site tipping fee revenues and was authorized to be used, in general, to provide expanded community cleanup events and future discounted or free landfill services benefitting residents in unincorporated areas of the County.
The accumulated waste and debris on the Garfield property did not originate from the property owner(s) and has been dumped on the property by various residents in the communities surrounding the property. Removal of unsightly waste will improve customers’ property values, and their health and safety.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Attachment A - Engagement Letter
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Salvador Espino