Press Alt + R to read the document text or Alt + P to download or print.
This document contains no pages.
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCM MSS Contract Amendment and Rates 2019File No.: 4-3-32VI
Council Meeting: 12/17/2018
Disposition: Resolution No. 14619 & 14620
Agenda Item No:
Meeting Date: December 17, 2018
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: City Manager’s Office
Prepared by: Cory Bytof,
Sustainability & Volunteer Program Coordinator
City Manager Approval: __________
TOPIC: MARIN SANITARY SERVICE CONTRACT AMENDMENT AND RATES FOR
2019
SUBJECT: RESOLUTIONS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL:
A.ESTABLISHING MAXIMUM RATES COLLECTED BY MARIN SANITARY
SERVICE FOR REFUSE AND RECYCLABLE MATERIAL COLLECTION
AND DISPOSAL SERVICES, TO BE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2019, and
B.APPROVING A THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT AND
RESTATEMENT OF COLLECTION AGREEMENT OF THE CITY OF SAN
RAFAEL WITH MARIN SANITARY SERVICE
RECOMMENDATIONS
A.Adopt a resolution establishing maximum rates collected by Marin Sanitary Service for
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collection and Disposal Services, to be effective January
1, 2019.
B.Adopt a resolution approving a third amendment to the Franchise Agreement with Marin
Sanitary Service.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report details the rate adjustment proposal for 2019 necessary for Marin Sanitary Service
(MSS) to provide refuse, recycling, and organic materials composting, hauling, and processing
for customers (“rate payers”) in San Rafael. Rate payers include residential homeowners,
apartment owners, commercial property owners, and other businesses and tenants. The
proposed rate adjustment would increase rates by 9.39% over 2018 levels for all rate payers. It
includes adjustments using an agreed-upon rate setting methodology the City has with Marin
Sanitary Service as well as a negotiated resolution to ongoing recycling deficits in our Recycling
Reserve Fund, and is based upon an independent third-party review of expenses and revenues
by R3 Consulting Group, Inc. (R3).
Additionally, this report describes the elements of a proposed third amendment to the City’s
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collection and Disposal Services Agreement (the “Franchise
____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
Agreement”) with Marin Sanitary Service. Recycling revenue impacts to MSS due to the recent
collapse of the recycling commodities markets triggered a meet-and-confer requirement in our
Franchise Agreement with them to determine a reasonable remedy. The City and other agencies
that have similar agreements with MSS began a joint meet-and-confer process in Spring 2017.
This included an analysis of the current method of setting rates and an accounting for recyclable
materials processing and revenues to address the new realities of recycling markets as well as
other long-term issues.
The City and these other agencies retained the services of R3 Consulting Group, Inc. as well to
assist with the analysis and meet-and-confer process and have come to a successful conclusion.
The negotiated terms proposed require a new amendment to the Franchise Agreement and will:
1) establish a better means of addressing recycling costs and revenues going forward, 2)
streamline and simplify our overall rate setting process, and 3) resolve other contractual issues
that have been identified since our last amendment to the Franchise Agreement.
BACKGROUND
Each year, the City Council holds a public hearing to set the maximum collection rates that can
be charged by MSS in the City of San Rafael. These rates are based on a specific methodology
contained in the Franchise Agreement the City has with MSS. This background section of the staff
report will illustrate the overall context for the rate setting process and the proposed amendmen t
to our Refuse and Recyclable Material Collection and Disposal Services Agreement (“Franchise
Agreement”) with MSS. For purposes of clarity the terms “current Franchise Agreement” and
“proposed Franchise Agreement” will be used, the latter referring to the new Amendment to
Franchise Agreement being brought forth for consideration, which if approved, would govern rate
setting processes going forward.
Current Franchise Agreement and Marin Franchisors’ Group
Article XI of the California Constitution and the California Public Resources Code allows cities to
regulate refuse and recycling services and to collect a franchise fee from any provider of such
services. Marin Sanitary Service (MSS) is our sole provider of refuse hauling and recycling
services and performs these services in many surrounding communities as well. These services
are pursuant to a collection agreement, otherwise known as a Franchise Agreement between the
City and the company. The Franchise Agreement outlines the services that must be provided by
MSS as well as a methodology to be followed to set customer rates each year.
Several jurisdictions in Marin that have similar agreements with MSS joined together as the Marin
Franchisors’ Group to share information and reduce costs. These jurisdictions are: San Rafael,
Larkspur, Ross, the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, and the County of Marin, including within
the Ross Valley Sanitary District boundaries. The Marin Franchisors’ Group (“Franchisors”) meets
several times per year to oversee MSS’s operations and works together to conduct a single annual
rate review and analysis rather than each jurisdiction having to conduct and pay for a separate
review.
The first Franchise Agreement with MSS occurred in 1966. Our current Franchise Agreement is
the “Second Amendment to the Amendment and Restatement of Collection Agreement of the City
of San Rafael with Marin Sanitary Service” and was adopted in 2012. This 2012 Amendment
included a Recycling Reserve Fund in the rate setting methodology. It was established to capture
a portion of recycling revenues (net of expenses) for rate payers since the markets for recycling
had been strong for several years, and to provide a cushion for when minor losses occurred.
However, the Recycling Reserve Fund is currently not able to accommodate the recent major
downturns in recycling markets, which will be discussed more in the Analysis section of this staff
report below.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
As required under the current Franchise Agreement, the City Council holds an annual public
hearing to set the maximum collection rates that can be charged by MSS for services outlined in
the Agreement.
The current Franchise Agreement provides for a detailed, base year review of MSS’s operations
every three years. Annual summary reviews using modified indices are conducted for the next
two years. The last detailed review was conducted for the 2016 rate year. The proposed rate
levels for 2019 are based on a detailed review.
Marin Sanitary Services and Programs
MSS provides residential, commercial and multi-family refuse services, including garbage,
recycling and organics collection and processing. MSS also provides garbage and recycling pick-
up for City facilities, parks, and all sidewalk receptacles downtown and throughout San Rafael.
Residential service includes single-family units and three or fewer units in a single structure. San
Rafael residential customers receive weekly garbage, recycling, and organics composting
collection services. Residential customers also receive twice yearly residential curbside
collections of up to 14 additional bags/cans of yard waste, recycling, and/or garbage; and twice
yearly residential on-call collection of up to two large items each time.
Commercial service includes all businesses and residential apartment buildings with four or more
units. Commercial customers receive separate garbage and recycling containers as well as
cardboard pickup, and may choose from a variety of carts, bins, and commercial compactors. In
addition, customers are offered the choice of two commercial organics diversion programs.
Customers with significant amounts of pre-consumer food waste may participate in the Food to
Energy program. Commercial customers with post-consumer food waste, food soiled papers, and
yard waste may participate in the commercial composting program. All commercial services can
be picked up from one to six times per week.
Multi-family buildings are considered commercial services since they are a business enterprise
and operate differently than single family homes. They receive separate garbage, recycling, and
organics containers depending on the area available for can storage. MSS works with apartment
managers and tenants to develop ‘green teams’ to increase recycling and composting at their
complexes.
In addition, MSS is a key partner in the City’s environmental goals as well as the City and County’s
Zero Waste Goal, which attempts to achieve a 94% diversion of waste from landfill by 2025. MSS
conducts the majority of the outreach for the City for the State’s Mandatory Commercial Recycling
and Mandatory Composting laws (AB 341, AB 1826, and SB 1383), which place requirements on
businesses to recycle and compost, and requires annual monitoring and notifications to non-
compliant businesses.
MSS has a robust community outreach and education program, which provides resources to all
customers including businesses, multifamily dwellings and schools to encourage recycling and
other zero waste activities at no additional cost to the customer. They conduct numerous
programs and community offerings, including an annual free compost giveaway and customer
education event. Finally, MSS has also assisted with illegal dumping abatement along Jacoby
Street at a minimum of once per month.
State of the Industry
Since the 2012 amendment to the Franchise Agreement, numerous changes have taken place in
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 4
the industry. First, recognizing the negative impacts of organic materials decomposing in landfills
on climate change, the State of California has started mandating that local jurisdictions provide
curbside composting programs. Subsequent legislation mandates that businesses of certain
thresholds compost their organic materials, and it is projected that the State will mandate that all
residents and businesses compost their organic waste in the coming years (AB 1826 and SB
1383) while also placing new requirements on local governments to implement, monitor and
enforce participation in organic waste programs.
The second major change that has taken place has to do with the recycling commodities markets.
Recycling commodities markets have been on a steep decline for the past three years, resulting
in reduced revenues for recycling companies and the closure of more than 1,000 recycling buy-
back centers throughout the State. For example, between January 2017 and February 2018, MSS
saw prices drop for mixed paper recycling from approximately $155 per ton to $20 per ton. This
market collapse is not only being felt in our local jurisdictions but has been widespread throughout
California and the rest of the nation. These existing market conditions are expected to continue
into the foreseeable future.
In November 2016, MSS notified the City and the other members of the Marin Franchisors’ Group
that recycling deficits in the Recycling Reserve Fund had exceeded the amount necessary to
trigger a provision in the Franchise Agreement which called for a meet-and-confer process to
address the deficits. The Franchisors and MSS agreed to begin the meet-and-confer negotiations
in 2017. In addition, the Franchisors and MSS agreed to use the opportunity to review and adjust
the overall methodology for setting customer rates each year, known as Exhibit B in our Franchise
Agreement. There has been broad agreement that the current methodology can be confusing,
has become costly and time-consuming, and does not provide an adequate level of predictability
or stability for rate payers or MSS.
ANALYSIS:
This section will outline the rationale for the two items under consideration:
A.The rate adjustment for 2019
B.The third amendment to the Franchise Agreement
A. Rate Adjustment for 2019
Rate Review and Methodology
Over the past ten years rate adjustments have ranged from less than one percent to over 10%
with an average of 5.82%. Last year’s adjustment was 5.57%. Waste haulers around the state
are experiencing recycling losses and increases in labor and benefits expenses, among other
things. In the past year other Marin County jurisdictions have experienced rate adjustments
ranging from approximately 14%-19% in Mill Valley, Belvedere, Corte Madera, Tiburon, and
Tamalpais Community Services District. In the past two years, rates increased by 15% in San
Francisco to more than 50% in Piedmont, Windsor and Santa Rosa, with similar adjustments
occurring or forthcoming in many other Bay Area jurisdictions. This is the result of many factors,
including a growing amount of solid waste, recycling, and compostable materials generated by
residents and businesses, increasing requirements to divert waste from landfill, increasing costs
of processing recyclables and compostable materials, decreasing value of recyclable materials,
increasing costs of capital and equipment to implement new standards and requirements, and
increasing costs of labor in a constrained labor market.
In 2017 the Franchisors’ Group selected R3 Consulting Group, Inc. to conduct the 2019 rate
review. The Franchisors’ Group selected R3 based on their work on the rate methodology analysis
and meet-and-confer process with MSS.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 5
Adjustments
MSS submitted their 2019 summary rate application in August with a proposed 13.98% increase
over 2018 rates, not including treatment of prior recycling losses and 2019 recyclables processing
costs. Had those elements been fully included in the 2019 rate adjustment, R3 estimates that the
rate adjustment would have been 21.40%.
R3 reviewed the application and all relevant documents and financial schedules with MSS and
recommends an increase of 9.39% to the City of San Rafael’s rates in 2019, including resolution
of prior recycling deficits. These will be carried in the rates over three years from 2019 through
2021 at a rate impact of approximately 0.44% in 2019. The full rate review and proposed
adjustments are contained in the R3 Report (Attachment B). The following table (Table 3 from
the R3 Report amended for San Rafael) contains a summary of the rate increase components,
which reflect projected costs for 2019 utilizing the current agreed upon rate setting methodology
in the current Franchise Agreement with one exception. As a result of the meet-and-confer, MSS
and the Franchisors’ Group also negotiated to include funding of recyclables processing costs in
the 2019 rates, as well as resolution of prior recycling losses. This is further explained in the
RECYCLABLES PROCESSING & PRIOR DEFICITS line item in the Adjustments section below.
Table 3
Rate Components MSS Original
Application
Breakdown of
2019
Recommended
Increase
Labor 5.98% 4.54%
Franchise Fees 0.96% 3.14%
Recyclables Processing and Prior
Losses
- 2.96%
Fuel and Oil 0.76% 1.08%
Maintenance 0.81% 0.79%
Benefits 0.79% 0.54%
Profit 1.15% 0.53%
Garbage Landfilling and Organics
Processing
0.36% 0.04%
Interest 0.93% -0.36%
General and Administrative 1.16% -0.52%
Depreciation and Leases 1.00% -0.55%
Zero Waste Marin Fees 0.08% -0.59%
Revenue Projections - -2.20%
Total 13.98% 9.39%
The following is a summary of the reasons underlying the rate request broken out by major rate
categories.
LABOR: The increase is due to normal cost-of-living increases in base labor costs, new MSS
positions including a Director of Human Resources and a Route/Contamination Auditor, impacts
of aging workforce turn-over, and reconciliation of actual labor costs compared to prior allowed
increases via indexed adjustments.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 6
FRANCHISE FEES: Franchise fees for the Marin Franchisors’ Group are set based on a
percentage of gross rate revenues charged and received by MSS. The increase in 2019 is due to
increasing rate revenues as well as a change to the franchise fee amount set by Las Gallinas
Valley Sanitary District, which the District wishes to increase from $25,000 per year to 5% of gross
rate revenues (and which will only increase rates for Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District rate-
payers). This year jurisdictional fees were attributed only to that local jurisdiction’s rates r ather
than aggregating and dividing amongst all members of the Marin Franchisors’ Group.
RECYCLABLES PROCESSING & PRIOR LOSSES: MSS’s rate application did not include rate
impacts of prior recycling losses of up to $1.15 million and did not include net costs to process
recyclables due to the ongoing negotiations. MSS and the Marin Franchisors’ Group negotiated
resolution of prior recycling losses, with MSS waiving 2/3 of the $1.15 million in accumulated
losses, and the remaining ~$350,000 in losses being included in the rates over three years from
2019 to 2021, comprising 0.44% of the 2019 rate increase. Net recyclables processing costs (total
processing costs less revenues from sale and redemption of recyclables) comprise 2.52% of the
2019 rate increase and are set based on a negotiated net processing cost of $40/ton.
FUEL AND OIL: Approximately 3/4 of this increase is due to the increases in the cost of fuel
projected for 2019 above the price in 2018. The remaining 1/4 is due to true-ups reconciling prior
fuel and oil expenses for 2017 (actual) and 2018 (projected) compared to prior projections, which
will be amortized and included in the rates over the next three years from 2019 to 2021,
comprising 0.23% of the 2019 rate increase. True-ups in prior year expenses for fuel and oil are
allowed under the current rate adjustment methodology but are proposed for removal as a part of
the new rate adjustment methodology.
MAINTENANCE: This is based on MSS’s proposed 2019 maintenance costs, which are due to
normal increases in the cost of vehicle and equipment maintenance.
BENEFITS: The benefits component contributes 0.55% to the overall rate increase and is due to
normal increases in the cost of personnel benefits, including workers compensation insurance.
PROFIT: This is MSS’s allowable profit, which is an agreed upon “operating margin” of 90.5%.
Profit is calculated as a function of total operating expenses divided by 90.5%, less total operating
expenses.
GARBAGE LANDFILLING AND ORGANICS PROCESSING: This is based on projected tonnages
and tipping fees in 2019 as well as a “true-up” of real costs accumulated in 2017 and 2018
compared to projections of amounts of waste taken to landfill and the charges incurred. Prior true-
ups will be included in the rates over the next three years from 2019 to 2021, comprising 0.05%
of the increase in 2019, and are proposed for removal as part of the new rate adjustment
methodology.
DEPRECIATION AND INTEREST: These two categories are composed of the real allocated
costs associated with financing facilities and equipment, including upgrading and modernizing
MSS’s fleet, which are more fuel efficient and use cleaner technology.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE: G&A includes costs such as public outreach, professional
fees, and computer hardware/software.
ZERO WASTE MARIN FEES: Zero Waste Marin fees are adjusted to reflect anticipated charges
by the County, which are projected to decrease in 2019 for MSS expenses applicable to the Marin
Franchisors’ Group. Furthermore, this component was removed from the MSS profit calculation.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 7
REVENUE PROJECTIONS: MSS’s projections of revenues were determined to be low given the
new rate methodology anticipated for adoption by the Marin Franchisors’ Group. R3 provided
updated projections that reduce the overall needed rate adjustment.
Rate Payer Categories and Comparisons
With the above recommendation, the cost of a 32-gallon residential landfill cart would be
increased approximately $3.55 per month, from $37.81 to $41.36. The cost of commercial service
for a 3-yard landfill dumpster picked up once per week would be increased by approximately
$43.86 per month, from $467.09 to $510.95. Recycling is included in all accounts. Businesses
with a vigorous recycling program can reduce their regular container size or pickup schedule,
resulting in lower rates.
R3 conducted a survey of Bay Area refuse haulers as part of the rate review, included in
Attachment B. It summarizes the survey data for residential 30-35 gallon can weekly service with
curbside recycling and organics pickup. Note though, that proposed 2019 rates are not available
for other jurisdictions yet, so this comparison is proposed San Rafael 2019 rates to other
jurisdictions’ 2018 actual rates, which will certainly increase.
The 2019 proposed rate of $41.36 in San Rafael is similar to the Marin County average of $41.69
and slightly higher than the Bay Area average, which is $36.76. Attachment B also compares the
City’s three-yard commercial bin (once a week) service to those of all Bay Area cities and
agencies with similar services. The San Rafael rate of $510.95 is slightly higher than the average
of other Marin County jurisdictions average which is $495.66 and higher than the Bay Area
average, which is $420.05. However, it is important to note that all jurisdictions provide different
services and levels of services, making apples-to-apples comparisons problematic. San Rafael’s
rates have traditionally been comparable with rates in other Bay Area jurisdictions, while often
providing more services.
As in previous years, staff is recommending that the rate adjustment be applied across the board
to all residential, multi-family and commercial service accounts. Actual rates for all services are
provided as an attachment to the Resolution included with this report.
B.Third Amendment to the Franchise Agreement
Our Franchise Agreement calls for reviewing the contract every five years and amending as
necessary. The last amendment was adopted in October 2012.
In May 2017, after a competitive selection process, the City entered into a contract with R3
Consulting Group, Inc. (R3) on behalf of the Marin Franchisors’ Group to conduct an analysis of
the issues, and to assist with the meet-and-confer with MSS. City staff engaged Councilmembers
Bushey and Colin as an ad-hoc subcommittee to oversee the process. This process had three
primary goals:
1)Establish a resolution for the over $1 million in losses in the Recycling Reserve Fund
(RRF) carried by the company since the recycling market crash,
2)Develop a new model for handling recycling costs and revenues to replace the RRF
that would add greater certainty for rate setting going forward, and
3)Revise the overall methodology for setting rates to achieve goals of streamlining,
simplification, rate stability and recognition of the value of recycling and composting.
In addition, two secondary items were identified during the process:
4)Establish performance metrics and tracking to better understand qualitative outcomes
of MSS’ operations and outreach, and
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 8
5)Revise and institute formal succession planning and assignment language and
documentation
Concurrently, R3 concluded a detailed rate analysis for 2019, which would set a baseline for future
rate adjustments going forward. The following sections summarize the outcomes of the meet-and-
confer negotiations.
1.Recycling Reserve Fund Deficits
To date, the Marin Franchisors’ Group share of the deficit in the Recycling Reserve Fund total
approximately $1.15 million. MSS has agreed to forego 2/3 of the total Franchisors’ share and to
amortize the remaining 1/3 (approximately $350,000) over 3 years. This is 0.44% rate impact
each year for 2019, 2020, and 2021. This would be a separate item from the annual rate
adjustment calculation, so it will not be compounded over time, nor will there be interest added.
Note that this $1.15 million only represents the half of the losses that were assigned to the
Franchisors in the Fund; MSS assumed the liability for their half equaling $1.15 million. This
agreement to cut the Franchisors’ share of the deficits by 2/3 is a significant concession by MSS
resulting in minimal impact to our rate payers.
2.New Model for Recycling Costs and Revenue
If approved, the proposed third amendment to the Franchise Agreement would eliminate the
current Recycling Reserve Fund and replace it with a net processing fee: MSS would be paid an
annually adjusted processing fee minus revenues from the sale of recyclable materials. This new
method of calculating recycling in the annual rate application includes an incentive for MSS to
seek the best prices for selling the materials. This would be accomplished by only funding 90%
of MSS’s cost to process recyclables (yielding a shortfall for MSS to fill) while allowing MSS to
keep 90% of the recycling revenues (as a means of funding the shortfall noted above). Since the
cost of recyclables processing is greater than the revenues, MSS would then be incentivized to
maximize recycling revenues in order to cover the costs of recyclables processing.
The processing costs and recycling revenues will be reviewed annually, and should there be
significant changes to the markets again there is a provision to review and adjust as necessary
to mutually benefit rate payers and MSS. This threshold is being set at 10% difference in either
revenues or losses for two consecutive years. In this way should markets completely drop out
MSS has a means to address further significant losses. However, should markets rebound
significantly the City also has a means to ensure that these revenues help offset customer rates.
3.New Methodology for Setting Rates
The proposed third amendment to the Franchise Agreement includes a substantially streamlined
and simplified annual rate adjustment methodology. Unlike the current methodology, which sets
rates based on actual MSS costs and profits (aka a “cost-plus contract”) the new methodology
would set rates based on set revenues due to MSS, which would be escalated annually based on
one simple Water, Sewer, and Trash (WST) index, which has increased between 2 to 5% annually
in recent years. This will streamline and simplify the rate setting process, placing more incentive
on MSS to live within the regulated revenue amount, and will significantly reduce annual costs
and time for consultants and staff to conduct the annual reviews. Every 5 years MSS or the Marin
Franchisors’ Group may request a detailed review should there be a need. This differs from the
current Agreement, which stipulates an automatic detailed review every 3rd year. All true-up
provisions of the old methodology would also be removed. Staff expects a 70-80% reduction in
time and costs annually to prepare the rate review.
In addition to the streamlining stated above, the proposed third amendment would include a 2.5%
minimum and a 5% maximum rate cap for MSS’ operational expenses. This excludes
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 9
franchise/agency fees and the cost of processing, recycling, composting and disposal (the latter
of which are not subject to MSS control but are subject to fluctuation based on market conditions
and amounts of waste generated by residents and businesses). This will not eliminate the
possibility of experiencing an overall rate increase greater than 5% on occasion, but generally
should curtail the likelihood of large future year rate increases.
As part of the analysis, R3 conducted a thorough review of MSS’ expenses and revenues for
2019. This was important to do concurrently with the new amendment to the Franchise Agreement
in order to have 3rd party verified figures for the recycling deficits and a better understanding of
the projected costs and revenues for future years using a new methodology. One significant
outcome of this analysis projects that using our new methodology, and barring any significant
upsets in the industry, rates are more likely to adjust by approximately 3 -4% annually. This new
proposed rate setting methodology would require MSS to manage all of their controllable
expenses to the greatest extent possible while also providing greater rate certainty with which to
do so.
4.Performance Metrics
MSS agreed to establish new performance metrics for outreach and education as well as regular
operations, billing, and customer service. Details of the specific performance metrics and MSS
reporting procedures will be established collaboratively between the Marin Franchisors’ Group
agencies and MSS by June 30, 2019. However, there is now a provision for conducting formal
performance reviews at the direction of the Franchisors. MSS is known for quality services, a
dedication to recycling and composting, and environmental stewardship. This allows for
quantifying and analyzing where there is real impact and where there is room for improvement
going forward.
5.Succession Planning & Assignment
Although MSS has stated they are not selling nor are they interested in selling the company, they
agreed to prepare formal succession planning documentation to be provided to the franchisor
agencies in the coming year, and regularly thereafter. They have also developed and provided
new assignment language for the Franchise Agreement that would give the Franchisors more
control over any proposed sale of the company. This will now also provide up to $200,000 for
agency costs to review and assist with our interests if the company were to sell in the future, while
ensuring that the MSS standards of service continue to be met. Our City Attorney has reviewed
and provided input on the language, which has been incorporated into the final version, included
here as Attachment D.
In addition to the above, Exhibit A, the MSS Description of Services, was updated to catch up to
current State legislation around organic materials collection and processing. Commercial, multi-
family, and single-family organic materials collection and composting services were added where
appropriate, and other minor updates and clarifications were completed as well.
In conclusion, staff, MSS, and R3 concur that this proposed third amendment to the Franchise
Agreement would help achieve the following outcomes:
•Stable and predictable rates for the next 5 years, and a firm basis for rate control in future
years,
•Continued verifiable high levels of quality services for the City’s residents, businesses and
institutions, and
•Simplified annual rate setting methodology that saves significantly on consultant costs
and staff time to conduct while improving accuracy and transparency.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 10
The third amendment is included as Attachment D. Should these amendments be approved, they
would go into effect for the rate setting process beginning next year and applicable to the 2020
rates.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
The City hosted a public City Council Study Session on both of these items on December 3, 2018.
Staff emailed our interested parties list for the study session and for this City Council meeting on
November 29, 2019. Notice of public meetings were posted through the City Clerk’s notification
list and on the City’s web site on November 29, 2018 and December 13, 2018.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Increasing MSS’s rates will result in slight increases to the franchise fees paid by MSS to the City.
Approving these amendments will reduce the annual cost for consultants to review the rate
applications by several tens of thousands of dollars annually. In addition, the financial intent of
the new methodology is to provide for greater rate stability and predictability and to reduce the
potential for large rate increases in the future.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
A.Adopt a resolution establishing maximum rates collected by Marin Sanitary Service for
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collection and Disposal Services, to be effective January
1, 2019.
B.Adopt a resolution approving a third amendment to the Franchise Agreement with Marin
Sanitary Service.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A:
Attachment B:
Attachment C:
Attachment D:
Attachment E:
Resolution with Rate Schedule (marked as Exhibit C)
R3 Review of MSS Rate Application, including Bay Area Rate Survey
Resolution approving Third Amendment
Proposed Third Amendment to the Amendment and Restatement of
Collection Agreement of the City of San Rafael with Marin Sanitary
Service, including Exhibits A and B
Public Hearing Notice
RESOLUTION NO. 14619
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
ESTABLISHING MAXIMUM RATES COLLECTED BY MARIN SANITARY SERVICE
FOR REFUSE AND RECYCLABLE MATERIAL COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL
SERVICES, TO BE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2019
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael and Marin Sanitary Service have entered into an
“Amendment and Restatement of Collection Agreement of the City of San Rafael and Marin
Sanitary Service,” dated September 4, 2001 and amended by a written first amendment dated
March 1, 2005 and a written second amendment dated November 14, 2012 (hereafter the
“Franchise Agreement”); and
WHEREAS, Section 3 (B) of the Franchise Agreement provides for maximum rates allowed
to be collected by Marin Sanitary Service, to be amended from time to time by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, Exhibit "C" of the Franchise Agreement provides for approved rate schedules,
as amended by the City Council from time to time, to be included as part of the Collection
Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Marin Sanitary Service has submitted a rate application request using the
methodology outlined under Section 3 (A) of the Franchise Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael has conducted a review of said rate application and
produced a report recommending rate and fee adjustments; and
WHEREAS, on December 17, 2018 the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing to
consider the rate application request and receive public testimony thereon; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael has determined that such rate and fee adjustments are
proper, in the best interest of all citizens, and will promote public health, safety and welfare;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL DOES
RESOLVE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS: The schedule of maximum rates and fees
attached hereto as "Exhibit C" and incorporated herein by reference, is hereby approved to be
collected by Marin Sanitary Service for refuse and recyclable material collection and disposal
services, to be effective retroactively to January 1, 2017. Said “Exhibit C” shall be incorporated as
the revised Exhibit "C" to the Franchise Agreement.
I, Lindsay Lara, City Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council
of the City of San Rafael, held on Monday, the 17th of December 2018, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmembers: Bushey, Colin, Gamblin, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
Councilmembers: None
Councilmembers: None
__________________________
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk
Rate 9.39%
Effective 1/1/2019
Weekly Service Rates (Billed Quarterly)
Monthly Rate Quarterly Rate Monthly Rate Quarterly Rate
20 gallon cart $35.16 $105.48 $39.82 $119.46
32 gallon cart $41.36 $124.08 $46.85 $140.55
64 gallon cart $82.72 $248.16 $93.70 $281.10
96 gallon cart $124.08 $372.24 $140.56 $421.68
Low income - 20 gal* cart $28.11 $84.33 $31.87 $95.61
Low income - 32 gal* cart $33.04 $99.12 $37.50 $112.50
Low income - 64 gal* cart $66.07 $198.21 $75.01 $225.03
Senior rate**Discontinued $29.20 $87.60 $37.18 $111.54
Additional Organics Cart Rental (35 or 64
gallon cart)
$2.20 $6.60 $2.20 $6.60
Additional Split Cart Rental (64 or 96 gallon
cart)
$2.20 $6.60 $2.20 $6.60
Additional Monthly Charges Monthly Fee (per
cart, each way)Quarterly Fee
Distance 5' - 50'$5.37 $16.11
Distance Over 50'$10.86 $32.58
Additional Service Fees per Occurrence 2019 Fee
Return Fees - Off day $25.00
Return Fees - Same day $10.00
Resume Service/Late Fee $35.00
Contamination (cart) any size cart $30.00
Overload/Overweight (cart)$25.00
Extra bag garbage $15.00
Extra bag yard waste $10.00
Steam Clean (cart)$15.00
Special Collection $35.00
Special Handling (Bulky items)$30.00
Bulky item fees per item Fees Vary
Cart Strap Set-up Admin Fee $25.00
20 Gal Cart Replacement Fee $55.00
32 Gal Cart Replacement Fee $60.00
64 Gal Cart Replacement Fee $65.00
96 Gal Cart Replacement Fee $75.00
64 Gal Split Cart Replacement Fee $90.00
96 Gal Split Cart Replacement Fee $100.00
*Must meet PG&E CARE program eligibility requirements.
**Customers with these rates prior to 2005 will keep the existing rate type. No new customers will be added with this rate type.ONE TIME SERVICE FEESMAGS/MASR RESIDENTIAL REFUSE COLLECTION RATES REOCCURING CHARGESResidential Service (Bundled service includes 1 landfill (garbage) cart, 1 organics cart, & 1 recycling split cart )
2019 Flat rate 2019 Hill Rate
NOTE: We may not be able to accommodate any collection requests NOT at the curb due to a variety of factors including safety, accessibility, and
efficiency. Requests to be assessed and approved by Route Manager.
COMMERCIAL CARTS, BINS, ROLL-OFFS
Garbage 1 2 3 4 5 6
20 gallon cart*$35.16 $70.32 $105.47 $140.63 $175.79 $210.95 $8.12
32 gallon cart $41.08 $82.15 $123.23 $164.30 $205.38 $246.46 $9.48
64 gallon cart $82.15 $164.30 $246.46 $328.61 $410.76 $492.91 $18.97
96 gallon cart $123.23 $246.46 $369.68 $492.91 $616.14 $739.37 $28.45
1 yard bin $266.98 $539.10 $816.33 $1,098.76 $1,386.24 $1,678.86 $61.61
2 yard bin $392.54 $901.91 $1,368.24 $1,844.83 $2,331.67 $2,828.77 $99.61
3 yard bin $510.95 $951.47 $1,450.34 $1,964.52 $2,494.16 $3,039.17 $122.27
4 yard bin $728.92 $1,347.49 $2,051.94 $2,777.01 $3,325.57 $4,288.63 $178.96
5 yard bin $788.49 $1,585.78 $2,417.25 $3,274.23 $4,156.97 $5,065.28 $190.81
6 yard bin $936.08 $1,902.94 $2,900.67 $3,929.11 $4,988.32 $6,078.34 $217.48
10 yard roll-off $1,319.35 $2,699.97 $4,143.54 $5,647.89 $7,213.84 $8,841.32 $309.89
18 yard roll-off $2,369.70 $4,850.31 $7,441.70 $10,143.88 $12,956.90 $15,880.77 $557.83
20 yard roll-off $2,633.08 $5,389.22 $8,268.53 $11,270.95 $14,396.56 $17,645.26 $619.85
25 yard roll-off $3,683.25 $7,538.93 $11,113.77 $15,149.16 $19,350.26 $23,716.90 $774.77
Organics (F2E or Compost)1 2 3 4 5 6 Additional One
Time Empty
32 gallon $17.03 $34.06 $51.09 $68.12 $85.15 $102.18 $3.93
64 gallon $34.06 $68.12 $102.18 $136.24 $170.30 $204.36 $7.86
1 yard $119.22 $238.44 $357.66 $476.88 $596.10 $715.32 $27.51
2 yard $238.44 $476.88 $715.32 $953.76 $1,192.20 $1,430.64 $55.02
3 yard $357.66 $715.32 $1,072.98 $1,430.64 $1,788.30 $2,145.96 $82.54
10 yard roll-off $923.55 $1,847.10 $2,770.65 $3,694.20 $4,617.75 $5,541.30 $213.13
18 yard roll-off $1,662.39 $3,324.78 $4,987.17 $6,649.56 $8,311.95 $9,974.34 $383.63
20 yard roll-off $1,847.10 $3,694.20 $5,541.30 $7,388.40 $9,235.50 $11,082.60 $426.25
25 yard roll-off $2,308.88 $4,617.75 $6,926.63 $9,235.50 $11,544.38 $13,853.25 $532.82
Roll-off Compactor Tipping fee per ton $113.39 $254.87
Stationary FL (Per Compacted Yard)$98.48 Rates Vary
Service Fee
Lock $25.00
Box rental Fees Vary
Distance <
50ft
$5.37
Distance >
50ft
$10.86
NOTE: Roll-offs for organics available on request at 30% discount on above garbage rates.
Commercial Service Fees Fee
Return Fee - BIN $75.00
Return Fee - CART -same day $10.00
Return Fee - CART -off day $25.00
Late Fee/Resume Service Fee $35.00
Contamination (BIN)$50.00
Contamination (CART)$30.00
Overload/Compaction (BIN)$60.00
Overload/Compaction (CART)$25.00
Extra Bag Garbage $15.00
Additional Empty BIN Fees vary
Extra Bag Yard Waste $15.00
Steam Clean (1-6 yard BIN)$95.00
Steam Clean (CART)$15.00
Steam Clean (COMPACTOR/ROLL-OFF)$225.00
Lock Set-up Admin Fee $25.00
Lock Single Use Fee $5.00
Lock Purchase Fee $20.00
Lock Bar Bin Set-up Fee $75.00
Overweight Charge Per Ton*$205.00
20 Gal Cart Replacement Fee $55.00
32 Gal Cart Replacement Fee $60.00
64 Gal Cart Replacement Fee $65.00
96 Gal Cart Replacement Fee $75.00
64 Gal Split Cart Replacement Fee $90.00
96 Gal Split Cart Replacement Fee $100.00
Bin Repair/Replacement Fee**Fees vary by
size up to
$1,200
*(Boxes exceeding 300lbs/yard)
**Fees vary by size not to exceed current replacement value.
Roll-off Compactor Special handling
Garbage Compactors (Per empty)
MAGS/MASR
* Customers must have a sufficient level of service for the volume of material generated. Requests for 20gal carts require assessment and approval of a Route Manager.
Monthly fee per cart, each
way
Monthly fee
Details
Monthly fee per cart, each
way
Min. Bimonthly fee
NOTE: All container types and sizes may not be available at all locations depending on a variety of factors including safety, accessibility, and
efficiency. Requests to be assessed and approved by Route Manager.ONE TIME SERVICE FEESCOMMERCIAL REFUSE COLLECTION RATES 9.39% Increase Effective 1/01/19 REOCCURING CHARGESCollections per Week
Additional One
Time Empty
Roll-off Compactor Hauling charge
Other Charges
MFD CARTS, BINS, ROLL-OFFS
Garbage 1 2 3 4 5 6
20 gallon cart*$35.16 $70.32 $105.47 $140.63 $175.79 $210.95 $8.12
32 gallon cart $41.36 $82.72 $124.08 $165.44 $206.80 $248.16 $9.55
64 gallon cart $82.72 $165.44 $248.16 $330.88 $413.60 $496.32 $19.09
96 gallon cart $124.08 $248.16 $372.24 $496.32 $620.41 $744.49 $28.64
32 gallon - hill $46.85 $93.70 $140.56 $187.41 $234.26 $281.11 $10.81
64 gallon - hill $93.70 $187.41 $281.11 $374.81 $468.52 $562.22 $21.63
96 gallon - hill $140.56 $281.11 $421.67 $562.22 $702.78 $843.33 $32.45
1 yard bin $257.27 $518.64 $784.16 $1,053.76 $1,327.47 $1,605.25 $59.38
2 yard bin $392.54 $899.83 $1,362.08 $1,832.50 $2,311.16 $2,798.01 $90.59
3 yard bin $510.95 $936.45 $1,423.17 $1,922.17 $2,433.49 $2,957.07 $117.91
4 yard bin $728.92 $1,343.40 $2,039.60 $2,752.35 $3,417.67 $4,227.04 $168.21
5 yard bin $788.49 $1,560.75 $2,371.89 $3,203.55 $4,055.77 $4,928.50 $181.96
6 yard bin $924.13 $1,872.91 $2,846.28 $3,844.27 $4,866.91 $5,914.15 $213.26
10 yard roll-off $1,319.35 $2,699.97 $4,143.54 $5,647.89 $7,213.84 $8,841.32 $309.89
18 yard roll-off $2,369.70 $4,850.31 $7,441.70 $10,143.88 $12,956.90 $15,880.77 $557.83
20 yard roll-off $2,633.08 $5,389.22 $8,268.53 $11,270.95 $14,396.56 $17,645.26 $619.85
25 yard roll-off $3,683.25 $7,538.93 $11,113.77 $15,149.16 $19,350.26 $23,716.90 $774.77
Organics 1 2 3 4 5 6 Additional One
Time Empty
Additional Organics Cart Rental (35 gallon
cart) after 4 TOTAL carts per cart per
month
$2.20 NA NA NA NA NA NA
Additional Organics Cart Rental (64 gallon
cart) after 4 TOTAL carts per cart per
month.
$2.20 NA NA NA NA NA NA
1 yard $119.22 $238.44 $357.66 $476.88 $596.10 $715.32 $27.51
2 yard $238.44 $476.88 $715.32 $953.76 $1,192.20 $1,430.64 $55.02
3 yard $357.66 $715.32 $1,072.98 $1,430.64 $1,788.30 $2,145.96 $82.54
Roll-off Compactor Tipping fee per ton $113.39 Roll-off Compactor Hauling charge $254.87
Stationary FL (Per Compacted Yard)$98.48 Roll-off Compactor Special handling Rates Vary
Service Fee
Lock $25.00
Box rental Fees Vary
Distance < 50ft $5.37
Distance > 50ft $10.86
MFD One Time Service Fees Fee
Return Fee - BIN $75.00
Return Fee - CART -same day $10.00
Return Fee - CART -off day $25.00
Late Fee/Resume Service Fee $35.00
Contamination (BIN) Per Yard $50.00
Contamination (CART)$30.00
Overload/Compaction (BIN)$60.00
Overload/Compaction (CART)$25.00
Additonal Empty Bag $15.00
Extra Bag Yard Waste $10.00
Additional Empty Garbage Fees vary
Steam Clean (BIN)$95.00
Steam Clean (CART)$15.00
Steam Clean (COMPACTOR/ROLL-OFF)$225.00
Lock Set-up Admin Fee $25.00
Lock Single Use Fee $5.00
Lock Purchase Fee $20.00
Lock Bar Bin Set-up Fee $75.00
Overweight Charge Per Ton*$205.00
20 Gal Cart Replacement Fee $55.00
32 Gal Cart Replacement Fee $60.00
64 Gal Cart Replacement Fee $65.00
96 Gal Cart Replacement Fee $75.00
64 Gal Split Cart Replacement Fee $90.00
96 Gal Split Cart Replacement Fee $100.00
Bin Repair/Replacement Fee**Fees vary by size up
to $1,200
*(Boxes exceeding 300lbs/yard)
**Fees vary by size not to exceed current replacement value.
Additional One
Time Empty
Other Charges
Details
ONE TIME SERVICE FEESMonthly fee
Min. Bimonthly fee
Monthly fee per cart, each
Monthly fee per cart, each
NOTE: All container types and sizes may not be available at all locations depending on a variety of factors including safety, accessibility, and efficiency. Requests to be assessed and approved by Route Manager.
NOTE: Minimum service level is 32 gallons per unit or equivalent volume. Decrease to 20 gallon per unit is subject to company review and approval.
NOTE: Up to four (4) Organics carts provided at no additional charge. Additional carts may be rented for a nominal monthly fee.
MAGS/MASR 9.39% Increase Effective 1/01/19 REOCCURING CHARGESCollections per Week
Garbage Compactors (Per empty)
FINAL REPORT
Review of Marin Sanitary Service’s 2019
Rate Application
SUBMITTED TO:
Marin Franchisors’ Group
December 4, 2018
PDF SUBMITTAL
This page intentionally left blank.
Table of
Contents
Marin Franchisors’ Group | Review of Marin Sanitary Service’s 2019 Rate Application | FINAL REPORT
TOC - i
Table of Contents
Cover Letter
Section 1: Background ............................................................................... 1
Section 2: Rate Review Approach .............................................................. 3
Section 3: Recommended 2019 Rate Increases ......................................... 5
Attachments
1 Marin Sanitary Service Proposed 2019 Rate Application Summary
2 R3 Adjusted 2019 Rate Application Summary
3 Bay Area Rate Survey
4 Chart of 2019 Residential 32-Gallon Rates
5 Chart of 2019 Commercial 3 Cubic Yard Rates
Table of
Contents
Marin Franchisors’ Group | Review of Marin Sanitary Service’s 2019 Rate Application | FINAL REPORT
TOC - ii
This page intentionally left blank.
www.r3cgi.com
1512 Eureka Road, Suite 220, Roseville, CA 95661
Tel: 916-782-7821 | Fax: 916-782-7824
2600 Tenth Street, Suite 424, Berkeley, CA 94710
Tel: 510-647-9674
December 4, 2018
Ms. Cristine Alilovich
Assistant City Manager
City of San Rafael
1400 Fifth Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94919
Mr. Ernest Klock
Assistant Director
County of Marin
Department of Public Works
3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 304
San Rafael, CA 94903
Ms. Susan McGuire
Administrative Services Manager
Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District
300 Smith Ranch Road
San Rafael, CA 94903
Mr. Dan Schwarz
City Manager
City of Larkspur
400 Magnolia Avenue
Larkspur, CA 94939
Mr. Joe Chinn
Town Manager
Town of Ross
31 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
Ross, CA 94957
Subject: Review of Marin Sanitary Service’s 2019 Rate Application, Final Report
Dear Ms. McGuire, Ms. Alilovich, Mr. Klock, Mr. Schwarz and Mr. Chinn,
R3 Consulting Group, Inc. (R3) is pleased to submit the attached Final Report detailing the results of our
review of Marin Sanitary Service’s (MSS’s) 2019 rate application for the Marin Franchisors’ Group. This
Report summarizes results from a detailed base year review of MSS’s 2019 rate application and the results
of the negotiated outcomes from the recently completed “meet and confer” between the Marin
Franchisors’ Group and MSS.
Marin Sanitary Application for 2019 Rate Adjustment
On August 15, 2018, Marin Sanitary Service (MSS) submitted its application for an 13.98% increase to its
solid waste rates, to be effective January 1, 2019. Per the Franchise Agreements between MSS and the
members of the Marin Franchisors’ Group, 2019 is a “base year rate adjustment” meaning that MSS
prepares its 2019 projections of expenses and revenues based on actual prior, current, and expected
future expenses and revenues. This differs from the “indexed rate adjustment” used in other years, which
primarily projects MSS expenses based on external market indices.
The Marin Franchisors’ Group retained R3 to conduct a detailed review of MSS’s rate application to review
the basis of MSS’s projections, and to recommend adjustments in keeping with the terms and conditions
of the Franchise Agreements. In parallel, MSS, R3 and the Marin Franchisors’ Group worked to streamline
the rate setting methodology and complete the contractually required meet and confer process to
determine means of resolving $1.15 million in prior accumulated losses from the processing and sale of
recyclable materials and address funding of ongoing recyclables processing costs, starting in 2019.
Marin Franchisors’ Group
Review of Marin Sanitary Service’s 2019 Rate Application, Final Report
December 4, 2018
Cover Letter Page 2 of 6
Appropriately, MSS’s 2019 rate application did not include rate impacts from resolution of the prior
recycling losses or future recyclables processing costs, as these costs are not currently included in rates
charged to customers. Had MSS included those impacts in 2019, R3 calculates that the 2019 rate increase
would have been 21.40%. A summary of MSS’s original 2019 rate application is included in Attachment 1.
R3 conducted a thorough review of the rate application based on the rate methodology agreed to via the
Franchise Agreements between MSS and the cities of San Rafael and Larkspur, the Town of Ross, the
County of Marin, and the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, collectively referred to as the Franchisors’
Group. Our review included a thorough assessment of all relevant documents for completeness and
compliance with the procedures agreed upon by MSS and the Franchisors’ Group, included a verification
of the mathematical accuracy and logical consistency of the supporting schedules, and involved multiple
on-site meetings and phone calls with MSS management and staff. MSS staff and management were very
cooperative and responsive throughout the review, providing R3 with all requested information necessary
for our review of the rate application.
Based on our review of the rate application, R3 determined that an overall rate increase of 8.20% (for the
Franchisors’ Group as a whole) is appropriate to compensate MSS for its projected 2019 expenses before
any treatment of prior recycling losses or future recyclables processing costs and any consideration of
negotiated outcomes of the meet and confer process. With these included the recommended overall rate
increase is 9.56%, with varying increases for each Franchisors’ Group agency, which vary slightly
depending on the amounts and types of franchise and other fees set by each agency. These findings have
been reviewed with MSS, and they are in agreement with the proposed adjustments to their rate
application and the recommended overall rate increase of 9.56% for 2019. Individual increases by
Franchisors’ Group agency shown in Table 2, below. Attachment 2 provides the rate adjustment
calculations and the specifics of the recommended increases by agency.
Table 1
Summary of Adjustments to 2019 Rate Increase Request
MSS Original Rate Increase Request 13.98%
R3 Adjustments -5.96%
Recyclables Net Processing Costs 2.20%
Total Prior Recycling Losses 5.22%
Negotiated Outcomes -5.88%
Recommended Rate Increase 9.56%
Table 2
Recommended 2019 Rate Increases by Agency
Marin Franchisors' Group Agency Recommended 2019 Rate Increase
City of San Rafael 9.39%
City of Larkspur 8.52%
County of Marin 8.90%
Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District 14.33%1
Town of Ross 9.60%
Overall 9.56%
1 The recommended rate increase for Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District is higher based on the District adopting a
5% franchise fee on gross revenues in place of the current $25,000 annual franchise fee. Without this change, the
increase to the District would be 9.60%.
Marin Franchisors’ Group
Review of Marin Sanitary Service’s 2019 Rate Application, Final Report
December 4, 2018
Cover Letter Page 3 of 6
Summary of 2019 Recommended Rate Increase
Table 3, below, shows the main components affecting the recommended 2019 rate increase, including
the components proposed by MSS, the impacts of prior recycling losses and recyclables processing costs,
the results of R3’s review, and the negotiated outcomes of the meet and confer process. Note that
individual breakdown of factors will vary by agency but are generally proportionate to the below.
Table 3
Summary of Factors Affecting 2019 Recommended Rate Increase
Rate Components MSS Original
Application
Breakdown of 2019
Recommended Increase
Labor 5.98% 4.63%
Franchise Fees 0.96% 3.20%
Recyclables Processing and Prior Losses - 3.02%
Fuel and Oil 0.76% 1.10%
Maintenance 0.81% 0.81%
Benefits 0.79% 0.55%
Operating Profit 1.15% 0.54%
Garbage Landfilling and Organics Processing 0.36% 0.04%
Interest 0.93% -0.37%
General and Administrative 1.16% -0.54%
Depreciation and Leases 1.00% -0.56%
Zero Waste Marin Fees 0.08% -0.60%
Revenue Projections - -2.24%
Total 13.98% 9.56%
A summary of the final 2019 rate impacts, including adjustments recommended by R3 and the negotiated
outcomes of the meet and confer process are discussed below and in Section 3 of this Report.
Labor (4.63%)
The labor component contributes 4.63% to the overall recommended 9.56% rate increase. The increase
is due to normal cost-of-living increases in base labor costs, new MSS positions including a Director of
Human Resources and a Route/Contamination Auditor, impacts of aging workforce turn-over, and
reconciliation of actual labor costs compared to prior allowed increases via indexed adjustments.
Franchise Fees (3.20%)
Franchise fees for the Franchisors’ Group are set based on a percentage of gross rate revenues charged
and received by MSS. The increase in 2019 is due to increasing rate revenues as well as a change to the
franchise fee amount set by Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, which the District wishes to increase from
$25,000 per year to 5% of gross rate revenues (and which will only increase rates for Las Gallinas Valley
Sanitary District rate-payers). Franchise fees were understated in MSS’s rate application, and R3 updated
the methodology for projecting franchise fees during the rate review, which is the reason that this
component appears as large as it is. It is important to note that the magnitude of this component is not
set by MSS, and the adjustments to this component made by R3 are to ensure transparency and accuracy
of the franchise fee amounts paid by MSS and collected via the rates.
Marin Franchisors’ Group
Review of Marin Sanitary Service’s 2019 Rate Application, Final Report
December 4, 2018
Cover Letter Page 4 of 6
Recyclables Processing and Prior Losses (3.01%)
The recyclables processing and prior losses component contributes 3.01% to the overall recommended
9.56% rate increase. As discussed above, MSS’s rate application did not include rate impacts related to
prior recycling losses of up to $1.15 million and similarly did not include net costs to process recyclables;
this was appropriate, because these costs are not currently part of the rates or the annual rate setting
process.
During the meet and confer process that paralleled review of MSS’s rate application, MSS and the
Franchisors’ Group negotiated resolution of those prior recycling losses, with MSS waiving 2/3 of the $1.15
million in accumulated losses; the remaining ~$350,000 in losses is included in the rates over three years
from 2019 to 2021, comprising 0.44% of the 2019 rate increase. Net recyclables processing costs (total
processing costs less revenues from sale and redemption of recyclables) comprise 2.57% of the 2019 rate
increase and are set based on a negotiated net processing cost of $40/ton. Net recyclables processing
costs do not count towards the calculation of MSS’s profit.
Fuel and Oil (1.10%)
The fuel and oil component contributes 1.10% to the overall recommended 9.56% rate increase.
Approximately 3/4 of this increase is due to the increases in the cost of fuel projected for 2019 above the
price in 2018, which increased 42% from 2017 to 2018. The remaining 1/4 is due to true-ups reconciling
prior fuel and oil expenses for 2017 (actual) and 2018 (projected) compared to prior projections in those
years; these true-ups will be included in the rates over the next three years from 2019 to 2021, comprising
0.23% of the 2019 rate increase. True-ups in prior year expenses for fuel and oil are allowed under the
current rate adjustment methodology but are proposed for removal as a part of the new rate adjustment
methodology discussed in this report.
Maintenance (0.81%)
The maintenance component contributes 0.81% to the overall recommended 9.56% rate increase. This
increase is due to normal increases in the cost of vehicle and equipment maintenance.
Benefits (0.55%)
The benefits component contributes 0.55% to the overall recommended 9.56% rate increase. This
increase is due to normal increases in the cost of personnel benefits, including workers compensation.
Operating Profit (0.54%)
MSS’s profit component, which is an agreed upon “operating margin” of 90.5% (the equivalent of 10.5%
profit on operating expense) contributes 0.54% to the overall recommended 9.56% rate increase. This
increase is entirely due to the overall increase in MSS’s operating expenses.
Garbage Landfilling and Organics Processing (0.04%)
The garbage landfilling and organics processing component contributes 0.04% to the overall
recommended 9.56% rate adjustment. This component is a calculated based on the number tons
collected, processed and composted or disposed by MSS, and the cost per ton for processing and/or
disposal of those tons. Only minor increases were proposed by MSS, including prior true-ups reconciling
prior landfilling and processing expenses for 2017 (actual) and 2018 (projected). Prior true-ups will be
included in the rates over the next three years from 2019 to 2021, comprising 0.05% of the increase in
2019, and are proposed for removal as part of the new rate adjustment methodology.
Marin Franchisors’ Group
Review of Marin Sanitary Service’s 2019 Rate Application, Final Report
December 4, 2018
Cover Letter Page 5 of 6
Interest (-0.37%)
The interest component contributes a negative 0.37% to the overall recommended 9.56% rate increase.
Interest expense does not count towards calculation of MSS’s profit. Amounts applicable to the
Franchisors’ Group were reduced based on updated projections provided by MSS.
General and Administrative (-0.54%)
The general and administrative component contributes a negative 0.54% to the overall recommended
9.56% rate increase. Amounts applicable to the Franchisors’ Group were reduced based on updated
projections provided by MSS.
Depreciation and Leases (-0.56%)
The depreciation and leases component contributes a negative 0.56% to the overall recommended 9.56%
rate increase. Amounts applicable to the Franchisors’ Group were reduced based on updated projections
provided by MSS.
Zero Waste Marin Fees (-0.60%)
The Marin County Zero Waste Marin fees component contributes a negative 0.60% to the overall
recommend 9.56% rate increase. Zero Waste Marin fees are adjusted to reflect anticipated charges by the
Zero Waste Marin Joint Powers Authority, which are projected to decrease in 2019 for MSS expenses
applicable to the Franchisors’ Group. MSS learned of this decrease subsequent to submitting its rate
application. Furthermore, this component was removed from the MSS profit calculation.
Revenue Projections (-2.24%)
MSS’s projections of revenues were determined to be low given the new rate methodology anticipated
for adoption by the Franchisors’ Group. R3 recalculated projected rates at current revenues and the result
was a negative 2.24% reduction to the MSS proposed rate increase.
Summary of Other Outcomes
As discussed above, in parallel with the review of the 2019 rate increases, R3, the Franchisors’ Group and
MSS met and conferred to set a new methodology for annually adjusting rates starting in 2020 and to
resolve prior recycling losses and future recycling costs. The parties successfully agreed to resolve prior
recycling losses, including recycling net processing costs in the rates, and adopt a new rate setting
methodology, with key outcomes and benefits outlined below:
Achieved streamlining and simplification in all future rate adjustments;
Achieved rate transparency via rate review and verification processes;
Achieved rate payer predictability and protection via rate and revenue controls;
Incentivized efficiencies via indexed rate adjustments, not “cost plus profit”;
Achieved sustainable funding of solid waste and recycling programs into future;
Reduced annual staff time and costs for rate adjustments;
Secured sustained commitment to processing recyclable materials in Marin County;
Secured continued annual reporting of operational metrics, and new provisions for review of
operations; and
Marin Franchisors’ Group
Review of Marin Sanitary Service’s 2019 Rate Application, Final Report
December 4, 2018
Cover Letter Page 6 of 6
Secured greater approval authority in potential assignment and MSS commitment to serve Marin
well into the future.
* * * * * * *
R3’s appreciates the opportunity to be of service to the Marin Franchisors’ Group. We wish to thank the
Franchisors’ Group staff for their participation, leadership and direction in this process. We further wish
to thank MSS management and staff – in particular Kim Scheibly, Roger Williams, and Patty Garbarino –
for their active cooperation and responsiveness during this process. Should you have any questions
regarding this Report or need any additional information, please contact me by phone at (510) 647-9674
or by email at gschultz@r3cgi.com.
Sincerely,
R3 CONSULTING GROUP
Garth Schultz | Principal
Section 1
Background
Marin Franchisors’ Group | Review of Marin Sanitary Service’s 2019 Rate Application | FINAL REPORT
Page 1 of 10
Background
Description of MSS Services
Marin Sanitary Service (MSS) provides franchised refuse, recyclable materials, and organics
collection and processing services to the residents and businesses in the cities of San Rafael
and Larkspur, the Town of Ross, the County of Marin, and the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary
District, collectively known as the Franchisors’ Group.
MSS and its non-franchised related entities, Marin Recycling and Resource Recovery
Association (MRRRA) and the Marin Resource Recovery Center (MRRC), also provide solid
waste, recyclable-materials, and organics collection and processing services to the residents
and businesses of the towns of San Anselmo and Fairfax. MSS also provides non-franchised
debris box, street sweeping, and document shredding services to residents and businesses
throughout the County of Marin that contract for their services.
MSS delivers refuse collected from waste generators within the Franchisors’ Group service
area to the MSS transfer station and then transports it to the Redwood Sanitary Landfill, is an
unrelated party. MSS delivers recyclable materials to the non-franchised MRRRA where
materials are processed and marketed. MSS delivers recyclable-rich loads of refuse (typically
commercial) and separated organics loads (collected from residents) along with public self-
haul loads to the non-franchised MRRC where recyclable materials are separated from the
waste stream, processed, and marketed.
MSS also provides outreach, education, compliance, technical assistance, and other high-
diversion programs to the Franchisors’ Group, including a food-to-energy program, outreach
and education to commercial and multi-family customers (to meet the obligations of State
Laws AB 341 and AB 1826, which require commercial recycling and organics collection) and
other related services. All services provided by MSS remain unchanged as a result of this
review.
Rate Adjustment Methodology
The current Rate Adjustment Methodology was developed in cooperation with MSS, approved
by the Franchisors’ Group in 2001, and revised in 2012. The individual Marin Franchisors’
Group agencies amended their agreements with MSS to include this methodology as Exhibit B
-Contractors Revenue Requirement and Rate Adjustment. Section 3 of this Report describes
the current methodology in more detail and includes findings from the application of the
methodology to MSS's 2019 Rate Application.
The Franchisors’ Group and R3 have worked to revise the rate setting methodology with MSS
to meet the following goals:
Streamline and simplify the rate setting process in order to spend less time and
consultant cost annually;
Achieve more transparency for rate payers in the annual rate setting process; and
Develop a new process to address fluctuations in recycling revenues and address
ongoing recycling losses.
Section 1
Background
Page 2 of 10
Marin Franchisors’ Group | Review of Marin Sanitary Service’s 2019 Rate Application | FINAL REPORT
2019 2020 2021 2022
MSS Operations 27,353,613 28,368,168 29,420,560 30,421,401
Processing 4,764,811 4,945,600 5,141,482 5,352,990
Government Fees 5,573,167 5,760,188 5,952,782 6,104,201
Other 135,072 135,072 331,117 204,230
Total 37,826,662 39,209,027 40,845,941 42,082,822
Annual Rate Adjustment 9.39%3.65%4.17%3.03%
2019 2020 2021 2022
MSS Operations 27,353,613$ 28,717,010$ 30,148,594$ 31,560,970$
Processing 4,764,811$ 5,143,164$ 5,540,696$ 5,957,777$
Government Fees 5,573,167$ 5,824,584$ 6,085,993$ 6,310,525$
Other 135,072$ 135,072$ 334,171$ 210,547$
Total 37,826,662$ 39,819,831$ 42,109,453$ 44,039,820$
Annual Rate Adjustment 9.39%5.27%5.75%4.58%
Example Rate Adjustments - Middle Scenario
MSS Operations @ 3.7%/year - Minor Improvements to Recycling Markets
Example Rate Adjustments - High Scenario
MSS Operations @ 5%/year - No Improvements to Recycling Markets
The new methodology has been completed and is detailed in a separate Amendment to
Franchise Agreement. The new methodology will provide for stable and predictable rate
increases, while maintaining an emphasis on responsible solid waste management and good
value to customers. The new methodology provides for indexed rate adjustments from 2020
through 2024 based on:
Index-adjusted changes MSS operating costs (72% of rates) based on CPI market index
for Water, Sewer, Trash (WST) with a floor of 2.5% and a ceiling of 5%;
Actual changes in garbage landfilling, organics processing and recyclables net
processing costs (13% of rates) based on actual changes in tonnages and tipping fees;
Actual changes to government fees (15% of rates);
Annual reconciliation of the difference between gross amounts billed by MSS vs. the
total rate revenue requirement calculated via the annual rate adjustment process; and
Additional rate revenues for new programs/services as agreed to and adopted by MSS
and the Franchisors’ Group.
Example projections of future increases via the new methodology are shown in Table 4, below.
As shown, the “middle scenario” (which R3 considers to be likely given historical performance
of the WST index and other factors) assumes that MSS operations increase at the recent
historical average rate of change in the WST index (3.7% per year) and modest increases to
recycling revenues ($250,000 per year). Under this scenario, rates are projected to increase
between 3.03% and 4.17% from 2020 through 2022, with similar increases in 2023 and 2024.
The “high scenario” assumes that MSS operations increase at the maximum allowed ceiling of
5% and that there are no changes to recycling revenues. Under this scenario, which is
considered an extreme case, rates are projected to increase between 4.58% and 5.75% from
2020 through 2022, with similar increases in 2023 and 2024.
Table 4
Projections of Rate Increases via New Methodology
Section 2
Rate Review
Approach
Page 3 of 10
Marin Franchisors’ Group | Review of Marin Sanitary Service’s 2019 Rate Application | FINAL REPORT
Rate Review Approach
R3 Scope of Review
The Franchisors’ Group engaged R3 to perform a review of the application in accordance with
the current adopted rate adjustment methodology and including negotiated outcomes of the
meet and confer process. These procedures included the following activities:
Reviewing MSS management's actual achievement of, and projections for, revenues
for the 12-month periods ending December 31, 2017, and 2018;
Comparing the results to MSS's audited financial statements for 2017 and year-to-date
revenues for 2018, and requesting explanations for variances;
Reviewing the appropriateness of MSS management's classification of expenses into
the various expense categories;
Reviewing MSS management's calculation of rate year 2019 expenses and comparing
them to the calculated expenses for 2018;
Reviewing MSS management's projection of other expenses including but not limited
to:
o Labor
o Benefits and workers’ compensation;
o Garbage landfilling and organics processing, including prior year true-ups;
o General and administrative;
o Depreciation and leases;
o Maintenance;
o Fuel and oil, including prior year true-ups;
o Recyclables processing costs net of revenues and redemption;
o Interest;
o Zero Waste Marin fees; and
o Franchise and other government fees.
Reviewing MSS management's projection of other revenues at current rates;
Compiling rates currently in effect in other municipalities in Marin County, as well as
neighboring agencies in other counties; and
Preparing this Report that documents findings and recommendations.
Limitations
This review was substantially different in scope than an examination in accordance with
Generally Accepted Auditing Standards, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion
regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an
opinion. However, Chiao Smith McMullin + McGuire, An Accountancy Corporation, issued an
Section 2
Rate Review
Approach
Page 4 of 10
Marin Franchisors’ Group | Review of Marin Sanitary Service’s 2019 Rate Application | FINAL REPORT
unqualified opinion of MSS's 2017 financial statements. The unqualified opinion denotes that
the financial statements of MSS were presented fairly in all material respects.
Our conclusions are based in part on the review of MSS's projections of its financial results of
operations. Actual results of operations will usually differ from projections because events and
circumstances frequently do not occur as expected, and the difference may be significant.
Section 3
Recommended
2019 Rate
Increases
Marin Franchisors’ Group | Review of Marin Sanitary Service’s 2019 Rate Application | FINAL REPORT
Page 5 of 10
Recommended 2019 Rate Increases
This section provides a summary of the R3 recommended adjustments to the MSS 2019 rate
application, and the rationale for those adjustments, including negotiated outcomes.
Base Year Projection Methodology
Projected costs for 2019 are based on costs developed during the last indexed review which
occurred in 2017 setting rates for 2018. In projecting the 2019 costs, MSS included the direct
costs for the Franchisors’ Group garbage, organics and recycling collection, costs for transfer,
processing and disposal of garbage, organics and recycling, and costs of administering
diversion programs including outreach, education and technical assistance.
Some costs are allocated between agencies served by MSS based on performance metrics. For
example, maintenance and administrative costs are allocated among the agencies served by
MSS using truck route hours and an average of projected revenue, annual customer counts,
and department's percentage of wages, respectively. Depreciation and interest costs are
allocated similarly. Management salaries are allocated based upon actual time spent by
management related to that department. R3 reviewed and recommended adjustments to
allocation methodologies as part of this review, with the results reflected in the recommended
2019 rate increases.
All recommended 2019 amounts by category stated below are inclusive of the results of R3’s
review of MSS’s rate application and the negotiated outcomes of the meet and confer process.
Summary of Adjustments
Labor
R3 reviewed and recommends adjustments to MSS’s proposed labor expenses. MSS proposed
$9,990,097 in labor expenses and R3 recommends labor expenses of 9,708,297. R3
recommended adjustments based on R3’s assessment that additional labor expenses for new
organics routes were not needed in 2019, and that allocated maintenance labor was not
applicable to the Franchisors’ Group. The Franchisors’ Group further negotiated an additional
reduction in labor expenses for a total reduction to labor expenses of $281,800, and the result
is a 2.8% decrease from MSS rate application for these expenses.
Benefits
R3 reviewed and recommends adjustments to MSS’s proposed benefit expenses. MSS
proposed $4,887,393 in benefit expenses and R3 recommends benefit expenses of $4,833,947.
The $53,446 reduction is based on updated estimates for 2019 workers compensation costs
provided by MSS, and the result is a 1.1% decrease from MSS’s rate application for these
expenses. Note that decreases in benefit expenses for labor adjustments are included in the
labor category, above.
Section 3
Recommended
2019 Rate
Increases
Marin Franchisors’ Group | Review of Marin Sanitary Service’s 2019 Rate Application | FINAL REPORT
Page 6 of 10
Garbage Landfilling and Organics Processing
R3 reviewed and recommends adjustments to MSS’s proposed garbage landfilling and organics
processing expenses. MSS proposed $4,172,106 in garbage landfilling and organics processing
expenses and R3 recommends expenses of $4,102,408. The $69,698 reduction is based on
updated projections provided by MSS and amortization of $52,791 in true-ups for prior landfill
expenses over three years from 2019 through 2021 ($17,597 per year and to be removed from
rate base starting in 2022). The result is a decrease of 1.7% from MSS’s rate application for
these expenses.
Recyclables Processing and Prior Losses
As discussed above, MSS’s rate application did not include rate impacts of prior recycling losses
of up to up to $1.15 million and did not include net costs to process recyclables. MSS and the
Franchisors’ Group negotiated resolution of prior recycling losses, with MSS waiving 2/3 of the
$1.15 million in accumulated losses, and the remaining ~$350,000 in losses being included in
the rates over three years from 2019 to 2021, comprising 0.44% of the 2019 rate increase.
Net recyclables processing costs are a new ongoing expense that will be included in the rates
starting in 2019. Net recyclables processing costs (total processing costs less revenues from
sale and redemption of recyclables) comprise 2.57% of the 2019 rate increase and are set
based on a negotiated net processing cost of $40/ton. This net processing cost per ton includes
a fixed cost per ton that will be escalated by WST (with a floor of 2.5% and cap of 5%) in future
indexed adjustment years starting in 2020, and a revenue per ton that will change with
changing recycling revenues received from MSS’s related-party recyclables processing
operation.
Fuel and Oil
R3 reviewed and recommends adjustments to MSS’s proposed fuel and oil expenses. MSS
proposed $1,339,825 in fuel and oil expenses (including $1,098,395 in costs for 2019 and
$241,430 in prior true-ups) and R3 recommends expenses of $1,178,872. The $160,953
reduction is based on amortization of the $241,430 in prior true-ups over three years from
2019 through 2021 ($80,477 per year and to be removed from rate base starting in 2022). The
result is a decrease of 14.7% from MSS’s rate application for these expenses (after inclusion of
true-up expenses).
Maintenance Expense
R3 reviewed and does not recommend an adjustment to MSS proposed maintenance expenses
of $2,153,259.
Depreciation and Leases
R3 reviewed and recommends adjustments to MSS’s proposed depreciation and leases
expenses. MSS proposed $3,124,318 in depreciation and leases expenses and R3 recommends
expenses of $2,780,176. The $344,142 reduction is based on R3’s assessment that additional
expenses for new organics routes were not needed in 2019 and based on MSS providing
updated calculations of these expenses. The result is a 11.0% decrease from MSS’s rate
application for these expenses.
Section 3
Recommended
2019 Rate
Increases
Marin Franchisors’ Group | Review of Marin Sanitary Service’s 2019 Rate Application | FINAL REPORT
Page 7 of 10
General and Administrative
R3 reviewed and recommends adjustments to MSS’s proposed general and administrative
expenses. MSS proposed $4,126,706 in general and administrative expenses and R3
recommends general and administrative expenses of $3,221,016. The $905,690 reduction is
based upon the removal of Zero Waste Marin fees from this category ($532,713), removal of
bad debt expenses that will no longer be applicable under the new rate setting methodology,
removal of consulting costs for annual rate reviews that are no longer applicable under the
new rate setting methodology, and R3’s determination that certain costs for new organics
routes were not needed. MSS also updated its calculations for these expenses. The result is a
21.9% decrease from MSS’s rate application for these expenses.
Operating Profit
R3 reviewed and recommends adjustments to MSS’s proposed operating profit, which is
calculated based on allowed expenses and a 90.5% operating ratio (the equivalent of 10.5%
profit on operating expenses). MSS proposed $3,102,172 in profit based on allowed operating
expenses included in their application; based on all other adjustments described in this Report,
R3 recommends profit of 2,936,915. The $165,257 reduction is due to net decreases in
operating costs described above and is a 5.3% decrease from MSS’s rate application for
operating profit.
Interest Expense
R3 reviewed and recommends adjustments to MSS’s proposed interest expenses. MSS
proposed $827,678 in interest expenses and R3 recommends interest expenses of $541,131.
The $286,547 reduction is based updated amounts provided by MSS. The result is a 34.6%
reduction from MSS’s rate application for these expenses.
Zero Waste Marin Fees
R3 reviewed and recommends adjustments to MSS’s proposed Zero Waste Marin fees. MSS
proposed $532,713 Zero Waste Marin fees as part of general and administrative expense and
R3 recommends interest expenses of $381,250. Additionally, R3 recommends removing these
expenses from the general and administrative category (which is subject to operating profit)
to its own category and not subject to operating profit calculation (i.e. MSS will no longer earn
profit on these expenses). The $151,463 reduction is based updated amounts provided by MSS.
The result is a 28.4% reduction from MSS’s rate application for these expenses.
Projected Revenue at Current Rates
R3 reviewed and recommends adjustments to MSS’s forecast 2019 revenues at current rates.
MSS proposed $33,843,002 in revenues at current rates and R3 recommends revenues at
current rates of $34,337,374. The $494,372 increase is based on not forecasting revenue
shortfalls from migration (as was done in prior years but will no longer be necessary via the
new rate adjustment methodology) and due to estimates of increased revenue from the new
Route/Contamination Auditor proposed by MSS. The result is a 1.5% increase from MSS’s rate
application for projected revenues at current rates, yielding a lessor overall necessary 2019
rate increase.
Section 3
Recommended
2019 Rate
Increases
Marin Franchisors’ Group | Review of Marin Sanitary Service’s 2019 Rate Application | FINAL REPORT
Page 8 of 10
Franchise Fees
R3 reviewed and recommends adjustments to MSS’s forecast of 2019 franchise fees. MSS
forecasted $3,485,266 in franchise fees R3 recommends a forecast of $3,978,060. The
$492,794 difference is due the prior rate application format understating amounts of franchise
fees for the coming rate year. The new calculation more accurately forecasts the amounts of
franchise fees owed to the Franchisors’ Group agencies by MSS and does not otherwise
represent an adjustment to the fees or any MSS operating expenses. The result is a 14.1%
increase from MSS’s rate application for these expenses.
Other Government Fees
R3 reviewed and recommends adjusting the amount of street sweeping fees (resulting in a
decrease in available revenues) by $24,000 to show pass-through street sweeping fees for
Marin County. MSS’s forecasted $1,189,857 in other government fees and R3 recommends
$1,213,857 based on actual amounts of fees due from MSS. The result is a 2.0% increase from
MSS’s rate application for these expenses.
Non-Regulated Revenues
R3 reviewed and does not recommend an adjustment to MSS's projected non-regulated
revenues of $207,272. These revenues offset the amount to be recovered by the rates.
2019 Rate Increase Calculation
Based on a total recommend 2019 adjusted rate revenue requirement of $37,826,662 (see
Attachment 2) and projected 2019 revenues at current rates of $34,337,374, R3 calculated and
recommends an overall 9.56% rate increase for the Franchisors’ Group, effective January 1,
2019, and with individual increases by agency as shown in Table 2 and Attachment 2. Table 5
summarizes, by agency, the current and proposed 32-gallon residential rates, which is the the
most common subscription level in the Franchisors’ Group service area.
Table 5
Residential 32-Gallon Rate Summary
Jurisdiction Current 2018
Rate ($/mo.)
Proposed 2019
Rate ($/mo.) $ Difference
City of San Rafael $37.81 $41.36 $3.55
City of Larkspur $43.42 $47.12 $3.70
County of Marin $43.32 $47.18 $3.86
Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District $33.05 $37.79 $4.74
Town of Ross $36.13 $39.60 $3.47
Survey of Comparable Rates
Attachment 3 shows the results of R3's survey of solid waste rates as of November 2018 for
agencies located throughout the Bay Area. For the purpose of comparing the Franchisors’
Group rates to other agencies in Attachments 3, 4, and 5 we have applied the 2019 rate
increases for Franchisors’ Group agencies only and compare those 2019 rates to the current
2018 rates for all other agencies.
Section 3
Recommended
2019 Rate
Increases
Marin Franchisors’ Group | Review of Marin Sanitary Service’s 2019 Rate Application | FINAL REPORT
Page 9 of 10
$-
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
$60
Monthly RateIt is anticipated that rates for other agencies will also increase significantly in 2019, and since
this comparison uses 2019 rates for the Franchisors’ Group, the rate comparison will become
more favorable as other entities adopt increased rates.
Figure 1, below, shows a summary of Marin County rates for residential customers with 30-35
gallon garbage service. Bars shown in blue are 2018 rates for Mill Valley Refuse Service; purple
is the 2018 rate for Tamalpais Community Services District; red are 2018 rates for Recology
Marin (and are artificially low because of prior contract with the Ratto Group and proximity to
Redwood Landfill); orange are 2018 MSS rates for non-Franchisors’ Group agencies, which are
also expected to increase in 2019, and; green are proposed 2019 MSS rates for Franchisors’
Group agencies. Overall, the Franchisors’ Group 2019 rates compare favorably to the Marin
County average, especially for the levels of high-quality services provided by MSS.
Figure 1
Marin County Rates: Franchisors’ Group 2019 Residential 32-gal Can compared to Current
2018 30-25-gal Can Rates and Marin County Average of $41.23
The Franchisors’ Group 2019 residential rates for a 32-gallon container (the most frequent
residential service level) will range from $37.79 (Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District) to $47.18
(County of Marin). Attachment 4 graphically compares the Franchisors’ Group residential rates
for a 32-gallon container to one another as well as to the average of Marin County rates for
similar service.
Section 3
Recommended
2019 Rate
Increases
Marin Franchisors’ Group | Review of Marin Sanitary Service’s 2019 Rate Application | FINAL REPORT
Page 10 of 10
The Franchisors’ Group commercial rates for a 3-cubic yard bin serviced 1 time per week (the
most requested commercial service level) range from $508.39 (Town of Ross) to $600.83 (City
of Larkspur). The average rate for the Franchisors’ Group is $542.63 while the average for
Marin County is $495.66. Attachment 5 compares the Franchisors’ Group commercial rates for
a 3-cubic yard bin serviced one time per week to the average Marin County rate and all other
agencies' average rate for similar service levels.
These survey results are presented as an indication of the reasonableness of the resulting rates
for 2019. Conclusions should not be immediately drawn from this information because rate
comparisons are intrinsically difficult and often misleading. This results from differences in
issues such as those listed below:
The types and ranges of services provided;
The level of subscription to solid waste services by residential, commercial, and
industrial customers;
The ratio of residential to commercial and industrial customers;
The terrain in which the service is performed;
Disposal, transfer and process costs, and amounts per capita;
Rate structures; and
Governmental fees (e.g., franchise fees, vehicle impact fees, etc.).
Expense Allocation (Percentage of Total Revenues)44.10% 19.38% 8.50% 15.96% 2.51% 2.08% 6.14% 1.33% 100.00%Las Gallinas- Las Gallinas-FGSan Rafael City of S.R. County Larkspur RV-N Ross RVSD County TotalRate Application Operating Expenses:Wages 9,990,097$ 4,405,889$ 1,935,883$ 849,028$ 1,594,309$ 251,041$ 207,758$ 613,391$ 132,798$ 9,990,097$ Benefits 4,887,393 2,155,466 947,080 415,365 779,974 122,815 101,640 300,085 64,968 4,887,393 Disposal Fees 4,172,106 1,840,006 808,471 354,575 665,822 104,841 86,765 256,167 55,460 4,172,107 Fuel & Oil 1,098,395 484,420 212,847 93,349 175,292 27,602 22,843 67,441 14,601 1,098,395 Maintenance Expense 2,153,259 949,643 417,259 182,999 343,636 54,109 44,780 132,210 28,623 2,153,259 Depreciation/Leases 3,124,318 1,377,904 605,431 265,526 498,606 78,511 64,975 191,833 41,531 3,124,317 Other Operating/G&A 4,126,706 1,819,983 799,674 350,716 658,577 103,700 85,821 253,379 54,856 4,126,706 - Total Operating Expenses29,552,274 13,033,311 5,726,645 2,511,558 4,716,216 742,619 614,582 1,814,506 392,837 29,552,274 Operating Profit90.5% 3,102,172 1,368,138 601,140 263,644 495,072 77,954 64,514 190,473 41,237 3,102,172 Interest Expense827,678 365,027 160,388 70,342 132,088 20,799 17,213 50,819 11,002 827,678 Revenue Requirement33,482,124 14,766,476 6,488,173 2,845,544 5,343,376 841,372 696,309 2,055,798 445,076 33,482,124 Route Revenues (2019 Projected)14,633,446 6,432,710 2,503,889 5,803,633 945,262 701,703 2,320,253 502,106 33,843,002 Adjustment: - Adusted Route Revenues14,633,446 6,432,710 2,503,889 5,803,633 945,262 701,703 2,320,253 502,106 33,843,002 Less: Franchise Fees(1,463,345) (643,271) (25,000) (580,363) (170,147) (95,116) (417,645) (90,379) (3,485,266) Less: Street Sweeping(48,000) (24,000) (72,000) Less: Vehicle Impact Fee(306,318) (137,282) (568,400) (42,155) (63,702) (1,117,857) Net Regulated Revenues12,863,783 5,652,157 2,478,889 4,654,870 732,960 606,587 1,790,906 387,727 29,167,879 Non-Regulated Revenues207,272 91,412 40,165 17,615 33,078 5,209 4,311 12,726 2,756 207,272 Total Revenues12,955,195 5,692,322 2,496,504 4,687,948 738,169 610,898 1,803,632 390,483 29,375,151 Adjustment: - - - Less: Franchise Fees- - - Adjusted Total Revenues12,955,195 5,692,322 2,496,504 4,687,948 738,169 610,898 1,803,632 390,483 29,375,151 Revenue Surplus/(Shortfall)(1,811,281) (795,851) (349,040) (655,428) (103,203) (85,411) (252,166) (54,593) (4,106,973) Calculated Rate Adjustment13.98% 13.98% 13.98% 13.98% 13.98% 13.98% 13.98% 13.98% 13.98%Marin Sanitary Service2019 Rate Application - Franchisors' GroupMSS Original Rate Calculation Dated 8/15/18R3 ‐ FINAL MSS Rate Adj Calcs 12031812/3/2018ATTACHMENT 1
Final Recommended 2019 Rate Calculations12/4/201863.53%15.97%9.93%8.50%2.08%100.00%Current 2018 MFG Rate RevenueSan Rafael Larkspur County LGVSD RossMFG TotalMFG Rate Revenue at Current 2018 Rates 21,377,071$ 5,880,740$ 3,828,411$ 2,539,274$ 711,878$ 34,337,374$ Less: MFG Franchise Fees on 2018 Rate Revenue(2,137,707) (588,074)(689,114)(25,000)(96,495)(3,536,390) Less: MFG Vehicle Impact and Sweeping Fees(443,600)(568,400)(201,857)--(1,213,857) Operating Revenue at Current 2018 Rates18,795,764 4,724,266 2,937,440 2,514,274 615,383 29,587,127 2019 MSS Operating ExpenseLabor6,167,373 1,550,153 963,850824,998201,923 9,708,297 Benefits3,070,854 771,851479,919410,782100,541 4,833,947 Garbage Landfilling and Organics Processing 2,606,130 655,044407,291348,61785,326 4,102,408 General and Administrative2,046,209 514,309319,786273,71866,994 3,221,016 Depreciation and Leases1,766,157 443,919276,019236,25657,825 2,780,176 Maintenance1,367,897 343,817213,778182,98144,786 2,153,259 Fuel and Oil748,900188,234117,040100,17924,519 1,178,872 2019 MSS Operating Expense (Subject to Profit)17,773,520 4,467,327 2,777,683 2,377,531 581,914 27,977,975 2019 MSS Revenue Requirement2019 MSS Operating Expense (Subject to Profit)17,773,520 4,467,327 2,777,683 2,377,531 581,914 27,977,975 Operating Profit (90.5% Operating Ratio)1,865,729 468,946291,580249,57561,085 2,936,915 Recyclables Processing 506,610127,33579,17467,76816,587797,474Interest343,76386,40453,72445,98511,255541,131Zero Waste Marin Fees242,19660,87537,85132,3987,930381,2502019 MSS Revenue Requirement20,731,818 5,210,887 3,240,012 2,773,257 678,771 32,634,745 2019 MFG Pass Through CostsProjected 2019 MFG Franchise Fees2,338,487 638,199750,459145,154105,761 3,978,060 MFG Vehicle Impact and Street Sweeping Fees443,600568,400201,857--1,213,857 Projected 2019 MFG Pass Through Costs2,782,087 1,206,599 952,316 145,154 105,761 5,191,917 2019 MFG Revenue Requirement2019 MSS Revenue Requirement20,731,818 5,210,887 3,240,012 2,773,257 678,771 32,634,745 2019 MFG Pass Through Costs2,782,087 1,206,599 952,316145,154105,761 5,191,917 2019 MFG Revenue Requirement23,513,905 6,417,486 4,192,328 2,918,411 784,532 37,826,662 2019 Revenue Shortfall at Current 2018 RatesMFG Rate Revenue at Current 2018 Rates21,377,071 5,880,740 3,828,411 2,539,274 711,878 34,337,374 Non-Regulated Revenue129,03935,49823,11015,3284,297207,2722019 Revenue at Current 2018 Rates21,506,110 5,916,238 3,851,521 2,554,602 716,175 34,544,646 Less: 2019 Revenue Requirement(23,513,905) (6,417,486) (4,192,328) (2,918,411) (784,532) (37,826,662) 2019 Revenue less 2019 Rate Revenue Requirement (2,007,795) (501,248) (340,807) (363,809) (68,357) (3,282,016) 2019 Rate Increase Percentage9.39% 8.52% 8.90% 14.33% 9.60% 9.56%2019 Revenues After Rate AdjustmentCalculated 2019 Rate Revenue23,384,866 6,381,988 4,169,218 2,903,083 780,235 37,619,390 Non-Regulated Revenue129,03935,49823,11015,3284,297207,272Projected 2019 Revenue at Adjusted Rates23,513,905 6,417,486 4,192,328 2,918,411 784,532 37,826,662 2019 MFG Revenue Requirement23,513,905 6,417,486 4,192,328 2,918,411 784,532 37,826,662 Marin Sanitary Service2019 Rate Application - Marin Franchisors' Group (MFG)Expense Allocation (Percentage of Total Operating Revenue)Prepared by R3 Consulting Group, Inc. ‐ www.r3cgi.comATTACHMENT 2
1 YD Bin 1 YD Bin 3 YD Bin 3 YD Bin
20 Gal. 30‐35 Gal. 60‐64 Gal. 90‐96 Gal. 1x/Week 3x/Week 1x/Week 3x/Week
City of Alameda Alameda 7/1/2018 31.90$ 40.27$ 66.17$ 92.41$ 153.40$ 469.39$ 460.20$ 1,408.17$
City of Albany Alameda 5/1/2018 38.09$ 42.65$ 73.72$ 104.77$ 169.95$ 509.85$ 509.85$ 1,529.55$
City of Berkeley Alameda 7/1/2018 26.25$ 41.98$ 83.91$ 125.82$ 167.07$ 470.74$ 462.36$ 1,373.34$
City of Dublin Alameda 7/1/2018 N / A 24.94$ 45.82$ 66.69$ 121.02$ 423.28$ 363.06$ 1,149.40$
City of Emeryville Alameda 1/1/2018 11.43$ 18.92$ 37.84$ 56.75$ 112.67$ 338.01$ 338.01$ 1,014.03$
City of Fremont Alameda 1/1/2018 34.04$ 34.77$ 38.12$ 55.93$ 100.71$ N / A 226.39$ N / A
City of Livermore Alameda 7/1/2018 29.03$ 38.42$ 57.54$ 90.41$ 116.72$ 364.16$ 350.16$ 1,115.62$
City of Newark Alameda 1/1/2018 28.39$ 31.55$ 55.89$ 80.20$ 127.86$ 398.93$ 338.28$ 922.51$
City of Oakland Alameda 7/1/2018 41.54$ 47.17$ 83.26$ 125.13$ 230.70$ 692.03$ 549.39$ 1,648.11$
City of Piedmont Alameda 7/1/2018 79.84$ 84.60$ 116.55$ 130.52$ N / A N / A N / A N / A
City of Pleasanton Alameda 7/1/2018 N /A 26.06$ N / A 45.48$ 116.72$ 370.53$ 350.16$ 1,091.18$
City of San Leandro Alameda 9/1/2018 10.50$ 21.06$ 42.05$ 63.10$ 137.37$ 357.08$ 365.93$ 1,025.04$
City of Union City Alameda 7/1/2018 29.49$ 36.87$ 73.79$ 110.65$ 153.17$ 423.06$ 401.39$ 1,093.91$
Castro Valley Sanitary District Alameda 7/1/2018 26.68$ 41.37$ 71.80$ 102.26$ 294.07$ 882.31$ 782.32$ 2,192.12$
Oro Loma Sanitary District (L1)Alameda 9/1/2018 9.10$ 18.15$ 36.35$ 54.49$ 118.76$ 308.67$ 316.30$ 886.04$
Oro Loma Sanitary District (L2)Alameda 9/1/2018 9.10$ 18.15$ 36.35$ 54.49$ 118.76$ 308.67$ 316.30$ 886.04$
Oro Loma Sanitary District (L3)Alameda 9/1/2018 10.50$ 21.06$ 42.05$ 63.10$ 137.37$ 357.08$ 365.93$ 1,025.04$
City of Richmond Contra Costa 1/1/2018 29.52$ 35.81$ 67.81$ 100.71$ 237.97$ 603.47$ 542.63$ 1,485.85$
City of San Pablo Contra Costa 1/1/2018 25.20$ 30.69$ 59.54$ 89.23$ 236.86$ 598.29$ 546.11$ 1,493.83$
City of El Cerrito Contra Costa 1/1/2018 34.80$ 45.44$ 91.23$ N / A 308.10$ 860.08$ N / A N / A
City of Hercules Contra Costa 1/1/2018 31.26$ 36.68$ 64.67$ 93.50$ 268.62$ 674.65$ 613.21$ 1,670.97$
City of Pinole Contra Costa 1/1/2018 29.67$ 35.18$ 62.59$ 90.84$ 266.58$ 675.79$ 618.10$ 1,694.51$
Unincorporated West Contra Costa Contra Costa 1/1/2018 27.08$ 33.10$ 63.39$ 94.43$ 225.97$ 569.89$ 509.24$ 1,388.38$
Town of Fairfax Marin 1/1/2018 28.38$ 34.02$ 68.04$ 102.06$ 200.02$ 473.76$ 468.92$ 1,227.45$
Town of San Anselmo Marin 1/1/2018 31.27$ 40.87$ 81.81$ 122.70$ N / A N / A 670.72$ 2,012.29$
City of Belvedere Marin 10/1/2018 47.13$ 58.26$ 98.84$ 139.43$ 258.76$ 714.86$ N / A N / A
City of Novato Marin 1/1/2018 12.83$ 20.51$ 41.00$ 61.52$ N / A N / A 267.26$ 663.15$
West Marin 1 Marin 5/1/2018 20.03$ 30.37$ 56.96$ 91.06$ 231.11$ 450.96$ 346.67$ 786.38$
City of Sausalito Marin 1/1/2018 N / A 41.35$ 82.70$ 124.05$ 163.28$ N / A 489.84$ N / A
Tamalpais Com. Service Dist. 1 Marin 7/1/2018 N / A 56.38$ 85.12$ 115.48$ 373.49$ 859.03$ N / A N / A
Town of Tiburon Marin 7/1/2018 39.33$ 44.37$ 80.79$ 116.60$ 211.13$ 576.01$ N / A N / A
Town of Corte Madera Marin 7/1/2018 31.41$ 36.94$ 74.08$ 111.21$ 172.79$ 466.35$ N / A N / A
City of Mill Valley Marin 7/1/2018 44.67$ 49.26$ 83.26$ 115.19$ 209.30$ 563.20$ N / A N / A
City of San Rafael Marin 1/1/2019 35.16$ 41.36$ 82.72$ 124.08$ 266.98$ 816.33$ 510.95$ 1,450.34$
Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Marin 1/1/2019 32.13$ 37.79$ 75.58$ 113.37$ 270.55$ 812.30$ 547.42$ 1,527.89$
City of Larkspur Marin 1/1/2019 40.07$ 47.12$ 94.24$ 141.36$ 299.18$ 897.24$ 600.83$ 1,575.45$
Town of Ross Marin 1/1/2019 33.65$ 39.60$ 79.20$ 118.80$ N / A N / A 508.39$ 1,525.02$
County of Marin Marin 1/1/2019 28.87$ 47.18$ 96.64$ 149.66$ 340.82$ 1,022.60$ 545.55$ 1,636.69$
City of Campbell 1 Santa Clara 7/1/2018 21.44$ 28.05$ 56.10$ 84.15$ 424.34$ 280.20$ 848.69$
City of Cupertino Santa Clara 11/1/2017 N / A 25.49$ 20.99$ 76.49$ N / A N / A 250.51$ 751.52$
City of Los Altos Santa Clara 7/1/2018 31.98$ 34.45$ 68.89$ 103.35$ 135.16$ 405.49$ 405.48$ 1,216.48$
City of Milpitas Santa Clara 12/1/2017 32.22$ 35.02$ 41.19$ 47.32$ 116.21$ 286.19$ 263.93$ 747.15$
City of Monte Sereno 1 Santa Clara 7/1/2018 24.40$ 31.93$ 63.86$ 95.79$ 186.51$ 565.00$ 373.02$ 1,130.01$
City of Mountain View Santa Clara 7/1/2018 23.25$ 33.90$ 67.80$ 101.70$ 124.65$ 373.45$ 352.50$ 1,016.15$
City of Palo Alto Santa Clara 7/1/2017 27.81$ 50.07$ 100.15$ 150.22$ 219.49$ 590.31$ 504.40$ 1,455.48$
City of San Jose Santa Clara 7/1/2018 N / A 34.19$ 68.38$ 102.57$ 143.68$ 411.47$ 200.68$ 573.92$
City of Santa Clara Santa Clara 7/1/2018 21.76$ 27.77$ 41.48$ 55.19$ 88.28$ 255.44$ 247.26$ 701.79$
City of Sunnyvale Santa Clara 1/1/2018 N / A 41.65$ 46.88$ 53.96$ 177.27$ 494.70$ 424.53$ 1,233.55$
City of Saratoga1 Santa Clara 7/1/2018 23.10$ 30.23$ 60.45$ 90.68$ 198.18$ 600.62$ 396.37$ 1,201.23$
Town of Los Altos Hills Santa Clara 7/1/2018 30.74$ 42.85$ 85.73$ 128.57$ 107.90$ 227.25$ 168.85$ 394.85$
Town of Los Gatos1 Santa Clara 7/1/2018 21.86$ 28.70$ 57.40$ 86.10$ 166.19$ 503.52$ 332.39$ 1,007.03$
33.97$ 42.61$ 85.68$ 129.45$ 294.38$ 887.12$ 542.63$ 1,543.08$
31.88$ 41.23$ 75.26$ 109.93$ 227.49$ 586.31$ 448.68$ 1,172.32$
32.69$ 41.69$ 78.73$ 116.44$ 249.78$ 695.70$ 495.66$ 1,378.30$
29.02$ 36.76$ 66.61$ 96.27$ 190.70$ 532.87$ 420.05$ 1,208.96$
1 1 CY not available, reflected here for 1.5 CY
Commercial
Jurisdiction County Residential Single Family
All City Average
Bay Area Rate Survey
Effective Dates
Marin Franchisors' Average
Marin County Average without MFG
Marin County ‐ All
ATTACHMENT 3
$41.36 $37.79 $47.12 $39.60 $47.18 $‐ $5.00 $10.00 $15.00 $20.00 $25.00 $30.00 $35.00 $40.00 $45.00 $50.00City of San RafaelLGVSDCity of LarkspurTown of RossCounty of Marin$ Per MonthJurisdictionRates for Residential 30‐35 Gallon Collection Service with Weekly Garbage, Recycling and Organics Collection Service Showing Proposed 2019 MFG Rates in Comparison to 2018 Rate Averages in Marin County and Bay AreaMarin Franchisors' Group Average: $42.31Average of Other Marin County Jurisdictions: $41.23All Jurisdiction Average: $36.73ATTACHMENT 4
$510.95 $547.42 $600.83 $508.39 $545.55 $‐ $100.00 $200.00 $300.00 $400.00 $500.00 $600.00 $700.00City of San Rafael LGVSD City of Larkspur Town of Ross County of Marin$ Per MonthJurisdictionRates for Commercial 3 Cubic Yard, 1 Time per Week Collection ServicesShowing Proposed 2019 MFG Rates in Comparison to 2018 Rate Averages in Marin County and Bay AreaMarin Franchisors' Group Average: $532.26Average of Other Marin County Jurisdictions: $448.68 All Jurisdiction Average: $420.05ATTACHMENT 5
RESOLUTION NO. 14620
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
APPROVING THE THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT AND
RESTATEMENT OF COLLECTION AGREEMENT OF THE CITY OF SAN
RAFAEL WITH MARIN SANITARY SERVICE
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael and Marin Sanitary Service have entered into a written
Amendment and Restatement of Collection Agreement (“Franchise Agreement”) dated September
4, 2001; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael and Marin Sanitary Service amended this agreement on
March 1, 2005 with the Amendment to Refuse and Recycling Collection Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael and Marin Sanitary Service further amended this
agreement on October 1, 2012 with the Second Amendment to Amendment and Restatement of
Collection Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael and Marin Sanitary Service now desire a third
amendment to the Franchise Agreement to update the rate setting methodology, eliminate the
Recycling Reserve Fund, and to make certain other changes; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael has determined that such adjustments are proper, in the
best interest of all citizens, and will promote public health, safety and welfare; and
WHEREAS, on December 17, 2018 the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing to
consider the rate application request and receive public testimony thereon; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed and duly considered the Staff Report, and
documents and other oral and written evidence presented at the hearing;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL DOES
RESOLVE, DETERMINE AS FOLLOWS:
1) The “Third Amendment to the Amendment and Restatement of Collection Agreement of
the City of San Rafael with Marin Sanitary Service” attached hereto as "Exhibit D" and
incorporated herein by reference, is hereby approved and shall be included as part of the
Amendment and Restatement of Collection Agreement dated September 4, 2001. The City
Manager is hereby authorized to execute the Third Amendment.
2) As the governing bodies of the other members of the Franchisors’ Group have not yet
taken action, the City Manager, at his discretion, is hereby authorized to make modifications
to the Third Amendment or its attachments for consistency purposes with the Franchisors’
Group.
I, Lindsay Lara, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was
duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
San Rafael, held on Monday, the 17th day of December 2018, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmembers: Bushey, Colin, Gamblin, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
Councilmembers: None
Councilmembers: None
__________________________
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk
THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF COLLECTION
AGREEMENT OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL WITH MARIN SANITARY SERVICE
Page 1 of 7
This THIRD AMENDMENT to the Amendment and Restatement of Collection Agreement between the
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL (CITY)and MARIN SANITARY SERVICE (COMPANY) is made and entered into this ___
day of December, 2018.
WHEREAS,the CITY and COMPANY entered into a written agreement on September 4,2001, as amended
on March 1, 2005 and November 14, 2012 (together the “Agreement”) pursuant to which the COMPANY
renders Solid Waste, Recyclable Material and Green Waste collection, processing and disposal services to
businesses, residents and government institutions in the CITY; and
WHEREAS, global revenues from the sale of Recyclable Materials have declined in recent years due to
international market factors,including China’s “National Sword”, resulting in a projected net cumulative
loss to the COMPANY in connection with the processing of Recyclable Materials of $2.3 million from 2011
to 2018; and
WHEREAS, the Agreement includes a mechanism by which half of the profits and losses resulting from
changes in revenues received from the sale of Recyclable Materials are held in a reserve fund with
cumulative losses held in the reserve fund amounting to $1.15 million; and
WHEREAS,pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Agreement,CITY and COMPANY met and
conferred and have agreed to a reasonable remedy to the COMPANY,which includes elimination of the
reserve fund and a new mechanism for the COMPANY to share the profits and losses from changes in
revenues received from the sale of Recyclable Materials via the rates set by the CITY and to be charged
by the COMPANY beginning on January 1, 2019; and
WHEREAS,CITY and COMPANY mutually desire to amend the Agreement to establish a streamlined and
simplified rate setting methodology that will provide for rate stabilization and predictability of future rate
increases, clarify certain services and update certain obligations of the COMPANY.
NOW, THEREFORE,it is mutually agreed as follows:
1.Section 8. Assignments, Subcontracts, and Changes of Ownership,shall be amended to read:
8.Assignments.
(A)No interest in this Agreement may be assigned,sold or transferred,either in whole or in
part, by COMPANY without the prior written consent of the CITY which the CITY may grant
or refuse in its reasonable discretion. The COMPANY shall promptly notify the CITY in
writing at least one hundred twenty (120)days in advance of the proposed closing of any
such proposed assignment, sale or transfer.The COMPANY is encouraged to notify the
CITY as soon as possible of any proposed assignment, sale or transfer.In the event that
the CITY Council approves of any assignment, sale or transfer, said approval shall not
relieve COMPANY of any of its obligations or duties under this Agreement unless this
Agreement is modified in writing to that effect.
(B)Any such assignment, sale or transfer made by the COMPANY without the consent of the
CITY shall be null and void and the attempted assignment, sale or transfer shall constitute
a material breach of this Agreement and give the CITY grounds to terminate this
THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF COLLECTION
AGREEMENT OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL WITH MARIN SANITARY SERVICE
Page 2 of 7
Agreement upon written notice to the COMPANY, and upon such termination, all liability
of the CITY under this Agreement to the COMPANY shall cease, and the CITY shall have
the right to call the performance bond and shall be free to negotiate with other
contractors.
(C)The CITY may not assign its rights or subrogate its obligations under this Agreement
without the prior written consent of the COMPANY, except to a joint powers authority
authorized by Govt. Code Sec. 6500 et seq.
(D)For purposes of this section, "assignment, sale or transfer'' shall include, but not be
limited to:
(1)A sale, exchange or other transfer to a third party of outstanding common stock
of the COMPANY which results in a Change in Control (as defined below);
(2)Any sale to a third party of all or substantially all of the COMPANY’S assets
dedicated to providing the services required by this Agreement;
(3)Any subcontracting of the COMPANY’S services required under this Agreement,
except to an affiliate of the COMPANY (defined as an entity that is controlled by
Joseph John Garbarino or his lineal descendants and/or the lineal descendants of
Joseph and Angelina Garbarino)or for processing or landfilling services
customarily subcontracted by the COMPANY;
(4)Any dissolution, reorganization, consolidation, merger, recapitalization, stock
issuance or re-issuance, voting trust, pooling agreement, escrow arrangement,
liquidation or other transaction that results in a Change in Control;
(5)Any assignment by operation of law, including insolvency or bankruptcy,
assignment for the benefit of creditors, writ of attachment for an execution being
levied against this Agreement, appointment of a receiver taking possession of
COMPANY’S property, or transfer occurring in a probate proceeding that results
in a Change in Control; and
(6)Any combination of the foregoing (whether or not related or contemporaneous
transactions), which has the effect of a Change in Control.
(D)The COMPANY acknowledges that this Agreement involves rendering a vital service to the
CITY’S residents and businesses, and that the CITY has selected the COMPANY to perform
the services specified herein based on:
(1)The COMPANY’S experience, skill and reputation for conducting its solid waste
management operations in a safe, effective and responsible fashion, at all times
in keeping with applicable local, state and federal environmental laws,
regulations and best waste management practices; and
THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF COLLECTION
AGREEMENT OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL WITH MARIN SANITARY SERVICE
Page 3 of 7
(2)The COMPANY’S financial resources to maintain the required equipment and to
support its indemnity obligations to CITY under this Agreement. The CITY relied
on each of these factors, among others, in choosing the COMPANY to perform
the services to be rendered by the COMPANY under this Agreement.
(F)The CITY is concerned about the possibility that an assignment, sale or transfer could
result in significant rate increases, as well as a change in the quality of service.
Accordingly, the following standards have been set to ensure that any assignment, sale
or transfer shall result in continued quality of service.At a minimum, no request by the
COMPANY for the CITY’S consent to an assignment, sale or transfer need be considered
by the CITY unless and until the COMPANY has met the following requirements:
(1)The COMPANY shall reimburse the CITY for its reasonable, documented expenses
for attorneys and other consultants engaged by the CITY to investigate the
suitability of any proposed assignee,and to review and finalize any
documentation required as a condition for approving any such assignment.
However, it is likely that other agencies of the Franchisors’ Group served by the
COMPANY (the “Members”)may also be considering the request for consent to
the assignment, sale or transfer. In consideration of the payment described in this
subsection, the Members agree to work together to reasonably avoid duplication
of such costs among them, given the common requests for consent. In
furtherance of the COMPANY’S obligation to all such Members, upon notice by
the COMPANY of its intention to assign its rights hereunder and under each of its
franchise agreements with the other Members, the COMPANY shall pay the sum
of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) into an escrow account towards the
total of all such costs incurred by the Members and the Members shall direct the
COMPANY to pay a pro rata share of that amount to each of them with the
apportionment of such payments at the sole discretion of the Members, it being
understood that CITY and each Member shall address COMPANY’s request for
consent to such assignment, sale or transfer on a separate basis;
(2)The COMPANY shall furnish the CITY with audited financial statements of the
proposed assignee’s operations for the immediately preceding three (3)
operating years;
(3)The COMPANY shall furnish the CITY with satisfactory proof:
a.That the proposed assignee has at least ten (10) years of solid waste
management experience including the handling of solid waste, recyclable and
organic materials on a scale equal to or exceeding the scale of operations
conducted by the COMPANY under this Agreement;
b.That in the last five (5) years, neither the proposed assignee nor any of its
affiliates have suffered significant major citations or other charges from any
federal, state or local agency having jurisdiction over its waste management
operations due to any significant failure to comply with state, federal or local
THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF COLLECTION
AGREEMENT OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL WITH MARIN SANITARY SERVICE
Page 4 of 7
environmental laws and that the assignee has provided the CITY with a
complete list of such citations and charges;
c.That the proposed assignee has conducted its operations in a reasonably
environmentally safe and conscientious fashion;
d.That the proposed assignee has conducted its solid waste management
practices in good faith and substantial compliance with sound waste
management practices, including all federal, state and local laws regulating
the collection and disposal of solid waste, including hazardous wastes; and
e.Provide any other available information required by CITY to ensure that the
proposed assignee can fulfill the terms of this Agreement in a timely, safe and
effective manner.
(G)Under no circumstances shall the CITY be obliged to consider any proposed assignment,
sale or transfer by the COMPANY if the COMPANY is in material breach of any provision
of this Agreement at the time of the request or at any time during the period of
consideration of the request. The CITY will provide the COMPANY with a reasonable
opportunity to be heard before the CITY Council and the opportunity to correct any such
claimed failure of performance or material breach.
(H)In the case of any assignment, sale or transfer,the assignee shall not be entitled to
request any adjustment in rates other than as provided under this Agreement .
(I)A Change in Control shall occur when Joseph John Garbarino or his lineal descendants
and/or the lineal descendants of Joseph and Angelina Garbarino shall cease to have the
power, directly or indirectly, to control the management, operation and policies of the
COMPANY, whether through the ownership of a majority of voting securities, as trustee,
by contract or otherwise.
(J)COMPANY shall provide an annual written update to the CITY by October 1 of each year
detailing the COMPANY’S plans, actions, accomplishments and next steps with respect to
its internal succession planning. COMPANY shall meet with the CITY on request to discuss
details of the COMPANY’S succession planning efforts.
2.Section 15.Performance Review,shall be added to the Agreement to read:
15.Performance Review.
(A)CITY may conduct periodic reviews of COMPANY’S performance (“Performance Review”).
Reviews may be scheduled at the CITY’S discretion, with up to one (1) Performance
Review occurring every three years, with the first such Performance Review being
possible between 2019 and 2021.
(B)COMPANY shall be responsible for the cost of each Performance Review in an amount not
exceeding $60,000 per Performance Review, escalated annually by the annual change in
THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF COLLECTION
AGREEMENT OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL WITH MARIN SANITARY SERVICE
Page 5 of 7
the Consumer Price Index for Water and Sewer and Trash Collection, U.S. city average,
Bureau of Labor Statistics Series I.D. CUSR0000SEHG, with a floor of 2.5% and a cap of 5%.
Payment is due in full prior to the start of each Performance Review and is considered an
allowable cost for the purposes of a Base Year approach rate review.
(C)The Performance Reviews may be performed by the CITY or its consultant. In the event
the CITY intends to retain a consultant to perform any Performance Review, it may seek
and accept comments and recommendations from COMPANY.
(D)The Performance Reviews may be designed to verify that:rates have been properly
calculated and that they correspond to the level of service received by customers;
franchise fees and other fees required under this Agreement have been properly
calculated and paid to CITY; COMPANY has complied with the reporting requirements and
performance standards of the Agreement;COMPANY’S customer service, outreach,
education, compliance and internal auditing functions meet or exceed industry best
practices;and reports provided by COMPANY are accurate.
(E)COMPANY shall cooperate fully with the Performance Review and provide all requested
data, including operational data, financial data and other data reasonably requested by
CITY (or its designated consultant)within thirty (30)work days.
(F)The CITY (or its designated consultant) may utilize a variety of methods in the execution
of the Performance Review, including analysis of relevant documents, on -site and field
observations, and interviews.
(G)CITY (or its designated consultant) will review and document the items in the Agreement
that require COMPANY to meet specific performance standards, submit information or
reports, perform additional services, or document operating procedures, that can be
objectively evaluated.
(H)CITY (or its designated consultant) may also review the customer service functions and
structure utilized by COMPANY. This may include COMPANY’S protocol for addressing
customer complaints and service interruption procedures. Complaint logs may be
reviewed,along with procedures and systems for tracking and addressing complaints. On-
site and field observations by CITY (or its designated consultant) may include, but are not
necessarily limited to:
(1)Interviews and discussions with COMPANY’S administration and management
personnel;
(2)Interviews and discussions with COMPANY’S financial and accounting personnel;
(3)Interviews and discussions with route dispatchers, route drivers, vehicle maintenance
staff, field and service supervisors, and managers;
(4)Review and observation of COMPANY’S customer service functions and structure, and
vehicle maintenance practices;
THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF COLLECTION
AGREEMENT OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL WITH MARIN SANITARY SERVICE
Page 6 of 7
(5)Review of public education and outreach materials;
(6)Review of on-route collection services, including observation of driver performance
and collection productivity and visual inspection of residential routes before and after
collection to evaluate cart placement and cleanliness of streets;
(7)Review of vehicle and equipment maintenance log and accident or vehicle incident
records, if any.
(I)In the event that the Performance Review concludes that COMPANY is not in compliance
with all terms and conditions of this Agreement and such non-compliance is material, CITY
may conduct an additional Performance Review to ensure that that COMPANY has
remedied any such area of non-compliance. COMPANY shall be responsible for the cost
of any such additional Performance Review,at a maximum cost of $40,000, escalated
annually by the annual change in the Consumer Price Index for Water and Sewer and
Trash Collection, U.S. city average, Bureau of Labor Statistics Series I.D. CUSR0000SEHG,
with a floor of 2.5% and a cap of 5%.Costs for additional Performance Reviews per this
section are not considered allowable costs for the purposes of a Base Year approach rate
review.
3.Exhibit A.Marin Sanitary Service –Description of Services,is replaced in its entirety as attached
hereto.
4.Exhibit B.Collector’s Rate Revenue Requirement and Rate Adjustment,is replaced in its entirety
as attached hereto.
5.CITY and COMPANY agree and acknowledge that,except as explicitly modified by this
Amendment,the Agreement remains in full force and effect.
THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF COLLECTION
AGREEMENT OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL WITH MARIN SANITARY SERVICE
Page 7 of 7
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we, the authorized agents of the contracting parties, by our duly authorized
agents, do hereby affix our signatures and seals this ____day of ______________, 201 8.
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL MARIN SANITARY SERVICE
By: ________________________By: _________________________
Printed Printed
Name: ______________________Name: _______________________
Its: _________________________Its: _________________________
By: ________________________
Printed
Name: ______________________
Its: _________________________
Exhibit A:Description of Services
1 |P a g e
Updated 12-6-2018
I.GENERAL
Recyclable Materials Processing Facility:
COMPANY shall continue to provide full service processing, marketing and sale of Recyclable Materials
collected by the COMPANY within the CITY at the Recyclable Materials processing facility located at
535 Jacoby Street in San Rafael (the “Marin Recycling Center”), which is operated by the COMPANY’S
affiliated company, Marin Recycling &Resource Recovery Association. COMPANY and CITY agree that
the charges for rate revenues for Recyclable Materials processing to be billed by the COMPANY as
described in Exhibit B are predicated on the COMPANY continuing to process Recyclable Materials at
the Marin Recycling Center. Under no circumstances may the COMPANY cease processing of the
CITY’S Recyclable Materials at the Marin Recycling facility without prior approval of the CITY. The
COMPANY may temporarily ship Recyclable Materials to other processing facilities at its discretion as
needed while repairs or upgrades are made to the Marin Recycling facility, but any such temporary
shipment of Recyclable Materials is at the COMPANY’S sole expense and risk without any change in
the rate revenues and charges for Recyclable Materials processing via either an Indexed Year
approach or a Base Year approach.
Education, Outreach, Technical Assistance, Monitoring, Compliance Services:
COMPANY shall continue to provide CITY with outreach, education, technical assistance, monitoring
and compliance services to residents, multi-family dwellings and commercial businesses. The CITY and
COMPANY intend for these services to: provide information to customers regarding the services
offered by the COMPANY as provided for via the Agreement; encourage, incentivize and maximize
participation in recycling and organics collection programs, and;implement the requirements of state
laws AB 341, AB 1826, SB 1383, and any other solid waste, recycling and organics state law
requirements applicable to CITY and/or COMPANY. The CITY and COMPANY further intend to define
specific and quantifiable performance targets and reporting requirements for these services so that
the CITY and COMPANY can accurately and consistently evaluate and monitor progress towards
landfill diversion goals and state laws. To that end, the CITY and COMPANY agree to develop mutually
agreeable quantitative performance targets and reporting requirements for these services by June
30, 2019.These will supplement other reporting and performance requirements in the Agreement
and are not intended to change or replace them in any way.
Exhibit A:Description of Services
2 |P a g e
Updated 12-6-2018
Marin Sanitary Service (COMPANY)shall provide Collection services using modern automated and
semi-automated equipment with the COMPANY’s name and telephone number clearly visible from
the outside of the vehicle or equipment.
COMPANY shall provide Carts or bins to Residential, Multifamily,and Commercial Customers that are
clearly labeled for their allowable contents, with solid waste,recyclable or compostable materials.All
containers provided by the COMPANY are the property of the COMPANY.
Company to provide customer billing and payment options including automatic billing, credit card
billing, and online payments.
II.RESIDENTIAL SERVICE (THREE OR FEWER UNITS IN A
SINGLE STRUCTURE)
Solid Waste
COMPANY shall provide automated or semi-automated tipper Carts in 20-, 32-, 64-, and 96-gallon
capacities to be placed at the curb or COMPANY-designated location for one time per week Collection
at the rates and fees listed in Exhibit C. Carts should be placed at the designated Collection location
by 6:00 am the day of service.Lids of carts must close.Customers may place additional bags not to
exceed 32 gallons in size and 60 pounds by weight for a fee as listed in Exhibit C.Items placed outside
the Cart or overflowing Carts will incur an additional charge as listed in Exhibit C.Carts are the
property of the COMPANY.COMPANY will determine the appropriate Collection location. Solid
Waste placed in COMPANY-provided Carts or at the curb for Collection is the property of COMPANY.
Low-income rates are available for customers who meet the PG&E CARE Program qualifications.
Recyclable Materials
As part of the Residential Customer rates,COMPANY shall provide all Residential Customers with one
(1)64-gallon Split cart for Recyclable Materials with one side for paper and fiber products, and one
side for acceptable glass, metal and plastic excluding polystyrene, plastic bags and compostable
plastics.Acceptable materials may change depending on the markets.A full list of accepted materials
is available on the COMPANY’s website (marinsanitaryservice.com).Cardboard must be broken down
small enough to easily slide out of the cart. Large cardboard boxes may also be broken down and tied
into 24” x 24” bundles and left beside the Recycling container. Carts must be placed at the curb or,
upon approval of COMPANY, the designated Collection location next to their Solid Waste container
Exhibit A:Description of Services
3 |P a g e
Updated 12-6-2018
for one time per week Collection by 6:00 am the day of service. All Residential Customer s must be
offered Recyclable Materials Collection services. Additional split carts are available for a nominal
monthly fee as listed in Exhibit C.
Recyclable Materials placed in COMPANY-provided Carts or at the curb for Collection are the property
of COMPANY, and the theft thereof is a crime.
Compostable (Organic)Materials
As part of the Residential Customer rates,COMPANY shall provide each Residential Customer with (1)
32 or 64-gallon Compostable Materials Cart to be placed at the curb or COMPANY-approved
designated Collection location next to their Solid Waste container for one time per week Collection
by 6:00 am the day of service. All Residential Customers must be offered Compostable Materials
Collection for the collection of accepted Yard Trimmings, Food Waste and Food Soiled Papers in the
same Container.A full list of accepted materials is available on the COMPANY’s website
(marinsanitaryservice.com). Only COMPANY provided tipper carts will be allowed for the weekly
collection of compostable materials.Up to four (4) additional Compostable Materials Carts beyond
the first shall be provided to a Residential Customer upon request, at a cost specified in Exhibit C.
Compostable Materials placed in COMPANY-provided Carts or at the curb for Collection are the
property of COMPANY.
Additional Services
CLEAN-UP PROGRAMS
COMPANY shall provide Residential Customers with two (2) scheduled Clean-up Collection events per
calendar year for extra Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials, and/or Compostable Materi als at no
additional cost to the Customers provided that COMPANY’s costs for such events shall constitute costs
of operation included in the rate base and compensated for through the rates.COMPANY shall also
provide all Residential Customers with two (2)on-call pickups of Bulky Items per calendar year on
their regularly scheduled Collection day, upon Customer request.COMPANY will also provide on-call
Bulky Item pickups beyond two (2) per Residential Customer per calendar year for an additional fee
as listed in Exhibit C. These Bulky Items may be Collected in non-compaction vehicles, or in
compaction vehicles if the materials are not compacted, and taken to the Designated Processing
Facility for sorting.
Exhibit A:Description of Services
4 |P a g e
Updated 12-6-2018
COMPANY shall schedule Clean-up Collection events in such a manner that all Residential Customers
shall receive Clean-up Collection services on their regularly scheduled Collection day. Extra Solid
Waste, Recyclable Materials and/or Compostable Materials can also be Collected for a fee as listed in
Exhibit C in customer provided bags,not to exceed 32 gallons in size and 60 pounds by weight,when
placed next to the regular container on Collection day.If an Operations Manager determines it is safe
to collect overweight or oversized items, an additional fee will be charged as listed in Exhibit C to cover
the cost of extra labor and/or equipment.
Semi-Annual Scheduled Clean-Up Service Guidelines
For each Clean-up Collection event, each Customer shall be permitted to place up to two (2) cubic
yards (equivalent to fourteen (14) standard 32-gallon bags) of Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials
and/or Compostable Materials for Collection by COMPANY at no charge. In the event Customer places
more than two (2) cubic yards of materials for Collection,COMPANY shall charge the Customer for
additional Collection services as listed in Exhibit C.
COMPANY shall require Customers to adhere to the following guidelines:
A.No Bulky Items will be collected.
B.No rocks, cement, dirt or Hazardous Waste shall be accepted.
C.Materials shall be placed in disposable bags/containers, cardboard boxes or customer
owned 32-gallon cans or bags.COMPANY will only empty customer owned cans that are
not more than 32 gallons in volume and are less than 60 pounds in weight.Recyclables
and/or yard waste should be placed in paper bags or cardboard boxes to ensure they are
recycled.
D.Discarded materials to be Collected in the Clean-up event shall be placed at the
designated Collection location by the Generator by 6:00 a.m. on the pickup day to ensure
Collection, but in no case shall be placed more than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the
pick-up day.
On-Call Bulky Item Service Guidelines:
Exhibit A:Description of Services
5 |P a g e
Updated 12-6-2018
Each Residential Customer may call prior to their regular Collection day and schedule two (2)
collections of up to two Bulky Items each per calendar year.
COMPANY shall require Customers to adhere to the following guidelines:
A.Customer must call in at least 24 hours on a regular business day (excluding weekends and
holidays)prior to their regular Collection day to have Bulky Items collected and give the
approximate size and weight of the Item so appropriate truck, equipment and number of
drivers can be determined.
B.No more than two (2) Bulky Items will be collected.
C.Any Bulky Item that is over 60 pounds, greater than 6 feet in length, or that cannot be
collected safely by one driver-operator, will be charged an additional special handling fee as
set forth in Exhibit C.
COMPANY may provide on-call Bulky Item pickups beyond two (2) per Residential Customer per
calendar year for an additional fee as listed in Exhibit C. These Bulky Items will be Collected in non-
compaction vehicles and taken to the Designated Processing Facility for sorting.
Holiday trees will be Collected curbside on the regularly-scheduled pickup day during a two-(2) week
period beginning on the Monday following the first Saturday after January 1. If trees are greater than
six (6) feet in length, they must be cut in half. All metal stands, plastic tree bags, ornaments, and
decorations of any sort must be removed. Flocked trees will not be accepted.
III.MULTI-FAMILY SERVICE (4 OR MORE SERVICE UNITS)
Solid Waste
COMPANY shall provide semi-automated or automated tipper Carts in 32-, 64-, and 96-gallon capacities
to be placed for Collection at the curb or, upon approval of COMPANY, the designated Collection location.
COMPANY will also provide Bins with 1-6, 10-, or 18-cubic yard capacities for large volumes of material.
COMPANY will determine the size and type of container depending on materials generated,recycled and
diverted, safety, collection vehicle and service location. Service levels shall range from one time per week
to six times per week but should be adequate for the volume of material generated.Lids of containers
must close and should not be overflowing. Extra fees may be incurred for extra bags or overloaded bins
Exhibit A:Description of Services
6 |P a g e
Updated 12-6-2018
as listed in Exhibit C.Each Multi-Family Customer must maintain a 32 gallon per living unit equivalency
minimum service level, which the COMPANY may reduce based on actual waste reduction and diversion
results.COMPANY retains approval of all service locations for carts not at the curb and for bins.
COMPANY shall also service Customer-owned compactor units for the fees as listed in Exhibit C. For safety
and equipment purposes,COMPANY retains right of approval as to the type of compactor to be serviced
and the service location.
Recyclable Materials
COMPANY shall provide all Multi-Family Customers with unlimited collection of acceptable glass, metal
and plastic excluding polystyrene, plastic bags and compostable plastics. Acceptable materials may change
depending on the markets.A full list of accepted materials is available on the COMPANY’s website
(marinsanitaryservice.com).These materials will be collected in Company provided 32 or 64-gallon color-
coded tipper carts: blue for paper and paper-fiber products, and brown for accepted commingled glass,
metal and plastics.Collection is available from one time per week to six times per week.Cardboard placed
in carts must be broken down small enough to easily slide out of the cart. Large cardboard boxes may
also be broken down and tied into 24” x 24” bundles and left beside the Recycling container.1-2 cubic
yard rear loading bins are available for large amounts of cardboard collection with COMPANY’s approval
of size and location.COMPANY will evaluate the appropriate container sizes on an individual customer
basis. Pickups can be scheduled from one time per week to six times per week. Recyclable Materials
placed in COMPANY-provided containers or at the curb for Collection are the property of the COMPANY.
Compostable (Organic)Materials
COMPANY will provide post-consumer Compostable Materials collection at all Multi-Family Dwellings and
that parallel the Single-Family Residential program.Customers will be provided up to four (4)32-or 64-
gallon tipper green carts for the collection of accepted Yard Trimmings, Food Waste and Food Soiled Paper
in the same Container.A full list of accepted materials is available on the COMPANY’s website
(marinsanitaryservice.com).Additional carts beyond four may be rented at a nominal monthly fee as listed
in Exhibit C.
In addition, Multi-Family tenants may receive kitchen pails at no additional cost to the tenant or property
manager for the collection of compostable materials after participating in a COMPANY provided training.
Exhibit A:Description of Services
7 |P a g e
Updated 12-6-2018
Additional Services
COMPANY is to perform a visual waste audit at least one time per year for each Multi-Family account to
provide an estimate of the amount of Recyclable Materials and Compostable Materials still in the Solid
Waste container to help guide the Customer in service changes to increase diversion.
COMPANY will provide services to comply with all state laws regarding recycling and organics diversion.
On-site Collection of solid Waste,recyclable materials and compostable materials carts not at the curb is
available for an extra charge as set forth in Exhibit C.
Special pickups of Bulky Items may be requested by Multi-Family Customers for an additional fee as listed
in Exhibit C, provided that such a request may only be made by the bill payer (Property Manager or Owner)
and not by the occupant of an individual unit.If an individual occupant pays his or her own collection
service bill,only then will they be allowed to schedule special pick-ups.COMPANY may provide fee
estimates to Customer while scheduling the pickup. These Bulky Items may be Collected in non -
compaction vehicles, or in compaction vehicles if the materials are not compacted, and taken to the
Designated Processing Site for sorting resulting in greater re-use and recycling. Extra material can be
Collected for a fee as listed in Exhibit C in customer provided bags not greater than 32 gallons in size and
60 pounds by weight when placed next to the regular container on Collection day.
IV.COMMERCIAL SERVICE
Solid Waste
COMPANY shall provide semi-automated or automated tipper Carts in 32-, 64-, and 96-gallon capacities
to be placed for Collection at the curb or, upon approval of COMPANY, the designated Collection location.
COMPANY will also provide Bins with 1-6, 10-, or 18-cubic yard capacities for large volumes of material.
COMPANY will determine the size and type of container depending on materials generated,recycled and
diverted, safety, collection vehicle and service location. Service levels shall range from one time per week
to six times per week. Each Commercial Customer must subscribe to a level of service that is adequate
for the volume of material generated.Lids of containers must close and should not be overflowing.Extra
fees may be incurred for extra bags or overloaded bins as listed in Exhibit C.COMPANY retains approval
of all service locations for carts not at the curb and for bins.COMPANY shall also service Customer-owned
compactor units for the fees as listed in Exhibit C. For safety and equipment purposes,COMPANY retains
right of approval as to the type of compactor to be serviced and service location.
Exhibit A:Description of Services
8 |P a g e
Updated 12-6-2018
Recyclable Materials
COMPANY shall provide all Commercial Customers with unlimited collection of acceptable glass, metal
and plastic bottles, jugs and containers excluding polystyrene, plastic bags and compostable plastics.
Acceptable materials may change depending on the markets.A full list of accepted materials is available
on the COMPANY’s website (marinsanitaryservice.com).These materials will be collected in Company
provided 32 or 64-gallon tipper carts color-coded carts: blue for paper and paper-fiber products, and
brown for accepted commingled glass, metal and plastics. Collection is available from one time per week
to six times per week. Cardboard placed in carts must be broken down small enough to easily slide out of
the cart. Large cardboard boxes may also be broken down and tied into 24” x 24” bundles and left beside
the Recycling container. 1-2 cubic yard rear loading bins are available for large amounts of cardboard
collection with COMPANY’s approval of size and location.COMPANY will evaluate the appropriate
container sizes on an individual customer basis. Pickups can be scheduled from one time per week to six
times per week. Recyclable Materials placed in COMPANY-provided containers or at the curb for
Collection are the property of the COMPANY.
Compostable (Organic)Materials
Two options are available for Commercial Business for collection of Organic materials.Both programs are
offered at a discounted rate to commercial customers as listed in Exhibit C.
Commercial Composting
COMPANY will provide post-consumer Compostable Materials collection at Commercial Businesses that
would parallel the Single-Family Residential program. Customers will be provided 32-or 64-gallon tipper
green carts for the collection of accepted Yard Trimmings, Food Waste and Food Soiled Papers in the same
Container.A full list of accepted materials is available on the COMPANY’s website
(marinsanitaryservice.com).By special request and upon approval of the Company, 1-2 cubic yard bins
may be available. Monthly collection fees are listed in Exhibit C.
Commercial Food to Energy (F2E)program in partnership with Central Marin Sanitation Agency
COMPANY will provide restaurants, grocery stores, cafeterias, and other similar businesses with 32 and/or
64-gallon tipper dark green carts for the collection of a subset of Food Waste consisting of fruits,
vegetables, meats, dairy, fish, breads, pastas and other food scraps.A full list of accepted materials is
available on the COMPANY’s website (marinsanitaryservice.com).This pre-consumer Food will be
Exhibit A:Description of Services
9 |P a g e
Updated 12-6-2018
anaerobically digested for energy production at Central Marin Sanitation Agency.Monthly collection fees
for this service are set forth in Exhibit C.
Additional Services
COMPANY is to perform a visual waste audit at least one time per year for each Commercial Business
account to provide an estimate of the amount of Recyclable Materials and Compostable Materials still in
the Solid Waste container to help guide the Customer in service changes to increase diversion.
COMPANY will provide services to comply with all state laws regarding recycling and organics diversion.
On-site Collection of Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials and compostable Materials Carts not at the curb
is available for an extra charge as set forth in Exhibit C.
Special pickups of large, hard to handle or bulky items may be requested for an additional fee as listed in
Exhibit C. Estimates can be provided. These bulky items will be collected in non-compaction vehicles and
taken to the Marin Recycling Center for sorting resulting in greater re-use and recycling. Extra material
can be collected for a fee as listed in Exhibit C in cans or bags not greater than 32 gallons in size or 60
pounds by weight when placed next to the regular container on collection day.
V.MUNICIPAL SERVICES
COMPANY shall provide service to each CITY facility and those CITY-owned cans in public areas and parks
based upon mutually agreed upon parameters by CITY and COMPANY.These services shall constitute
costs of operation included in the rate base and compensated for through the rates of all Residential,
Commercial and Multi-Family Customers.
Solid Waste
COMPANY shall provide semi-automated or automated tipper Carts in 32-, 64-, and 96-gallon capacities
to be placed for Collection at the curb or, upon approval of COMPANY, the designated Collection location.
COMPANY will also provide Bins with 1-6, 10-, or 18-cubic yard capacities for large volumes of material.
COMPANY will determine the size and type of container depending on materials generated,recycled and
diverted, safety, collection vehicle and service location. Service levels shall range from one time per week
to six times per week. Each CITY facility must subscribe to a level of service that is adequate for the volume
of material generated. Lids of containers must close and should not be overflowing.COMPANY retains
Exhibit A:Description of Services
10 |P a g e
Updated 12-6-2018
approval of all service locations for carts not at the curb and bins. For safety and equipment purposes,
COMPANY retains right of approval as to the type of compactor to be serviced and service location.
Recyclable Materials
COMPANY shall provide all CITY facilities with unlimited collection of acceptable glass, metal and plastic
excluding polystyrene, plastic bags and compostable plastics. Acceptable materials may change
depending on the markets.A full list of accepted materials is available on the COMPANY’s website
(marinsanitaryservice.com).These materials will be collected in Company provided 32 or 64-gallon tipper
carts color-coded carts: blue for paper and paper-fiber products, and brown for accepted commingled
glass, metal and plastics. Collection is available from one time per week to six times per week. Cardboard
placed in carts must be broken down small enough to easily slide out of the cart. Large cardboard boxes
may also be broken down and tied into 24” x 24” bundles and left beside the Recycling container. 1 -2
cubic yard rear loading bins are available for large amounts of cardboard collection with COMPANY’s
approval of size and location.COMPANY will evaluate the appropriate container sizes on an individual
customer basis. Pickups can be scheduled from one time per week to six times per week. Recyclable
Materials placed in COMPANY-provided containers or at the curb for Collection are the property of the
COMPANY.
Compostable (Organic) Materials
Two options are available for CITY facilities for collection of Organic materials.
Composting
COMPANY will provide post-consumer Compostable Materials collection at CITY facilities that would
parallel the Single-Family Residential program.Facilities will be provided 32-or 64-gallon tipper green
carts for the collection of accepted Yard Trimmings, Food Waste and Food Soiled Papers in the same
Container.A full list of accepted materials is available on the COMPANY’s website
(marinsanitaryservice.com).By special request and upon approval of the Company, 1-2 cubic yard bins
may be available.
Food to Energy (F2E) program in partnership with Central Marin Sanitation Agency
COMPANY will provide CITY facilities with cafeterias or other similar food service facilities with 32 and/or
64-gallon tipper dark green carts for the collection of a subset of Food Waste consisting of fruits,
Exhibit A:Description of Services
11 |P a g e
Updated 12-6-2018
vegetables, meats, dairy, fish, breads, pastas and other food scraps. A full list of materials accepted is
available on the website.This pre-consumer Food will be anaerobically digested for energy production at
Central Marin Sanitation Agency.
Additional Services
Special pickups of Bulky Items may be requested. These Bulky Items may be Collected in non-compaction
vehicles, or in compaction vehicles if the materials are not compacted,and sorted at the Marin Recycling
Center for greater re-use and Recycling.
COMPANY shall Collect Discarded Materials from all street-side public litter and Recycling containers
based upon mutually agreed upon parameters by CITY and COMPANY.CITY shall be responsible for
maintaining such containers.
COMPANY shall provide the occasional on-call pick-up of illegally dumped Discarded Materials at CITY’s
request.COMPANY shall provide such service within twenty-four (24) hours of such request, provided
that the CITY authorizes or directs the service so that all costs incurred by COMPANY in providing the
service shall constitute costs of operations included in the rate base and compensated for through the
rates.
COMPANY will collaborate with the CITY on two community events throughout the year as designated by
the CITY.COMPANY will furnish, at no cost to the promoters, as needed up to ten (10), 3 cubic yard debris
boxes (or the equivalent). These debris boxes are to be used solely for solid waste, organics and recycling
generated by the events.
Services Subject to Change
Services provided by COMPANY are subject to “Change in Scope” as defined and described in Exhibit B to
the Agreement. CITY and COMPANY shall meet and confer to establish any such change in scope. Agreed
upon changes of scope shall be effective irrespective of whether this Exhibit A –Description of Services is
subsequently amended to reflect such Changes in Scope.
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
1
Note Regarding Exhibit B
This Exhibit B is intended to conform to comparable exhibits in other agreements and agreed -upon
processes between the members of the Franchisors’Group and Collector. As a result, certain terms in his
Exhibit B may not conform to the defined terms used elsewhere in the Agreement to which this Exhibit B
is attached (the “Agreement”).In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of the Agreement
and this Exhibit B, the terms of this Exhibit B shall control.
I.COLLECTOR'S RATE APPLICATION
Overview
The “Franchisors’ Group” (comprised of the cities of Larkspur, Ross and San Rafael, the Las Gallinas Valley
Sanitary District and the County of Marin) have joined together to regulate the rates of the Collector in
accordance with these procedures. Because the Collector has services and related expenses unrelated to
the Franchisors’ Group, the revenues and expenses are allocated between the Franchisors’ Group and
these other agencies.The Collector’s rates are based on its rate revenue requirement for the Rate Year1
calculated in accordance with either Section II or Section III below . Because both the forecasted rate
revenue requirement and the revenues from the approved rates involve assumptions about future events
and because such assumptions usually differ from actual events and these differences can be material,
the Collector is not guaranteed a profit.
Collector’s Rate Applications
By August 1 (in a Base Year) or September 1 (in an Indexed Year),Collector shall submit an application
requesting the amount of Collector’s rate revenue requirement and rate adjustment for the next Rate
Year, commencing January 1 of the following calendar year. The application is prepared using either the
Base Year approach (Section II) or the Indexed Year approach (Section III).In either case, the application
shall be submitted in the format described in Attachment 1 of this Exhibit B.In addition to the application
1 The Rate Year is the year for which rates are being calculated, the Current Rate Year is the year during which the
rates are being calculated and the Prior Rate Year is the most recently completed Rate Year. For example, in the
application for rates effective January 1, 2020 the Rate Year refers to the period from January 1, 2020 to December
31, 2020, the Current Rate Year refers to the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 and the Prior Rate
Year refers to the period from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018.
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
2
the Collector shall provide a description and schedule of forecasted revenues and cos ts of new programs
agreed to by the Collector and any agency that is a member of the Franchisors’ Group (“Member”)or
proposed by the Collector.
A.Base Year Application:Once every five years, commencing with the application for the 2025 Rate
Year,upon written request of the Collector or the Franchisors’ Group, with such written request due
by March 1 of the year preceding the January 1 for which rate revenues are requested to be adjusted
via a Base Year approach; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall prevent the
Collector and the Franchisors’ Group from agreeing to conduct a Base Year approach earlier than
would be allowed in the schedule stated above.
The Base Year approach application shall be based on: the Collector’s actual financial results of
operations for the Prior Rate Year; audited financial statements for the Prior Rate Year; year-to-date
financial results of operations for the Current Rate Year; and Collector's forecasted costs for the next
Rate Year. This shall be called the “Base Year Rate Revenue Requirement.”The Base Year approach
application’s cost projections shall be directly derived from and directly reference revenues and costs
by category as listed in the Collector’s audited financial statements such that all figures presented as
the basis for the Collector’s application can be tied back to the financial statements for the most
recently completed fiscal year preceding the given August 1 rate application due date.
In its rate application,the Collector shall assemble and submit its forecasts of revenues at current
rates and subscription levels (with no adjustments for bad debt or projected migration or service level
changes), annual cost of operations, pass-through costs, and profit, for the coming year. The Collector
shall clearly explain in its rate application the method used to produce such forecasts, and such
information as is necessary to support the assumptions made with regard to such forecasts (such as
projected population growth or migration, service or operational changes, projected changes in
tonnages, known or reasonably expected cost increases, etc.).
The Collector shall provide all financial information and supporting documentation required for the
completion of the Base Year approach in a format acceptable to the Franchisors’ Group or its
designated consultant in a timely manner.The Collector shall allow for all required information and
supporting documentation to be provided to the Franchisors’ Group or its designated consultant via
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
3
physical mail, e-mail, or any other delivery method approved by the Franchisors’ Group, including on-
site review of information at the Collector’s offices.The Collector shall present forecasted amounts
for each of the categories listed in Section II below calculated in accordance with such Section.
B.Indexed Year Application:Every year that there is no Base Year approach, commencing with the rate
application for the 2020 Rate Year.The application shall be based on the Base Year Rate Revenue
Requirement adjusted as described below. This shall be called the “Indexed Year Rate Revenue
Requirement.”The Indexed Year approach is the default method for annual rate adjustments and
shall continue indefinitely unless a Base Year approach is allowed and requested in accordance with
Section I.A. above.
Review of Rate Application
The Franchisors’ Group or a consultant engaged by the Franchisors’ Group will review Collector's rate
application to ensure mathematical accuracy,conformance with this Exhibit B,reasonableness of expense
and revenue projections,and to review necessary supporting documentation for figures stated by the
Collector in the rate application.The Collector shall reimburse the Franchisors’ Group for the cost of its
consultant in an amount not to exceed $15,000 for an Indexed Year application, or $125,000 for a Base
Rate application,with such limits to increase annually in accordance with the annual change in the
Consumer Price Index for Water and Sewer and Trash Collection, U.S. city average, Bureau of Labor
Statistics Series I.D. CUSR0000SEHG,between the Index value for June of the current year and the
corresponding Index value for June of the prior year,rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percent,
subject to a minimum increase of 2.5% and a maximum increase of 5%.
The amount of reimbursement for an Indexed Year application is included in the Base Year Rate Revenue
Requirement for 2019,and as such the Franchisors’ Group will be reimbursed annually up to the limit
stated above (and including applied annual increase)without additional Indexed Rate Revenue
Requirement amounts being necessary. If the full amount of reimbursement is not requested by the
Franchisors’ Group, then any amounts of reimbursement below the limit will be subtracted from the Rate
Revenue Requirement in the Collector’s application (Indexed or Base Year) for the following Rate Year.
For a Base Year application the amount of such reimbursement will be included in the Collector’s Base
Year Rate Revenue Requirement.
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
4
The Franchisors’ Group shall make its best efforts to complete the review in a timely manner so that rates
may be adjusted effective January 1 of each Rate Year.If Collector submits its rate application on or before
the application submittal date (August 1 or September 1, as applicable), and the Franchisors’ Group delays
approving the annual rate adjustment until after January 1 of the following Rate Year, then Collector shall
be entitled to retroactively apply the rate adjustment to January 1. If the Collector submits its rate
application after the application submittal date (August 1 or September 1, as applicable), a retroactive
adjustment will be at the discretion of the Franchisors’ Group.
II.CALCULATION OF COLLECTOR'S BASE YEAR RATE REVENUE
REQUIREMENT
The Base Year application shall clearly document Collector’s calculation of Collector’s Base Year Rate
Revenue Requirement and proposed rate adjustment based on the methodology described in this
Section II.Collector's Base Year Rate Revenue Requirement shall equal the sum of the forecasted amounts
set forth in this Section II, each of which shall be calculated in accordance with this Section II.
A.Forecasted Annual Cost of Operations.
The forecasted annual cost of operations consists of the sum of forecasted:
1.Labor expense
2.Benefits expense (including workers’ compensation)
3.Garbage landfilling and Organics processing expense (including commercial mixed waste
processing expense and adjustment for Non-Franchisors’ Group entities transfer/transport
expenses)
4.General and administrative expense (including other operating expenses)
5.Depreciation and lease expense
6.Maintenance expense (equipment and vehicles)
7.Fuel and oil expense
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
5
B.Methodology for Forecasting Annual Cost of Operations.
1.Determine Actual Costs.Collector's audited financial statement shall be reviewed to
determine Collector's actual costs necessary to perform all the services in the manner
required by this Agreement. The Collector’s auditor shall determine that costs have actually
been incurred and have been assigned to the appropriate cost category as described below:
2.Allocation of Costs. The audited financial statements include costs of operations unrelated
to the Franchisors’Group. These include costs reported for the following Collector’s
departments:
Department
Number
Department Name Part of Franchisors’
Group
100
101
102
103
104
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
Garbage Collection
San Anselmo Collection
County (RVSD-N) Collection
Fairfax Collection
San Quentin Collection
Debris Box Collection
Transfer Station
Shop
General & Administrative
Recycling Collection
MRRC Operations
Shredding/Street Sweeping
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Allocation
Allocation
Yes
No
No
Collector shall include only costs for Department 100 -Franchisors’ Group Garbage
Collection,Department 102 –County (RVSD-N) Collection,Department 300 –Transfer
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
6
Station and Department 600 -Recycling Collection,plus allocated Shop (Department 400),
General and Administrative costs (Department 500), and management salaries (Department
500) when performing these procedures. In allocating costs among these departments the
Collector shall use the following procedures.
a.Shop costs (Department 400)shall be allocated by truck route hours.
b.General & administrative costs (Department 500) are allocated using an average of:
i.Each department’s percentage of projected revenue
ii.Each department’s percentage of annual customer counts
iii.Each department’s percentage of wages
For example:
c.Management salaries (Department 500)shall be allocated based on the study
completed for the Rate Year ended December 31, 2017 reporting the time spent by
management related to the Franchisors’ Group and other non-Franchisors’ Group
activities.
d.The Collector shall identify the allocated portion of the Collector’s financial statement
costs that are allocated to the Franchisors’ Group. The methodology for the Franchisors’
Revenue
Total Revenue (all departments)$100
Franchisors Group (Dept 100) Revenue $75
Franchisors Group (Dept 100) Percentage 75%A
Annual Customer Counts
Total Annual Customer Counts (all departments)100
Franchisors Group (Dept 100) Annual Customer Counts 73
Franchisors Group (Dept 100) Percentage 73%B
Wages
Total Wages (all departments)$100
Franchisors Group (Dept 100) Wages $25
25%C
Allocation % for General & Administrative Costs to Dept 100 58%(A+B+C)/3
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
7
Group’s allocated portion of the Collector’s costs shall be the same as or substantially
similar to the methodology used to determine the allocations used in setting the
Collector’s Rate Year 2019 Rate Revenue Requirement.
3.Calculate Adjusted Costs.Collector shall adjust actual costs allocated to the Franchisors’
Group to eliminate costs that are unnecessary or unreasonable for the performance of the
services required by the Agreement.These non-allowable costs include the following:
a.Costs of any category or type not actually incurred, not necessary for the provision of
services under this Agreement or unreasonable in amount.
b.Payments to directors and/or owners of Collector, unless paid as reasonable
compensation for services actually rendered.
c.Fines for penalties of any nature.
d.Federal or state income taxes.
e.Charitable or political donations.
f.Depreciation or interest expense for collection vehicles, containers, other equipment,
offices and other facilities if such items are leased from a related party at more than their
actual cost.
g.Attorneys’ fees and other expenses incurred by Collector in any court proceeding in which
any agency that is a Member of the Franchisors’ Group and Collector are adverse parties,
unless Collector is the prevailing party in such proceeding.
h.Attorneys’ fees and other expenses incurred by Collector arising from any act or omission
by Collector in violation of this Agreement.
i.Attorneys’ fees and other expenses incurred by Collector in any court proceeding in which
Collector's own negligence, violation of law or regulation, or wrongdoing are at issue.
j.Payments to related-party entities for products or services, in excess of the cost to the
related-party entities for those products or services.
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
8
k.Goodwill.
l.Transfer and transport, disposal, and/or processing costs whose rate/ton exceeds
comparable charges for the same services under the same conditions (e.g., transport
distances to processing and disposal facilities) by other companies in the San Francisco
Bay Area.
The Allocated Costs (from Step 2 above), adjusted for non-allowable costs (from this Step 3),
shall be considered “Allowed Costs” for the purposes of forecasting costs.
4.Forecasted Rate Year Allowed Cost of Operations.The Allowed Cost of operations for the
Rate Year shall be forecasted in the following manner:
a.Labor expense for the Rate Year shall be forecasted based on negotiated labor
agreements for represented employees as well as reasonable wage and salary
adjustments for non-represented employees. Reasonableness will be determined by
such factors such as a comparison to industry standards for comparable operations in
the San Francisco Bay Area.
b.Benefit expense for the Rate Year shall be forecasted based on negotiated labor
agreements for represented employees, reasonable adjustments for non-represented
employees, and changes in insurance premiums net of any refunds.Benefits includes
workers’ compensation expense, which shall be calculated by multiplying the wages
established in the Step 4.a above by the applicable premium rates from the Collector’s
insurance carrier for the projected Rate Year.
d.Garbage landfilling and Organics processing expense for the Rate Year shall be
forecasted in the following manner:
i.Garbage expense:
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
9
Projected Rate Year Disposal Expense = (Rate Year projected disposal tip fee per
Ton) X (total annualized actual tons for the first six months of the Current Rate
Year subject to reasonable adjustments for anticipated changes).
ii.Commercial mixed waste processing expense:
Projected Rate Year Processing Expense = (Rate Year projected processing fee
per Ton) X (total annualized actual tons for the first six months of the Current
Rate Year subject to reasonable adjustments for anticipated changes).This
tonnage includes waste collected from municipal facilities, parks and cans as
well as illegally dumped material.
The Commercial mixed waste processing rate per ton shall be $96.91 for the
Rate Year ending December 31, 2019 and thereafter shall be adjusted annually
by multiplying the Processing rate per Ton contained in the most recent Indexed
Year Rate Revenue Requirement by one (1)plus the percentage change in the
"Consumer Price Index for Water and Sewer and Trash Collection, U.S. city
average, Bureau of Labor Statistics Series I.D. CUSR0000SEHG" between the
Index value for June of the current year and the corresponding Index value for
June of the prior year,rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percent.
iii.Organics processing expense:
Forecasted Organics processing expense = (Organics projected processing rate
per Ton as calculated below) X (annualized actual total Tons of Organics for the
first six months of the Current Rate Year subject to reasonable adjustments for
anticipated changes).
The Organics Processing rate per Ton shall be set at $50.72 for the 2019 Rate
Year and thereafter shall be adjusted annually by multiplying the Processing
Rate per Ton contained in the most recent Indexed Year Rate Revenue
Requirement by one (1) plus the annual percentage change in the "Consumer
Price Index for Water and Sewer and Trash Collection, U.S. city average, Bureau
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
10
of Labor Statistics Series I.D. CUSR0000SEHG"between the average Index value
for June of the current year and the corresponding Index value for June of the
previous year,rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percent.
iv.Transfer/transport adjustment for the Rate Year shall reduce costs contained
in Department 300,which would otherwise be included in the Collector’s Base
Year Rate Revenue Requirement, related to the transfer and transport of
materials not generated in the Franchisors’ Group jurisdictions under their
contracts with the Collector shall be calculated in the following manner:
Forecasted Transfer/Transport Adjustment = (Transfer /Transport projected
Fee per ton as calculated below) X (annualized actual total disposal Tons for the
operations not affiliated with the Franchisors’ Group for the first six months of
the Current Rate Year subject to reasonable adjustments for anticipated
changes).The Transfer/ Fee per ton shall be $23.35 for the 2019 Rate Year and
thereafter shall be determined as part of the Base Year Rate Revenue
Requirement.
e.General and administrative expense for the Rate Year shall be forecasted based on
historical costs adjusted for the Collector’s forecasts as approved by the Franchisors’
Group.
f.Depreciation and lease expense for the Rate Year shall be forecasted based on the
Collector’s actual depreciation, which shall reflect the retirement and addition of assets.
Projected depreciation shall include anticipated purchases in the next Rate Year. The
Allocation of depreciation and lease expense between the Franchisors’ Group and other
operations shall be based on truck usage.
g.Maintenance expense for the Rate Year shall be forecasted based on historical costs
adjusted for changes in the number of equipment and vehicles to be maintained and the
cost of such maintenance.
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
11
h.Fuel and oil expense for the Rate Year shall be forecasted based on actual annualized
costs and gallons of fuel and oil consumed for the first six months of the Current Rate
Year.
5.Calculated profit.Collectors calculated profit for the Rate Year shall be forecasted by dividing
the forecasted annual cost of operations (from steps 1-4 above) by 0.905 and subtracting the
forecasted annual costs of operations from the dividend.
6.Forecasted Other Costs.The Other Costs for the Rate Year, which are not used for the basis
of calculating Collector’s Profit as described above, shall be forecasted in the following
manner:
a.Recyclables Net Processing Expense.The 2019 Rate Year Recyclable Materials processing
rate revenue category is set at $680,000 and is calculated as the product of a projected
17,000 tons of Recyclable Materials to be collected by the Collector from the Franchisors’
Group in Rate Year 2019, times a net Recyclable Materials processing cost of $40 per ton,
which is set and shall be adjusted annually, in both Base Years and Indexed Years, as
described below. Under no circumstances will the Collector charge a net Recyclable
Materials processing cost to the Franchisors’ Group that would exceed the net Recyclable
Materials processing cost charged by the Collector or its affiliates to any other agency
whose Recyclable Materials are delivered to the Marin Recycling Center.Recyclables Net
Processing Expense shall be forecasted in the following manner:
i.Rate Year 2019 Net Recyclable Materials Processing Cost Per Ton:The net
Recyclable Materials processing cost of $40 per ton is set to incentivize the
Collector to maximize revenues from the sale of Recyclable Materials and is
calculated as the difference between the per ton Recyclable Materials processing
costs (set at $202.00 per ton for Rate Year 2019) and the per ton Recyclable
Materials revenue (set at $162.00 per ton for Rate Year 2019) for the Marin
Recycling Center.
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
12
The Collector’s Rate Year 2019 per ton Recyclable Materials processing cost
amount of $202.00 is calculated as 90% of the projected Recyclable Materials
processing cost (90% of a projected $5,611,111 yielding $5,050,000 in
incentivized processing cost) divided by the projected total tons of Recyclable
Materials processed at the Marin Recycling Center (set at 25,000 tons for Rate
Year 2019), rounded to the nearest cent. $5,050,000 divided by 25,000 tons is
$202.00 per ton. The Collector’s Rate Year 2019 per ton Recyclable Materials
revenue amount of $162.00 per ton is calculated as 90% of projected Recyclable
Materials sales revenues (90% of a projected $4,500,000 yielding $4,050,000 in
recycling revenues) divided by the projected total tons of processed Recyclable
Materials (set at 25,000 tons for Rate Year 2019), rounded to the nearest cent.
$4,050,000 divided by 25,000 tons is $162.00 per ton.
ii.Annual Adjustments in Net Recyclable Materials Processing Cost Per Ton:The
Rate Year 2019 $5,050,000 incentivized Recyclable Materials processing cost for
the Franchisors’ Group shall increase annually by the annual change in the
Consumer Price Index for Water and Sewer and Trash Collection, U.S. city
average, Bureau of Labor Statistics Series I.D. CUSR0000SEHG between the Index
value for June of the current year and the corresponding Index value for June of
the prior year,rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percent,rounded to the
nearest dollar.
For example, using the same 3.43% increase shown in Section III.A. below, the
Rate Year 2020 incentivized processing cost for the Franchisors’ Group would be
$5,223,215. That amount shall be divided by the number of all tons of Recyclable
Materials processed at the Marin Recycling Center from July 1 of the Prior Rate
Year through June 30 of the Current Rate Year. As a sample calculation, if the
Marin Recycling Center processes 26,000 tons of Recyclable Materials between
July 1, 2018 and June 30 of 2019, then the Collector’s Rate Year 2020 per ton
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
13
Recyclable Materials processing cost would be $5,223,215 divided by 26,000 tons,
equaling $200.89 per ton.
The Rate Year 2020 per ton Recyclable Materials revenue amount shall be
calculated based on 90% of the total revenue received by the Marin Recycling
Center in the categories of “Salvage Support (Processing Fee Income)”, “Salvage
Income (Buyback Scrap, Paper, Plastics, Aluminum, Glass)”, “Redemption Income
–Plastics, Aluminum, Glass (Net of Buyback Purchases)”, “Sales Adjustments
(Other Salvage Income)” and “Miscellaneous Income (Other Redemption Income-
State)” from July 1 of the Prior Rate Year through June 30 of the Current Rate
Year. The total of those revenues shall be divided by the number of all tons of
Recyclable Materials processed at the Marin Recycling Center during that same
time period, yielding the same number of tons as calculated for the per ton
Recyclable Materials processing cost, above. For example, using the same
example of 26,000 tons from July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019, and a
placeholder example of $4,500,000 in total revenue received in the categories
stated above, the Collector’s Rate Year 2020 per ton Recyclable Materials
revenue amount would be $4,500,000 times 90% divided by 26,000 tons,
equaling $155.77 per ton.Based on the examples shown above, the Collector’s
Rate Year 2020 net Recyclable Materials processing cost would be $200.89 per
ton minus $155.77 per ton, equaling $45.12.Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a)
Salvage Income for Paper shall be reduced by non-processed paper brokerage
sales for third parties, and (b) the calculation will not include income or tons from
recyclable materials processed for third parties or agencies that were not
customers of the Collector or the Marin Recycling Center as of December 31,
2018.
iii.Revisions to Incentivized Recyclable Materials Processing Cost:The Franchisors’
Group and Collector agree that the methodology to incentivize the Collector to
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
14
maximize revenues from the sale of Recyclable Materials described herein
(specifically the use of 90% of costs and 90% of revenues) is appropriate given
current market conditions. However, in the event that markets for Recyclable
Materials change substantially resulting in two (2) consecutive Rate Years of
annual decreases or increases of 10% or greater in the total revenue received by
the Marin Recycling Center in the categories of “Salvage Support (Processing Fee
Income)”, “Salvage Income (Buyback Scrap, Paper, Plastics, Aluminum, Glass)”,
“Redemption Income –Plastics, Aluminum, Glass (Net of Buyback Purchases)”,
“Sales Adjustments (Other Salvage Income)” and “Miscellaneous Income (Other
Redemption Income-State)” between July 1 of the Prior Rate Year and June 30 of
the Current Rate Year, then the Franchisors’ Group and Collect or agree to
mutually consider necessary and appropriate revisions to the incentive
mechanism described herein. Such revisions would be considered inasmuch as
they would maintain fair and equitable cost to Franchisors’ Group rate-payers
while continuing to provide incentives for the Collector to maximize efficiencies
and the amount of revenue generated from the sale of Recyclable Materials. Any
change in the incentive methodology as described herein would be via
Amendment to the Agreement. In addition, in a Rate Year subject to a Base Year
approach only, the Collector may propose to update the Recyclable Materials
processing cost component based on changes in its costs to process Recyclable
Materials.
b.Forecasted Interest Expense for the Rate Year shall be based on the Collector’s actual
interest from its loan amortization schedules for actual and projected capital expenditures
for services under this Agreement.
c.Zero Waste Marin (JPA) Fees Expense for the Rate Year shall be based on the tons
collected in the Franchisors’ Group Members for the period determined and rate established
by the JPA.
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
15
d.Forecasted Other Agency Fees Expense.Forecasted Other Fees expense (including the
Vehicle Impact Fee and additional Other Fees not based on tonnage as they may be
implemented throughout the Term) for the Rate Year shall be calculated using the
appropriate methodology and the forecasted values.
7.Forecasted Revenues at Current Rates.Collector shall provide detailed forecasts of revenues
at current rates and subscription levels,with no adjustments for bad debt or projected
migration or service level changes.
8.Forecasted Other Revenues.Forecasted other revenues for the Rate Year shall include
revenues received by the Collector from related and third parties from the use of assets
(including but not limited to vehicles and transfer station equipment) or provision of services
by employees (including but not limited to drivers, operators, and processors).
9.Forecasted Franchise Fees Expense.Forecasted Franchise Fees expense for the Rate Year
shall be calculated by multiplying the applicable franchise fee percentage by Member (which
are each set to be a percentage of gross rate revenues collected by Collector) times the
projected revenues for each Member for the Rate Year. Projected revenues for the Rate Year
are calculated by multiplying Forecasted Revenues at Current Rates (Step 7, above) times the
Rate Adjustment Factor (calculated in accordance with Section II.C, below). Note that is a
circular calculation wherein:the Rate Adjustment Factor is dependent on the Total Collector’s
Rate Revenue Requirement (calculated in accordance with Step 10, below);the Total
Collector’s Rate Revenue Requirement is dependent on the Forecasted Franc hise Fees;the
Forecasted Franchise Fees are dependent on the Rate Year Revenues,and;the Rate Year
Revenues are dependent on the Rate Adjustment Factor.Because of this circular relationship,
this is best calculated using a computer which can run iterative calculations to resolve this
circular reference and yield accurate calculations for each of the interdependent elements
described in this Section.
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
16
10.Forecasted Total Collector’s Rate Revenue Requirement.Collector’s Total Base Year Rate
Revenue Requirement necessary to perform all the services and pay all fees in the manner
required by this Agreement for the Rate Year shall be equal to the sum of the following:
a.Forecasted annual cost of operations (determined in accordance with Step 4 above);
plus
b.Profit (determined in accordance with Step 5 above); plus
c.Forecasted Other Costs (determined in accordance with Step 6 above); plus
d.Calculated Franchise Fees at projected Rate Year rates (determined in accordance with
Step 9, above); plus or minus
d.Starting with the 2021 Rate Year,the difference between the Prior Rate Year Rate
Revenue Requirement and the total amount of the Collector’s billings to all Franchisors’
Group customers during the Prior Rate Year. The Rate Revenue Requirement for Rate
Year 2019 is $37,826,662.For example, if the total amount of 2019 charges billed by the
Collector to all Franchisors’ Group customers is $37,850,000 then the Rate Year 2021
Rate Revenue Requirement adjustment would be $37,826,662 minus $37,850,000,
yielding negative $23,338, thus decreasing the Rate Year 2021 Rate Revenue
Requirement by $23,338.Likewise,if the total amount of 2019 charges billed by the
Collector to all Franchisors’ Group customers is $37,700,000 then the Rate Year 2021
Rate Revenue Requirement adjustment would be $37,826,662 minus $37,700,000,
yielding positive $126,662, thus increasing the Rate Year 2021 Rate Revenue
Requirement by $126,662.
C.Rate Adjustment Factor.The Rate Adjustment Factor shall be calculated overall for the
Franchisors’ Group and individually by Member via the following:
1.Total Forecasted Revenues, which are calculated as the sum of Forecasted Revenues at
Current Rates (Step 7, above) and Forecasted Other Revenues (Step 8, above); minus
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
17
2.The Total Collector’s Rate Revenue Requirement for the coming Rate Year for each Member
(inclusive of calculations of Franchise Fees and Other Agency Fees for each Member).
3.The difference between the Total Forecasted Revenues minus Total Collector’s Rate Revenue
Requirement will equal either a negative Shortfall (requiring a rate increase) or a positive
Surplus (requiring a rate decrease).
4.The Rate Adjustment Factor is calculated by dividing the Shortfall or Surplus by Forecasted
Revenues at Current Rates. For example, using overall Franchisors’ Group amounts as shown
in Attachment 1 to this Exhibit B:
Total Forecasted Revenues =$34,337,374 in Revenues at Current Rates +
$207,272 in Forecasted Other Revenues =$34,544,646.
Surplus or Shortfall =$34,544,646 in Total Forecasted Revenues minus
$37,826,662 in Total Collector’s Rate Revenue Requirement for the Rate Year =
Shortfall of $3,282,016.
Rate Adjustment Factor = Shortfall of $3,282,016 divided by $34,337,374 in
Revenues at Current Rates =9.56%Rate Adjustment Factor (as an increase to
rates).
D.Adjustment of Rates.Each rate approved for the Current Rate Year by each Member shall be
multiplied by the Rate Adjustment Factor for each Member to calculate the effective rate for the
Rate Year by Member.
III.DETERMINATION OF COLLECTOR’S INDEXED RATE REVENUE
REQUIREMENT
The Indexed Year application shall clearly document Collector’s calculation of Collector’s Indexed Year
Rate Revenue Requirement and rate adjustment based on the methodology described in this Section III.
Collector's Indexed Year Rate Revenue Requirement shall equal the sum of the forecasted amounts for
the categories set forth in this Section III, each of which shall be calculated in accordance with the
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
18
procedures set forth below.The Franchisors’ Group and the Collector have agreed after thorough review
that the Rate Year 2019 monthly service rates to be set by the Members and charged and billed by the
Collector are necessary to collect rate revenues for the following rate revenue categories, yielding a total
Rate Year 2019 Base Year Rate Revenue Requirement of $37,826,662. Amounts shown below are 2019
totals for the Franchisors’ Group as a whole and for each Member.Percentages of Total Operating
Revenue by Member shall be used in allocating rate revenue elements (except for Franchise Fees and
Other Agency Fees)to the Members and shall remain fixed until the next Base Year application.
A.Collector Operations.The Collector Operations rate revenue category for the Rate Year consists
of the sum of the following categories as described below:
Marin
Franchisors'
Group Total
San Rafael Larkspur County LGVSD Ross
Percentage of Total Operating Revenue 100.00%63.53%15.97%9.93%8.50%2.08%
Collector Operations 23,795,090 15,116,267 3,799,434 2,362,401 2,022,075 494,914
Fuel and Oil True-up 80,477 51,124 12,850 7,990 6,839 1,674
Garbage Landfilling and Organics Processing 4,084,811 2,594,951 652,234 405,544 347,122 84,960
Garbage Landfilling and Organics True-up 17,597 11,179 2,810 1,747 1,495 366
Subtotal for Profit Calculation 27,977,975 17,773,521 4,467,328 2,777,682 2,377,531 581,914
Collector Profit 2,936,915 1,865,729 468,946 291,580 249,575 61,085
Recyclable Materials Processing 680,000 431,982 108,578 67,511 57,785 14,143
Recycling Losses 117,475 74,628 18,758 11,663 9,983 2,443
Interest 541,131 343,763 86,404 53,724 45,985 11,255
Zero Waste Marin Fees 381,250 242,196 60,875 37,851 32,398 7,930
Franchise Fees 3,978,060 2,338,487 638,199 750,459 145,154 105,761
Other Agency Fees 1,213,857 443,600 568,400 201,857 --
Total 2019 Rate Revenue Requirement 37,826,662 23,513,906 6,417,488 4,192,327 2,918,411 784,531
2019 Rate Revenues by Category
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
19
1.Labor expense
2.Benefits expense
3.General and administrative expense
4.Depreciation and lease expense
5.Maintenance expense
6.Fuel and oil expense
7.Fuel and disposal true-ups, which apply only to the Rate Revenue Requirements for Rate Years
2019, 2020 and 2021 (whether calculated under the Base Year approach or Indexed Year
approach). The total Rate Revenue Requirement for each of these Rate Years will include
$98,074 to account for prior Collector true-ups on costs for fuel, oil, and disposal (with no
further revenue for prior true-ups being collected via the rates or due to the Collector).
The Collector Operations rate revenue category (not including the fuel and disposal true-ups for
2019 through 2021)increases annually from the Prior Rate Year,whether such category for the
Prior Rate Year was determined by the Base Year approach or the Indexed Year approach,by the
percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for Water and Sewer and Trash Collection, U.S.
city average, Bureau of Labor Statistics Series I.D. CUSR0000SEHG, subject to a minimum increase
of 2.5% and a maximum increase of 5.0%. The percentage change is calculated by dividing the
Index value for June of the current year by the Index value for June of the prior year, rounded to
the nearest hundredth of a percent.
For example, the Rate Year 2020 Collector Operations rate revenue category shall be the product
of the 2019 Collector Operations rate revenue category of $23,795,090 times the Index value in
June of 2019 divided by the Index value in June of 2018 (which was 236.869), rounded to the
nearest dollar. If the Index value in June of 2019 is 245.000,then the Rate Year 2020 Cost of
Operations rate revenue category shall equal $23,795,090 times 245.000 divided by 236.869,
which is $24,611,904 (a 3.43% increase over the Prior Rate Year).
B.Garbage Landfilling and Organics Processing.The Rate Year 2019 Garbage Landfilling and
Organics processing rate revenue category is set at $4,102,408 and is calculated based on the sum
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
20
of the products of the projected Rate Year 2019 Franchisors’ Group tons and the per ton tipping
fees for the following categories: residential garbage,residential green waste/organics,
commercial garbage,commercial mixed waste for processing,commercial food scraps,and
Franchisors’ Group waste delivered to the Collector and Franchisors’ Group clean-ups delivered
to the Collector. This sum is reduced by the product of the projected Rate Year 2019 non-
regulated (non-Franchisors’ Group)tons times the per ton credit for hauling of those tons.
The total of the above for Rate Year 2019 is $4,084,810, to which $17,598 is added to account for
prior year cost true-ups (applicable only in Rate Years 2019, 2020 and 2021), yielding $4,102,408
in 2019. The specific tons and per ton rates used for the basis of the Rate Year 2019 calculation
are shown below.
Residential garbage 10,824 tons times $57.33 per ton
Residential green waste/organics 17,575 tons times $50.72 per ton
Commercial garbage 27,497 tons times $57.33 per ton
Commercial mixed waste for processing 9,615 tons times $96.91 per ton
Commercial food scraps 2,133 tons times $23.46 per ton
Franchisors’ Group waste2 2,043 tons times $96.91 per ton
Credit for hauling non-regulated tons 7,856 tons times $23.35 per ton
The Collector shall use the same methodology to calculate the Garbage Landfilling and Organics
Processing revenue category amount for each Rate Year after the 2019 Rate Year by using the
annualized actual tons by category shown above for the first six months of the Current Rate Year
subject to reasonable adjustments for anticipated changes as the basis for projecting tons for the
coming Rate Year. For example, the Collector shall use tons in the above categories from January
1, 2019 to June 30, 2019 as the basis for projecting tons for Rate Year 2020, and so forth. The
Collector shall multiply the projected tonnages by the actual per ton tipping fees for each category
for the coming Rate Year, if available; if actual per ton tipping fees for the coming year are not
available for any category, then the Collector will project the coming year per ton tipping fees for
such categories by increasing the actual per ton tipping fee in the Current Rate Year by the annual
2 This tonnage includes waste collected from municipal facilities, parks and cans as well as illegally dumped
material.
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
21
percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for Water and Sewer and Trash Collection, U.S.
city average, Bureau of Labor Statistics Series I.D. CUSR0000SEHG between the Index value for
June of the current year and the corresponding Index value for June of the prior year,rounded to
the nearest hundredth of a percent, subject to a minimum increase of 2.5% and a maximum
increase of 5.0%.
C.Collector Profit.The Collector Profit rate revenue category is calculated based on the sum of the
Collection Operations (per Section III.A. above and including fuel and disposal true-ups in Rate
Years 2020 and 2021)and Garbage Landfilling and Organics Processing (per Section III.B. above)
for the Rate Year, divided by 0.905 and subtracting the same sum, rounded to the nearest dollar.
For example, if the sum of Collector Operations and Garbage Landfilling and Organics Processing
for the Rate year is $29,000,000 then the Collector Profit rate revenue category shall be
$29,000,000 divided by 0.905 (yielding $32,044,199), minus $29,000,000, equaling $3,044,199.
D.Recyclable Materials Processing.The Recyclable Materials Processing rate revenue category for
each Rate Year shall be calculated in accordance with Section II.B.6.a.above.
E.Interest.The Interest rate revenue category shall be increased in the same manner as Collector
Operations, in accordance with Section III.A. above.
F.Franchise Fees.The Forecasted Franchise Fees category for the Rate Year shall be calculated in
accordance with Section II.B.7.above.
G.Other Agency Fees.The Forecasted Other Agency Fees category (including the Vehicle Impact Fee
and additional Other Fees as they may be implemented throughout the Term) for the Rate Year
shall be calculated in accordance with Section II.B.9. above.
H.Zero Waste Marin (JPA) Fees.The Zero Waste Marin (JPA) Fees category amount for each Rate
Year shall be calculated based on the amounts of Zero Waste Marin (JPA) Fees in the Current Rate
Year times the percentage increase in Zero Waste Marin (JPA) Fees to be paid by the Collector in
the Rate Year.
I.Recycling Losses.Apply only to the Rate Revenue Requirements for Rate Years 2019, 2020 and
2021 (whether calculated under the Base Review approach or Indexed Year approach). The total
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
22
Rate Revenue Requirement for each of these Rate Years will include $117,475 to account for prior
Collector losses on the processing of Recyclable Materials (with no further revenue for prior
recycling losses being collected via the rates or due to the Collector).
J.Annual Rate Revenue Reconciliation.The annual rate revenue reconciliation for each Rate Year
shall be calculated in accordance with Section II.B.10.d. above.
K.Collector’s Total Rate Revenue Requirement for Rate Year.Collector’s Total Rate Revenue
Requirement for the Rate Year shall be equal to the sum of the amounts calculated in accordance
with subsections A through J of this Section III.The Total Rate Revenue Requirement shall be
calculated overall for the Franchisors’ Group and individually by Member to account for the
varying Franchise Fees and Other Agency Fees for each Member.
L.Rate Adjustment Factor.The Rate Adjustment Factor for the Rate Year shall equal the Total Rate
Revenue Requirement for each Member (inclusive of calculations of Franchise Fees and Other
Agency Fees for each Member)for the Rate Year divided by the Total Rate Revenue Requirement
for each Member for the Current Rate Year, rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percent.For
example, if the 2020 Total Rate Revenue Requirement, calculated in accordance with subsections
A through J, above, is $38,500,000, then dividing that amount by the Rate Year 2019 total Rate
Revenue Requirement of $37,826,662 yields a Rate Adjustment Factor,effective January 1, 2020,
of an increase of 1.78%overall for the Franchisors’ Group, with individual adjustments being
calculated individually by Member.
M.Adjustment of Rates.Each rate approved for the Current Rate Year by each Member shall be
multiplied by the Rate Adjustment Factor for each Member to calculate the effective rate for the
Rate Year by Member.
IV.RATES FOR CHANGES IN SCOPE, CHANGES IN LAW,
CHANGES IN FEES, EXTRAORDINARY COSTS
In the event of any Change in Scope or Change in Law (each as described below) that results in an increase
or decrease in the Collector’s costs or revenues,in the event of an Extraordinary Cost Increase (as defined
below),or in the event of any Change in Fees (as described below),an appropriate adjustment will be
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
23
made in the rates in order to compensate,to the maximum extent possible, for such increase or decrease
in costs, revenues or Fees,commencing from the date(s) such increase or decrease first occurs while
maintaining the Collector’s Profit (as defined in this Exhibit B).Any rate adjustment due to a Change in
Scope,a Change in Law or an Extraordinary Cost Increase shall be in the reasonable discretion of the
Franchisors’ Group.
“Change in Scope” shall mean any change in the services provided by the Collector under the Agreement
or under the franchise agreement between the Collector and any other Member of the Franchisors’ Group
(“Other Franchise Agreement”), whether proposed by the Collector or by such Member.
“Change in Law” shall mean the enactment, adoption, promulgation, issuance, modification or written
change in any law, regulation, order or judgment of any governmental body that affects the Collector’s
performance of services under the Agreement or under any Other Franchise Agreement, including,
without limitation, the issuance of final regulations under existing laws, such as SB 1383.
“Change in Fees” shall mean any change in franchise fees, vehicle impact fees and other fees charged to
the Collector by any governmental agency in connection with the services provided by the Collector under
the Agreement or any Other Franchise Agreement, including, without limitation, Franchise Fees, Other
Agency Fees, Zero Waste Marin (JPA) Fees, the cancellation of any existing fees, and the adoption of any
new fees.
“Extraordinary Cost Increase” shall mean a substantial increase in the Company’s operating or capital
costs or expenses that is outside of the Company’s control but not due to a Change in Scope or Change in
Law.
In the case of a Change in Scope,a Change in Law or an Extraordinary Cost Increase,the Collector shall
provide the Franchisors’ Group with projected operational, cost and revenue data reflecting the entire
financial effect of such Change or Increase, including any change in the Collector’s Profit. The Franchisors’
Group reserves the right to require that the Collector supply any additional operational, cost and revenue
data, or any other information it may reasonably need,to ascertain the appropriate financial impact of
the Change or Increase and any necessary adjustment to rates resulting from such Change or Increase.
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE
ADJUSTMENT
24
Rate adjustments for a qualifying Change in Scope or Change in Law, for a Change in Fees,or for an
Extraordinary Cost Increase shall take effect as of the beginning of the next Rate Year; provided, however,
that, in the case of any Change in Fees charged by the Franchisors’ Group or by any agency that is a
member of the Franchisors’ Group, the rate adjustment shall take effect as of the effective date of such
Change in Fees.The underlying service, cost, revenue or Fee changes supporting any rate adjustment
under this Section IV will be added to the appropriate category under Sections II and III above for purposes
of future rate adjustments.
Any rate adjustment under this Section IV that results from a Change in Scope, Change in Law,Change in
Fees or Extraordinary Cost Increase affecting fewer than all the Members of the Franchisors’ Group may
be imposed on only the rate-payers of such affected agency or agencies in amounts necessary to
compensate the Collector for the financial effects of such Change or Increase.
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE ADJUSTMENT
25
63.53%15.97%9.93%8.50%2.08%100.00%
Current 2018 MFG Rate Revenue San Rafael Larkspur County LGVSD Ross MFG Total
MFG Rate Revenue at Current 2018 Rates 21,377,071$5,880,740$3,828,411$2,539,274$711,878$34,337,374$
Less: MFG Franchise Fees on 2018 Rate Revenue (2,137,707)(588,074)(689,114)(25,000)(96,495)(3,536,390)
Less: MFG Vehicle Impact and Sweeping Fees (443,600)(568,400)(201,857)--(1,213,857)
Operating Revenue at Current 2018 Rates 18,795,764 4,724,266 2,937,440 2,514,274 615,383 29,587,127
2019 MSS Operating Expense
Labor 6,167,373 1,550,153 963,850 824,998 201,923 9,708,297
Benefits 3,070,854 771,851 479,919 410,782 100,541 4,833,947
Garbage Landfilling and Organics Processing 2,606,130 655,044 407,291 348,617 85,326 4,102,408
General and Administrative 2,046,209 514,309 319,786 273,718 66,994 3,221,016
Depreciation and Leases 1,766,157 443,919 276,019 236,256 57,825 2,780,176
Maintenance 1,367,897 343,817 213,778 182,981 44,786 2,153,259
Fuel and Oil 748,900 188,234 117,040 100,179 24,519 1,178,872
2019 MSS Operating Expense (Subject to Profit)17,773,520 4,467,327 2,777,683 2,377,531 581,914 27,977,975
2019 MSS Revenue Requirement
2019 MSS Operating Expense (Subject to Profit)17,773,520 4,467,327 2,777,683 2,377,531 581,914 27,977,975
Operating Profit (90.5% Operating Ratio)1,865,729 468,946 291,580 249,575 61,085 2,936,915
Recyclables Processing 506,610 127,335 79,174 67,768 16,587 797,474
Interest 343,763 86,404 53,724 45,985 11,255 541,131
Zero Waste Marin Fees 242,196 60,875 37,851 32,398 7,930 381,250
2019 MSS Revenue Requirement 20,731,818 5,210,887 3,240,012 2,773,257 678,771 32,634,745
2019 MFG Pass Through Costs
Projected 2019 MFG Franchise Fees 2,338,487 638,199 750,459 145,154 105,761 3,978,060
MFG Vehicle Impact and Street Sweeping Fees 443,600 568,400 201,857 --1,213,857
Projected 2019 MFG Pass Through Costs 2,782,087 1,206,599 952,316 145,154 105,761 5,191,917
2019 MFG Revenue Requirement
2019 MSS Revenue Requirement 20,731,818 5,210,887 3,240,012 2,773,257 678,771 32,634,745
2019 MFG Pass Through Costs 2,782,087 1,206,599 952,316 145,154 105,761 5,191,917
2019 MFG Revenue Requirement 23,513,905 6,417,486 4,192,328 2,918,411 784,532 37,826,662
2019 Revenue Shortfall at Current 2018 Rates
MFG Rate Revenue at Current 2018 Rates 21,377,071 5,880,740 3,828,411 2,539,274 711,878 34,337,374
Non-Regulated Revenue 129,039 35,498 23,110 15,328 4,297 207,272
2019 Revenue at Current 2018 Rates 21,506,110 5,916,238 3,851,521 2,554,602 716,175 34,544,646
Less: 2019 Revenue Requirement (23,513,905)(6,417,486)(4,192,328)(2,918,411)(784,532)(37,826,662)
2019 Revenue less 2019 Rate Revenue Requirement (2,007,795)(501,248)(340,807)(363,809)(68,357)(3,282,016)
2019 Rate Increase Percentage 9.39%8.52%8.90%14.33%9.60%9.56%
2019 Revenues After Rate Adjustment
Calculated 2019 Rate Revenue 23,384,866 6,381,988 4,169,218 2,903,083 780,235 37,619,390
Non-Regulated Revenue 129,039 35,498 23,110 15,328 4,297 207,272
Projected 2019 Revenue at Adjusted Rates 23,513,905 6,417,486 4,192,328 2,918,411 784,532 37,826,662
2019 MFG Revenue Requirement 23,513,905 6,417,486 4,192,328 2,918,411 784,532 37,826,662
Marin Sanitary Service
2019 Rate Application - Marin Franchisors' Group (MFG)
Expense Allocation (Percentage of Total Operating Revenue)
Attachment 1 to Exhibit B: Sample Format of Rate Application:Base Year Application
EXHIBIT B
COLLECTOR'S RATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATE ADJUSTMENT
26
Marin
Franchisors'
Group Total
San Rafael Larkspur County LGVSD Ross
Percentage of Total Operating Revenue 100.00%63.53%15.97%9.93%8.50%2.08%
Collector Operations 24,675,509 15,675,569 3,940,013 2,449,810 2,096,891 513,226
Fuel and Oil True-up 80,477 51,124 12,850 7,990 6,839 1,674
Garbage Landfilling and Organics Processing 4,291,484 2,726,244 685,234 426,063 364,685 89,259
Garbage Landfilling and Organics True-up 17,597 11,179 2,810 1,747 1,495 366
Subtotal for Profit Calculation 29,065,067 18,464,116 4,640,907 2,885,610 2,469,910 604,525
Collector Profit 3,051,029 1,938,222 487,167 302,909 259,272 63,458
Recyclable Materials Processing 654,116 415,539 104,445 64,941 55,586 13,605
Recycling Losses 117,475 74,628 18,758 11,663 9,983 2,443
Interest 561,153 356,483 89,601 55,712 47,686 11,671
Zero Waste Marin Fees 400,313 254,306 63,919 39,743 34,018 8,326
Franchise Fees 4,146,018 2,438,544 663,689 781,998 151,392 110,395
Other Agency Fees 1,213,857 443,600 568,400 201,857 --
Total 2020 Rate Revenue Requirement 39,209,027 24,385,438 6,636,886 4,344,433 3,027,847 814,423
Total 2019 Rate Revenue Requirement 37,826,662 23,513,906 6,417,488 4,192,327 2,918,411 784,531
2020 Rate Revenue Adjustment 3.65%3.71%3.42%3.63%3.75%3.81%
EXAMPLE 2020 Indexed Rate Adjustment Calculation
Attachment 1 to Exhibit B: Sample Format of Rate Application:Indexed Year Application
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The City Council of the City of San Rafael will hold a public hearing:
PURPOSE: Public Hearing: To consider two actions concerning the City’s
agreement with Marin Sanitary Service for Refuse Collection
and Recycling:
1) A request by Marin Sanitary Service for a rate increase for
refuse collection and recycling services and adoption of a
Resolution setting maximum rates for the year 2019; and
2) Adoption of a Resolution amending the agreement,
including the institution of a new rate setting methodology,
elimination of the recycling reserve fund, and certain other
changes.
DATE/TIME/PLACE: Monday, December 17, 2018, at 7:00 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers, 1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: You may comment on the proposed Resolution. The
City Council will consider all public testimony and will
then decide whether to approve the Resolution.
IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND: You may send a letter to City Clerk, City of San Rafael,
P.O. Box 151560, San Rafael, CA 94915-1560. You may also
hand deliver a letter to the City Clerk prior to the meeting.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: You may contact Cory Bytof, Sustainability and Volunteer
Program Coordinator, at (415) 485-3407. Office hours are
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL
/s/ LINDSAY LARA
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk