HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 05-6850 - Oppose SB 926 (Florez) re: Prohibit Wastewaster Exporting to Another CountyRESOLUTION NO. 05-6850
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
OPPOSING SENATE BILL 926 (FLOREZ), LEGISLATION THAT WOULD
PROHIBIT A PUBLIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT AGENCY FROM
EXPORTING BIOSOLIDS PROCESSED BY THAT AGENCY TO ANY
OTHER COUNTY.
WHEREAS, the County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (Sanitation
Districts) were created under the County Sanitation District Act in 1923; and
WHEREAS, the Sanitation Districts jointly provide for the regional management of
approximately one-half of the solid waste disposal needs of Los Angeles County and serve the
wastewater disposal needs of over five million people; and
WHEREAS, the Sanitation Districts’ service area encompasses all or parts of 78 cities
and unincorporated areas in the county; and,
WHEREAS, biosolids are the safe, nutrient-rich natural byproduct of wastewater
treatment, which are highly processed and analyzed to ensure their safety; and,
WHEREAS, in exercise of their authority in the area of wastewater management to
provide for the essential public service of management of the biosolids produced as a byproduct
of wastewater treatment, the Sanitation Districts have developed a multi-faceted system of
biosolids management including reuse through production of compost for agricultliral and
consumer use, agricultural land application, and air pollutant reduction in a cement kiln; and,
WHEREAS, the biosolids produced by the Sanitation Districts’ wastewater treatment
plants and used for agricultural land application, compost and other activities meet all iocal,
state, and federal regulatory requirements for environmental protection; and
WHEREAS, the Sanitation Districts strive to promote reuse ofbiosolids to the maximum
extent feasible, and were a pioneer in biosolids reuse through a partnership that began in 1927
with Kellogg Supply, Inc., to recycle dried biosolids for agricultural use as well as to produce a
high quality compost product containing biosolids from the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant
for use by consumers both within and outside of Los Angeles County; and
WHEREAS, SB 926 would severely constrain the Sanitation Districts’ ability to
maximize reuse and recycling ofbiosolids, opportunities for which occur most frequently in
areas where agricultural activities are concentrated; and
WHEREAS, SB 926 would prohibit the Sanitation Districts’ use ofbiosolids
management facilities outside of Los Angeles County, thereby undermining the Districts’ use of
several existing facilities in other counties and several new projects currently under development
in other counties; and
(
WHEREAS, SB 926 ignores the interdependencies of the various regions of California
on each other for the economic and social welfare of the population, including such activities as
RESOLUTION NO. 05-6850
PAGE TWO
energy production, oil refining, transportation (e.g. airports, ports), solid and hazardous waste
management, and interstate and international trade.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DOES
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Urges that the Board of Directors of County Sanitation District No. 2 of
Los Angeles County, on behalf of all the Districts party to the Amended Joint Outfall
Agreement, to strongly opposes SB926, and direct the Chief Engineer and General Manager to
communicate this position of opposition to the Legislature and the Governor of the State of
California.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 26th day of April, 2005.
L'v713.
;-ATTEST:
KATHLEEN L. i\4 !DS-I-OKKE, City Clerk
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was adopted by the City Council of
the City of Downey at a regular meeting held on the 261l1 day of April, 2005, by the following
vote, to WIt:
AYES: 4 Council Members: Gafin, Perkins, Trejo, Mayor Bayer
NOES: 0 Council Member: None
ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Cartozian
ABSTAIN: 0 Council Member: None
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KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk