Ongoing Diversion Program Implementation and
Monitoring, and Contract Management Services
1998 - Present
Client Needs
The City of La Quinta retained HF&H Consultants in 1998 to assist in the preparation of their Annual Report to the California Integrated Waste Management Board. Since 1998, HF&H has provided diversion program implementation and monitoring, solid waste contract monitoring, auditing services, and procurement and negotiation services to the City on an ongoing basis.
HF&H Solution
Contracting assistance, which included the assignment of the hauling agreement to a new waste hauler. Additionally, HF&H assisted in the preparation of a new solid waste collection agreement which includes several state-of-the-art diversion programs. HF&H will provide ongoing assistance during the transition of the new agreement to ensure the successful implementation of these new diversion programs.
Verification of requested rate increases. On an annual basis, HF&H verifies the rate increase requests submitted by the City’s franchised hauler by confirming that the disposal cost components are accurately calculated, and reviews the mathematical accuracy of the service component and dump component calculations for the hauler’s proposed rates.
"The City of La Quinta has continuously renewed its contract with HF&H to provide solid waste consulting services since 1998. Through HF&H's consulting services, the City's diversion rate has increased from 42% to 59% during these past several years."
Douglas R. Evans
Director of Community Developmnet
City of La Quinta
Verification of accurate remittance of franchise fees and AB 939 fees. Following the assignment of the solid waste agreement effective July 1, 2006, HF&H performed the following tasks to confirm the accuracy of fees remitted to the City by the new franchised hauler:
Reviewed the hauler’s procedures for segregating La Quinta receipts from other jurisdictions.
Agreed gross receipts to source documents.
Verified the accuracy of the disposal component by agreeing disposal cost and tonnage to supporting reports and evaluating the disposal tonnage for reasonableness.
Verified that the AB 939 fees were being billed in accordance with the Agreement by selecting a sample of residential, commercial and rolloff customers and reviewing the invoices.
Verified the accuracy of the franchise fee and AB 939 fee calculations.
Evaluation of current construction and demolition diversion program. HF&H developed three program alternatives, and for each option HF&H evaluated the advantages and disadvantages to the City, determined the cost and level of staff effort and assisted City staff in the presentation of these alternatives to City Council.
HF&H Service Highlights
Renegotiation of the franchise agreement that increased services without rate increases.
Illegal dumping mitigation assistance through legislative tracking, diversion program research, and public outreach activities.
Contractor compliance assistance.
Verification of waste hauler’s reported fees and tonnage.
Verification of requested solid waste collection rate increases.
Diversion program monitoring.
Preparation of a 5-year trend analysis of the City’s current diversion programs.
Preparation of a revision to the City’s Non-Disposal Facility Element.
Preparation of recycling public education for the City’s website and local newspaper.
Results
Continued compliance with AB 939 – La Quinta has been able to surpass the 50% diversion goal mandated by AB 939
Enhanced diversion programs – HF&H has assisted the City in implementing state-of-art diversion programs
Ensured franchised hauler compliance – bimonthly meetings between HF&H, the franchised hauler and the City ensure that the City’s franchised hauler is in compliance with all of the requirements of the solid waste and recycling collection contract.
