Council approves regional RFP process for franchise waste hauler, citing affordability concerns

The Pacific Grove City Council voted unanimously on May 6 to adopt a resolution initiating a competitive, regional request‑for‑proposals process for future solid waste, recycling and organics collection services and to adopt a process‑integrity policy recommended by the Regen Technical Advisory Committee.

HF&H consultant Sarah Perrell reviewed stakeholder engagement for the seven‑agency consortium: a statistically valid survey (450 respondents) showed 93% reported satisfaction with current green‑waste recovery, but affordability consistently emerged as the community’s top priority. Perrell told the council the Regen Monterey facility provides a shared collection yard and organics processing that lowers barriers to entry for potential service providers.

“Affordability did come out on top as the most important priority to the community,” Perrell said, summarizing the survey results and the subgroup’s deliberations.

Representatives from multiple potential providers and stakeholders spoke in the public record. Inga Lawrence (resident) criticized the cost and convenience of current service and urged the council to pursue an RFP. Industry representatives from Waste Management, Republic Services, and GreenWaste each said they would respond to a competitive process and highlighted continuity of frontline staff as a priority. Regen Monterey’s director Zoe Schoetz said the subgroup and Regen board had supported the recommendation and urged local councils to make autonomous decisions.

The subgroup recommended developing an RFP in late 2026, evaluating proposals in 2027, and returning recommendations to elected bodies in early 2028 so a new provider could have a transition period through 2030 when the current agreement expires. The council approved the recommendation and the related process‑integrity policy by unanimous voice vote.

Key numbers and next steps: the engagement survey included 450 respondents; staff said the subgroup expects to issue an RFP in late 2026, evaluate proposals in 2027, and return to councils with recommendations in early 2028. The council asked staff to solicit public input on RFP priorities and to ensure labor protections and continuity of frontline workers are addressed in any future agreement.