Carmel approves regional MOU with Regen for solid-waste franchise planning, shares cost of $76,374

Carmel-by-the-Sea — The City Council on Oct. 6 adopted a memorandum of understanding with the Monterey Regional Waste Management District (doing business as Regen Monterey) to participate in a regional solid-waste franchise planning effort and approved the city's $76,374 cost share for the five-year planning period.

Staff said the city's share — shown in the MOU as $76,374 — is the city's allocation of a regional planning budget distributed equally among seven participating agencies. The work will include public surveys, stakeholder meetings and council presentations; HF&H Consultants was the only full proposal submitted to the regional selection committee and was recommended for the work.

"The timeline is that since [the current franchise] is going to be expiring, we need to start planning for that franchise process now," a staff presenter said. Regen representative Zoe Schoetz told the council solid-waste franchise planning is specialized and that Regen and member agencies sought proposals from four firms; ultimately one full proposal was received. Emily Hanson of HF&H said the firm intends to provide a transparent regional process that leaves future procurement options open, including negotiation with the incumbent provider or competitive procurement.

The resolution approving the MOU (staff packet reference: Resolution 2025-086) passed on a unanimous roll call. Council members said they were comfortable with Regen and the consultant; one council member noted the regional approach could yield cost efficiencies and allow member agencies to compare the incumbent's pricing with alternatives.

Council direction: adopt the MOU and participate in the regional franchise planning process; staff to coordinate with Regen and HF&H and return with updates as milestones are reached.