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Council approves purchase of Kern County land for biosolids handling; litigation and cost questions noted
Summary
The council approved acquisition of property in Kern County to handle city biosolids after a staff report saying the site remains usable even if Kern County's ordinance survives litigation; council members asked about alternatives and costs.
The Los Angeles City Council approved the purchase of a property in Kern County on Feb. 22 intended for biosolids (treated sewage sludge) management, with council discussion noting ongoing litigation with Kern County and higher-cost alternatives.
Why it matters: The city faces options for handling biosolids produced at its Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant. Staff said the selected Kern County site offered lower hauling costs than alternative sites, and that the property would be usable even if a Kern County ordinance governing biosolids were ultimately upheld in litigation.
What the record shows: - Public speaker David Shapiro noted the city is spending heavily on wastewater processing and raised questions about trucking biosolids to Kern County. During council discussion Bureau of Sanitation Director Judy Wilson said hauling to Kings County would cost about $28 per ton versus an expected $21.50 per ton to the Kern County site; the higher cost would be roughly $1 million a year more. - The city attorney reported litigation is ongoing challenging the Kern County ordinance; even if the ordinance is upheld, staff told the council the selected property would remain usable for Class A biosolids and would not be subject to the county road fee. - Councilmember Chick asked about litigation status and alternatives; staff said alternatives further away offered higher trucking costs.
Action taken: With a minor amendment to routing escrow payment through First American Title Company, the council approved the acquisition (recorded vote 13 ayes) and instructed staff to proceed under the amended terms.
Clarifying points: Staff emphasized the Kern County site was the lower-cost option presented and noted the city's legal challenge to the county ordinance is ongoing. No settlement or final litigation outcome was recorded at the Feb. 22 meeting.
Quote from the record: "Alternatives to Kern County are ones that are further away and more expensive," said Judy Wilson, director of the Bureau of Sanitation. "To haul to Kings County which would accept our biosolids happily would be $28 a ton versus the $21.5 a ton that we expect to be to pay for hauling to this site."
