Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solid Waste topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mariposa supervisors keep Coulterville and Hornitos transfer stations open, direct staff to craft countywide solid-waste plan
Summary
After a lengthy public hearing and debate, the Board of Supervisors voted to deny proposed closures of the Coulterville and Hornitos transfer stations, keep Don Pedro hours unchanged, authorize fee-schedule alignment, and direct staff to return with a comprehensive solid-waste policy and required upgrades.
The Mariposa County Board of Supervisors voted to block proposed closures of the Coulterville and Hornitos transfer stations and to direct staff to develop a countywide solid-waste policy that considers service equity and long-term financial sustainability.
The decision, reached after a public hearing that drew numerous callers and residents, rejects the Public Works plan to close the two small transfer stations effective July 1, 2025, and instead approved aligning the solid-waste fee schedule and authorizing adjustments to the main Mariposa facility's operating hours while leaving Don Pedro's operating days and times as currently scheduled. Supervisor Manatra moved the motion and Supervisor Toso seconded; the board acted after extended public comment. The board also asked staff to return with a single, comprehensive set of options rather than piecemeal changes.
Why it mattered: residents from Coulterville, Hornitos and Don Pedro urged the board not to remove local drop-off points that they said are necessary for code compliance (recycling and bulky-item drop-off) and for safe, timely disposal. Public Works said the county's solid-waste enterprise fund is not self-sustaining under current operations and that the landfill and transfer stations face compliance and safety issues identified by the contractor and CalRecycle.
What staff reported: Sam (Public Works) told the board that the Coulterville site faces recurring bear damage and safety concerns and estimated an engineered enclosure/regrading and related improvements at roughly $215,000. Don Pedro's retaining-wall and fall-protection upgrades were estimated at about $18,000; Hornitos regrading and culvert replacement about $13,000. Sam also said roll-off containers need replacement (roughly $20,000'$40,000 each) and that Hornitos currently serves 19 account holders; maintaining it at current subsidy levels equates to roughly $660 per year per active customer. Sam noted the R3/Blue Ridge study cost $186,337.50 (ARPA-funded) and that CalRecycle had cited the county with 14 areas of concern and four notices of violation in recent inspections.
Board direction and next steps: the board directed the CAO and Public Works to return with a comprehensive policy package that analyzes system-level options (service level desired, funding approaches, equity between districts and possible subsidies) and implementation costs. The board specifically asked Public Works to identify immediate funds to address existing violations and to include staffing needs (Public Works requested an additional maintenance worker if multiple transfer stations remain open). The action leaves the two small stations open while moving toward a county-level strategy for waste management.
Voices at the dais: Chair said the board should not treat the solid-waste facility as a "silo" and urged a broader policy conversation. Supervisor Poe, reflecting heavy public input, pressed for timely action and said postponing a decision would be unfair to affected residents. Sam emphasized safety and compliance obligations.
What is now expected: staff will develop the countywide policy options and cost estimates, including short-term remediation to address CalRecycle findings; the board will revisit the topic after staff brings back the holistic plan.
