Council approves amendment clarifying hazardous-waste handling in Marborg solid-waste contract

The Buellton City Council voted unanimously to approve a second amendment to the Marborg Industries contract for solid-waste collection after staff clarified how household hazardous waste and certain special disposals will be handled.

Council member Hornick raised questions about whether quarterly household hazardous-waste collection (oil, antifreeze, paint) is part of the contract and whether the city can arrange disposal for wastes the contractor does not accept. A staff member explained the household hazardous-waste drop-off is part of the existing arrangement and that the amendment also makes explicit that some types of hazardous and industrial wastes fall outside Marborg’s scope so the city can contract separately for those specialized disposals.

The discussion also addressed practical questions about use of local transfer-station facilities and whether Buellton residents could bring materials to the Fox and Canyon site or Marborg’s facility in Santa Barbara; staff said Marborg now operates a local facility that accepts Buellton residents and that county resources and the city’s Green Scene pages list other options.

After the clarifications, a motion to approve the amendment was made and carried on a roll-call vote. The council recorded affirmative votes from the five council members present.

The amendment is intended to preserve quarterly household hazardous-waste collection for residents while giving city staff flexibility to secure alternative disposal services for industrial or unusually hazardous materials Marborg does not handle. The council did not vote to change the frequency of household collection during the meeting.

The council moved on to other items after the vote; staff will update contract records and follow up with any operational guidance needed for transfer-station use and resident communications.