Santa Monica Approves Public/Private Partnership Concept for Transfer and Recycling Services
GBB-Recommended Partnership Expected to Improve Infrastructure and Increase Diversion Rate

(Fairfax, VA – June 23, 2008) - Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. (GBB) announced today that the Mayor and City Council of Santa Monica, CA, conceptually approved a public/private partnership for transfer and recycling services that will help the City increase diversion rates and improve its infrastructure for handling solid waste and recyclables.  The unanimous approval of GBB's recommendations triggers the next stage of negotiations based on the current Preliminary Term Sheet that provides for SCD and Allan Company (Allan) to provide transfer services and recycling services, respectively.

"This public/private partnership represents a great opportunity for the City of Santa Monica," noted Harvey Gershman, GBB President. "We are flattered by the positive comments received from Council members after our presentation, which highlighted our recommendations and the supporting data behind our position."

Over the past three years, GBB has assisted the City in a multi-year review of solid waste operations, which included a procurement process for transfer, recycling and disposal services. In October 2007, the City Council reviewed the results of the extensive request for proposal process and directed staff to explore two options: one in which the City provided transfer services and one in which it would be provided by a private company. Since that time, the City, assisted by GBB, has held extensive discussions with SCD and Allan to explore a potential partnership.

"The effort by the City of Santa Monica to modernize its solid waste recycling and disposal through a public private partnership extends back a full decade," said P. Lamont Ewell, Santa Monica City Manager.  "A renewed effort by the City with professional guidance and support from GBB over the past two years has brought us to the goal line.  We have an executed Preliminary Term Sheet with which to finalize Service Agreements so that implementation can go forward with our private partners.  The City looks forward to its solid waste and recycling infrastructure becoming a model for decades to come."

Under the preliminary public/private partnership agreement, the City of Santa Monica will collect waste and recyclables in the City and deliver them only to SCD and Allan, respectively. It will also design and construct a recycling building and operating scales for receiving recyclables. Allan will supply and install recycling equipment, along with receiving, processing and marketing the recyclables. Materials revenues will be shared with the City. SDC will expand and improve its existing transfer station in order to receive, load and transfer waste to City-designated disposal facilities. It will also provide all equipment for movement and transport of residue.

Advantages of the partnership include making maximum use of the existing private facility; avoiding duplication of transfer capability; enclosing recycling processing in a building, thereby reducing environmental impact; reducing total capital investment required by the City; retaining ownership of all improvements located on City property; providing the ability to receive and process selected commercial waste loads for greater City diversion and recyclable revenues; lowering cost per ton transferred; and possibility of receiving a Host Fee for all non-City waste transferred.

Video stream of the presentation to the City Council and a detailed City staff report are available at: santamonica.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=973, Item 8-B.

Santa Monica, with a population of approximately 84,000, covers 8.3 square miles with a balance of vibrant commercial districts and neighboring residential communities. It is bordered by the City of Los Angeles on three sides and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

GBB is a national solid waste management consulting firm founded in 1980 that works on solid waste collection, processing, recycling and disposal issues, and assists in planning, procuring and implementing sound, cost-effective facilities and services at the local, state and national levels for both the public and private sectors. For more information on the firm and its products and services, visit www.gbbinc.com or call 1-800-573-5801.

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