“Rubberized Asphalt Concrete in Mendocino County”

Mendocino County Public Works agencies (Cities of Willits, Fort Bragg and Ukiah and the DOT) use RAC for their projects for pavement top lift and overlays. City of Willits staff has not implemented this recommendation, but will implement it in a future projects where use of RAC is deemed warranted and reasonable. There are many factors effecting use of RAC, including project design, material availability and relative cost.

Mendocino County Public Works agencies take advantage of the State Tire Recycling Grant funds. City of Willits staff has not implemented this recommendation, but will implement it in a future project where use of RAC is deemed warranted and reasonable. There are many State grant funded projects that are difficult for the City of Willits to administer due to a reduction in City staffing. Often State grant requirements are inflexible and the paperwork reporting is detailed and lengthy. The City of Willits is cautious in pursuing State grants because of experience where reimbursement is slow to be received.

To increase transparency, Mendocino County Public Works agencies clearly state in their bid documents for RAC projects those District permit requirements that could increase the bid prices. City of Willits staff will NOT be implementing this recommendation. The City of Willits does include permit conditions for permits obtained by the City in its bidding documents. However, permits that are the requirement of the Contractor to build a construction project are not the responsibility of the City. It is the contractor’s responsibility to contact permitting agencies and establish necessary costs for permit compliance.

Extensive studies and testing of RAC by numerous government agencies and industry association indicate that there are no significant differences between AC and RAC air emissions. City of Willits staff is not able to confirm or deny this statement.

Extensive studies and testing of RAC by numerous government agencies and industry associations indicate that there is not an issue with RAC regarding odor. City of Willits staff is not able to confirm or deny this statement.

Methods to mitigate any possible RAC odor at the manufacturing plant are to use “warm-mix” RAC, maintaining low temperatures, or inclusion of an “asphalt additive” to the RAC mix. City of Willits staff is not able to confirm or deny this statement.

Mendocino County taxpayers continue to pay the additional costs associated with manufacture and hauling of RAC from outside Mendocino County. City of Willits staff is not able to confirm or deny this statement.