Title
Environmental Management Department recommending adoption of Resolution 279-2008 promoting existing recycling services and implementing a seasonal green waste collection event within the Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal Franchise Area. (Refer File 08-1293, Spec. Mtg 8-18-08)
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BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: There is no change in Net County Cost.
Background: At the Board of Supervisors Workshop on August 18, 2008, the Board of Supervisors gave direction to the Environmental Management Department to research and return to the Board on October 7, 2008 with a status report and recommendation regarding the feasibility of increasing residential (curbside) recycling through a programmatic approach by franchise
area. Based upon the findings of the NewPoint Group Solid Waste Rate and Services Study, the Environmental Management Department submitted a letter to Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal (TTSD) requesting that they provide the Environmental Management Department with a written plan to place regional drop boxes along with other ideas for enhanced recycling programs within the TTSD franchise area. The letter also requested that the plan include a timeline of no later than January 1, 2009. (Attachment A)
Reason for Recommendation: On September 2, 2008, the Environmental Management received a written response from TTSD regarding their proposal for an enhanced recycling program. The Environmental Management Department reviewed in detail the proposal submitted by TTSD and requested that TTSD provide further information regarding the proposed program and rate structure. The remote location of many of TTSD's residential customers, and the steep slopes within the franchise area make garbage carts an unattractive option. Bears are a huge problem within the franchise area and regional drop boxes attract bears. TTSD has placed regional drop boxes in various locations in the past. The boxes have been abused and the surrounding areas have become dump sites. Keeping these circumstances in mind, the Environmental Management Department requested that TTSD look into providing their residential customers with a community clean up day for green waste.
The final proposal for the enhanced recycling program is detailed below. (Attachment B)
Blue Bag Recycling Program
This program will proceed unchanged. TTSD currently, and will continue to, initially provide their residential customers with a set number of blue bags. Once those bags have been used, residential customers then purchase bags for recycling from a local vendor. These bags are then placed beside the garbage cans for pickup.
Green Waste Recycling Program
TTSD will hold a free green waste recycling collection event.
Educational materials promoting the existing blue bag recycling program and the newly offered green waste collection event are being developed and will be reviewed by the Environmental Management Department prior to their distribution.
The NewPoint Group provided a comprehensive review of the proposed enhanced recycling program and determined that the proposal provided was highly consistent with the service enhancement recommendations contained in Section 9 of the Solid Waste Rate and Service Study. In addition, they supported the incremental service enhancements and the County's efforts to advance its overall residential refuse, recycling, and yard waste collection system. (Attachment C)
Rate Analysis:
TTSD did not identify any rate increases as a result of implementing the green waste recycling program as detailed in their final proposal. The final proposal for the enhanced recycling program for the TTSD Franchise Area includes maintaining the rates identified below:
Residential |
Current Rate |
1 32g Can |
$15.95 |
1 64g Cart (2, 32 carts) |
$21.76 |
1 96g Cart |
N/A |
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However, TTSD requested a general rate increase. The Environmental Management Department has requested additional information to substantiate the rate increase request. Upon review of the requested information, as appropriate a duly noted public hearing will be scheduled to address the rate request.
Action to be taken following Board approval: Adopt Resolutionn and forward to the Department for processing.
Contact: Gerri Silva, MS, REHS, Environmental Management Director
Concurrences: