Agenda - 12-06-2010 - 7c - Laserfiche WebLink

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Changes in design, sta.ffing and location are intimately connected to operations issues — Should all centers have identical hours? Should some have extended hours? Should at least some centers be open on a rotating basis? Should some centers have more services than others and function as district centers while others are smaller neighborhood centers? Should all centers compact a11 wastes, or should some centers accept only MSW while some accept larger and bulky items using heavier compaction equipment to densify the loads. Finally the issue of how to fund the needed expansion of hours and materials, designs and changes is critical because the current funding levels do not a11ow any expansion of hours, services or locations or improved operations while increased traffic demands that these changes be made sooner rather than deferred. In the past fiscal year several services were eliminated and operating hours reduced over 30%due to current budget problems. Additional operating costs result from increased site maintenance, wear and tear on overused small open top dumpsters that fill with water and gravel surfaces that must be continually regarded and pot holes refilled. Work Grouu Recommendation on Solid Waste Convenience Center future desi�n, location, oneration and funding The Work Group reviewed nutnerous scenarios for future Solid Waste Convenience Center design, location and funding and received a lot of public input and has recommended to the BOCC: • a district/neighborhood arrangement with • two lazger district centers at the existing sites at Walnut Grove Church Road and Eubanks that have a full suite of services including expanded materials collection to include at least textiles, cooking oil, food waste and LCMs, and • three neighborhood centers at existing sites at Bradshaw Quarry Road, Ferguson Road and High Rock that have fewer services but are more convenient to the more rural areas. • Use of annual household fees for part or all of the fiscal needs of convenience center operations A variety of financing options were also reviewed that included continuing to rely mostly on the general fund or switching to reliance on a variety of types of fees including gate fees,per bag fees and, annual household fees The Work Group recommended a scenario that relied on some level of annual household fee to finance both current operation and new capital needs. The potential impact on the general fund tax burden is not yet obvious. Means to levy such a fee could be tied to the current 3-R Fee billing structure. Financing the SWCCs is a key decision if any improvements are to be made and it seems imperative to make them. • Re�ulatory and economic incentives to promote waste reduction. As corollaries to implementing expanded recycling collection programs, regulations and incentives can optimize program results by driving greater usage. Orange County began residential curbside cardboard collection in November 2008 and banned it from the garbage in March 2009. Now cardboard is less than 2%of residential waste. Similar bans could be implemented along with economic incentives such as Pay As You Throw waste collection. In the short run,there appears to be little political interest in PAYT at this 46