SWAG agenda 052015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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X Odum Conclusion: Barring a continuous year -long design, it is our opinion that the snapshot provides the best information about proportionate usage by in -town and out -of -town residents, and at present we see no compelling evidence that a second snapshot is likely to be different than the one from January 2015. Should the SWAG wish to proceed with the July survey prior to construction, notwithstanding the recommendation from the Odum Institute, staff is prepared to begin planning for the execution of the survey immediately. It is estimated that the cost for such a survey would be about $22,500. No funds were budgeted for this survey in the proposed FY 2015 -16 Solid Waste budget due to Odum Institute advice. Staff Recommendation: Delay SWCC surveys until Eubanks Road SWCC construction is complete and new usage patterns stabilized and consider surveying other programs below. • 24 -hour Recycling Drop -off Sites Staff also anticipates conducting user surveys at the five 24 -hour recycling drop -off sites. However, based on the discussion surrounding the upcoming construction of Eubanks Road there is a strong likelihood that established user patterns at these drop -off sites will be altered because recycling will not be available at the temporary site during construction, making the results of questionable usefulness. Staff has not yet obtained a cost estimate for a drop -off site survey and would propose to use the Odum Institute. A survey at drop -off sites is likely further complicated by the question of when are the best times to survey as sites are open continuously and as they accessible from more than one direction making how to control sampling is a challenge. Thus if there is an attempt to gain a useful sample at these sites, it could be more complex than those surveys conducted at the SWCCs. Staff will require Odum Institute assistance for these surveys. Staff Recommendation: Delay 24 -hour recycling drop -off site surveys until Eubanks Road SWCC construction is complete and usage patterns stabilized. • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW In order to continue making progress toward providing valuable user information over the period where further surveying of convenience centers and drop -off sites is delayed it would be possible to conduct a user survey of the two HHW facilities. This survey could be developed and a survey began in the summer of 2015. Staff has not engaged the Odum Institute with regard to HHW surveys but could do so if the SWAG was amenable. Alternatively, it is anticipated that existing staff could perform the survey without the Odum Institute involvement given the rather controlled and uncomplicated nature of this program. The purpose of the survey would be to determine the number of users from incorporated and unincorporated areas of the county. While no funds were specifically budgeted for this survey the cost would be less than a convenience center or drop -off site survey and funds could be identified to perform the work. Staff estimates a cost less than $5,000 for in -house managed survey. If the Odum Institute is utilized a budget of about $15,000 would be necessary. Staff Recommendation: Direct county staff to begin planning for a survey of HHW program users and to keep the SWAG briefed on progress, with a final report to be presented during FY 2015 -16. A full 30 day survey could be managed by County staff with a report to the SWAG for a November 2015 meeting.