To: Board of Supervisors
From: Transportation
Meeting Date: September 22, 2020
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Department Contact: |
Supervisor Ted Williams |
Phone: |
463-4221 |
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Department Contact: |
Howard N. Dashiell |
Phone: |
463-4363 |
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Item Type: Regular Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: 30 Minutes |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Matters of Solid Waste Collection in the Town of Mendocino (Town of Mendocino Area)
(Sponsor: Transportation)
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Provide direction to staff on matters of solid waste collection in the Town of Mendocino (Town of Mendocino Area).
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
None.
Summary of Request:
In recent months, several county departments as well as the Fifth District Supervisor have begun receiving complaints of overflowing trash receptacles in the Town of Mendocino and waste strewn about on the sidewalks and streets, creating a health and safety issue. Upon investigation and internal discussion, it has become apparent there are several correlated but separate contributing factors. There are currently twenty-six public trash receptacles located within the Town of Mendocino that have been historically serviced by Empire Waste Management (EWM) under the Franchise Agreement for Solid Waste Collection Area Number Two. Collection occurs twice weekly May through September and once weekly the remainder of the year. The cost of this service is factored into the service rates for the collection area. The source of the waste problem appears to be a combination of illegal household dumping, receptacles filling up more quickly due to a sudden increase in to-go containers, and the design of the receptacles.
As a short-term solution to the over-flowing receptacles, Department of Transportation (DOT) has authorized a third weekly collection through the end of September, with a total overall cost of approximately $3,000. This may help to alleviate the problem through the end of the peak tourist season. DOT plans to request a first quarter budget adjustment in Budget Unit 4510 (Solid Waste) to cover the cost of this temporary solution. Per the terms of the Franchise Agreement, after September 30th, the collection would normally be reduced from two days to one day. DOT has requested information from EWM regarding the feasibility and cost of adding an additional day of collection during the off-season.
Another contributing factor is the design of the receptacles. The current design allows for easy access by birds and other animals, which frequently spread the waste onto the sidewalks or streets. Additionally, the current non-locking receptacles can be opened and waste spread by people most likely searching for recyclables. DOT is working on an estimate of the cost to add locks to the receptacles and has requested from EWM an estimate of any additional cost to unlock and lock receptacle during pickup. Once these costs are known, the Board may consider replacing the receptacles with a better design or altering the current ones. Replacement would most likely require approval by the Mendocino Historical Review Board. Another topic related to the receptacles themselves is they could benefit from regular maintenance and cleaning, which currently is not occurring. The Board may want to consider options for contracting maintenance of the receptacles.
Lastly, illegal dumping of household waste next to the receptacles appears to be a large contributor to the issue. To curb illegal dumping, some municipalities have implemented mandatory collection in certain areas. Other municipalities have removed public trash receptacles altogether. Both strategies have proven effective in some areas and warrant discussion.
The current Franchise Agreement will expire on June 30, 2021, and at that time will be rebid or renegotiated. In the short term, the Board may consider funding some of the additional costs; however, as a long-term solution, some of the costs and services could be negotiated into the next Agreement with a new rate structure to cover the cost of the additional services.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Take no action on matters of solid waste collection in the Town of Mendocino.
Supervisorial District: District 5
vote requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: N/A
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: N/A |
budgeted in current f/y: N/A |
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current f/y cost: N/A |
if no, please describe: |
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annual recurring cost: N/A |
revenue agreement: N/A |
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budget clarification: N/A |
Agreement/Resolution/Ordinance Approved by County Counsel: N/A
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CEO Liaison: Steve Dunnicliff, Deputy CEO |
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CEO Review: Yes |
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CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Atlas Pearson, Deputy Clerk I |
Final Status:Direction Given to Staff |
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Date: September 23, 2020 |
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