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City of West University, TX

City of West University, TX. Automated Residential Collection Feasibility Study. Scott Pasternak Keaton Shuttlesworth October 8, 2012. Presentation Overview. Project Approach Refuse & Recycling Automation Cost to Add Yard Waste Collection Public Outreach Survey Recommendations.

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City of West University, TX

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  1. City of West University, TX Automated Residential Collection Feasibility Study Scott Pasternak Keaton Shuttlesworth October 8, 2012

  2. Presentation Overview • Project Approach • Refuse & Recycling Automation • Cost to Add Yard Waste Collection • Public Outreach Survey • Recommendations

  3. Project Approach

  4. Project Approach • Retained in February 2012 to conduct a feasibility study on two aspects of the solid waste program: • Automation • Determine the feasibility and costs of implementing automated collection • Includes changing from twice per week refuse collection to once per week refuse and recycling collection using rolling carts • YardWaste • Determine the costs of instituting a yard waste service

  5. Recycling & Refuse Automation

  6. Service Comparison

  7. Summary Cost Comparison

  8. RecyclExpress • If the City adopts a cart-based program, it could re-evaluate its need to maintain the RecyclExpress facility: • Carts provide significantly more capacity for residents’ recyclables than bins • RecyclExpress is projected to under-recover approximately $137,515 in FY 2012 • The facility is used primarily by non-residents • Selling the property would result in a significant one-time financial benefit

  9. Key Findings • Based on SAIC’s findings, automation is operationally feasible for the City and provides the following benefits: • Decreases solid waste costs approximately 3.6% • Potentially increases diversion rate from 25% to 30+% • Allows the City to re-evaluate its need for RecyclExpress

  10. Operational Considerations • The City has several areas which will require special consideration if the City transitions to automated refuse and recycling collection. These areas include: • Dead Ends • High Traffic Streets • One Way Streets • Town Homes

  11. Map of Operational Considerations

  12. Cost to Add Yard Waste Collection

  13. Yard Waste Cost Considerations • Per City staff, the City’s previous yard waste program collected between 1,400 and 1,600 tons per year, on average. • SAIC evaluated scenarios based on 1,500 tons and 1,000 tons of yard waste per year. • SAIC assumed a participation rate of 60% (less townhomes).

  14. Yard Waste Costs

  15. Public Outreach Survey

  16. Survey Results • Residents are very satisfied with the City’s current solid waste program • Public opinion is divided over the proposals to move to automated collection and to add yard waste service • Frequency of collection, cart storage, and cart size are among residents’ primary concerns • If residents’ bills did not change: • 64% of residents would either be supportive or neutral to automation • 89% of residents would either be supportive or neutral to adding a separate yard waste service

  17. Recommendations

  18. Recommendations • Either Scenario (Automated or Current Program): • Consider closing RecyclExpress • Utilize a “4/10” collection schedule • Ultimately, the decision to move to automation will be a policy decision. SAIC has highlighted several of automation’s advantages and risks on the next slide.

  19. Automation Advantages & Risks • Advantages: • Opportunity to achieve a 3.6% reduction in costs (and potentially more with the closure of RecyclExpress) • Opportunity to increase diversion rate from 25% to 30+% • Decreased emissions and wear and tear on City streets • Less risk concerning access to labor • Risks: • Change • Possible perception of reduction in service level • Public concern over loss of laborers

  20. Thank You Scott Pasternak, Assistant Vice President 5806 Mesa Dr., Suite 310 | Austin, TX 78731 Tel: 512.651.6405 | Email: Scott.R.Pasternak@saic.com Keaton Shuttlesworth, Consultant 5806 Mesa Dr., Suite 310 | Austin, TX 78731 Tel: 512.651.6429 | Email: Keaton.Shuttlesworth@saic.com Visit us at saic.com

  21. Reference Slides • The following slides may be referred to during the question and answer session.

  22. Detailed Cost Comparison

  23. Implementation Steps

  24. Implementation Steps • SAIC developed a detailed approach to implementing an automated program, which the City can follow should it decide to adopt the program. Steps outlined include: • Service implementation • Container purchase • Ordinance development • Public education

  25. Implementation Timeline

  26. Indirect Costs

  27. Examples of Budgetary Differences • There exist several differences between the City’s and SAIC’s budgets for the current program. Key differences include:

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