Summary
To: Town Commission
From: Stefan Massol, Director of Support Services
Date: 6/15/2021
______________________________________________________________________
Subject:
Discussion of Solid Waste Collection and Recycling Draft Report
Summary:
The town engaged Kessler Consulting to complete a Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Analysis for the Town of Belleair. This report reviews the Solid Waste collection program for curbside residential recycling and presents options for consideration while moving forward.
The Town currently has an opportunity to streamline their operations without considerable additional personnel or equipment. With the consideration of performing the curbside recycling collection service in-house, and the transition of garbage collection to match this type of collection, the Town could perform all services required without the need for an additional staff person, or an increase to their fleet size.
This would in effect reduce annual costs based upon efficiency of operations while also effectively reducing the annual Solid Waste budget by the costs currently incurred through the contract with Clearwater. By rolling this service into the operations provided, the Town can purchase the two Automated Side Loaders (ASL) required to provide curbside service while no longer needing the two rear loaders currently in service for this purpose, keeping the fleet size at four vehicles. This would also keep one vehicle in operation for collection and one as a redundant back up for times when one ASL needs service or maintenance.
This also reduces the need for additional staffing in the immediate future. Due to the ASLs requiring a crew of one instead of two, the current four-person crew utilized by the Town can be designated with one operator for automated collection, one back up operator (who can assist on rear load operations but will primarily fill in to meet service requirements), and two assigned to a rear loader for ancillary collection activities such as Yard Waste and Bulky Waste pickup. This model is effective in managing operations due to potential staffing shortages as well as time off for vacation and sick time.
Based upon projected costs and depending on the Town’s financial ability to manage the initial transition costs of new vehicles and carts, this change in service would reduce overall cost for the Town and show a return on the Town’s investment in seven years. This transition would also reduce safety concerns for Solid Waste personnel going forward associated with manual solid waste collection and transitioning the Town to a more modern collection system.
End
Body
Expenditure Challenges: Please see draft document for details on expenditures.
Recommendation: No recommendation at this time, this item is only for reviewing the draft document.
Proposed Motion: No proposed motion at this time, this item is only for reviewing the draft document.