ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION February 19, 2020 6:30 P.M. Town Lake Center 721 Barton Springs Rd., Austin TX 78704 Assembly Room AGENDA Cathy Gattuso CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Gerry Acuna Ian Steyaert Lisa Barden CALL TO ORDER 1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Amanda Masino Jonathan Barona Melissa Rothrock Kaiba White Speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three‐minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 2. Approval of January 8, 2020 Meeting Minutes 3. OLD BUSINESS a. b. Discussion and Action – Approval November 21, 2019 Special Meeting Minutes Discussion and Action – Impact of Ordinance Change Pursuant to City of Austin Extraterritorial Boundary Revision Discussion and Action – C&D Working Group Sub‐Committee c. 4. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and Action – RCA for Residential Dumpster Service b. Discussion and Action – RCA for Fleet Vehicle Purchase c. Discussion and Action – RCA for Waste Collection at City Facilities d. Discussion and Action‐ Review of ARR Role in assisting with Homeless Encampment Cleanup and overall City of Austin Litter Abatement e. Discussion and Action – Review of the Clean Community Fee and its Impact and Sustainability in Meeting Austin’s growing Litter and Sanitation Challenges. f. Discussion and Action – Review of current Compostable Food Service Containers and Utensil options and information. 5. STAFF BRIEFINGS a. Director’s Report: Climate Action Plan Update, Curbside Textiles Recycling Methods, Compostable Food Service Containers, Solicitations Update, Statistical Reports and Performance Measures, Clean Community Fee, Multifamily Composting Update b. Homeless Encampment Cleanup Update‐ ARR Staff The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Teresa Dixon in the Austin Resource Recovery Department, at 512‐974‐1987, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Zero Waste Advisory Commission, please contact Teresa Dixon at 512‐ 974‐1987. 6. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a. Proposed Food Pantry Recommendation Presentation b. University of Texas 2020 Zero Waste Presentation – Presentation by University of Texas Staff ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to …
Zero Waste Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes January 8, 2020 The Zero Waste Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on January 8, 2020 in Council Chambers in City Hall in Austin, Texas. The following are the meeting highlights. For detailed information, please visit http://www.austintexas.gov/cityclerk/boards_commissions/meetings/97_1.htm. CALL TO ORDER Chair Acuna called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Gerry Acuna, Cathy Gattuso, Ian Steyaert, Melissa Rothrock, Amanda Masino, Kaiba White. Absent are: Jonathan Barona, Ian Steyaert. Staff in attendance: Ken Snipes, Tammie Williamson, Richard McHale, Victoria Rieger, Gena McKinley, Andy Dawson, Gabriel Gonzalez, Lori Scott, Scott Long, Marcus Gonzalez, Amy Slagle. 1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Jeffrey Jacoby signed up to speak. He thanked the Commission for their resolution on November 21st. 2. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Chair Acuna entertained a motion. Commissioner Masino moved for approval. Seconded by Commissioner Gattuso. Item did not pass on a 5-0-1 vote. Commissioner Barden abstained. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION 3. OLD BUSINESS 3a. Discussion and Action – Impact of Ordinance Change Pursuant to City of Austin Extraterritorial Boundary Revision Jon White, Travis County, talked about the recently amended Solid Waste Siting Ordinance. Mr. White explained that the recent amendment fixed some contradictions that had been in the original 2003 ordinance. Mr. White said that as the ordinance was being re-worked, Travis County and the City of Austin had agreed to release extraterritorial jurisdiction over lands around the Waste Management site. Mr. White said that although the [Waste Management site] were going to continue operations, future activities would not be permitted because it’s the longstanding position that the City and County both have a longstanding position for waste disposal activities at [the Waste Management] location to end. Chair Acuna asked how this affects us in meeting the needs and goals of our city master plan, expanding household hazardous waste opportunities and diversion. Mr. White said that it does allow for potential sites to be developed elsewhere in the county, but the ordinance is more adapted to add transfer stations than landfills. Commissioner Masino asked what the boundaries were of the siting ordinance. Mr. White said it was North of 290 (Blue Goose Road), and the limits were to west where railroad and creek are; within half a mile. Chair Acuna asked for clarification, if it would impede the city’s ability to identify a household hazardous …
Zero Waste Advisory Commission Special Meeting Minutes November 21, 2019 The Zero Waste Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on November 21, 2019 in Council Chambers in City Hall in Austin, Texas. The following are the meeting highlights. For detailed information, please visit http://www.austintexas.gov/cityclerk/boards_commissions/meetings/97_1.htm. CALL TO ORDER Chair Acuna called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Gerry Acuna, Cathy Gattuso, Ian Steyaert, Melissa Rothrock, Amanda Masino, Kaiba White. Absent are: Jonathan Barona, Lisa Barden Staff in attendance: Ken Snipes, Sam Angoori, Tammie Williamson, Richard McHale, Victoria Rieger, Gena McKinley, Andy Dawson, Donald Hardee, Gabriel Gonzalez, Lori Scott, Scott Long, Marcus Gonzalez, Amy Slagle. 1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No citizens signed up to speak. 2. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Chair Acuna entertained a motion. Commissioner Gattuso moved for approval. Seconded by Commissioner Rothrock. Passed on a 6-0 vote. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION 3. OLD BUSINESS 3a. Discussion and Action – Impact of Ordinance Change Pursuant to City of Austin Extraterritorial Boundary Revision This item was tabled until January. 4. NEW BUSINESS 4a. Discussion and Action – Proposed 2020 ZWAC Calendar Dates Chair Acuna entertained a motion. Commissioner White moved for approval. Seconded by Commissioner Rothrock. Passed on a 6-0 vote. 4c. Discussion and Action – Create a Working Group to Discuss and Assist with the Development and Implementation of Composting at Multifamily Properties Commissioners Rothrock, Gattuso, White, Masino, and Barona volunteered for the Composting Multifamily Working Group. Chair Acuna moved for approval of the Composting Multifamily Working Group. Seconded by Commissioner White. Motion passed on a 6-0 vote. 4b. Discussion and Action – Proposed Travis County Facility Expansion Chair Acuna proposed a recommendation on the proposed Travis County Facility Expansion and the challenges posed to aviation. Chair Acuna entertained a motion. Commissioner Gattuso moved to accept the recommendation. Commissioner Steyaert seconded. Commissioner Masino proposed a friendly amendment to change: “…varmint and birds of prey…” to “…to attract birds that could present a hazard to air travel…”. Recommendation passed on a 6-0 vote. 5. STAFF BRIEFINGS 5a. Director’s Report: Styrofoam Processing Grant, Aviation Department Bird Strike Data, City of San Antonio and McAllen Fine System Review, Solicitations Update, Statistical Reports and Performance Measures Richard McHale, ARR, presented the Director’s Report. Commissioner Masino wanted to know more information about how the bird data is collected. Chris Moret, Aviation, presented a …
COUNCIL DATE: 04/09/2020 CITY OF AUSTIN RECOMMENDATION FOR COUNCIL ACTION VENDOR: TEXAS DISPOSAL SYSTEMS, INC. SUBJECT: Authorize award and execution of a multi-term contract with Texas Disposal Systems, Inc., to provide residential dumpster collection services, for up to five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $2,100,000. MBE/WBE: This solicitation was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9C Minority Owned and Women Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program. For the services required for this solicitation, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established. LEAD DEPARTMENT: Purchasing Office CLIENT DEPARTMENT(S): Austin Resource Recovery FISCAL NOTE: Funding in the amount of $210,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Operating Budget of Austin Resource Recovery. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. PURCHASING: The Purchasing Office issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB) 1500 SLW1028 for these services. The solicitation issued on September 16, 2019 and it closed on October 22, 2019. Of the three offers received, the recommended contractor submitted the lowest responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bids received, is available for viewing on the City’s Financial Services website, Austin Finance Online. Link: Solicitation Documents PRIOR COUNCIL ACTION: FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Inquiries should be directed to the City Manager’s Agenda Office, at 512- 974-2991 or AgendaOffice@austintexas.gov NOTE: Respondents to this solicitation, and their representatives, shall continue to direct inquiries to the solicitation’s Authorized Contact Person: Sandy Wirtanen, at 512-974-7711 or sandy.wirtanen@austintexas.gov. BOARD AND COMMISSION ACTION: February 12, 2020 – To be reviewed by the Zero Waste Advisory Commission. ADDITIONAL BACKUP INFORMATION (RCA BODY) The contractor will provide collection, transportation, maintenance, and cleanup of refuse materials generated by residential multi-unit customers located within specific areas of Austin. Based on considerations of health, safety, customer access, and convenience of collections, certain multi-unit residential properties within the city have been determined to be best suited for dumpster services rather than individual City-provided cart services. The contractor will provide all the necessary dumpsters/containers, staff, labor, vehicles, and equipment to perform these services. The current contract expires June 1, 2020. The requested authorization amount was determined using a departmental estimate based on historical spend and future usage. Revised 3/2018 1
COUNCIL DATE: 03/26/2020 CITY OF AUSTIN RECOMMENDATION FOR COUNCIL ACTION VENDOR: VARIOUS SUBJECT: Authorize negotiation and execution of cooperative contracts through the Houston-Galveston Area Council; Sourcewell; Local Government Purchasing Cooperative, administered by Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. (BuyBoard); and Texas Multiple Award Schedule cooperative purchase programs with various contractors, to provide vehicles and equipment, each for up to five years for total contract amounts not to exceed $289,000,000, divided among the contractors. MBE/WBE: These procurements were reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2- 9D Minority Owned and Women Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program. For the goods required for these procurements, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established. LEAD DEPARTMENT: Purchasing Office CLIENT DEPARTMENT: Fleet Mobility Services FISCAL NOTE: Funding in the amount of $26,263,500 is available in the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Capital Budget of various City departments. Funding in the amount of $385,310, is available in the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Operating Budget of various City departments. Funding for the remaining contract terms is contingent upon funding in future budgets. PURCHASING: Multiple cooperative purchase programs were reviewed for these goods. The Purchasing Office has determined these cooperative purchase programs best meet the needs of the department to provide the goods required at the best value for the City. PRIOR COUNCIL ACTION: FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Inquiries should be directed to the City Manager’s Agenda Office, at 512- 974-2991 or AgendaOffice@austintexas.gov or to John Hilbun, at 512-974-1054 or john.hilbun@austintexas.gov BOARD AND COMMISSION ACTION: February 12, 2020 – To be reviewed by the Zero Waste Advisory Commission; March 9, 2020 – To be reviewed by the Electric Utility Commission; March 11, 2020 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. ADDITIONAL BACKUP INFORMATION (RCA BODY) These contracts will provide Fleet Mobility Services the ability to purchase new and replacement vehicles, trailers, and equipment. These items will be added to the City’s fleet for use by various departments. The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC), Sourcewell, Local Government Purchasing Cooperative, administered by Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. (BuyBoard), and Texas Multiple Award Schedule (TxMAS) cooperatives establish competitively bid contracts that can be utilized by the State and other government agencies through a cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements save taxpayer dollars by leveraging volume-buying power to drive down costs on hundreds of contracts through a streamlined cooperative purchasing program. These contracts offer the lowest prices for …
COUNCIL DATE: 2/20/20 CITY OF AUSTIN RECOMMENDATION FOR COUNCIL ACTION VENDOR: WASTE MANAGEMENT OF TEXAS INC SUBJECT: Authorize negotiation and execution of an emergency contract with Waste Management of Texas Inc., to provide collection, transportation, processing, and disposal of refuse, recycling, brush, and compostable materials generated by City facilities, for up to one year in an amount not to exceed $1,068,000. MBE/WBE: Contract is exempt from the City Code Chapter 2-9C Minority Owned and Women Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established. LEAD DEPARTMENT: Purchasing Office CLIENT DEPARTMENTS: All City departments FISCAL NOTE: Funding is available in the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Operating Budget of various City departments. PURCHASING: Public Health and Safety Emergency PRIOR COUNCIL ACTION: FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Inquiries should be directed to the City Manager’s Agenda Office, at 512- 974-2991 or AgendaOffice@austintexas.gov or to Sandy Wirtanen, at 512-974-7711 or sandy.wirtanen@austintexas.gov. BOARD AND COMMISSION ACTION: February 5, 2020 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. February 12, 2020 – To be reviewed by the Zero Waste Advisory Commission. ADDITIONAL BACKUP INFORMATION (RCA BODY) The short-term contract will provide collection, transportation, processing, and disposal of refuse, recycling, brush, and compostable materials generated by City facilities for a period of six months until a new citywide contract can be executed. Austin Resource Recovery does not provide waste collection services to City facilities due to the type of equipment required. Under this contract, most collection containers will be serviced on a weekly basis, with some sites utilizing roll-off containers, compactors, and balers that will be serviced as-needed. Additionally, the contract will provide services for the management and disposal of industrial Class 2 and non-hazardous special wastes for Austin Energy (AE), as well as for other departments as needed. AE manages several facilities and work sites that generate non-hazardous liquid and solid wastes, generally through routine maintenance activities. In order to comply with federal, state, and local regulations, AE requires the turn-key services of a waste disposal contractor to transport and dispose of the industrial Class 2 and non-hazardous special waste generated. The current contract for these services expires on February 28, 2020. A solicitation for a new citywide contract for these services is currently under way and this temporary contract will prevent a lapse of these services until this new contract is in place. As the current provider of these services, the contractor is …
To: Zero Waste Advisory Commission From: Ken Snipes, Director Austin Resource Recovery Date: February 19, 2020 Climate Action Plan Update Subject: Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission The Office of Sustainability is updating Austin's Community Climate Plan. The goal of this update is to identify actions that local government, businesses, and community members can undertake in the next 10 years that will help Austin reach its goal of reducing as many global warming emissions as created by 2050. City staff, including representatives from Austin Resource Recovery, will host five workshops that coincide with the five advisory groups working on the Climate Plan Update. The “Climate Change and Consumption Community Workshop” will have discussion related to Austin’s zero waste efforts. Transportation Electrification Community Workshop; February 4th from 5:30‐8pm at Austin Energy Town Sustainable Buildings Community Workshop; February 8th from 2‐4:30pm at Huston‐Tillotson University ‐ Lake Center ‐ Assembly Room 130 Dickey‐Lawless Science Building Natural Systems Community Workshop; February 11th from 5:30‐8pm at the Carver Library Auditorium Transportation and Land Use Community Workshop; February 13th from 5:30‐8pm at the Carver Library Climate Change and Consumption Community Workshop; February 22nd from 10:30‐1pm Location has not Auditorium been determined More information at: austintexas.gov/climateplan Curbside Textile Recycling Methods In regards to questions raised at the previous ZWAC meeting, we are providing the following clarification with regards to the curbside textile program: The proposed program is an on‐call collection program that accepts textiles and other gently used household goods. The term “gently used” applies to “household goods” other than textiles, as the contract allows for donations of other materials as well. The description has been modified to read: The proposed program is an on‐ call collection program that accepts textiles and other household goods. For clarity, section 3.1 of the contract states: All marketing shall state that Textiles are acceptable in any condition (except wet or infested materials) for collection and shall encourage residents to use the program to recycle damaged, torn, or stained Textiles. Regarding the process for recycling textiles, once material is collected through the curbside collection program, it is sent to one of the retail thrift stores throughout Central Texas. If the material doesn’t sell within approximately four weeks, it will then go to one of two outlet centers within Austin and given a chance to sell by the pound. If the material doesn’t sell …
To: Zero Waste Advisory Commission From: Ken Snipes, Director Austin Resource Recovery Date: February 19, 2020 Climate Action Plan Update Subject: Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission The Office of Sustainability is updating Austin's Community Climate Plan. The goal of this update is to identify actions that local government, businesses, and community members can undertake in the next 10 years that will help Austin reach its goal of reducing as many global warming emissions as created by 2050. City staff, including representatives from Austin Resource Recovery, will host five workshops that coincide with the five advisory groups working on the Climate Plan Update. The “Climate Change and Consumption Community Workshop” will have discussion related to Austin’s zero waste efforts. Transportation Electrification Community Workshop; February 4th from 5:30‐8pm at Austin Energy Town Sustainable Buildings Community Workshop; February 8th from 2‐4:30pm at Huston‐Tillotson University ‐ Lake Center ‐ Assembly Room 130 Dickey‐Lawless Science Building Natural Systems Community Workshop; February 11th from 5:30‐8pm at the Carver Library Auditorium Transportation and Land Use Community Workshop; February 13th from 5:30‐8pm at the Carver Library Climate Change and Consumption Community Workshop; February 22nd from 10:30‐1pm Location has not Auditorium been determined More information at: austintexas.gov/climateplan Curbside Textile Recycling Methods In regards to questions raised at the previous ZWAC meeting, we are providing the following clarification with regards to the curbside textile program: The proposed program is an on‐call collection program that accepts textiles and other gently used household goods. The term “gently used” applies to “household goods” other than textiles, as the contract allows for donations of other materials as well. The description has been modified to read: The proposed program is an on‐ call collection program that accepts textiles and other household goods. For clarity, section 3.1 of the contract states: All marketing shall state that Textiles are acceptable in any condition (except wet or infested materials) for collection and shall encourage residents to use the program to recycle damaged, torn, or stained Textiles. Regarding the process for recycling textiles, once material is collected through the curbside collection program, it is sent to one of the retail thrift stores throughout Central Texas. If the material doesn’t sell within approximately four weeks, it will then go to one of two outlet centers within Austin and given a chance to sell by the pound. If the material doesn’t sell …
Zero Waste Advisory Commission Special Meeting Minutes February 19, 2020 The Zero Waste Advisory Commission convened in a special meeting on February 19, 2020 in the Town Lake Center Assembly Room in Austin, Texas. Following are the meeting highlights. For detailed information, please visit http://www.austintexas.gov/cityclerk/boards_commissions/meetings/97_1.htm. CALL TO ORDER Chair Acuna called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:42 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Gerry Acuna, Cathy Gattuso, Ian Steyaert, Amanda Masino, Kaiba White, Jonathan Barona, Lisa Barden Absent are: Melissa Rothrock Staff in attendance: Director Ken Snipes, Assistant Director Tammie Williamson, Assistant Director Richard McHale, Victoria Rieger, Gena McKinley, Mike Turner, Andy Dawson, Richard Avila, Lori Scott, Scott Long, Marcus Gonzalez, Amy Slagle, Ron Romero, Brent Paige, Rick Harland (Fleet) Speakers: Adam Gregory, Jeffrey Jacoby, Bobby Gregory, Scott Johnson, Ryan Hobbs 1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Scott Johnson- Mattress recycling; coordinated with Houston Furniture Bank and requests consideration of mattress recycling pilot or program. Assistant Director Richard McHale: there is an RFP on mattress recycling issued and closed, under evaluation. 2. Approval of January 8, 2020 Meeting Minutes Modifications: Commissioner Gattuso approves, seconded by Masino. Unanimous. Ian absent; Lisa Barden in Attendance. Change minutes to November. 3a. Approval November 21, 2019 Special Meeting Minutes. Gattuso approves, Ian seconds. Unanimous 3b. Impact of Ordinance Change Pursuant to City of Austin Extraterritorial Boundary Revision The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Teresa Dixon in the Austin Resource Recovery Department, at 512-974-1987, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Zero Waste Advisory Commission, please contact Teresa Dixon at 512- 974-1987. Citizen communication: Adam Gregory, Texas Disposal Systems, requests that ZWAC recommend to Council to recommend treating landfills equally. 3c. C&D Working Group Sub-Committee: Per Commissioner White, Austin Community Climate Plan updating; one of the advisory groups is sustainable buildings, which is an opportunity for engagement. Sustainability office has information about climate plan update and calendar online. Deferred for future participation; possibly Commissioner Steyaert and Commissioner Gattuso may participate in the future. 4a. Discussion and Action – RCA for Residential Dumpster Service Ron Romero, ARR Division Manager, …
