REGULAR MEETING of the ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION NOVEMBER 9TH, 2022 6:00 PM CITY HALL ROOM 1001 301 W 2ND ST AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the BOARD/COMMISSION may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Yahel Baranovicht at (512) 974-1733 or Yahel.Baranovicht@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Cathy Gattuso (Vice-Chair) Gerry Acuna (Chair) District 10 Albert Swantner District 1 Melissa Caudle District 4 Ian Steyaert District 8 CALL TO ORDER District 5 Melissa Rothrock District 2 Ethan Myers District 6 Ingrid Powell District 9 AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 3 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes of the ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on September 14, 2022. Amanda Masino Mayor Jonathan Barona District 3 Kaiba White District 7 DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Trash in Creeks Presentation – Andrew Clamann DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. URO Update and Proposed Implementation – Jason McCombs 4. Fleet System Enhancement Project Presentation – Marcus Gonzalez 5. 2023 ZWAC Meeting Dates – Ken Snipes DIRECTOR’S REPORT 6. Brush Collection, Solicitations Update, Performance Reports, and Statistical Reports FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans 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 two days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Yahel Baranovicht at Austin Resource Recovery Department, at (512) 974-1733 for additional information; TTY users’ route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Zero Waste Advisory Commission, please contact Yahel Baranovicht at (512) 974-1733 or Yahel.Baranovicht@austintexas.gov.
Item 22-3212 Posting Language ..Title Authorize an amendment to a contract with Employee Owned Nursery Enterprises Ltd d/b/a Organics by Gosh for continued organics processing services, to increase the amount by $1,500,000 for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $5,130,000. (Note: This contract 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 contract, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established). ..Body Lead Department Financial Services Department. Client Department(s) Austin Resource Recovery. Purchasing Language: Contract Amendment. Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $1,073,520 is available in the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Operating Budget of Austin Resource Recovery. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Prior Council Action: October 3, 2019 – Council approved the original contract, item 19, on a 10-0 vote with Council Member Harper-Madison off the dais. For More Information: Inquiries should be directed to Sandy Wirtanen, at 512-974-7711 or sandy.wirtanen@austintexas.gov. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: November 9, 2022 – To be reviewed by the Zero Waste Advisory Commission. Additional Backup Information: The contract is critical for processing organic and food waste material from the City’s curbside compost collection program. Austin Resource Recovery has used funds at a quicker pace than projected due to higher- than-expected price increases as well as a high volume of organic material generated in Fiscal Year 2021 due to the winter storms. The additional funds will be used to cover needs through the remainder of the contract term. ..Strategic Outcome(s) Strategic Outcome(s): Health and Environment. .
Item 22-3371 Posting Language ..Title Authorize negotiation and execution of three contracts for solid waste consultant services with Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc., Newgen Strategies and Solutions, LLC, and Risa Weinberger & Associates, each for a term of five years in an amount not to exceed $500,000, divided between the contractors. [Note: 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]. ..Body Lead Department Financial Services Department. Client Department(s) Austin Resource Recovery. Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $100,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Operating Budget of Austin Resource Recovery. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Purchasing Language: The Financial Services Department issued a Request for Qualification Statements (RFQS) 1500 JTH4011REBID for these services. The solicitation was issued on March 7, 2022 and closed on April 5, 2022. Of the six offers received, the recommended contractors submitted the best evaluated, responsive offers. A complete solicitation package, including a log of offers received, is available for viewing on the City’s Financial Services website, Austin Finance Online. Link: Solicitation Documents. For More Information: Respondents to this solicitation, and their representatives, shall continue to direct inquiries to the solicitation’s Authorized Contact Person: Al Drayton, at 512-974-2298 or alfonso.drayton@austintexas.gov. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: November 9, 2022 - To be reviewed by the Zero Waste Advisory Commission. Additional Backup Information: These contracts provide consulting services in support of Austin Resource Recovery’s (ARR) Zero Waste by 2040. An integral part of the ARR’s Comprehensive Plan is to reduce the amount of trash sent to landfills by 90 percent by the year 2040. These contracts will produce new strategies for managing, reducing and eliminating waste, facility and infrastructure planning, workforce planning, and implementing aspects of the comprehensive plan. These are new contracts and a new initiative. An evaluation team with expertise in this area evaluated the offers and scored Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc., Newgen Strategies and Solutions, LLC, and Risa Weinberger & Associates as the best to provide these services based on demonstrated applicable experience, project approach and methodology, and project management structure. ..Strategic Outcome(s) Strategic Outcome(s): Health and Environment, Government that Works for All.
To: From: Date: Subject: Zero Waste Advisory Commission Ken Snipes Director Austin Resource Recovery November 9, 2022 Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Brush Collection Austin Resource Recovery will begin the On-Call Brush Collection Pilot in January 2023. The pilot was originally scheduled to begin in August 2022 but was delayed until January 2023 so that the On-Call HHW Pilot could be brought online. The On-Call pilot will involve two separate brush routes across the city and customers may schedule up to three brush collections during the pilot. Goals include reducing on route mileage as well as increasing service levels for customers. The pilot will run until the end of 2023 and will have dedicated staff to provide collection. Routes chosen to participate will be temporarily removed from the brush route calendar until the pilot has concluded. All brush debris is taken to the Hornsby Bend where it is processed into mulch and used to make Dillo Dirt for Austin Water. Staff will collect data during the pilot on tonnages collected, and frequency of use and will provide ZWAC with a detailed presentation after the pilot has concluded and data analyzed. ARR Solicitations Update As of October 21, 2022 ZWAC Meeting November 09, 2022 Upcoming Solicitations and Agreements Under Development (in alphabetical order): 1. Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling Collection Services: ILA – The City will provide household hazardous waste, recycling, and other collection services for Travis County households located outside the incorporated limits of the city. 2. Mattress Collection and Recycling Pilot Program: RFP – The Contractor shall develop and implement a mattress and box spring collection and recycling pilot program. No existing contract. 3. Supplemental Brush and Bulk Collection Services: IFB - The Contractor shall provide supplemental brush and bulk debris removal and hauling services throughout Travis County and dispose of the debris at the designated Debris Management Site. Link to the current contract. Solicitations Expected to be Posted Within the Next 90 Days & Published Solicitations: 1. Sale of Trash Carts and Materials for Recycling: IFB – The Contractor shall purchase, transport, and recycle trash carts and materials including carts, lids, and wheels that the City of Austin deems no longer usable. Link to the current contract. Solicitations in Evaluation or Negotiation: 1. Solid Waste Industry Consulting Services: RFQS 1500 JTH4011REBID - This solicitation was posted on March 07, 2022, and closed on April …
ARR’s Fleet System Enhancement Project Transitioning from RMS to the New System Created: CJ Sisco – Customer Service Division Fleet System Enhancement Project Outline • Project Background and Infrastructure • Current System Gaps Description • New System Software Solution Project Background and Infrastructure • • • • In 2017 ARR began the process to replace its 17-year-old SWTS fleet system with Fleetmind RMS To meet ARR’s requirements, RMS had to be integrated with the two City of Austin (COA) systems used by ARR To achieve the integration, an IT infrastructure had to be built to unify all the systems’ workflows using the COA’s Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) interface. Once the infrastructure was completed and the integration was finalized, the project was implemented in October 2021 After the implementation, ARR identified and addressed system gaps that it encountered with the Fleetmind system by creating manual workarounds, which stretched its bandwidth Fleetmind System Gaps Description • ARR conducted a gap analysis that identified the following Fleetmind system gaps (attempts were made to resolve the issues, but they are recurring issues): o When there is an increase in the volume of request, the Fleetmind system goes offline and needs to be restarted. This causes system performance issues o Fleetmind is unable to uniformly update the software on the units due to system downloading issues o The routing functionality is deficient in error handling o When Fleetmind is used in the semi-automated vehicles it’s unable to record pickups from both sides of the street o Fleetmind has limited reporting functionalities and video access / storage New System Software Solution • The ARR/Fleetmind contract ends in FY23. This affords ARR the opportunity to pursue new software technology that will address the current Fleetmind system gaps • ARR researched several fleet software. The goal was to identify a software that could meet the current system demands, with expansion capabilities to meet future needs. And one that could also leverage the existing infrastructure and equipment • The RubiconSmartCity software solution was identified by ARR stakeholders as a software that can meet the department’s needs • The Rubicon software is App and computer accessible. It uses artificial intelligence to optimize routes, offers uniformed software updates and customizable reporting using telematics, it’s cloud base with large storage capacity, it records pickups on both sides of the street, and it’s expandable. Rubicon can integrate with asset management systems, COA systems …
Trash In Creeks: Benchmarking Solution Space and Resources RR-22-02, August 2022 Leila Gosselink, Andrew Clamann and Mateo Scoggins Leila.Gosselink@austintexas.gov Andrew.Clamann@austintexas.gov Mateo.Scoggins@austintexas.gov City of Austin, Watershed Protection Department 505 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas 78704 Abstract At the request of Austin City Council (CIUR 2234), to address prevention and abatement of trash in waterbodies, the Watershed Protection Department (WPD) researched strategies available in literature and reached out to peer municipalities, organizations, and vendors. The City of Austin already implements many of the strategies employed by other entities. While there are novel technologies for the active and passive collection of trash, most have limitations that preclude efficient use in Austin’s setting. Based on the research, recommendations for the City of Austin to address the problem of trash in creeks include a progressive and three-pronged strategy: the physical removal of trash at strategic locations, improved methods to prevent trash from getting to the waterways, and strategies to reduce the quantities of some types of items that typically become trash in our community such as single-use plastics. A companion report “Trash in Creeks: A Field Survey of Trash Intensity and Source Types in Austin, Texas” (RR-22-01) provides a high-resolution characterization of Austin’s trash in creeks problem. Recommendations in this report integrate the findings of the Austin field survey with the results of comprehensive benchmarking. Introduction Due in part to public comments that 1) assert the increase of trash in creeks over time, 2) express concern of micromobility vehicles (i.e. scooters) in waterbodies, and 3) request the reinstatement of the public camping ban, Austin City Council passed Resolution No. 20200123-108 (CIUR 2234) directing the City Manager to “prepare a study with recommendations to improve the ecological health and safety of Austin’s rivers, lakes, and creeks by addressing litter problems, prevention, and abatement in our watersheds…”. The resolution further specified a list of deliverables to address litter problems and illegal dumping of electric micro-mobility devices in waterways. The Environmental Monitoring and Compliance (EMC) Division of the Watershed Protection Department (WPD), in response to one of these deliverables, committed to a research effort to identify practices by peer cities and organizations (nationally and globally) and provide recommendations for actions that Austin could take to substantially prevent and abate litter in our watersheds. RR-22-02 Page 1 of 55 Aug 2022 Litter, overflowing dumpsters at apartments, windblown garbage from the bed of a pickup truck, storm- washed floatables, illegal …
https://arcg.is/0z48bj0 Trash In Creeks: A field survey of trash intensity and source types in Austin, Texas RR-22-01, August 2022 Andrew Clamann, Mateo Scoggins, James Collins, Jeremy Walker City of Austin, Watershed Protection Department. 505 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas 78704. (andrew.clamann@austintexas.gov, mateo.scoggins@austintexas.gov, james.collins2@austintexas.gov, jeremy.walker@austintexas.gov) Abstract The Watershed Protection Department conducted a field survey to understand distribution and sources of trash in creeks to inform solutions. Data points were collected every 30ft for a total of 19,467 observations in 110 miles along 20 creeks from November 2021 to April 2022. Results show that trash intensity does not correlate well with stream position (upstream-to-downstream) which implies that trash does not move evenly through the system, complicating efforts to quantify the relative impact of different sources. Presence of trash is more strongly influenced by stream roughness (primarily riparian vegetation) than by source inputs which presents an opportunity to use these natural “strainers” as locations to periodically remove trash from the system. ArcGIS attributes and linear regression, at the raw data level and aggregated, were used to evaluate relationships between trash intensity and observed point sources such as overflowing dumpsters, illegal dumping, historic dumping, encampments, as well as land attributes such as population, transportation, and land use (e.g., single family residential, multifamily, commercial, parks, etc.). Surprisingly, there were no strong relationships with any of the sources or watershed attributes. This indicates that culpability of trash in creeks should not be directed specifically at any one source, but rather it is the cumulative influence of the Austin community. Spatial analysis indicates that 76% of the total volume of trash was located at only 10% of the observation points. The most encountered items were single use plastic beverage and food containers resonating a global appeal for reduction. A companion report “Trash in Creeks: Benchmarking Solution Space” (RR-22-02) provides recommendations synthesizing the data from this field survey in the context of international strategies to prevent and abate trash in waterways. Introduction Purpose Due in part to public comment asserting an increase of trash in creeks over time, prevalence of scooters thrown in waterbodies and concerns with encampments, the City Council passed Resolution No. 20200123- 108 (CIUR 2234) directing the City Manager “to prepare a study with recommendations to improve the ecological health and safety of Austin’s rivers, lakes, and creeks by addressing litter problems, prevention, and abatement in our watershed.” The resolution further specified a list of …
Trash in Creeks Field Investigation Report and Benchmark Research Study Andrew Clamann ZWQC 11//09/22 Andrew.Clamann@austintexas.gov Mateo.Scoggins@austintexas.gov Leila.Gosselink@austintexas.gov Resolution No. 20200123-108 (CIUR 2234) field study benchmark report upstream concentration source downstream concentration Typical pollutant assessment: downstream – upstream = source contribution This assessment does not work for trash Variability in storm intensity Variability in stream character Data Collection • 20 Creeks • 110 miles • Observations every 30ft • 19,467 data points Scooters only 21 found Small number of occurrence due to: o reduced permitted fleets (since 2020) o improved process for reporting (311) o efficient process for removal (vendor) Trash intensity score + source presence • Overflowing dumpster • Outfall/tributary • Encampment • Dumping historic site • Dumping point source • Dumping unknown • Property management Sources by occurrence Takeaway # 1 Encampment was the most commonly-observed source, but is similar in intensity and range to most other sources Result: A georeferenced map of intensity* and sources example: upper shoal creek *can be used by internal or external partners for strategic cleaning https://arcg.is/0z48bj0 Takeaway # 2 Trash intensity is not proportional to its drainage area (source input locations are deceiving) Geospatial analysis using 300’ and 3000’ buffers Population Transportation Land Use Takeaway # 3 There were no statistically significant correlations between trash intensity and: landuse, census, transportation, • • • • parks, etc. Takeaway # 4 Virtually anything can be found in creeks, but single use plastics were the most common item clothing, tents, bedding recreation items, toys erosion matting, silt fences packaging, shipping office, household lawn tools, mulch bags, garden hoses, appliances medical, electronics, textiles, hardware traffic cones, barriers, safety construction materials, asphalt, lumber Telecommunication cables, displaced infrastructure 500+ shopping carts Takeaway # 5 76% of the trash is found in 10% of the area (opportunity for strategic site selection for cleanups by COA, partners, contractors, volunteers) Field report provides diverse assemblage of recommendations at different scales • • • • • • • site-specific cleanups, improved rules for dumpsters, structural controls, enforcement, education/outreach, coordination with partners, etc Benchmarking Research Report • EXTRACTION (physically removing trash from waterways) ex: structural controls, machines, manual labor • INTERCEPTION (keeping trash from entering waterways) ex: education, enforcement, landscape cleanups, structural controls • SOURCE REDUCTION (stemming the flow into our community) ex: limit single use plastics Extraction • creek and lake cleanups* • requirement/enforcement of vendors/individuals to clean up • targeted cleanups at …
FY22 Year In Review November 2022 Recycling Plan Submission Rate 85% Organics Plan Submission Rate 70% Recycling • • FY22 85% plan submission rate rebounded from pandemic levels (in the 80% range) Recycling plan submission rate in the eastern crescent was 84.47%, the rest of Austin 87.21% Organics • The 70% organic plans submission rate represents the highest rate in program history • Organic plan submission rate in the eastern crescent was 67.33%, the rest of Austin 73.07% Compliance • Approximately 10K properties and 5K food permit holders are affected by the ordinance • Property owner response to a deficiency letter increased by 15% with the new Code Compliance team • Identifying and contacting mobile food vendors continues to be a challenge Brick and Mortar Submission Rate 75% Mobile Food Vendor Submission Rate 28% 66% of businesses who submit recycling plans reported not meeting all ordinance requirements. 90% met dumpster size and placement requirements (but were missing other items such as signs or education) • Learn more about the ordinance at: austintexas.gov/uro Department Administrative or Operational Action related to the ordinance • New software build for public facing online recycling and organic plans • New software database build to support online submissions • New software database and case filing system for compliance • Implement 3-1-1 call in-process for public ordinance questions • Implement strategies to reduce the 25% of organic submissions reporting source reduction and no food donation or composting • Proactive outreach to properties that reported no education and signage Active Potential Policy Revisions to the ordinance • Austin Travis County Food Policy Board - Working Group - food donation • ZWAC - URO Committee City Council resolution discussion related to multifamily composting Austin Travis County Food Policy Board: austintexas.gov/content/austin-travis-county-food-policy-board 11 businesses received $18k in rebates in FY22 6 organizations purchased five refrigerators/freezers to expand food rescue 3 businesses switched from single use plastic or foam to reusable or compostable items 2 businesses started composting services Learn more at: austintexas.gov/zwbizrebate
Fleet Software Enhancement Project Transitioning to New Software Zero Waste Advisory Commission 9 November 2022 Director Ken Snipes Background • In 2017, the process began to update the 17-year-old fleet software system. • After the integration, testing continued to advance the software. Since the integration, staff identified new needs that were outside of the scope of the current software contract. Staff created manual processes to close the gaps. Software Features Staff identified some issues, and the new needs of the department necessitated features outside of the original scope. These include: • Connectivity problems which cause system performance issues Inability to install software updates to all computers at once Inability to record collection activities on both sides of a street Limited video storage and reporting capabilities • • • New Software Solutions The current contract ends in 2023. Staff is exploring new software technologies. Potential software solutions should provide: • Optimized routing solutions • Unified software updates based on departmental requests • Customized reporting using telematics • Large capacity storage • Recording of all collections (both sides of the street) • Asset management • Compatibility with existing systems and equipment Questions
