Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

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, taking item to Council April 9, 2020. Contract for initial term 36 months, two 12-mo renewal options, to be awarded to Texas Disposal Systems, for dumpster services for multi-family complexes across city. Collection, transportation, maintenance, and cleanup provided. Regarding customer information, the last estimate was 1,100 residences. Property ownership is private, 4-plex units. The contract developed for customer service and department safety. Assistant Director McHale shared that the city serves up to four units in a building. Commissioner Barona requested a re- evaluation of safety. ARR is piloting carts in one area, which requires education and monitoring, and an estimated 3-months to return to Commission. Cost of Service is expected to average ~$300k/ year. There will be trash only at this time, with future recycling and organics education. The initial term 36 months with two year-extensions and no minimum requirement. Customers pay a $20 per month fee, which does fully cover the service. [7:14: Lisa Barden left] Discussion suspended without quorum. [Melissa Rothrock arrives at 7:42] Discussion continues. Speaker: Adam Gregory, Texas Disposal Systems, provided a discussion and overview of the Landfill Criteria Matrix, and requests denial of item. Regarding Council, recommend approval with rejection from Council on the Landfill Criteria Matrix. Assistant Director McHale provides that the Commission may approve and move forward, and if another contract came up, the Commission could then deny. Commissioner Barona would like clarity on if the Commission can approve the contract without affirmation of the Landfill Criteria Matrix, to which Assistant Director Williamson provides that they may approve contract with a motion of disapproving Landfill Criteria Matrix language. 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. Commissioner Masino moves to approve contract while affirming rejection of Landfill Criteria Matrix, and recommending Council review of Landfill Criteria Matrix, Barona seconds. Unanimous with Commission Chair Acuna recusing. 4b. Discussion and Action – RCA for Fleet Vehicle Purchase Victoria Rieger, ARR Division Manager, has an RCA before Council in March, a multi-year contract for Fleet Services for vehicles and equipment citywide. It is a $289m contract, with an ARR portion of $70.5m. Purchase and replacement of vehicles, trailers and equipment. Rick Harland, Deputy Officer for Fleet Vehicle Services indicated ARR has CNG, propane, etc. Electric trucks are economically unreasonable with limited battery range. There is a Volkswagen grant savings of $1.4m set aside to capture one electric truck as a pilot. New York and Los Angeles are piloting electric truck programs. City piloting light duty electric vehicles. Electric fleet is a priority Director Snipes; a transfer facility may reduce mileage enough to accommodate electric trucks. Commission Chair Acuna made a motion, Commissioner White approved, Commissioner Barona seconded, pass unanimous. 4d. Discussion and Action- Review of ARR Role in assisting with Homeless Encampment Cleanup and overall City of Austin Litter Abatement 4e. Discussion and Action – Review of the Clean Community Fee and its Impact and Sustainability in Meeting Austin’s growing Litter and Sanitation Challenges. Commission Chair Acuna requests to combine items 4d and 4e 4d/ 4e: The Clean Community Fee has not been addressed in five years, and the organic component may balance new needs. In the next meeting ARR Finance can look at income statements for a snapshot of todays with what-if scenarios. Commissioner White has introduced resolution for an abatement challenge, and requests feedback on cleaning up of camps in light of subsequent returns. Director Snipes provided that the City approach to cleanups is to focus on trash, debris, and litter, not moving people, unless in a hazard area or there is a danger presented. Regarding coordinating with the State, Director Snipes shared that TxDOT has 17 dedicated sites weekly and is offering a sanctioned site on 183. The State is following similar guidelines for posting and provides Be Safe, Be Seen bags. Pets are an item of discussion. Commissioner White presents a Resolution on plastic pollution, and suggests the next budget provide adequate funding identified for this effort, possibly Clean Community Fee. Chair Acuna leads a discussion on funding mechanisms and would like a breakdown on projected budget and cost of services. 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. Commissioner Masino moves approval, Commissioner Gattuso seconds, unanimous vote with Commissioner Barden away from the dais. 5b. presentation by Director Ken Snipes. 4c. Discussion and Action – RCA for Waste Collection at City Facilities Victoria Rieger, ARR Division Manager, provides information regarding the contract with Waste Management. This includes refuse, recycling, and brush for a term of six months, with extension option in the event that a contract cannot be initiated in time. An emergency contract is required as the current contract has exceeded both money and time. This is a replica of current contract to allow time to get solicitation out. If not approved, ARR will be forced to continue providing services and come back to council for ratification of action. The terms and cost remain same. The new solicitation and scope are complete. The City issued an RFI last summer, gained feedback, and incorporated to ensure all terms are acceptable. The delay was due to the Landfill Criteria Matrix when all solicitations were put on hold during that time. This is an emergency instead of an extension because it exceeds 25% increase allowed by law. Citizen Communication: Jeffrey Jacoby, Texas Campaign for the Environment- Request rejection for sending mixed signals at time of Waste Management transfer station request. The Electric Utility Commission rejected item last week. Initial contract went to Republic. Citizen Communication: Adam Gregory, Texas Disposal Systems- In 1999, city disqualified Waste Management at the Austin Community Landfill. In January 2010, SWAC recommended not engaging with Waste Management. Council directed staff to seek closure of landfill by 2016. In 2015, Council rejected Austin Energy Class 2 industrial waste and non-hazardous special waste- utility poles. Request to reject contract. Commission and staff discussion indicate that pricing remains the same, and Austin Energy will not use this contract; they have an existing contract for power poles. Impact of rejection is a gap in service. Regarding the timeline, the contract is complete, and waiting for Purchasing to process, post online, etc. ARR is not able to predict possibility of fee increases without a contract. Commissioner Gattuso entertained a motion, Commissioner Barona moved to reject, Commissioner Steyeart seconded, Unanimous rejection. Commission Chair Acuna recused. a. Discussion and Action – Review of current Compostable Food Service Containers and Utensil options and information. 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.  Commissioner White would like to know if there is a comprehensive effort to reach food service providers providing take-out containers and utensils to inform about compostable options. Division Manager Gena McKinley indicated that the Universal Recycling Ordinance program provides outreach and education. On whether or not there is a green tool or reward, DM McKinley will look into, and evaluate the block leader program for businesses and restaurants. 4. 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 Brent Paige- Data and solicitation update review. Links are available online. Commissioner Masino: requests clarity on collections, transport, and single-stream services. Commissioner Rothrock: requests mattress collection services. Mattress solicitation closed prior to posting, but the report is not yet updated. Commissioner Masino: requests Climate Action Plan Update and additional detail on staff involvement in steering committee or advisory groups. McKinley: ARR does have staff members as part of technical advisory groups. The change to consumerism and climate change workshop is Sunday, February 23rd; view referenced website for most up-to-date information. b. Homeless Encampment Cleanup Update- ARR Staff 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – April 8 a. Broader budget discussion including Clean Community Fees, organic challenges. b. Landfill Criteria Matrix: Discussion/ Action c. Cost Estimate of Commissioner White Resolution d. ZWAC Officer elections e. Update on URO Pilot for Multi-Family f. C&D Working Group g. Proposed Food Pantry Recommendation Presentation h. University of Texas 2020 Zero Waste Presentation – Presentation by University of Texas ADJOURNMENT. Commissioner Gattuso entertains a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Barona moves for adjournment., seconded by Commissioner Gattuso. The meeting was adjourned by Chair Acuna at 7:39 p.m. to no objection. 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.