Item 006 - ARR Operations and Administrative Projects Update (CORRECTED PIE CHART) — original pdf

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To: From: Date: Subject: Zero Waste Advisory Commission Richard McHale, Director, Austin Resource Recovery February 12, 2025 Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Universal Recycling Ordinance The Universal Recycling Ordinance annual reporting period is open each fiscal year from October 1 through February 1. This year the department migrated to the public facing an online reporting system to a new software and database system. There is always concern when launching a new software platform, but this inaugural run was largely incident free, and the software programs are running smoothly and effectively. Public reporting rates continue to lag behind the anticipated performance. As of January 30, 43% of URO affected properties have been reported. Staff plan to take additional measures throughout the fiscal year to improve online submission rates. A strategic plan has been developed to deliver outreach, including email or mailed letters to non-submitting properties throughout the summer. Outreach is also being coordinated with the Austin Apartment Association, including a February 13 webinar. More information at: www.austinaptassoc.com/events. Circular Accelerator and Showcase applications open The City of Austin offers support to circular entrepreneurs and small to mid-sized enterprises. The Circular Austin Showcase provides the opportunity for circular economy businesses and entrepreneurs to compete for a cash prize in August each year. The Circular Austin Accelerator helps entrepreneurs improve their circular business ideas through workshops and 1:1 technical assistance. Applications are open February 3rd through March 16. More information at: www.austintexas.gov/circularshowcase. Lamp Repair Workshop On February 15, a lamp repair workshop will be held at Asian American Resource Center. This is a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn the essential skills to troubleshoot and repair lamps. Learn more at: www.austintexas.gov/FixIt. On-Demand On January 13, 2025, ARR began citywide on-demand collections for Brush, Bulk and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Services. On-Demand Brush collection has serviced 568 appointments collecting 105 tons of material. On- Demand Bulk collection has serviced 3,010 appointments. The Bulk program has also diverted 22.5 tons of metals, appliances, electronics, rigid plastics, and tires from disposal area landfills. The HHW program serviced 497 appointments totaling 19.5 tons of material. The programs observed an immediate reduction in overtime hours for employees due to services being scheduled. The use of routing technology to collect scheduled appointments has also reduced the number of miles driven by ARR employees. Furniture Warehouse Grant Update The City of Austin received a SWIFR grant commitment up to $4,000,000 under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which supported a National Recycling Strategy implementation and building a circular economy for all. The grant provided funds to reduce the amount of furniture and building materials sent to landfills by constructing and opening a Reuse Warehouse which would accept and redistribute gently used furniture at not cost to nonprofits and their clients, with a focus on furnishing the homes of those transitioning out of homelessness plus subsequent expansion to accept building materials and various workforce development initiatives. On January 27th, the Resource Conservation and Sustainability Division of the US EPA informed the City that they were seeking formal guidance on how to proceed in light of the US Executive Orders pausing IIJA and IRA funding. On January 30th, the Office of Grants and Debarment of the EPA informed ARR that grants under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was paused. On January 31st, Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., of the US District Court for the District of Rhode Island, issued a temporary restraining order against the President of the United States, the Acting Administrator of the EPA, and other federal officials on behalf of New York, 21 other states and the District of Columbia. The decision was forwarded to the City by way of an automated email from a generic EPA email address. The Office of Real Estate Services, in cooperation with ARR, has pursued a challenging search for a suitable property in the competitive Austin commercial and industrial market. A number of candidate properties have been identified and in fact the Office issued a letter of intent to one property owner only to have that property subsequently fail due diligence. A second property was of strong interest, but the owner ultimately withdrew the property from the market due to a strategic business change. Candidate properties continue to be visited and reviewed as they are available, and a letter of intent is anticipated to be issued to a third property shortly once it is confirmed to meet the criteria required for the grant. FY24 Dead Animal Collection by Type Austin Resource Recovery collects dead animals seven days a week from rights of way and also partners with the Austin Animal Shelter for the collection of animals. Due to the sensitive nature of animal collection employees are required to scan all domestic animals for microchips, respond to pet inquiries and handle pet collections with care. The chart below is a snapshot of the types of animals collected in FY24. FY24 Dead Animal Collection by Type OTHER 13% DOG 8% ARMADILLO 3% DOG ARMADILLO OPOSSUM CAT RAT DEER RACCOON SQUIRREL SKUNK SNAKE BIRD OTHER BIRD 3% SNAKE 0% SKUNK 4% SQUIRREL 8% RACCOON 10% DEER 15% OPOSSUM 21% CAT 15% RAT 0%  ARR Solicitation Updates As of January 28, 2025 ZWAC Meeting February 12, 2025  Preparing for Council: • N/A  Published: • N/A  Expected to be Published Within 90 days:  Compost Processing Services: The Contractor shall provide complete processing, sorting, and composting of organics, yard waste, food scraps, and food-/oil-soiled compostable paper, as well as marketing services to include detailed data reporting to support the City’s residential curbside compost materials collection services. Link to the current contract. Definitions: CCO CO-OP ILA IFB RFI RFQ RFQS RFP (Capital Contracting Office): Administers the procurement of professional and construction services. (Cooperative Contract): A contract that has been competitively bid and issued by another government or purchasing alliance with the intention of sharing it with other governmental entities. (Interlocal Agreement): A collaborative contract between local government entities (for example, ARR and a county, state, or school district) to provide more efficient and less costly services, where any payments are made from current revenues. (Invitation for Bid): Formal bidding documents inviting suppliers to submit pricing for goods or services. (Request for Information): Used to obtain industry input, feedback, or reactions from potential suppliers prior to issuing a solicitation. (Request for Quotation): Informal request to suppliers to provide quotes on specific goods or services. (Request for Qualifications): Formal solicitation used when qualifications are the main criteria for professional services. (Request for Proposals): Formal request for a supplier to provide a solution and cost estimate to a complex need. Page 1 of 1