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
ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION UNIVERSAL RECYCLING ORDINANCE (URO) COMMITTEE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022, 1:00 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL ROOM 1101 301 W 2ND ST AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION may be participating by video conference. Public comment will be allowed in person or remotely by 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. To register to speak, members of the public must: Call or email Elizabeth Nelson at (512) 974-6492 or Elizabeth.Nelson@austintexas.gov CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Cathy Gattuso (Chair); Kaiba White; and Jonathan Barona AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten (10) speakers registered to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. Approve the minutes of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission URO Committee Meeting on June 30, 2022 Discussion and possible action on organic waste collection at multifamily properties including possible amendments to the Universal Recycling Ordinance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 2 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 Yahel Baranovicht, in the 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. Page 2 of 2
ZWAC URO Committee 10/20/2022 Upcoming Meeting Schedule: Wednesday, November 2 6:00 p.m. Thursday, December 1 12:00 p.m. Terrazas Library 1105 E Cesar Chavez Austin Energy 4815 Mueller Blvd Resident Stakeholder Meeting URO Committee Meeting Q: Can ARR provide compost service to multifamily properties? A: In general, no. Under the Austin City Code, a person in control of a premises with five or more residential dwelling units is generally required to use a licensed private collection service. Such a person only has the option to continue using ARR collection service if the premises was serviced by ARR before January 1, 2015. See Austin City Code 15‐6‐13. Thus, in general, a premises with five or more residential dwelling units cannot use ARR service, unless the premises is subject to the exception. The City Code would need to be amended in order for ARR to provide collection service to multifamily residential properties with more than 5 dwelling units. § 15‐6‐13 ‐ PRIVATE COLLECTION SERVICE. A. Except as provided in Subsection (C), a person in control of a premises with five or more residential dwelling units shall use a licensed private collection service. B. Except as provided in Subsection (C), a person in control of a commercial premises shall use a licensed private collection service. C. A person in control of a premises serviced by the department before January 1, 2015, may continue to use department collection services for that premises. Under this subsection, if the person in control changes, the person may continue to use department collection services for the premises. § 15‐6‐11 ‐ COLLECTION SERVICE. AND … G. Collection services provided by the department or under contract with the City are not private collection services. Q: Can private entities utilize COA waste contracts (i.e., downtown service and events)? A: See above. Private entities cannot utilize COA waste contracts. The downtown service contract is outlined in the code and confined to a specific service area. The city facilities contract includes services for city co‐sponsored events and cannot be utilized by the public. § 15‐6‐14 ‐ DOWNTOWN CONTRACT SERVICE. A. The director shall contract with a private collection service to provide solid waste service in the area comprised of the city blocks adjacent to Sixth Street (East) between Congress Avenue and ZWAC URO Committee 10/20/2022 IH‐35, the city blocks adjacent to Congress Avenue between Cesar Chavez and Eleventh Street, the city blocks adjacent to …
ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION (ZWAC) UNIVERSAL RECYCLING ORDINANCE (URO) COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES June 30, 2022 The ZWAC URO Committee convened on June 30, 2022, at Austin Public Library Twin Oaks Branch; 1800 S 5th St.; Austin, TX; 78704 Committee members in attendance: Cathy Gattuso (Chair), Jonathan Barona, and Kaiba White City staff in attendance: Jason McCombs, Selene Castillo, Katie Mulholland, Elizabeth Nelson, and Elizabeth Taylor 1. CALL TO ORDER a. Committee Chair Cathy Gattuso called the committee meeting to order at 1:38 p.m. 2. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION Zero (0) speakers spoke during the opportunity for public communication. 3. MEETING MINUTES a. A motion to approve the January 8, 2020 meeting minutes with no amendments or revisions was made by Commissioner Barona and seconded by Commissioner White. The minutes were approved with a 3-0 vote. 4. NEW BUSINESS a. Katie Mulholland (ARR) briefed the committee on ARR’s Business Outreach Team and administration of the URO. This included an overview of the team and their duties, the ordinance requirements, outreach efforts and challenges and opportunities. Commissioners and staff discussed specifics of the ordinance requirements and outreach and compliance efforts by staff. Commissioners discussed opportunities for additional requirements including front of house requirements at businesses, diversion requirements for landscapers, and enforcement options. b. Elizabeth Nelson (ARR) briefed the committee on the status of the Multifamily Compost Pilot and an overview of the content of the upcoming report. 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: a. Commissioner White requested discussion on front-of-house recycling and composting. b. Commissioner Barona requested discussion on landscaping organics diversion requirements. 6. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Gattuso motions to adjourn the meeting at 2:57 p.m. without objection. 1
RESOLUTION NO. 20191017-028 WHEREAS, the City of Austin's goal of Zero Waste by 2040 means keeping at least 90 percent of discarded materials out of the landfill; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has implemented a Master Plan directing all current and future solid waste, recycling, and organic waste issues toward its Zero Waste goal; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has specific and important interests in solid waste policies and contracts due to environmental protection and waste diversion goals; and WHEREAS, residents in Austin, including single-family homes and apartment and condominium dwellers, pay a monthly Clean Community Fee for services that keep Austin clean and enhance the livability of our city, including Zero Waste Program Development; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin's multifamily housing stock has grown considerably and is projected to continue growing at a rapid pace; and WHEREAS, the Zero Waste Advisory Commission determined that a more proactive approach must be implemented at multifamily properties to address their recycling and organic waste needs; and WHEREAS, the availability of composting facilities at multifamily properties would minimize the volume of organic materials entering our landfills; and WHEREAS, Austin Resource Recovery plans to conduct a pilot program to collect data on organic waste pickup in multifamily properties; NOW, THEREFORE, Page 1 0 f 2 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: The City Manager is directed to make recommendations to the City Council, within six months ofthe pilot program's completion, on possible amendments to the Universal Recycling Ordinance to include organic waste collection at all commercial and multi-family properties. The recommendations should take into consideration a broad spectrum of interests, including, but not limited to, City staff, multifamily property owners and managers, zero waste advocates, the Austin Apartment the Building Owners and Managers Association, environmental Association, advocates, the Austin Tenants Council, and residents of multifamily properties. ADOPTED: October 17, 2019 ATTEST: 0 «7 / 7 ff? F» Jannette S? Goodall City Clerk Page 2 0 f 2
REGULAR MEETING of the ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 14TH, 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 Dwight Scales at (512) 974-2435 or dwight.scales@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Cathy Gattuso (Vice-Chair) Amanda Masino Mayor Jonathan Barona District 3 Kaiba White District 7 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. Approve the minutes of the ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on August 10th, 2022 OLD BUSINESS 2. Approval of minutes of the ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on June 8th, 2022. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) Budget Review Update – Victoria Rieger 4. Transfer Station Presentation and Update – Richard McHale 5. URO Multifamily Composting Pilot Study Update – Elizabeth Nelson DIRECTOR’S REPORT 6. ARR Vehicle Wrap Update, 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 Dwight Scales at Austin Resource Recovery Department, at (512) 974-2435 for additional information; TTY users’ route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Zero Waste Advisory Commission, please contact Dwight Scales at (512) 974-2435.
Austin Resource Recovery FY 2022-23 Approved Budget Highlights The Department’s Approved Operating Budget increases by approximately 8.6% or $9.6M in the upcoming fiscal year. This amount includes $0.6M for seven new positions, one each of the following: Accountant II, Administrative Specialist, Customer Service Representative, Customer Solutions Coordinator, Equipment Technician I, IT Application Analyst, and Marketing Rep A. ARR’s Approved Budget includes funding increases for living wage, fleet fuel and maintenance, homelessness cleanup services, disposal and processing contracts, temporary employees and overtime, and driver retention incentives along with other increases. Major reductions to the ARR Approved Budget include Bad Debt, GO Debt Service, transfer to Capital, and Vacancy Savings. FY 2022-23 Approved Operating Budget Revenue Requirements Ending Balance FTEs FY 2021 Budget FY 2022 Amended FY 2023 Approved $103,880,851 $110,998,492 $117,967,407 $106,810,355 $112,282,317 $121,929,742 $8,940,928 $11,437,141 $14,328,272 501.00 514.00 521.00 Capital Appropriations $11,860,005 $14,302,717 $14,171,217 Highlights of Approved Budget Major Rate Changes Service Description Monthly Clean Community Fee Residential Monthly Clean Community Fee Commercial Monthly Base Customer Fee Residential & Commercial $16.50 $18.80 $16.65 $19.45 Amended FY 2021-22 $4.70 Approved FY 2022-23 $4.85 Change Personnel: wages, insurance, OT, temps, incentives Citywide Cost Allocation Increases (City Support) Citywide Cost Drivers Departmental Cost Drivers Vacancy Savings increase Bad Debt Transfer to Capital GO Debt Service New full-time positions Contractual and commodity increases Homelessness cleanup services Fleet maintenance and fuel expense $0.15 $0.15 $0.65 FTEs 7.0 Incremental $3,566,576 $1,442,123 ($654,877) ($500,000) ($131,500) ($107,776) $615,551 $641,245 $900,000 $3,876,083 9/12/2022
To: From: Date: Subject: Zero Waste Advisory Commission Ken Snipes Director Austin Resource Recovery September 14, 2022 Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Vehicle wrap update: The RCA for vinyl vehicle wraps passed on consent at the last City Council meeting. The RCA for non-vinyl vehicle wraps is under development AC retrofit update: ARR plans to retrofit 50 vehicles with the roof-mounted air conditioning units. Ten AC retrofits have been completed. The next ten AC units have been ordered and are pending delivery. Thirteen vehicles currently have unresolved air conditioning issues. Keep Austin Beautiful Presentation - Follow-up: During the presentation on August 10, 2022, the question was posed by the Commission regarding if there was demographic information on the students participating in the programs. This information has been provided for review (attached). ARR Solicitations Update As of September 2, 2022 ZWAC Meeting September 14, 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. 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. 4. 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: No Updates Solicitations in Evaluation or Negotiation: No Updates Definitions: CCO (Capital Contracting Office): Administers the procurement of professional and construction services. CO-OP (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. ILA (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. …
Multifamily Organics Pilot ZWAC – 9/14/2022 Background • Resolution 20191017-028 • Universal Recycling Ordinance – organics diversion requirements for food service businesses only • Multifamily properties (>4 units) required to provide access to recycling for residents • About 55% of Austin households are in multifamily properties • 95% of those are renters Resolution 20191017-028 Multifamily Properties • Apartments • Condominiums • Including detached homes • Townhomes • Dormitories • Nursing homes / assisted living facilities • Mobile homes • 1,800 properties in Austin Existing Composting Options for Multifamily • Drop-off sites • Community gardens • Farmers’ Markets • Neighbors/friends with ARR carts • Backyard composting • Valet opt-in collection • Full-service collection offered to all residents Additional Research • Researched and interviewed other municipalities with multifamily organics programs • Collection - Boulder, CO; Seattle, WA; New York, NY • Drop-Off – Washington D.C., Charlotte, VA; NYC • Researched existing multifamily organics pilots • San Francisco • Investigated properties in Austin with existing organics collection • Commercial Organics Pilot – Austin, 2012 Input from URO Committee • Onsite collection systems rather than drop-off • Large sample size • Geographic representation • 6 month pilot Input from Stakeholders • Meeting Dates: 4/23/19, 6/4/19, 1/8/20 • Stakeholders: haulers, multifamily property managers, Austin Apartment Association Pilot Goals • Identify challenges and best practices • Understand cost impacts • Inform future policy recommendations Property Recruitment • Began in 2019 • Put on hold for COVID • Restarted in Winter 2020 • On hold due to Uri • Restarted in Spring 2021 • Calls, emails, newsletters, social media • 8 properties participated Service Delivery • Properties chose their own service provider and contracted for services at market rates • Up to 6 months of rebated service • Service levels chosen by property management • Cart-based or valet service • Locked containers • Simulate real-world scenario Education • Virtual information session • Language interpretation available • Kitchen collectors with labels • Bilingual how-to guides • Letters • Website Data Collection • Weekly container audits • Identify materials • Contamination • Container fullness/use • Management Surveys • 3 months and end of pilot • Resident Survey • End of pilot • Invoices Results Survey Caveats Resident Survey Responses 157,446 830 76 Percent of Residents per Property that used the Pilot Compost/Organics Service according to Management Average Springhollow Condominiums Seminary of the Southwest Riverwalk Condominiums St. Edward's Chamonix Condominiums …
Transfer Station Briefing Richard McHale Deputy Director September 14, 2022 Transfer Station • Facility where materials from smaller trucks are loaded onto a larger truck • Provides cost efficient method to transport materials to the final destination • Public or private • Benefits • Lowers maintenance costs, fuel, traffic, carbon footprint, “windshield” time • Increases route efficiency Transfer Station Use • Texas has 100+ transfer stations • CAPCOG Region has 6 active & 3 pending facilities • Austin is the largest city in U.S. that does not utilize a transfer station Site Visits Reason for visits: To better understand the planning, financial, and operational aspects of large operations in a variety of locations Sites visited: • Seattle North, Seattle South - SPU • Bow Lake, Factoria - King County • Puente Hills - L.A. County Wish List • Site which will allow for growth • Easy access • Ability to handle multiple resource streams • Open to the public • Becomes a destination Seattle North Seattle North Seattle South Seattle South Bow Lake Factoria Puente Hills Puente Hills Next Steps • Continue property search • Work with ZWAC, industry stakeholders, and the community Questions?
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING of the ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION AUGUST 25TH, 2022 6:00 PM 1520 RUTHERFORD LANE ROOM 1-118A 301 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 Dwight Scales dwight.scales@austintexas.gov CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Gerry Acuna (Chair) Cathy Gattuso (Vice-Chair) Amanda Masino Albert Swantner Melissa Caudle Ian Steyaert Melissa Rothrock Ethan Myers Ingrid Powell Jonathan Barona Kaiba White AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 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. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Welcome -Ken Snipes 2. Introduction of Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) Staff- Ken Snipes 3. Discussion on 2021 ZWAC Summary- Natalie Rodriguez 4. Discussion on Budget Overview- Victoria Rieger 5. Discussion on ZWAC Planning Timeline- Natalie Rodriguez 6. Discussion on City Clerk’s Office- Myrna Rios 7. Discussion on the ZWAC Workshop- Natalie Rodriguez 8. Closing Comments- Natalie Rodriguez 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 Dwight Scales at Austin Resource Recovery Department, at (512) 974-2435 for additional information; TTY users’ route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Zero Waste Advisory Commission, please contact Dwight Scales at (512) 974-2435.
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING of the ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION AUGUST 25TH, 2022 6:00 PM 1520 RUTHERFORD LANE ROOM 1-118A 301 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 Dwight Scales dwight.scales@austintexas.gov CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Gerry Acuna (Chair) Cathy Gattuso (Vice-Chair) Amanda Masino Albert Swantner Melissa Caudle Ian Steyaert Melissa Rothrock Ethan Myers Ingrid Powell Jonathan Barona Kaiba White REVISED AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 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. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Welcome -Ken Snipes 2. Introduction of Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) Staff- Ken Snipes 3. Discussion on 2021 ZWAC Summary- Natalie Rodriguez 4. Discussion on Budget Overview- Victoria Rieger 5. Discussion on ZWAC Planning Timeline- Natalie Rodriguez 6. Commission Protocols – Natalie Rodriguez 7. Discussion on the ZWAC Workshop- Natalie Rodriguez 8. Closing Comments- Natalie Rodriguez 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 Dwight Scales at Austin Resource Recovery Department, at (512) 974-2435 for additional information; TTY users’ route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Zero Waste Advisory Commission, please contact Dwight Scales at (512) 974-2435.
REGULAR MEETING of the ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION AUGUST 10, 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 Dwight Scales dwight.scales@austintexas.gov CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Gerry Acuna (Chair) District 10 Cathy Gattuso (Vice-Chair) District 5 Albert Swantner District 1 Melissa Caudle District 4 Ian Steyaert District 8 Melissa Rothrock District 2 Ethan Myers District 6 Ingrid Powell District 9 Amanda Masino Mayor Jonathan Barona District 3 Kaiba White District 7 AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 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. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES STAFF BRIEFINGS Approve the minutes of the ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on June 8th, 2022 Small Minority Business Resources (SMBR) Future Opportunities and Involvement Presentation- Victoria Rieger and Felecia Shaw Keep Austin Beautiful Update- Rodney Ahart Office of Sustainability Comprehensive Food Plan Presentation- Edwin Marty URO Multifamily Composting Pilot Study Timeline Update- Gena McKinley DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS DIRECTORS REPORT 6. Solicitations Update, Performance Reports, and Statistical Reports FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 2022 Annual ZWAC Retreat (August 25th) Future FM 812 Landfill Potential (TBD) URO Multifamily Composting Pilot Study Update (TBD) Budget Forecast for FY23 Update (September) 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 Dwight Scales at Austin Resource Recovery Department, at (512) 974-2435 for additional information; TTY users’ route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Zero Waste Advisory Commission, please contact Dwight Scales at (512) 974-2435.
Zero Waste Advisory Commission Ken Snipes Director Austin Resource Recovery To: From: Date: Subject: August 10th, 2022 Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Potential Transfer Station Update In late June, Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) sent three employees, Donald Hardee, ARR Division Manager, Brent Paige, Financial Manager II, and Richard McHale, Deputy Director, to research and identify best practices for the construction and operation of transfer stations in Seattle and the Los Angeles areas. Staff visited the Seattle North, Seattle South, Factoria, Bow Lake, and Puente Hills facilities. In addition to touring the facilities, staff had the opportunity to sit down with staff from the other entities to discuss topics such as facility layouts, safety, costs, equipment selection, challenges, and opportunities. Staff will apply what they have learned to help in identifying potential locations and in the development of a facility to accept materials that will lower the department’s carbon footprint associated with long hauls to disposal sites. The department continues to search for property to site such a facility that will be able to handle multiple material streams and provide an educational space to view the operations while learning about the operations and how materials are recycled. Future Residential Household Waste Pilot The Household Hazardous Waste Program is working with ARR’s Strategic Initiatives Division and Quality Assurance Division on the preliminary details of a pilot for residential HHW collection. The pilot will take place in two North Austin districts and last approximately one year. The plan is to begin the pilot in September in District 4 and District 10. The data from this pilot will be used to determine the feasibility of a citywide residential collection program. Collections Fleet Self-contained Air Conditioning Units Purchase On 29 July 2022, ARR executed a contract with Lonestar Forklifts via a Certificate of Exemption for Public Health and Safety for the purchase of 50 self-contained air conditioning units. This request was due to the extremely hot temperatures the region is experiencing in which, two ARR employees have suffered heat illness emergencies that required emergency medical treatment. This weather event is unusual and surpassed the extreme heat wave of 2011 with no end in sight. On 16 June 2022, 20% of ARR’s collection fleet had inoperable air conditioning units. ARR does not have enough excess fleet to rotate vehicles to ensure that its employees can utilize an air-conditioned vehicle. As of 28 …
A Food Plan for Austin Developing the City’s first Food Plan Zero Waste Advisory Commission– August 10th 2022 What is a Food System? Food for thought ● 14.7% food insecurity in Travis County ● 38% zip codes in Travis County don’t have a full service grocery store ● 16.8 acres of farmland are lost every day in Travis County ● Less than 1% of food consumed in Travis County is locally produced ● 1.24 million pounds of food is wasted every day in Austin ● Covid-19 pandemic & Winter Storm Uri exposed & exacerbated inequities in our food system What is a Food Plan and why do we need one? ● A Food Plan will set clear Goals and Strategies to move toward a more equitable, sustainable & resilient food system and provide a coordinating structure for all food related initiatives ○ The Food Plan build on several other initiatives made by the City to tackle food system issues. ● On June 2021 Austin City Council directed the City Manager to initiate a planning process Link to full resolution What about disasters? Recent and ongoing crises have caused a spike in food insecurity and revealed inadequate preparation for expansive and culturally appropriate food distribution We are working with HSEM & other departments to develop a Disaster Food & Drinking Water Appendix Will include learnings from Winter Storm Uri, COVID-19, boil water notices, and other recent emergencies Developing the Austin Food Plan: Where are we now? A Baseline Assessment We are in the process of releasing The State of The Food System 2022. A comprehensive analysis of our food system and an updated version of previous reports from 2015 and 2018. This will be the foundation for Austin’s first-ever Food Plan Project Organization Austin Food Plan Emergency Food & Water Appendix Food Supply Chain Vulnerability Analysis City and County Staff Austin-Travis Food Policy Board Community Advisory Committee Issue Area Groups *Production AG Consultant Team *Community Food Ambassadors *To be determined General Public and Community *Access AG *Markets AG *Labor AG *Recovery AG Finding the Right Project Team and Structure Stewards and Advisors of the Process City and County Staff Consultant Team Community Advisory Committee Austin-Travis Food Policy Board Advisors on the Content Issue Area Groups General Public and Community Community Food Ambassadors Centering Equity The Austin Food Plan will center equity and the lived expertise of those most impacted by the …
Our Mission We inspire and educate all Austinites to volunteer together, beautify green spaces, clean waterways, and reduce waste every day. Inspire and Educate We believe children and teens who experience the outdoors and learn about reducing waste will become stewards of Austin green spaces and waterways. Volunteer Together We believe people who volunteer together outdoors are more connected to nature and each other. Beautify & Clean We believe all Austinites have a right to clean, safe, and beautiful green spaces. Reduce Waste We believe when people learn about the the impact environment, they will reduce their waste. actions their on of Not the Austin we know and love. A strong contributor to littering is the prevalence of existing litter. About 15% of littering is affected by the environment, or existing litter. *Litter in America Study, Keep America Beautiful Greater Austin Impact 1,870 volunteers $101,095 cost savings 68 miles of roadway cleaned 3,825 volunteer hours *Value of a Volunteer Hour, by State for 2021 https://www.independentsector.org/volunteer_time 25,826 pounds of litter and recycling 696 events 88 schools 5,522 unique students 3.89 out of a 4-point scale on teacher evaluations 28 percent increase on student scores from pre to post test Join Us Monthly eNewsletter Any questions? Rodney E. Ahart Chief Executive Officer Keep Austin Beautiful Rodney@keepaustinbeautiful.org 512-391-0617 x704
