To: From: Zero Waste Advisory Commission Ken Snipes Director Austin Resource Recovery Date: May 12th, 2021 Subject: Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission 2021 Winter Weather Storm Austin Resource Recovery has completed collection of debris associated with Winter Storm Uri. The department has received over 4900 customer requests to remove debris. Due to the volume of requests and amount of material generated by the winter storm, ARR entered into an emergency contract with DRC Emergency Services to provide debris removal services and Tetra Tech to provide debris removal monitoring services. The contractors completed collection efforts in early May. ARR has also extended brush drop-off services at Hornsby Bend until further notice. Multifamily Compost Pilot Update - May 2021 Austin Resource Recovery is in the process of conducting a Multifamily Compost Pilot. As part of the pilot, one multifamily property began composting service in late March. Two properties are scheduled to start service in May and August. Two properties withdrew from the project due to competing priorities, namely winter storm damage and change in ownership. Recruitment for additional properties continues. Social media advertising and targeted outreach has resulted in 13 inquiries of interest. Multiple properties are in the process of requesting approval to participate from their leadership teams. The chart below shows properties that showed some interest in participation and their current status. Staff is still interested in Commissioners’ assistance recruiting participants. If you know of potential properties, please contact Elizabeth Nelson at Elizabeth.nelson@austintexas.gov. Circular Plastic Initiatives: Progress Updates Austin Resource Recovery is working on multiple concurrent initiatives to combat plastic waste at the international, national, and local levels through collaborative action. New Plastics Economy Global Commitment In 2018, Mayor Steve Adler signed the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment on behalf of the City of Austin, endorsing a vision of a circular economy for plastics, where plastics never become waste. This year, the New Plastics Economy organizers called on all government signatories to establishing quantitative and qualitative baseline data and tangible targets for its plastic waste actions that will be achieved by 2025. ARR worked to identify measurable, feasible and ambitious actions we can take on this issue and on April 30th, Mayor Adler signed an updated commitment. The City of Austin has now committed to take the following steps to prevent plastic waste by 2025: 1. Develop internal policy in place to limit, restrict, or prohibit the …
Circular Plastic Initiatives: Progress Updates Natalie Betts, Circular Economy Program Manager Where We Are Today • Curbside recycling for all rigid plastics • Drop-off recycling for foam, film • Litter abatement crews and street sweeping • Universal Recycling Ordinance • Austin Reuse Directory • [Re]Verse Pitch Competition • Trash in Creeks Study • Signatory to New Plastics Economy Global Commitment & US Plastics Pact New Plastics Economy Global Commitment 24-34 million metric tons of plastic waste enter aquatic ecosystems every year, with a significant majority coming from land-based sources - Science, 2020 More plastic than fish Committing to Do More • Limit, restrict, or prohibit City purchases of problematic and unnecessary plastics • Encourage business to adopt reuse models • Research and development on circular plastic packaging. • Measure the capture rate for plastics by 2022, and set a quantitative target for increasing this capture rate by 2025. … 5 2 0 2 y B Committing to Do More • Set a target for replacing virgin plastic materials with materials made from at least 30% post - consumer recycled content • Joining the Government Recycling Demand Champions Program • Add plastics pollution education to the City’s current Generation Zero program for K-12 education • Increase education about plastic film recycling drop-off options … 5 2 0 2 y B US Plastics Pact US Plastics Pact • National level actions to reach New Plastics Economy vision • ARR Role: • Founding Activator • Inaugural Advisory Council member • New Business Models Workstream co-lead • Reporting Workstream member • Roadmap under development Texas Plastics Summit Texas Plastics Summit • 2-hour virtual workshop on May 4th with 40+ stakeholders Recycling • Co-hosted by ARR and State of Texas Alliance for • Stakeholders included retailers, MRFs, reclaimers, manufacturers, non-profits, government, educational institutions • Focus on identifying long and short -term collective actions to reduce plastic waste in Texas by 2025 Summit Takeaways • Selection of ideas from group: • Youth-focused education campaign • Creating an action group/coalition on problematic plastic elimination • Collecting and accessibly sharing case studies, data, standardized messaging • Public awareness campaign collaboration on contamination and/or consumption habits Beyond the Summit • Currently surveying participants to prioritize next steps • STAR Follow-Up Event in November 2021 • Implementation of priority items Thank You!
Updates on ARR’s Efforts on Homelessness Efforts on Homelessness • Updates on Proposition B Efforts on Homelessness • What Austin Resource Recovery has been doing and what we are going to do with the Prop B Efforts on Homelessness • Expected Impacts on ARR’s regular operation Efforts on Homelessness • What ARR is planning to mitigate these impacts Questions
ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION CONSTRUCTION & DEMOLITION ORDINANCE REFORM COMMITTEE FRIDAY APRIL 23, 2021 MEETING SUMMARY Presented to ZWAC Wednesday May 12, 2021 Meeting Summary ZWAC Attendees: Cathy Gattuso, Amanda Masino, Ian Steyaert • Citizen Communication • 4 speakers—representing a local recycling business, industry organization, and a non-profit • Some key issues (& various opinions) • certification • enforcement • wood as fuel • Approved February 28, 2017 minutes • New Business • Staff briefing on committee bylaws—Selene Castillo (ARR) • Staff briefing on existing C&D Recycling Ordinance requirements—Elizabeth Nelson (ARR) C&D Recycling History • Austin Energy Green Building • Initial commercial checklist in 1995, included strategies to reduce waste • 2009 – C&D Ordinance development began • 2016 – C&D Ordinance went into effect What IS C&D? Estimated 20% of total waste stream • Wood • Cardboard and Paper • Metals • Concrete • Asphalt • Stone, Brick, Porcelain • Plastic • Trash Material Handling • Commingled Processing • Hand sorted • Mechanically sorted • Combination • Source Separated • High value materials Austin’s Construction and Demolition Recycling Ordinance • Ch 15-6 Article 9 – Construction and Demolition Materials Diversion Program [Solid Waste Code] • Ch 25-11-39 - Construction and Demolition Materials Diversion [Land Development Code] Ordinance Requirements Affected Projects: > 10/1/16: > 5,000 sq ft of new or remodeled floor area > 10/1/19: Commercial and multifamily demolition projects Diversion requirements, either: • Divert ≥ 50%, or • Dispose ≤ 2.5 lbs / sq ft Post-Construction Report online Waiver Request: if materials are non-recyclable Qualified Processors • Commingled C&D Processors • Optional • 3rd party verified facility diversion rate (through RCI or City registered evaluator) • Simpler reporting for contractors Processing and Disposal • Commingled materials are sorted through automated or manual processes, or a combination • Material disposed in Type I (MSW) or IV (C&D) landfills • Processors are not required to register with COA • Regulated by TCEQ • Haulers take material to either in-house or 3rd party processor or landfill 2020 Economic Impact Study on C&D Recycling Key Findings: • Minimal economic impact to affordability • Data from demolition projects insufficient (effected in 2019) • Low reporting rate may skew diversion data upward • Processors able to handle increased volume, if key materials are not contaminated • 3rd party haulers struggle to compete due to limited processing facility access C&D Ordinance Data 2021 10% 61% 0.15 …
Zero Waste Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes May 12, 2021 The Regular Meeting of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission convened through Video Conference on Wednesday, April 14th, 2021, due to COVID-19 Disaster Declaration for all Texas Counties. The following are the meeting highlights. For detailed information please visit: https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/120800 CALL TO ORDER Chair Acuna called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:03pm Board Members in Attendance: Gerry Acuna Jonathan Barona, Cathy Gattuso, Amanda Masino, Melissa Rothrock, Ian Steyaert, and Kaiba White Board Members not in Attendance: Janis Bookout Staff in attendance via WebEx: Ken Snipes, Richard McHale, Tammie Williamson, Amy Slagle, Mike Lewis, Victoria Rieger, Ron Romero, Brent Paige, Jason McCombs, Natalie Betts, Selene Castillo, Marcus Gonzalez, Shana Riviello, Amy Schillerstrom, Young Park, and Dwight Scales Chair Acuna opened with comments. 1. APPROVAL of the April 14, 2021 Meeting Minutes Chair Acuna entertained a motion to approve the April 14th Meeting minutes. Commissioner Melissa Rothrock made the first motion for approval of the minutes. A second motion was provided by Commissioner Ian Steyaert Item passed Unanimously 2a. Discussion and Action: Truck and Hauling Services RCA- Victoria Rieger and Amy Slagle Victoria Rieger Division Manager of Austin Resource Recovery Finance states: The RCA here is dealing with a Truck and Hauling Service Contract. This is an RCA for a multi- department item. You’ve got the cover sheet that was submitted. There’s some detailed information. I’m going to council on the 20th and we’re here to seek your approval for the authorization to take this to council. This is a three-year contract for truck hauling services to be used by Public Works, Watershed, and Austin Resource Recovery. Commissioner Ian Steyaert asks: How will ARR use the Truck hauling service contract? Does this fall in line with previous budgets? Is this as expected in terms of rate of increase or is it the same as it has been in the past? Amy Slagle Litter Abatement Division Manager responds: We will utilize the hauling services contract to help move our organic material. During our heave season, over the last seven to eight weeks, we experienced about a 60% increase in our compost materials from the winter storm. We were experiencing severe delays on our collection routes. It was taking us around seven and a half to eight days to collect the five-day cycle. Se we utilized the Holland contract to help get the material to …
Versión en español a continuación. Zero Waste Advisory Commission Construction and Demolition Ordinance Reform Committee Meeting Friday April 23, 2021 Zero Waste Advisory Commission Construction and Demolition Reform Committee to be held Friday April 23, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Thursday April 22, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the April 23, 2021 Zero Waste Advisory Commission Construction and Demolition Ordinance Reform Committee Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-974-6492 or Elizabeth.Nelson@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Elizabeth.Nelson@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Reunión del Zero Waste Advisory Commission Construction and Demolition Ordinance Reform Committee Viernes 23 de abril, 2021 La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (jueves 22 de abril, 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de junta en 512-974-6492 o Elizabeth.Nelson@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / …
Zero Waste Advisory Commission Construction and Demolition Ordinance Reform (C&D) Committee Bylaws Review April 23, 2021 Committee Intent Committee Quorum • Two of the three C&D Committee Members must be in attendance for the meeting to be held. • If a quorum for a meeting does not convene within ½ hour of the posted time for the meeting, then the meeting may not be held. • ZWAC members who are not appointed to the C&D Committee may attend C&D Committee meetings, but cannot vote. • It is recommended that no more than two additional ZWAC members attend a committee meeting to avoid a quorum of ZWAC. If you anticipate six or more ZWAC members to be in the same room for a Committee meeting, please notify the staff liaison before agenda posting. Scheduling Meeting The Committee Chair is responsible for coordinating with the staff liaison to schedule meetings. Fiscal Year (Quarters) 1 October, November, December 2 January, February, March 3 April, May, June 4 July, August, September Annual Report Annual reports are developed by the Committee Chair in coordination with the staff liaison. This is typically drafted in December. A final draft of the report should be provided as agenda back up 10 business days for before the January ZWAC meeting date. The Committee Chair presents the report at the ZWAC meeting. Open Meetings and Conflicts of Interest Agendas are developed by the Committee Chair in coordination with the staff liaison and must be posted at least 72 hours before the meeting start time. Contact the City of Austin Ethics and Compliance Division at 512/974-2798 if you have questions or concerns. Selene Castillo, Planner Principal Selene.Castillo@austintexas.gov 512.974.6424
Austin Construction and Demolition Overview ZWAC C&D Committee Meeting 4/23/2021 Overview of C&D Recycling • Austin C&D History • What is C&D? • Material Handling • Austin’s C&D Recycling Ordinance • Processors and Disposal • 2020 Economic Impact Report C&D Recycling History • Austin Energy Green Building • Initial commercial checklist in 1995, included strategies to reduce waste • 2009 – C&D Ordinance development began • 2016 – C&D Ordinance went into effect What IS C&D? Estimated 20% of total waste stream • Wood • Cardboard and Paper • Metals • Concrete • Asphalt • Stone, Brick, Porcelain • Plastic • Trash Material Handling • Commingled Processing • Hand sorted • Mechanically sorted • Combination • Source Separated • High value materials Austin’s Construction and Demolition Recycling Ordinance • Ch 15-6 Article 9 – Construction and Demolition Materials Diversion Program [Solid Waste Code] • Ch 25-11-39 - Construction and Demolition Materials Diversion [Land Development Code] Ordinance Requirements Affected Projects: > 10/1/16: > 5,000 sq ft of new or remodeled floor area > 10/1/19: Commercial and multifamily demolition projects Diversion requirements, either: • Divert ≥ 50%, or • Dispose ≤ 2.5 lbs / sq ft Post-Construction Report online Waiver Request: if materials are non-recyclable Qualified Processors • Commingled C&D Processors • Optional • 3rd party verified facility diversion rate (through RCI or City registered evaluator) • Simpler reporting for contractors Processing and Disposal • Commingled materials are sorted through automated or manual processes, or a combination • Material disposed in Type I (MSW) or IV (C&D) landfills • Processors are not required to register with COA • Regulated by TCEQ • Haulers take material to either in-house or 3rd party processor or landfill 2020 Economic Impact Study on C&D Recycling Key Findings: • Minimal economic impact to affordability • Data from demolition projects insufficient (effected in 2019) • Low reporting rate may skew diversion data upward • Processors able to handle increased volume, if key materials are not contaminated • 3rd party haulers struggle to compete due to limited processing facility access C&D Ordinance Data Submission Rate Average Diversion Rate (50% min) Average lbs per Sq Ft Disposed (2.5 max) Waiver Approval Rate 2021 10% 61% 0.15 N/A 2020 16% 59% 3.94 74% 2019 13% 67% 0.07 50% Data is self reported to ARR from ordinance affected projects. Does not include AEGB project data. Key Takeaways • Low project submission rate …
Zero Waste Advisory Commission Construction & Demolition Recycling Committee Meeting Minutes February 28, 2017 The Construction & Demolition Recycling Committee of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission (ZWAC) convened on February 28, 2017, at City Hall, Bull Pen Room 1029, Austin, Texas. Committee Members in Attendance: Kendra Bones Shana Joyce Attending: Joshua Blaine, Chair City Staff in Attendance: Austin Resource Recovery: Woody Raine, Richard McHale, Amy Slagle Committee Chair Blaine called the Committee Meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. a. Committee Members, staff, and stakeholders introduced themselves. 1. CALL TO ORDER: No one spoke. 2. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION GENERAL 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On a motion by Bones and second by Joyce, the Committee unanimously (3-0) approved the minutes for their December 13, 2016 meeting. 4. NEW BUSINESS a. Disaster debris management Amy Slagle, ARR Interim Litter Abatement Division Director, presented information about ARR’s Storm Debris Management Plan – what activates the plan, the operations, and the types of debris managed. Illustrating the plan in action, as a result of the 2015 Halloween Flood, ARR diverted 112 tons of brush, 4 tons of household hazardous waste, and 4 tons of electronics and tires. Another 1,859 tons of bulky debris were disposed. Blaine requested more information on the contents of landfilled debris and diversion rates for other disasters. b. Deconstruction – municipal programs and policies On behalf of The Reuse People of Austin, Adriana Vann presented her findings on municipal programs and policies that support deconstruction. Briefly, in order of impact, they included: • Raise Awareness 1. Post deconstruction information on the City website 2. 3. Inform City Permitting Office staff and Historic Landmark Commission Inform public on the value and how to get a Deconstruction Survey • Permit Incentives for Deconstruction 1. Establish separate Deconstruction Permit 2. Waive or reduce fees for Deconstruction Permits 3. Expedite review for new building permits if existing structure is deconstructed 4. Advertise incentives information, and raise awareness Alto CA, and others • Deconstruction Grant Program – fund deconstruction projects as a pilot, to collect • Deconstruction Ordinance examples: Seattle WA, Portland OR, Cook County IL, Palo Committee members and other meeting participants discussed challenges for deconstruction: matching generators and users and the value of reclaimed items. Raine noted that the ARR director told Council as they reviewed the C&D ordinance that ARR would use programmatic initiatives for portions of the C&D stream not affected by the …
April 23, 2021 ZWAC Construction and Demolition (C&D) Ordinance Reform Committee REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The Construction and Demolition Ordinance Reform Committee of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission (ZWAC) convened in a regular meeting on April 23, 2021 remotely via WebEx. Ian Steyaert called the Board Meeting to order at 1:03 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Ian Steyaert (chair), Cathy Gattuso, and Amanda Masino Staff in Attendance: Elizabeth Nelson, Selene Castillo, Gena McKinley, Jason McCombs, 1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Four (4) citizens spoke during the opportunity for citizen communication. Ross Biel with Recon Services and 3B Recycling in reference to the Qualified Processor section of the C&D Ordinance, addressed that there is not a City Registered Evaluator that verifies third party processor diversion rates alongside RCI (Recycling Certification Institute). Stakeholder Biel also mentioned that processors are not required to register with the City and pointed out that there are issues with processors reporting and reporting accurately, identifying material end markets, and increased pressure to recycle materials that are difficult to divert. Stakeholder Biel pointed out a conflict with RCI allowing fuel burning and the City not allowing burning as a diversion option. Stakeholder Biel spoke of the benefits of RCI certification and the detailed reporting requirements. Walter Biel, owner of Recon Services, and 3B Recycling, discussed the process of becoming RCI Certified, the challenges of recycling construction debris and finding end markets, and the process for becoming a recycler through applying with TCEQ. Stakeholder Biel stated that 70% of the material they receive is wood and burning as biofuel is the only option for this material, which LEED and EPA count as diversion. Stakeholder Biel also spoke about contamination issues at sites collecting comingled recycling that must be landfilled because of that contamination. William Turley, founder and Executive Director of the Construction and Demolition Recycling Association (CDRA) shared facts about C&D materials. Stakeholder Turley mentioned that burning wood biomass is recognized as diversion from the landfill by both EPA and LEED and requested that the City recognize that when certifying facilities since Zero Waste tenets allow for 10% waste to energy. Stakeholder Turley stated that RCI certification is the only program for recycling facilities that has been developed to an ISO level and is recognized by USGBC as the only legitimate program, and that requiring all facilities to be certified would reduce fraudulent reporting and increase reporting accuracy. Jeffrey Jacoby, with …
Versión en español a continuación. Regular Meeting of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Wednesday, April 14th, 2021 Zero Waste Advisory Commission to be held Wednesday, April 14th, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Tuesday, April 13th, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at (512) 974-2435 Dwight.Scales@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). • Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to (512) 974-2435 Dwight.Scales@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Reunión del Zero Waste Advisory Commission FECHA de la reunion (Wednesday, April 14th, 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación Tuesday, April 13th, 2021 (antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en (512)974-2435 Dwight.Scales@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser …
To: From: Zero Waste Advisory Commission Ken Snipes Director Austin Resource Recovery Date: April 14th, 2021 Subject: Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission ARR Solicitations Update As of March 17, 2021 ZWAC Meeting April 14, 2021 Upcoming Solicitations Under Development (in alphabetical order): No Updates Solicitations Expected to be Posted Within the Next 90 Days: 1. Asbestos, Lead, and Mold Abatement Services: RFP – Contractor to provide removal, encapsulation, and disposition of asbestos, lead, particulate, and mold. 2. Post-Disaster Debris Removal Services: RFP – Contractor to provide emergency debris removal services in accordance with Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) guidelines. No existing contract. 3. Post-Disaster Debris Monitoring Services: RFP – Contractor to provide emergency field debris monitoring services to include management and accounting services for monitoring the recovery efforts of the City’s Post Disaster Debris Removal Contractor. No existing contract. Published Solicitations: 1. Education, Cleanup, and Beautification Services: RFP 1500 CRR3008 – This solicitation was posted on March 1, 2021 and closes on March 23, 2021. Contractors qualified to provide education, cleanup, and beautification services that benefit the public by improving Austin’s environment and aesthetics through a variety of programs and providing resources and education that inspire Austin residents toward effective environmental stewardship. Link to current contract. Solicitations in Evaluation or Negotiation: 1. Electronics Recycling: IFB 1500 SLW1045 – This solicitation was posted on August 24, 2020, closed on September 17, 2020, and approved by Council on February 4, 2021. Awaiting final documentation from one of the vendors. Contractor to pick up, transport, and recycle computers, monitors, televisions, and other devices that operate using electrical parts in an environmentally sound manner. Link to current contract. 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. IFB (Invitation for Bid): Formal bidding documents inviting suppliers to submit pricing for goods or services. RFI (Request for Information): Used to obtain industry input, feedback, or reactions from potential suppliers prior to issuing a solicitation. RFQ (Request for Quotation): Informal request to suppliers to provide quotes on specific goods or services. RFQS (Request for Qualifications): Formal solicitation used when qualifications are the main criteria for professional services. RFP (Request for Proposals): Formal request for a supplier to provide a solution …
Zero Waste Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes April 14, 2021 The Regular Meeting of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission convened through Video Conference on Wednesday, April 14th, 2021, due to COVID-19 Disaster Declaration for all Texas Counties. The following are the meeting highlights. For detailed information please visit: https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/118681 CALL TO ORDER Chair Acuna called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:08 pm Board Members in Attendance: Gerry Acuna Jonathan Barona, Cathy Gattuso, Amanda Masino, Melissa Rothrock, Ian Steyaert, and Kaiba White Board Members not in Attendance: Lisa Barden, Janis Bookout Staff in attendance via WebEx: Ken Snipes, Richard McHale, Tammie Williamson, Donald Hardee, Amy Slagle, Victoria Rieger, Ron Romero, Bill Huck, Brent Paige, Marcus Gonzalez, Amy Schillerstrom, Young Park, Scales, and Jaime Germany Terry Chair Acuna opened with comments. 1. APPROVAL of the March 11, 2021, Meeting Minutes Chair Acuna entertained a motion to approve the March 11th Special Called Meeting minutes. Commissioner Jonathan Barona made the first motion for approval of the minutes. A second motion was provided by Commissioner Cathy Gattuso. Item passed Unanimously a. APPROVAL OF JANUARY 13, 2021 Meeting Minutes Chair Acuna entertained a motion to approve the January 13th Regular Meeting minutes. Commissioner Cathy Gattuso made the first motion for approval of the minutes. A second motion was provided by Commissioner Jonathan Barona. Item passed Unanimously 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion and Action: Safe Right-of-Way Clearance/Accessibility for Weekly Vehicle Servicing Collection of Garbage, Recycling, and Composting containers from City of Austin Routes—Ron Romero and Bill Huck Ron Romero Division Manager of Collection Services states we wanted to spend time to get more detailed information and pull accurate up-to-date numbers from our safety office and legal department. Our department safety manager Bill Huck will discuss our processes. Bill Huck Safety Manager: There are two ways we notify low tree limbs through observation of the drivers, supervisors, or safety personnel, and when we strike a low hanging limb. The actual code that requires property owners to keep their height vegetation above a certain point. The code requires trees to be 14 feet above the right of way from the road and eight feet above the sidewalk. If we make contact with a tree, the process is that we notify Public Works. We send in either a phone call or an email with a photo of the tree. Public Works will dispatch one of their technicians out to …
Versión en español a continuación. Special Called Meeting of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Friday, March 26th 2021 Zero Waste Advisory Commission to be held Friday, March 26th, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Thursday, March 25th, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at (512) 974-2435 Dwight.Scales@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). • Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to (512) 974-2435 Dwight.Scales@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Reunión del Zero Waste Advisory Commission FECHA de la reunion (Friday, March 26th, 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación Thursday, March 25th, 2021 (antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en (512)974-2435 Dwight.Scales@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe …
Versión en español a continuación. Special Called Meeting of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Thursday, March 11th, 2021 Zero Waste Advisory Commission to be held Thursday, March 11th, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at (512) 974-2435 Dwight.Scales@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). • Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to (512) 974-2435 Dwight.Scales@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Reunión del Zero Waste Advisory Commission FECHA de la reunion (Thursday, March 11th, 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 (antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en (512)974-2435 Dwight.Scales@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe …
To: From: Zero Waste Advisory Commission Ken Snipes Director Austin Resource Recovery Date: March 11, 2021 Subject: Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission CTM Refresh The PC refresh is triggered by the lifecycle management of our entire PC fleet and based on the date of purchase. It is roughly based on 20% of PCs per year and 25% of laptops. The current lifecycle is 5 years for PCs, 4 years for laptops used by standard users (office environment), and 3 years on laptops that are in the field every day. This is the current standard and follows industry best standards managing the lifecycle of the PC environment. Just because a PC still runs doesn't mean it is cost-effective to maintain in operations. The soft costs begin to rise the older a system gets like work stoppage due to failure or slowness, cost of replacing parts, the number of service calls due to the age of system and software install dates, and of course the ability of the system to adequately run current and new software deployed. It is common for large enterprises to adopt lifecycle management and the city has modeled it after industry standards. The other scenario to wait until the device no longer works is called “Replace on Failure” and it is not recommended as cost rise in other ways as mentioned. Winter Weather Storm Recovery During the week of February 15th, the Austin area experienced an Arctic air outbreak that caused freezing temperatures, snow, and ice accumulation. Due to the weather conditions, ARR was forced to suspend operations the week of February 15th-February 19th, 2021. Recycling tonnage for the week of February 22nd -26th, 2021 was 1254.40 tons. An increase of approximately 16% over the same period last year. Garbage tonnage for the week of February 22nd -26th, 2021 was 4957.79 tons. An increase of more than 200% over the same period last year Garbage and Recycle Collection Due to extreme winter weather, ARR canceled all residential garbage and recycling collection for the week of February 15th– February 19th, 2021. As collection services resumed the following week, for City of Austin garbage customers, Austin Resource Recovery decided to waive all excess garbage fees for the week of February 22nd – February 26th, 2021. Collection crews were instructed to collect all household trash contained in bags that were located at the curb. This was done …
