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• Traffic volumes (under contract, just one hauler sending trucks out for collection, open hauling would generate more traffic). • Collection days/zones (currently all recycling is collected on an every other Monday schedule). • Ordinance updates (if shifting to open hauling system) necessary to ensure haulers provide tonnage data for reporting purposes and specified collection days/zones should the City want to limit the days that trucks can be in neighborhoods. • Potential reduction in materials recycled, which means more materials being landfilled (based on data from Anoka County, generally speaking cities that contract for recycling services tend to have greater participation, greater tonnages of recycled materials and more successful programs. Two exceptions would be Andover and Coon Rapids, but both of these cities also offer a recycling center for their residents to drop off materials year round). • Education and information for residents. Funding for Ramsey's recycling program is provided by the state through the Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment (SCORE). The state distributes the SCORE funding to each county and then each county allocates those monies to the municipalities. In Anoka County, each municipality receives a base of $10,000 plus $5.08 per household. In 2010, Ramsey's allocation of SCORE monies was $49,872.92. The Anoka County Board of Commissioners annually establishes recycling goals for each municipality, which is typically the equivalent of recycling 175 pounds per person. The County allocates the SCORE funding to the municipalities to assist them in meeting their tonnage goal. Each municipality must enter into a recycling agreement with the County, which specifies certain program requirements, to be eligible to receive this funding. Ramsey uses the SCORE dollars to cover expenses associated with the spring and fall recycling events, to promote waste reduction and recycling in the community, for educational outreach purposes and to reimburse salary expenses specifically related to recycling activities. Recommendation: Staff can see benefits and drawbacks with each option. Having a contract for curbside recycling service ensures service to each household and helps limit the amount of vehicles on the roads collecting material; however, this also does eliminate choice of hauler for a household. Another option the Finance Committee may want to consider is the possibility of conducting a community survey to get feedback from residents on what they would prefer. However, timing may become problematic (current contract requires a minimum of three [3] months notice prior to expiration if the City intends to request a renewal). Due to the potential drop in participation and the subsequent reduction of materials recycled, Staff would recommend continuing the use of a contract for recycling service either by opting to renew the current contract for an additional two (2) year period or issuing a RFP for recycling services to begin in January, 2011.