Agenda - Council Work Session - 09/27/2016

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5.02: Consider Goals of Recycling Program City Planner Anderson presented the staff report, noting the City is in year four of a five-year contract with Ace Solid Waste for curbside collection of recyclable materials. The purpose of this case is to review the goals developed related to the City' s recycling program and discuss policy direction once the current contract expires. The focus is on the City's current organized curbside recycling contract and does not contemplate extending organized collection into solid waste disposal. City Planner Anderson described three options: enter into negotiations with the current service provider to extend the contract; prepare a Request for Proposal (RFP) for competitive bids for curbside collection of recyclables; or migrate to an open hauling system. City Planner Anderson noted that last month, the Board discussed several goals including maximizing recyclable materials covered, public education and marketing, customer service, and expanding the program to include new materials. Based on that discussion, staff drafted a document to address these objectives and also provide basic background information about the community, current recycling program, and County/State recycling objectives through 2030. City Planner Anderson read the list of program goals. Board Member Anderson asked whether these goals would be placed into an RFP process. City Planner Anderson answered in the affirmative, indicating the goals could be included in an RFP to define what the City wants to accomplish in the contract if the City opted to issue an RFP. Board Member Hiatt stated 90% of residents participate in the recycling program and with that in mind, he thinks a higher priority should be to improve recycling quantity for those 90% instead of trying to capture the remaining 10%, which may be difficult to do. City Planner Anderson agreed that the City will find more success by providing more education for the 90% who already actively recycle about all the different materials that can be recycled. Board Member Hiatt noted the staff report already addresses broadening the recycling program. Board Member Anderson asked about the organics program. City Planner Anderson explained that haulers who offer organics typically use separate trucks from the yard waste, which increases the number of vehicle trips. He described how organics programs are organized and collected. Board Member Anderson stated some residents don't want to have a third container. City Planner Anderson stated at a recent joint City Council and Planning Commission meeting, the issue of organics was raised and there seemed to be general consensus for staff to work with the Board on how organics could be approached. Options include a curbside program and/or opportunities for a small scale collection point, such as at a park.