City of West University, TX

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT • NATIONAL SECURITY • HEALTH • CYBERSECURITY

© SAIC. All rights reserved.

City of West University, TXAutomated Residential Collection Feasibility StudyScott PasternakKeaton ShuttlesworthOctober 8, 2012

SAIC.com


2

Presentation Overview

• Project Approach• Refuse & Recycling Automation• Cost to Add Yard Waste Collection• Public Outreach Survey• Recommendations

Project Approach

SAIC.com


4

Project Approach

• Retained in February 2012 to conduct a feasibility study on two aspects of the solid waste program:– Automation

• Determine the feasibility and costs of implementing automated collection

• Includes changing from twice per week refuse collection to once per week refuse and recycling collection using rolling carts

– Yard Waste• Determine the costs of instituting a yard waste service

Recycling & Refuse Automation

SAIC.com


6

Service Comparison

Issue Current Program Automated Program

Service DescriptionManual collection of bagsNo set out limitsCollected twice per week

Automated collection of cartsResidents purchase stickers for out of cart bagsCollected once per week

Rate Structure Two rates: one for 65+ and another for all other customers

Flexibility to have one standard rate or variable rates based on container size and service

Operational Overview 5 days per week, 8 hours per day 4 days per week, 10 hours per day

Vehicles 3 frontline manual vehicles [1]

1 backup manual vehicle

3 frontline automated side-load vehicles1 backup automated side-load vehicle

Personnel3 drivers6 laborers1 Crew Chief1 Crew Leader

3 drivers1 Crew Chief1 Crew Leader

Estimated Diversion Rate 25% 30% - 47% [2]

Aesthetics Loose bag set out leaves potential for messes caused by pests

Uniform carts prevent pest-caused messes but carts remain on street until retrieved by residents (similar to the recycling bins currently used by the City)

[1] The City uses a combination of manual rear- and side-load vehicles.[2] Low end of range represents recycling only. High end of range represents the addition of a yard waste program at 1,500 tons per year.

SAIC.com


7

Summary Cost Comparison

Program Current Program Automated Program

Automated Program w/

RecyclExpress Closure

Total Cost $ 1,736,799 $ 1,674,264 $1,536,749

Annual Decrease [1] N/A $ 62,535 $ 200,050

Percent Decrease N/A 3.6% 11.5%

[1] Calculated by subtracting RecyclExpress’s net under-recovery from the overall solid waste collection program’s costs.

SAIC.com


8

RecyclExpress

• If the City adopts a cart-based program, it could re-evaluate its need to maintain the RecyclExpress facility:– Carts provide significantly more capacity for

residents’ recyclables than bins – RecyclExpress is projected to under-recover

approximately $137,515 in FY 2012– The facility is used primarily by non-residents– Selling the property would result in a significant

one-time financial benefit

SAIC.com


9

Key Findings

• Based on SAIC’s findings, automation is operationally feasible for the City and provides the following benefits:– Decreases solid waste costs approximately 3.6%– Potentially increases diversion rate from 25% to

30+%– Allows the City to re-evaluate its need for

RecyclExpress

SAIC.com


10

Operational Considerations

• The City has several areas which will require special consideration if the City transitions to automated refuse and recycling collection. These areas include:– Dead Ends– High Traffic Streets– One Way Streets– Town Homes

SAIC.com


11

Map of Operational Considerations

Cost to Add Yard Waste Collection

SAIC.com


13

Yard Waste Cost Considerations

• Per City staff, the City’s previous yard waste program collected between 1,400 and 1,600 tons per year, on average.

• SAIC evaluated scenarios based on 1,500 tons and 1,000 tons of yard waste per year.

• SAIC assumed a participation rate of 60% (less townhomes).

SAIC.com


14

Yard Waste Costs

Description Manual Program Automated Program Difference In Cost

Direct CostsPersonnel $ 122,782 $ 56,116 $66,666 Vehicle O&M (including Fuel) $ 33,000 $ 40,000 ($7,000)

Capital – Vehicles $ 19,426 $ 41,476 ($22,050)Capital – Carts $ 0 $ 38,022 ($38,022)Disposal CostsRefuse ($ 51,750) ($ 51,750) $0 Yard Waste $ 20,250 $ 20,250 $0 Total Costs $ 143,708 $ 144,114 ($ 406)

Notes:[1] Incremental costs only. Indirect costs, such as administrative & non-collection operations, public education, etc., were not allocated to the costs presented in this table.[2] Savings generated from reduced refuse disposal costs.[3] Based on 1,500 tons per year.

Public Outreach Survey

SAIC.com


16

Survey Results

• Residents are very satisfied with the City’s current solid waste program

• Public opinion is divided over the proposals to move to automated collection and to add yard waste service

• Frequency of collection, cart storage, and cart size are among residents’ primary concerns

• If residents’ bills did not change:– 64% of residents would either be supportive or

neutral to automation– 89% of residents would either be supportive or

neutral to adding a separate yard waste service

Recommendations

SAIC.com


18

Recommendations

• Either Scenario (Automated or Current Program):– Consider closing RecyclExpress– Utilize a “4/10” collection schedule

• Ultimately, the decision to move to automation will be a policy decision. SAIC has highlighted several of automation’s advantages and risks on the next slide.

SAIC.com


19

Automation Advantages & Risks

• Advantages:– Opportunity to achieve a 3.6% reduction in costs

(and potentially more with the closure of RecyclExpress)

– Opportunity to increase diversion rate from 25% to 30+%

– Decreased emissions and wear and tear on City streets

– Less risk concerning access to labor

• Risks:– Change– Possible perception of reduction in service level– Public concern over loss of laborers

SAIC.com


20

Thank You

Scott Pasternak, Assistant Vice President5806 Mesa Dr., Suite 310 | Austin, TX 78731Tel: 512.651.6405 | Email: [email protected]

Keaton Shuttlesworth, Consultant5806 Mesa Dr., Suite 310 | Austin, TX 78731Tel: 512.651.6429 | Email: [email protected]

Visit us at saic.com

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

SAIC.com


21

Reference Slides

• The following slides may be referred to during the question and answer session.

SAIC.com


22

Detailed Cost Comparison

Description Current Program Automated Program Difference In Cost

Direct CostsPersonnel $ 500,481 $ 300,481 $ 200,000 Vehicle O&M (including Fuel) $ 115,500 $ 140,000 ($ 24,500)

Capital – Vehicles $ 58,277 $ 145,169 ($ 86,892)Capital – Carts $ 0 $ 74,233 ($ 74,233)Bins $ 10,687 $ 0 $ 10,687 Disposal CostsRefuse $ 233,860 $ 217,598 $ 16,262 Recycling [1] $ (101,006) ($ 122,217) $ 21,211

Indirect Costs [2] $ 918,999 $ 918,999 $ 0 Total Costs $ 1,736,799 $ 1,674,264 $ 62,535[1] Revenues from the sale of curbside-collected recyclables only.[2] Includes miscellaneous operating costs such as travel, recycling center equipment repair, etc.

Implementation Steps

SAIC.com


24

Implementation Steps

• SAIC developed a detailed approach to implementing an automated program, which the City can follow should it decide to adopt the program. Steps outlined include:– Service implementation– Container purchase– Ordinance development– Public education

SAIC.com


25

Implementation Timeline

Fiscal Year Phase Activities

2013 Implementation Planning

Design routes Plan employee reassignments Procure contracts Develop or revise City ordinance Develop public education

materials Begin public education

campaign

2014 Pre-Implementation

Purchase automated collection vehicles

Purchase and distribute carts Train staff on operation of new

vehicles Adopt revised City ordinance Continue public education

campaign

2015 Implementation

Reassign affected employees Begin providing automated

service Continue public education

campaign2016 Implementation Complete Continue public education

campaign

SAIC.com


26

Indirect Costs

Description Current Program Automated Program Difference In Cost

Indirect CostsAdministrative & Non-Collection Operations

$ 266,569 $ 266,569 $ 0

Special Event Temporary Labor $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 0

Transfer Fee $ 520,000 $ 520,000 $ 0 Miscellaneous [1] $ 95,800 $ 95,800 $ 0 Public Education $ 26,630 $ 26,630 $ 0 Total Costs $ 918,999 $ 918,999 $ 0[1] Includes miscellaneous expenses found in the City budget (e.g., training, travel, etc.).

SAIC.com


27

Examples of Budgetary Differences

• There exist several differences between the City’s and SAIC’s budgets for the current program. Key differences include:

Description City Budget SAIC Budget DifferenceSale of Recyclables $ 0 ($ 101,006) $ 101,006

Refuse Disposal $ 245,000 $ 233,860 $ 11,140Capital Costs – Vehicles $ 0 $ 58,277 ($ 58,277)Capital Costs – Bins $ 6,000 [1] $ 10,687 ($ 4,687)

Vehicle O&M [2] $ 82,300 $ 115,500 ($ 33,200)

Total Costs $ 15,982[1] Comes from ”Other Equipment” line item in City budget.[2] Includes fuel.

City of West University, TX

Documents

Transcript of City of West University, TX