HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-01-2009 Information Itemznforma-{-ion =-i-~m
Memorandum
To: Board of County Commissioners
Frank Clifton, Interim County Manager
From: Gayle Wilson, Solid Waste Management Director
Subject: Bradshaw Quarry Road Solid Waste Convenience Center Closure
Date: August 24, 2009
This memorandum provides information related to BOCC request for staff review of the
temporary vs. permanent closure issue; the potential hurdles and costs the County may
encounter in the future with reopening if closure is temporary; issues, possible solutions and
costs the County will need to consider if the closure is permanent; and the long term impact
on the County's efforts to make recycling easier.
The Manager's recommended Fiscal 2009/10 budget included several recommended service
reductions for Solid Waste Convenience Centers (SWCC). The recommendation to close the
Bradshaw Quarry Road SWCC was for permanent closure. No temporary closure alternative
was proposed and no plans to reopen have been prepared.
This pending closure is part of a long trend in convenience center improvements and
consolidation. In 1972 the County initiated a formalized waste collection program by siting
approximately 65 unstaffed drop-off locations where residents and businesses could drop-off
their waste. By 1990 the number of these locations had been reduced to 22. The system of
unstaffed waste centers was terminated in 1993 and replaced with six staffed SWCCs. In
2006 the Highway 57 center closed due to a lost lease and some portion of its users then
shifted to the Walnut Grove Road center, with some previous users contracting for private
waste collection where it was available.
The Solid Waste Planning Work Group, which includes the Solid Waste Advisory Board and
one elected official and staff from each of the four governmental jurisdictions in Orange
County, has been considering a wide range of longer term waste management strategies
including how to better serve the unincorporated portion of the County. Their work is nearing
its conclusion within the next few months and will provide the BOCC with input on various
aspects of waste management improvements and objectives.
We believe that there are both short and long term measures that can and should be
considered in which waste and recycling services can be provided that would result in
increased efficiency and equity and also result in increased recycling and waste reduction as
the County strives to meet its waste reduction goals. Short term measures could include:
• Expansion of existing curbside recycling into a portion the area previously served by
Bradshaw Quarry Road center. Staff is prepared to initiate this expansion by the end of
2009 at no additional cost or budget impact. This is possible because a similar sized
expansion was planned for last year, but all service expansions were suspended due to
budgetary concerns. Recycling bins have already been purchased, existing recycling
collection routes can be adjusted, and the program implemented by about December 1. If
desired, resources could be included in the Fisca12010/11 budget that would allow for the
remaining portion of the Bradshaw Quarry SWCC service area to be added to curbside
recycling.
Longer term measures that could make access to solid waste services for the unincorporated
area more geographically equitable and efficient while pursuing further convenience center
modernization and consolidation include:
• If the BOCC decides to locate the Transfer Station on Hwy. 54 West we would
recommend considering also developing a new, modernized full service SWCC at that
location which would serve the previous Bradshaw Quarry Road center customers and
would also allow the closure of Ferguson Road center with those customers also being
redirected to a new Hwy. 54 SWCC.
• Reconfigure the two northern SWCC's by modernizing High Rock Road center, closing
the current Walnut Grove Road center, and developing a new SWCC on County owned
land on Mincey Road (site of the previously proposed Hwy 57 SWCC replacement
center).
• Maintain and modernize the existing Eubanks Road SWCC.
• Consider a waste collection franchise arrangement for the unincorporated portion of the
County to ensure that all County residents and businesses have access to dependable and
reasonably priced waste collection.
• Continue to expand curbside recycling within the unincorporated portion of the County.
• Consider how to maintain efficient (compactors for waste) and expanded services and
opportunities (new recyclable materials, HHW, food waste, material reuse, etc.) available
at SWCC's, while at the same time encouraging use of curbside services that are typically
more efficient and environmentally responsible collection methodologies.
• Consider alternative methods for full or partial funding of SWCC operations such as Pay-
As-You-Throw, sanitation district fees, charges for bulky items, selling of compost and
mulch, etc.
The attached maps illustrate:
• the existing distribution of SWCC's (Figure 1);
• distribution of SWCC's when Bradshaw Quarry Road center closed, including for
reference, a five mile coverage radius and current curbside recycling routes (Figure 2);
• a five mile coverage radius of post Bradshaw Quarry Road center SWCC distribution and
existing curbside recycling routes, including proposed new Bradshaw Quarry Road area
curbside recycling expansion (Figure 3);
• Possible longer term equitable SWCC distribution using five mile radius and overall
county SWCC availability (Figure 4).
We believe that there is considerable value and public interest in the continued existence and
operation of SWCC's, but that certain system improvements to increase efficiency and equity
are necessary. Should the BOCC agree, staff is prepared to .work with the Solid Waste
2
Planning Work Group to expeditiously conclude their work so that a final long term solid
waste management/financial plan can be submitted to the BOCC. Staff will also immediately
initiate plans to provide a curbside recycling expansion into the Bradshaw Quarry Road area
unless directed otherwise by the BOCC.
Please let me know if your require additional information.
3
Figure 1
Ch Rd
~•
This map contains parcels prepared for the inventory of real property within Orange County, and is compiled from •~°' t•.,
recorded deed, plats, and other public records and data. Users of this map are hereby notified that the aforementioned
Legend public primary information sources should be consulted for verification of the information contained on this map. The a
couniy and its mapping companies assume no legal responsibility for the information on this map.
5 Mile Radii ••~ r.~~~
~ SW Convenience Center OrCangG COU Clt~/ G I S 1 inch = 16,667 feet
Figure 2
Ch Rd
Legend This map contains parcels prepared for the inventory of real property within Orange County, and is compiled from >x°' ~•.,
recorded deed, plats, and other public records and data. Users of this map are hereby notified that the aforementioned
5 Mile Radii public primary information sources should be consulted for verification of the information contained on this map. The F ~
~ SW Convenience Center county and its mapping companies assume no legal responsibility for the information on this map. ~
9 C•.~
Q ApproxAreaCurrentCurbsideSvc Orange County GIS finch=16,768 feet
Figure 3
Ch Rd
~,
t
Legend This map contains parcels prepared forihe inventory of real properly within Orange Couniy, and is compiled from a,.•r°• r•.,
5 Mile Radii recorded deed, plats, and other public records and data. Users of this map are hereby notified that the aforementioned
ublic primary information sources should be consulted for verification of the information contained on this map. The
~ SW Convenience Center county and its mapping companies assume no legal responsibility for the information on this map.
0 ApproxAreaCurrentCurbsideSvc Orange County GIS ~,~,~
0 Approx Area Proposed Curbside Expansion 1 inch = 16,768 feet
This map contains parcels prepared for the inventory of real property within Orange County, and is compiled from Y°' ~•.,
recorded deed, plats, and other public records and data. Users of this map are hereby notified that the aforementioned ' ~•
Legend public primary information sources should be consulted for verification of the information contained on this map. The C ,~
wunty and its mapping companies assume no legal responsibility for the information on this map.
~ SW Convenience Center Orange County G I S ~ "
5 Mile Radii 1 inch = 15,000 feet