HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 04/12/2022 - SINGLE FAMILY TRASH, RECYCLING AND COMPOST CONTRACDATE:
STAFF:
April 12, 2022
Sylvia Tatman-Burruss, Sr. Project Manager
Jackie Kozak-Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer
WORK SESSION ITEM
City Council
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to address Council’s priority (“Explore a Districted System for Garbage, Recycling and
Compost”) by providing Council with an overview of trash, recycling and compost contracting for single family
homes, an update on community engagement conducted thus far, and seek feedback on next steps for this topic.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
1. Do Councilmembers want staff to continue to pursue contracting? If so, which goals would Councilmembers
prioritize?
2. Do Councilmembers have any feedback about the process ahead?
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
One of the adopted Council Priorities is to explore a districted system for garbage, recycling, and compost for
single family homes. Districting is a sub-type of a contracted trash and recycling system. To ensure the broadest
possible conversation in the community, this document utilizes the term “contracting.”
PAST COUNCIL ACTION
Council has explored contracting at least twice in Fort Collins:
• 1998: Council directed staff to analyze feasibility of waste reduction through trash contracting.
• 2008: Council directed staff to again analyze feasibility of waste reduction through districting/contracting. A
pilot district was developed, and the project was paused indefinitely before implementation.
Elements that have changed since past studies:
1998 2008 Today
Number of residential haulers
operating in Fort Collins
6 3 4
Ownership Mix of local and
nationally-owned
Mix of local and
nationally-owned
Three nationally-owned;
one new locally-owned
starting service in May
Status of consideration Study only Study; pilot district
developed and then
stopped
Under review
ALIGNMENT WITH ADOPTED GOALS AND PLANS
Contracting would enable actions critical to meeting Fort Collins’ adopted goal to produce zero waste by 2030.
Fort Collins 2020 Community Diversion Rate goal was 75%, which was not achieved. In 2020, the Resident ial
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Diversion rate was 29% and the Community Diversion Rate (combining residential, commercial, and industrial
materials) was 52%.
Contracting for trash and recycling aligns with several adopted plans and other Council priorities. Those plans
include:
• Our Climate Future Big Move 2: Zero Waste Neighborhoods
• City Plan Principle ENV 5: Create a Zero Waste System
• Strategic Plan Environmental Health 4.3 Zero Waste
Contracting for single family home trash, recycling and compost also supports the following adopted Council
Priorities:
• Advance Regionalism: Fort Collins is part of the Regional Wasteshed Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA),
which commits partner communities to adopt policies to support waste diversion infrastructure that Larimer
County will construct. A facility for yard trimmings and food scraps composting and construction and
demolition recycling facility are critical paths to meeting Fort Collins’ Zero Waste and Climate Action goals.
We are exploring the possibility that a contract could include flow control to the Larimer County Landfill, which
would guarantee our region continues to have access to a public landfill and is also a baseline commitment
for Larimer County to construct the compost and construction and demolition recycling facilities.
• Accelerate Composting:
o A contract provides opportunity for additional yard trimmings collection in Fort Collins.
▪ As noted in the Council materials for the Our Climate Future update (also discussed this same night),
composting, or community-wide organic waste diversion, is a critical path for meeting climate goals
▪ Food scraps can be addressed in a contract in the future as the timing for regional food waste
composting infrastructure becomes clearer
• Flow control supports construction of compost facilities as noted above.
• Improve Air Quality: fewer trucks driving along residential roads reduces related air emissions and
greenhouse gas emissions
• Enhanced Recycling Education: Fort Collins could include educational requirements in a contract for
residential trash, recycling, and compost service. It wo uld also ensure all residents could have access to the
same educational resources and programs.
TRASH CONTRACTING OVERVIEW
Types of Trash and Recycling Collection Systems
There are four primary systems for residential trash and recycling collection. A s ummary of trash and recycling
systems (Attachment 1) includes more details about each type of service:
• Pure Open Market: Each household chooses their own hauler for trash and recycling collection. Local
government does not play a role in this system.
• Open Market with Licensing (Fort Collins’ current system): Each household chooses their own licensed
hauler for trash and recycling collection. The local government issues the licenses and may include
requirements such as offering recycling and compost collection.
• Contracted System (system being considered for Fort Collins): A local government contracts with one or
more companies to provide residential trash and recycling collection.
• City Hauling Utility: A city owns and operates their own hauling utility using city staff, resources, and
equipment.
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Across the U.S., City Hauling Utilities or Contracted Systems are by far the most common system for single family
trash and recycling service. In Colorado, the Pure Open Market is the most common system. This combination of
pure open market and very inexpensive landfilling drive Colorado’s low diversion overall.
Contracting is found in an increasing number of Colorado communities. Colorado state law allows local
governments to contract for single family residential service (defined as having 7 or fewer units). In Colorado,
local governments cannot contract for commercial, industrial, or multi-family (defined as having 8 or more units)
trash and recycling service.
Learnings from Peer Communities
City staff researched communities in Colorado which either have explored or have a contracted trash and
recycling service in place. Given that contracted service is very common across the U.S., staff focused on
Colorado examples since they operate under the same state requirements that would apply to Fort Collins. The
one exception is that staff also researched Portland, OR and St. Paul, MN as examples of districted systems
since there are few districted examples in Colorado.
Specific examples of peer cities researched include:
• Colorado communities with contracted single-family trash and recycling service: Arvada, Commerce City,
Edgewater, Englewood, Golden, Johnstown, Lafayette, Louisville
• Colorado communities that have explored contracted service: Lakewood, Westminster
• Additional communities explored for districted examples: Portland, OR and Saint Paul, MN
Intended outcomes and benefits of a contracted system identified by these communities include:
• Fewer trucks on residential streets resulting in less wear-and-tear on streets
• Improved air quality through lower emissions due to reduced trips and truck traffic in neighborhoods
• Improved customer service due to the City managing the hauling contract and enforcing performance
measures
• More recycling and composting options that can be detailed and required through the RFP process
• Access to uniform and predictable pricing for a set number of years
Potential disadvantages identified include:
• Households must pay an opt-out fee if they want to choose their own service provider.
• A variety of perspectives exist in the community about the ideal role of local government and some
community members do not support this role.
• The shift to implement an administrative role in trash hauling for the city o rganization. Most peer communities
shifted from a pure open market system to a contract, so they did not have existing staff with this area of
specialty. Depending on the way the contract is set up, the city may also manage billing, customer service,
and/or trash and recycling bins, which requires transition time and logistics.
• Logistics of a districting approach, which would include logistics of creating districts, managing multiple RFP
processes, navigating pricing differences between districts, etc.
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Elements Achieved via Licensing vs Contracting
Licensed System Contracted System
Recycling and Composting
Volume-based pricing for trash service Y X
Recycling bundled with trash service for no additional charge Y X
Opt-in yard trimmings collection Y X
Potential for increased yard trimmings collection (opt-out or
bundled service) and future food scraps collection
P X
Potential for more and consistent recycling education X
Fewer Trucks in Residential Neighborhoods
Street Maintenance Savings X
Improved Neighborhood Aesthetics, e.g., less noise, one day of
service per neighborhood
X
Increased safety X
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions X
Improved air quality X
Pricing
Predictable consistent pricing across community X
Potential service cost reduction due to efficiencies of servicing
every home on the street
X
Equity & Customer Service
Leverage for customer service requirements with metrics and
penalties for non-compliance
X
Enhance equity in trash and recycling service in the community,
e.g., enhance communication options for all languages spoken in
Fort Collins, develop programs to support low-income community
members, provide arrangements for less able-bodied residents
X
Connection with Other Council Priorities
Advance Regionalism: Flow control supports public landfill and is
baseline for compost and construction & demolition recycling
facilities
P X
Accelerate Compost: Potential for additional yard trimmings
compost options
P X
Improve Air Quality: Reduction in trucks in residential
neighborhoods reduces related emissions
X
Y = in place in Fort Collins current licensed system
P = possible in Fort Collins current licensed system but would require additional policy adoption
X = possible in a contracted system in Fort Collins
Timeline
A contracted project could follow the timeline below, if consistent with Council direction.
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• April - August, 2022:
o Engage with community on contract details until mid -June. A community engagement summary will be
provided at the next Council work session.
o Work Session to discuss details of a contracted system and outline process for next steps with Council.
• August, 2022 - January, 2023:
o Staff would develop the Request for Proposal (RFP) with consultant support.
o The RFP would be issued and haulers would draft proposals.
o Staff would review proposals and negotiate a contract.
• 2023 and Beyond:
o Staff would share the outcome of the RFP with City Council and community.
o Staff would work with the community to prepare for the contracted service rollout.
o Service would begin 12-18 months after contract execution.
Engagement
Phase I Engagement (beginning of project to now): Focus on understanding the goals, priorities and concerns our
community has when exploring the idea of contracting for household trash and recycling service.
• The general level of engagement along the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) spectrum
is “Consult” with aspects of “Involve” present where goals and proposed outcomes are discussed.
o Examples of “consult” tools include seeking public comment on proposed action, presentations to
neighborhood groups, HOAs, Boards & Commissions and hosting Open Houses
o Examples of “involve” tools include workshops, stakeholder meetings and focus groups to gather in-depth
feedback on specific topics within a project.
Phase II Engagement (mid-April - mid-June): Focus on the details of a contracted trash and recycling collection
system.
• Will continue to inform community members on next steps and engage with them on potential options for
contracting as the conversation moves forward.
• Engagement would take place through the OurCity online engagement platform, online and in -person
workshops, and focus groups with disproportionately impacted groups (i.e., seni ors, lower-income residents,
non-English-speaking residents, etc.).
• A summary of engagement would be shared at the next City Council Work Session.
Groups engaged so far:
• Community Members
• Environmental Groups
• Low-Income Housing Organizations
• Focused Community Groups
• Boards and Commissions
• Waste Haulers
Community Engagement Summary
Over 1,400 community members have spoken with staff, attended one of two virtual Community Conversations,
answered questionnaires, sent emails, or left comments on social media or on the Contract for Trash project page
letting staff know their goals, priorities, concerns, and thoughts on a communitywide contract for household trash
and recycling collections. (Attachment 2) The themes from this engagement are summarized below:
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Perspectives about concerns expressed by community members:
• Prices going up / affordability: A contract can ensure a community-wide price based on efficient service
delivery. Cost increases would only be within the terms agreed to in the contract. There are no cost increase
protections in a licensed open market system.
• A decrease in service levels: A contract could include strict trash / recycling / compost collection service and
customer service requirements with penalties for the hau ler not meeting those requirements. There are no
such requirements or penalties in an open market system other than a customer choosing to hire a different
hauler.
• Effects of a monopoly / lack of competition: There is competition in a contracted system, but it happens at the
community (or district) level rather than the household-by-household level. In a contracted system, each
hauler creates a proposal to match the services requested by the community. These proposals are analyzed
based on the cost of service, quality of service and other elements. The contract includes service
requirements and the contract can be cancelled if those requirements are not being met by the hauler. Other
haulers will continue to service their commercial, multi-family and construction and demolition (and perhaps
some homeowner association) customers, so will continue to be in the market to submit competitive
proposals for future contracts. In peer city research, other Colorado communities noted they have seen
continued competitive proposals when issuing request for proposals at the end of a contract.
• Lack of choice in selecting service provider: A household can continue to select their own hauler but would
have to pay an opt-out fee.
• Impact to haulers that are not awarded a contract: Haulers would have 12-18 months after a contract
decision to plan and adjust before the contract went into effect. Potential shifts in service could include the
following:
o Existing nationally-owned haulers
• Could continue to service existing commercial, multi-family and construction site customers
• Could continue to service existing HOA contracts (even if HOAs roll into contract at end of current
term)
• Could shift staff to servicing accounts in adjacent communities
• Is significant staff turnover now; possible that existing attrition over the 12-18 month roll-out period
would prevent any jobs ending
• Hauler awarded the contract would likely be adding staff
o New locally-owned hauler
• Could adjust business model to service other Northern Colorado communities
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Hauler Engagement
Fort Collins has seen many changes in residential haulers in the past few years:
• At the end of 2020, locally-owned hauler Gallegos Sanitation was purchased by nationally-owned hauler
Republic Services
• At the end of 2021, locally-owned hauler Ram Waste was purchased by nationally-owned Waste Connections
• Locally-owned Timberline Hauling started service in the last few years and opted to close their business and
give their customers to Ram Waste / Waste Connections in February 2022
• A new locally-owned hauler, Mountain High Disposal, has formed and plans to start service in Fort Collins in
May 2022
City staff has engaged with haulers serving Fort Collins and other area residential haulers and have learne d:
• The nationally-owned haulers that currently service Fort Collins and a locally-owned regional hauler have
expressed support for contracting or continuing the current licensing system.
• The new locally-owned hauling company does not support a contr acted system and recommends Fort Collins
continue in a licensed system.
• All haulers have expressed appreciation for having been engaged early in the process.
NEXT STEPS
If consistent with feedback from Council at the April 12 Work Session, staff will:
• Continue analysis of the contracting project;
• Begin Phase II of community engagement, focused on the details of a contracted residential trash and
recycling system; and
• Return to discuss contracting details with Council at a future Work Session.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Types of Trash and Recycling Systems (PDF)
2. Contracting Community Engagement (PDF)
3. Natural Resources Advisory Board (excerpt) (PDF)
4. Powerpoint Presentation (PDF)
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Details of Systems for Single-Family Trash and Recycling Service in Colorado
Type of Single-Family Trash and Recycling Collection System
Pure Open Market Licensed Open Market Contracted Municipal Hauling Utility
Local Example •Wellington
•Estes Park
•Fort Collins’ current system
•Boulder
•System Fort Collins is considering
•Johnstown
•Golden
•Loveland
•Longmont
Hauling System
Details
Open Market system
with no local
government
involvement
Haulers must obtain a license
from the local government to
provide trash and recycling
service
Local government contracts with one
hauler for the whole community or one
per district to provide trash and
recycling service
City employees in City-owned
vehicles collect trash and recycling
and yard trimmings
Trash and
Recycling
Service Details
Often focused on
larger trash carts or
unlimited trash
service for a fixed
price; recycling opt-in
for an extra fee
Local government can
determine some elements of
service. In Fort Collins, our
license requires a Pay-As-You-
Throw system, meaning trash
pricing is based on size of trash
cart subscription and up to two
96-gallon recycling carts are
included for no additional
charge
Service details are part of the contract
for service. It can include a Pay-As-You-
Throw system, meaning trash pricing is
based on size of trash cart subscription
and up to two 96-gallon recycling carts
are included for no additional charge
Local government determines the
services provided to the community
and at what cost. Loveland and
Longmont have Pay-As-You-Throw
volume based pricing for trash
service, bundle in recycling service,
and offer optional yard trimmings
collection service
(Longmont’s service also includes
food scraps)
Typical
participation in
recycling and
yard trimmings
collection
programs in this
system
15-20% of residents
typically opt-in and
pay extra for recycling
or yard trimmings
service
In Fort Collins, 95% of residents
select recycling service as it is
bundled with trash service.
Fort Collins has opt-in yard
trimmings service for an extra
fee with ~15% of residents
participating.
In a contract system, Fort Collins would
continue to bundle recycling with trash
Fort Collins would need to determine if
it wants to continue yard trimmings
service as opt-in or shift to opt-out or
bundled service
(85-95% of residents typically select
services that are bundled with trash.
15-20% of residents typically opt-in
and pay extra for services)
85-95% of residents typically select
services that are bundled with trash.
15-20% of residents typically opt-in
and pay extra for services.
ATTACHMENT 1 B.3.1
Packet Pg. 94 Attachment: Types of Trash and Recycling Systems (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and
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Type of Single-Family Trash and Recycling Collection System
Pure Open Market Licensed Open Market Contract Municipal Hauling Utility
Who selects the
hauler
Each household
selects their own
household and
negotiates pricing
individually
Each household selects their
own household and negotiates
pricing individually
Local government selects the hauler
Residents can utilize a different hauler
and would be subject to an opt-out fee
Details: Local government drafts a
Request for Proposals that describes
the details of service for their
community. Haulers then draft
proposals to match that request and
compete based on price, quality of
service and other elements
Local government is the hauler
Residents can utilize a different
hauler and would be subject to an
opt-out fee
How pricing is
determined
Pure open market;
tends to be higher
pricing and/or less
recycling / yard
trimmings service
offered
Hauler determines pricing per
household through licensing
requirements
(for example, Fort Collins
requires a volume-based pricing
for trash with bundled recycling,
but each hauler determines
their own rates within that
structure)
Price is determined through a
competitive purchasing process to
secure “bulk purchase” pricing
Pricing is then set for the duration of
the contract with increases only
allowed under pre-determined
circumstances
Through local government systems
to determine cost for providing
service
Who negotiates
pricing
Each household Each household Local government Determined by local government
Level at which
haulers
compete
Household by
household
Household by household Community- or district-wide via
competitive bidding process
Service provided by local
government
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Type of Single-Family Trash and Recycling Collection System
Pure Open Market Licensed Open Market Contracted Municipal Hauling Utility
How many
haulers service
each
neighborhood
As many haulers as
have customers on
that street. Can be
multiple haulers
providing service on
multiple days of the
week.
As many haulers as have
customers on that street. Can
be multiple haulers providing
service on multiple days of the
week.
The number of haulers tends to
vary over time as new hauling
businesses form and then often
consolidate. Fort Collins has had
as many as 6 and as few as 3
residential haulers.
One hauler serves each district, so all
trash, recycling and yard trimmings
collection happens on one day in a
neighborhood by one company, unless
a resident on that street chooses to
pay an opt-out fee and hire a different
hauler
(can be one or many districts in the
community, but each is serviced by one
hauler)
Municipal hauling services all single
family homes in the community,
unless a resident on that street
chooses to pay an opt-out fee and
hire a different hauler
Typical pricing Can be higher due to
inefficiencies of
customers being
spread out.
Can be higher due to
inefficiencies of customers
being spread out.
Can provide lower service costs
because fixed costs for providing
service are spread among more
customers and the greater efficiency of
servicing every household on a
neighborhood street
Can provide lower service costs
because fixed costs for providing
service are spread among more
customers and the greater efficiency
of servicing every household on a
neighborhood street
Road
maintenance
impacts
(wear and tear
on a residential
street of 1 trash
truck is
equivalent to
1200 passenger
cars)*
Potential for higher
community road
maintenance costs
due to multiple trash
and recycling trucks
on residential streets
each week
Potential for higher community
road maintenance costs due to
multiple trash and recycling
trucks on residential streets
each week
Potential for lower community road
maintenance costs due to one trash
and recycling truck on residential
streets each week
(estimated cost savings for Fort Collins
in 2008: $170k / year)
Potential for lower community road
maintenance costs due to one trash
and recycling truck on residential
streets each week
* Source: Trash Services Study Final Report, R3 Consulting 2008
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Type of Single-Family Trash and Recycling Collection System
Pure Open Market Licensed Open
Market
Contract Municipal Hauling Utility
Air Quality
and Climate
impacts
Potential for more
greenhouse gas
emissions and air
quality impacts from
multiple trash and
recycling trucks in
each neighborhood
each week
Potential for more
greenhouse gas
emissions and air
quality impacts from
multiple trash and
recycling trucks in
each neighborhood
each week
Potential for less greenhouse gas emissions and air quality
impacts due to one trash and recycling truck in each
neighborhood each week
Additional opportunity for lower emissions because
contracting provides leverage to request lower emission or
electric vehicles to service neighborhoods
Potential for less
greenhouse gas emissions
and air quality impacts due
to one trash and recycling
truck in each neighborhood
each week
Additional opportunity for
lower emissions if
municipality invests in lower
emission or electric vehicles
to service neighborhoods
Customer
Service
requirement
Customer service
negotiated by each
household with their
hauler
Customer service
negotiated by each
household with their
hauler
Customer service requirements included in the contract with
penalties for non-compliance
Customer service provided
by the municipality
Low income
programs
n/a n/a Potential for programs to support low-income community
members
Potential for programs to
support low-income
community members
Homeowner’s
Associations
Many Homeowners
Associations (HOAs)
elect to use a
contract system to
achieve a lower price
and other services for
their HOA members
rather than the open
market system.
Many Homeowners
Associations (HOAs)
elect to use a contract
system to achieve a
lower price and other
services for their HOA
members rather than
the licensed open
market system.
This is the system many Homeowners Associations (HOAs)
utilize to achieve a lower price and other services for their
HOA members. A city-wide or district-wide contract could
provide similar types of benefits.
In a city contracted system, some cities allow HOAs to opt in
to the city’s contract while others require HOAs join the city
contract once their existing contract expires.
Homeowners Associations
are generally serviced by the
municipality
Number of
districts
n/a n/a Multiple districts allow multiple haulers to service single
family homes in the community. It also introduces the
possibility of different pricing in different parts of the
community for the same service, among other detailed
logistics.
n/a
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Packet Pg. 98 Attachment: Types of Trash and Recycling Systems (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and
Engagement
Phase I Engagement (beginning of project to now): Focus on understanding the goals, priorities and concerns
our community has when exploring the idea of contracting for household trash and recycling service.
•The general level of engagement along the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2)
spectrum is “Consult” with aspects of “Involve” present where goals and proposed outcomes are
discussed.
o Examples of “consult” tools include seeking public comment on proposed action, presentations to
neighborhood groups, HOAs, Boards & Commissions and hosting Open Houses
This list represents a comprehensive set of community members and organizations staff members have
connected within the process thus far. Some conversations have been in-depth while others have been simpler
touchpoints, e.g., replies to emails or a commitment on behalf of an organization to share out the opportun ities
with their networks.
•Community Members
o Engaged the broad Fort Collins community using multiple platforms including soc ial media
messaging, virtual community conversations (open houses), online website and message boards,
email, phone calls, and a survey. Over 1,400 community members engaged in one or multiple of the
forms listed.
o Used social media and radio to promote Spanish language survey to Latino/Latina/Latinx community
members.
•Environmental Groups:
o Sustainable Living Association
o CSU Zero Waste Club
o Next Level Neighborhoods
•Low-Income Housing Organizations:
o CARE Housing
o Housing Catalyst
o Harmony Village Mobile Home Park Spring Cleanup Event (scheduled for 4/23)
•Focused Community Groups:
o Chamber of Commerce: Local Legislative Affairs Committee (LLAC)
o Downtown Development Authority (declined a meeting)
o Black and African American Cultural Center
o Queen’s Legacy Foundation
o Nonprofit Human Service Grantees
•Boards and Commissions:
o Natural Resources Advisory Board
o Economic Advisory Board (visiting in phase II)
o Downtown Development Authority (declined a meeting)
o Homeowners Associations
o Meeting with Clarendon Hills HOA 4/7
•Waste Haulers
o Republic Services
o Waste Management
o Waste Connections
o Mountain High Disposal
ATTACHMENT 2 B.3.2
Packet Pg. 99 Attachment: Contracting Community Engagement (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting)
Natural Resources Advisory Board March, 2022
Curbside Trash and Recycling Contract – Caroline Mitchell, Waste Reduction and
Recycling Program Manager, shared work being done surrounding the Council priority to
explore contracting for household trash and recycling services. City staff will ask what
goals Councilmembers would prioritize in a contract during an upcoming work session on
April 12.
Discussion | Q + A
1.Victoria – Q – You mentioned that Fort Collins has a more robust licensing system,
why is that and what makes Fort Collins unique in that? Caroline – A – The norm
across the country is either have contracted services or municipal services. We are
unique not only because we don’t do that, but because we also have a strong
commitment to waste reduction. Fewer communities license their hau lers.
2.Hillary – When Golden was looking at the same process, Hillary was part of their
Sustainability Advisory Board. It is a lot of work, so kudos to the team for moving that
forward and it is exciting to think Fort Collins can take the next step as it h as been a
long time coming.
3.Barry – Q – Has there been discussions with the individuals who drive and man the
trucks who are local members of our community; what are their perspectives? If the
city were to adopt, what would be the effects of the employment for these local people?
Caroline – A – To clarify we are not discussing the City taking over the hauling
business itself, but to issue a contract to haulers. One decision point is if it would be
one contract or create districts and contract multiple haulers. We have not conducted
engagement with drivers specifically. One key element is that these companies are
nationally owned, so it is safe to say there are other communities in Northern Colorado
that would continue to use their service. The specifics of what would happen to each
company would vary. Barry wanted to express concern for the people who do the
actual work and if their perspectives were being considered in the deliberation.
4.Hillary – Q – How do HOAs play into this and what about commercial recycling and
trash? Caroline – A – Colorado State Law states that municipalities are not allowed to
contract or service for commercial or multifamily structures of eight units or more. The
contract would only apply to single family homes. We are gathering contact
information for HOA’s who currently are contracted to get their feedback. We are
thinking they could either opt in or just roll into the City once their current contracts
expire.
5.Hillary – Q – What percentage of trash hauling is single family vs commercial and
multifamily complexes? Caroline – A – We don’t have the number of locations, but
volume-wise it is about 50/50.
6.Kevin – Q – Does that 50/50 still apply in terms of miles traveled? Caroline – A – We
don’t have analysis of the numbers of miles traveled by the vehicles. We would have
to dial in with traffic engineers to see if there is a way we could get that. Kevin would
be interested to see if the numbers based on volume holds up against other impacts.
7.Drew – Q – What is the timeline to offer to Council, to switch to a contract? Caroline
–A – We are working toward a decision on which hauler by the end of the year. There
will be some gap time between making the decision and implementation as there are
a lot of logistics involved. Based on conv ersations with haulers, we are looking at
ATTACHMENT 3 B.3.3
Packet Pg. 100 Attachment: Natural Resources Advisory Board (excerpt) (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting)
Natural Resources Advisory Board March, 2022
anywhere between six months and a one-year gap.
8. Victoria – Q – What is the best way to provide feedback. Caroline – A – For individual
response I am happy to gather that now or you can through the questionnaire. I f you
want to provide feedback as NRAB, that is usually shared with Council through a
memo. Honore – This will not be the only opportunity to weigh in. Staff also tends to
attach minutes to the materials for City Council to see thoughts and questions.
9. Barry – Speaking for himself: No strong perspectives right now. Trusts how staff and
Council will approach this issue.
10. Kevin echoes Barry’s thoughts. The areas that are being focused on are appropriate
and correlate to the City and Council’s goals. They are going in the right direction and
supports those focus areas. Would be interested in weighing in once they get more
feedback from the work session and when there are more specific things on the table.
11. Drew supports the general idea of pushing toward a contr act system. Recommends
being cautionary in rushing the gap period, as a year seems quick.
B.3.3
Packet Pg. 101 Attachment: Natural Resources Advisory Board (excerpt) (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting)
Single Family Tr ash,
Recycling and Compost
Contracting
April 12, 2022
City Council Work Session
Caroline Mitchell
Kira Beckham
Sylvia Tatman-Burruss
Ashley Pace
DeAngelo Bowden
Sheela Backen
ATTACHMENT 4 B.3.4
Packet Pg. 102 Attachment: Powerpoint Presentation (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting)
2Questions for Council
1.Do Councilmembers want staff to continue to pursue contracting? If so, which
goals would Councilmembers prioritize?
2.Do Councilmembers have any feedback about the process ahead?
B.3.4
Packet Pg. 103 Attachment: Powerpoint Presentation (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting)
3Strategic Alignment
City Plan
Council Priority:
Explore Districted
System for Garbage,
Recycling and
Compost
Principle ENV 5:
Create a Zero Waste
system.
Environmental Health
4.3 Zero Waste
Strategic PlanCouncil Priority Our Climate Future
Big Move 2:
Zero Waste
Neighborhoods
Aligned:
Advance Regionalism
Accelerate Composting
Improved Air Quality
Enhanced Recycling Education
Critical Path to
Achieving Climate
Goals (composting)
B.3.4
Packet Pg. 104 Attachment: Powerpoint Presentation (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting)
4Connection to Regional Collaborations
Regional Wasteshed Implementation
Larimer County
Infrastructure: Supportive policies
(contracting includes elements
supportive of the wasteshed
implementation)
Partner Communities
B.3.4
Packet Pg. 105 Attachment: Powerpoint Presentation (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting)
5
Municipal
Hauling Utility
Contracted
System
Open Market
with Licensing
Pure Open
Market
Systems for Tr ash and Recycling Collection
City RoleEach household chooses their own hauler for trash and
recycling collection.No role of local government.
Each household chooses their own licensed hauler for trash
and recycling collection.City license can support safety
requirements and/or policy goals like including recycling.
This is Fort Collins’current system.
A municipality contracts with one or more companies to
provide residential trash and recycling collection.
This is the system under consideration.
A municipality owns and operates their own hauling utility
using city staff,resources and equipment.
B.3.4
Packet Pg. 106 Attachment: Powerpoint Presentation (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting)
6Contracting vs Open Market
M M M M M M M M
M W T F F M TW
Open Market System: multiple haulers, serviced on different days of the week
Contract System: single hauler, serviced on same day of the week
B.3.4
Packet Pg. 107 Attachment: Powerpoint Presentation (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting)
Contracting Application 7
Contract WOULD apply to
•Single family homes
•Multi-family complexes of 7 units or fewer
Contract would NOT apply to
•Multi-family complexes of 8 units or more
•Businesses
•Construction sites, industrial recycling
Contract MAY apply to
•Homeowner’s associations (HOAs) that contract
for trash & recycling service now
•Could opt in to City contract at end of existing contract
•City could require HOAs to join at end of existing contract
B.3.4
Packet Pg. 108 Attachment: Powerpoint Presentation (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting)
8Past Fort Collins Consideration of Contracting
1998 2008 Now
Number of residential haulers
operating in Fort Collins
6 3 4
Local or nationally-owned
haulers
Mix Mix 3 nationally-
owned, 1
new locally-
owned
Status of consideration Study only Study; pilot district
developed and then
stopped
Under review
Benefits identified Street maintenance savings ($170k+
/ year in 2008)
Fewer trucks, reduced emissions,
reduced noise
Updating
benefits
research
B.3.4
Packet Pg. 109 Attachment: Powerpoint Presentation (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting)
Researched 12 communities
that have or explored
contracted systems.
•Arvada
•Commerce City
•Edgewater
•Golden
•Johnstown
•Lafayette
•Louisville
•Lakewood
•Westminster
•Englewood
•Saint Paul, MN
•Portland, OR
Benefits identified by these
communities:
•Fewer trucks in
neighborhoods
•Improved air quality and
lower truck emissions
•Improved customer
service
•More recycling and
composting options
•Access to uniform pricing
Disadvantages identified by
these communities:
•Households must pay opt-
out fee if they want to
choose their own provider
•Perspectives about the
ideal role of government
•The shift to an
administrative role of the
city organization
•Logistics of a districting
approach
9Peer Community Findings
B.3.4
Packet Pg. 110 Attachment: Powerpoint Presentation (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting)
What goals can be achieved with existing licensing system?
•Currently have:Vo lume-based pricing for trash service;recycling bundled with trash for no additional charge;and opt-in yard trimmings collection
•Potential to achieve with additional policy:Increased composting,e.g.,increased yard trimmings collection and future food scraps;advancing
Council priorities such as regionalism (through flow control)and accelerated composting
10Elements Addressed by Contracting
Fewer Trucks in Neighborhoods
•Street maintenance savings
•Improved neighborhood aesthetics
•Less noise
•One day of service / neighborhood
•Increased safety
•Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
•Improved air quality
Pricing
•Predictable consistent pricing
across community
•Potential service cost reduction
due to efficiencies of servicing
every home on the street
Customer Service
•Leverage for customer service
requirements
•Metrics and penalties for
non-compliance
•Enhanced equity in service,
e.g., low-income programs,
increased accessibility, and
more
What can only be achieved via a Contracting system?
Bottom Line: Many elements can only be achieved through contracting,
though Council could address some of the goals, e.g., increased composting, in the licensed hauler system
B.3.4
Packet Pg. 111 Attachment: Powerpoint Presentation (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting)
11CommunityEngagement
Who we have engaged
•Community members
•Haulers
•Chamber of Commerce
•Downtown Development
Authority
•Natural Resource Advisory
Board
•Environmental Groups
How we have
engaged
•Community Conversations
•Questionnaire
(1300 responses)
•Presentations to groups
•Individual conversations
•Newsletters: CityNews,
FortShorts, Climate Action
etc.
•Radio advertisements
•Press release / newspaper
article
Engagement focus:
What goals would you
have for a contracted
trash and recycling
system?
What concerns would you
have about a contracted
system?
What do you prioritize in a
trash and recycling
hauler?
B.3.4
Packet Pg. 112 Attachment: Powerpoint Presentation (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting)
12Feedback Heard So Far
Goals of a contracted
system
•Fewer trucks in
neighborhoods
•Affordable, equitable
pricing
•Improve / maintain
customer service
•Increased yard
trimmings collection
Important when selecting a trash /
recycling service provider
•Consistent, reliable service
•Affordable price
•Responsive customer service
•Service options that fit the household’s
needs
•Options for yard trimmings/compost
collection
Concerns with a
contracted system
•Prices going up/
affordability
•A decrease in service
levels
•The effects of a
monopoly / lack of
competition
•Lack of choice / being
stuck with an
unwanted service
provider
•Impact to haulers and
their employees if not
awarded a contract
From Haulers
•Existing haulers supportive of contracting or
continued licensing system
•New hauler prefers licensing system
•Appreciate early and in-depth engagement
B.3.4
Packet Pg. 113 Attachment: Powerpoint Presentation (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting)
13Next phase of engagement
Next Phase of Engagement: Focused on Elements of Contracted Service
One district or many?
Ya rd trimmings collection service: include? Opt-in vs opt-out vs bundled service?
Flow control of trash?
Billing, customer service, carts: City-owned or hauler-owned?
Share updated analysis re: air quality, street impacts of reduced truck traffic
HOAs (homeowner associations): Include when current contracts expire?
Low-income program options
B.3.4
Packet Pg. 114 Attachment: Powerpoint Presentation (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting)
14Next Steps
Involves Council and Community
Apr–Aug
City Staff
Sep -Jan
Involves
Council
and
Community
2023+
•Engage with community re: contract
details
•Next Council Work Session re:
contract details, including Council
next steps
•Develop RFP with
consultant support
•Issue RFP
•Haulers draft responses
•Review RFP
•Negotiate and award
contract
•Share outcome of RFP
process, prepare for
new contracted service
•Roll-out new service 12
-18 months after
contract adoption
B.3.4
Packet Pg. 115 Attachment: Powerpoint Presentation (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting)
15Questions for Council
1.Do Councilmembers want staff to continue to pursue contracting? If so, which
goals would Councilmembers prioritize?
-Increased composting
-Fewer trucks in neighborhoods
-More consistent pricing
-Equity options
-Customer service
2.Do Councilmembers have any feedback about the process ahead?
B.3.4
Packet Pg. 116 Attachment: Powerpoint Presentation (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting)
B.3.4
Packet Pg. 117 Attachment: Powerpoint Presentation (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting)
17What would happen to a hauler that wasn’t awarded a contract?
•Existing nationally-owned haulers
•Could continue to service commercial, multi-family and construction site customers
•Could continue to service existing HOA contracts (even if HOAs roll into contract at
end of current term)
•Could shift staff to servicing accounts in adjacent communities
•Is significant staff turnover now; possible that existing attrition over the 12-18 month
roll-out period would prevent any jobs ending
•Hauler awarded the contract would likely be adding staffing
•New locally-owned hauler
•Could adjust business model to service other Northern Colorado communities
Haulers would have 12-18 months to plan and adjust
Existing haulers have many other customers in Fort Collins and surrounding areas
B.3.4
Packet Pg. 118 Attachment: Powerpoint Presentation (11417 : Single Family Trash, Recycling and Compost Contracting)