CR 88-185 Recycling Coordinator
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August 31, 1988
Report: 88-185
RECYCLING COORDINATOR
proposed Action
staff Recommends adoption of the following motion: Move to
authorize fundinCf of full-time recycling coordinator for a Deriod
not to exceed December 31. 1989.
This position is proposed in the 1989 budget recommendations at the
same compensation level. The position will allow us to accomplish
the various tasks needed to develop a successful recycling
program(s) .
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OVeri'lew
Kathy Bodmer was initially hired as an Administrative intern in the
City Manager Department and assigned to Public Works to assist in
developing a recycling program. The first project undertaken was a
survey of all commercial/industrial businesses to document current
recycling efforts in that area. The next was the completion of a
grant application for Hennepin County funding assistance.
Additionally, a recycling center agreement with Minnetonka was
completed and various methods of curb side collection of recycla.bles
is being studied for recommendation. Education programs are being
reviewed. Several necessary meetings have been attended and a city
office paper recycling program is being developed.
It has become apparent that the initial start up of a recycling
program will take considerable time and effort and should be a
dedicated position.
Primary Issues to Consider
o Is a recycling Coordinator position necessary?
~cfnI~this position be funded?
Jon M. Thiel, Public Works Director
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DETAILED BACKGROUND
As the Council well knows, recycling has become a "hot" issue with
the Metropolitan Council and Hennepin County Commiasion.
All Hennepin County cities have been mandated to abate the amount of
refuse delivered to landfills. This has becom~ apparent by the
incidences of ground water contamination and the very real
difficulty of finding a place to site any new landfills.
We are experiencing our own difficulties with an old landfill and
can appreciate the need to limit that type of disposal.
The primary methods that the Metropolitan Council and Hennepin
County are endorsing for abatement is the recycling of recyclable
materials and Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) or energy producing ~Burnn
plants.
All these methods are expensive! CUrb side recycling programs are
projected, and have been proven, to cost approximately the same as
current refuse disposal. The projected cost of ROF and burn plants
is 30 to 50 percent higher than current refuse disposal costs.
Hennepin County is enacting an ordinance to require a 75 dollar per
ton disposal fee on all landfills and burn facilities beginning next
June. The Reuter plant is exempted from the requirement if a
contract is in effect with them before the implementation of the
ordinance, but their cost will probably still be at least 60 dollars
per ton. Currently we are paying approximately 30 dollars per ton
at Reuters RDF Plant and 28 dollars per ton at Woodlake Sanitary
Landfill.
According to current County requirements we will need to recycle at
least 13 percent of our total waste stream in 1989. The current
guidelines would allow us to use all recycling being done in the
city, including yard waste and leaf compostinq. The County
recycling task force is currently reviewing a change to this method.
It appears that the Cities may be tasked with the "residential"
portion of the refuse stream and be required to recycle 10 percent
of that waste stream, this would not include yard waste and leaves,
white goods etc., but only paper, cans and glass. The County would
assume responsibility for the commercial/industrial waste stream.
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The issue is complex and especially difficult for us because of the
large amount of mUlti-family housing that will be consid6red
"residentialU and our responsibility.
ANALY~IS
The creation of a recycli.ng coordinator position has the following
issues to consider:
o Is the position necessary?
As the detailed background section indicates the next year to 18
months will require a significant effort to initiate and sustain a
recycling program(s).
Time would be spent on our recycling center and on the initial curb
side program. Informational materials for instruction and
informational meetings with various neighborhood associations atc"
should be held. A City recycling ordinance should be drafted and
adopted and consideration made on incorporating recycling as a
license requirement for commercial refuse haulers. A city office
papar recycling program should be initiated.
A significant portion of recycling coordination in Hopkins will be
working with the small business and multi-unit residential
complexes. As these generate a significant portion of the refuse a
large effort will have to be made to encourage recycling. Contact
meetings should be performed and coordination of their efforts
initiated. This will again require informational meetings, verbal
and written follow up etc.
Alao, the various meetings of the County, Recycling Task Force,
Recycling Coordinators, Twin 'Hest, etc. require an investment of
time to keep abreast of current issues and possible solutions to
problems.
I feel that to accomplish the level of recycling that the County is
proposing and the City Council is endorsing will require this level
of commitment through at least budget year 1989. Kathy has
expressed a desire to work through 1989 and indicates at that point
she would be considering graduate school. If a major effort is
undertaken in the next 18 months we would be able to maintain the
programs with existing personnel at that time.
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PAGE 4
I estimate that the recycling coordination duties would take
approximately 85 to 90 percent of the available time. The remaining
10 to 15 percent of time would be utilized on Public Works and other
departments administrative projects.
Some of the other possible Public Works administrative projects are
the following:
1. Assist in developing a step system of advancement for Local 49
Maintenance I to Maintenance II.
2. Assist in assembling/developing a Public Works policies and
procedures manual.
3. Assist in developing a Public Works emergency plan.
4.
Assist in updating the Public Works/General City Safety Manual.
Develop a vehicle use and assignment policy for the City.
Investigate the possibility and develop, if feasible, a park
grant application.
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This amount of $6,205 could be funded from the refuse utility by a
rate adjustment of approximately 15 cents per month or paid from the
general fund sanitation budget. Additionally some time could be
. charged to Publ ic Works administra.tion or other departments when .
appropriate.
5.
6.
o
How can this position be funded?
The recycling portion of the position is eliqible for Hennepin
County grant assistance funds. During 1988 we are eligible for
fundinq of all salary and benefits at a 50 percent rate.
During 1989 I feel we will be eligible for 80 percent fundinq under
the current requirements (16 percent of the total waste stream) or
under the proposed system (10 percent of the residential only waste
stream) . This will probably require initiation of a curb side
collection program, however.
The 1989 calendar year estimated amount of funding available from
Hennepin County and the cities cost share would be as follows:
$8.20/hour X 2080 hours X 130% (reflects benefits) = $22,170/year
$22,170/year X 90% (time on recycling) = $19,955
$19,955 X 80% (Henn Co. Assistance) = $15,965
$22,170 less $151965 = $6,205 (City funds)
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The 1988 estimated cost from the present to the end of year would be ............'.'..
as follows: "
$8.20/hr X 640 hra X 130t ~ $6,820/4 months
$6g820 X 90% = $6,140
$6,140 X 50\ (Henn cty Assistance) ~ $3t070
$6,820 less $3,070 = $3,750 (City FUrlds)
This $3,750 is available form unused funds in the Public Works
Sanitation budget account. Kathy Bodmer has been funded by the City
Manager Administrative Intern account and Hennepin County grant
assistance up to this point.
ALTERNATI~iS
The City has the following alternatives regarding this issue:
1. Attempt to accomplish the necessary recycling program with
existing personnel.
o Dlfficult if not impossible due to the amount of tille
required to do an adequate job.
Authorize the recyclinq position at the compensation level of
8MEA grade 2 entry level with benefits. The position to be
reviewed for continuation during the 1990 budget preparation.
2.
o This would allow a person that would concentrate on
recycling and allow development and promotlon of an
excellent program.
3. Do Nothing.
o This WOuld not be recommended due to the Hennepin county
and Metropolitan Council mandates.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Alternate No.2.
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