Franchise Agreement with Republic Services for SWAC Renewal of Solid Waste 1Mayor Tammy de Weerd
City Council Members:
Keith Birt! Joe Borton
Luke Cavener Genesis Mica:n
Charlie Rountree David Zaremba
To: The Mayor and City Council, City of Meridian
From: Steve Cory, Chairman, Solid Waste Advisory Commission ("SWAC")
Date: September 25, 2014
Re: SWAC Recommendation on the Renewal of the Solid Waste Franchise Agreement with
Republic Services for FY2015
Purpose: Per City Council instructions, SWAC completed its review of Republic Service's
performance during FY2014 in order to make a recommendation whether or not to approve the
automatic renewal beginning October 1, 2014 of the Solid Waste Franchise Agreement
("Agreement") with Republic Services for FY2015.
While conducting the current review, SWAC relied upon its firsthand experience working with
Republic Services on a variety of matters this past year, and the following information: 2013
Republic Services Annual Report, 2014 First and Second Quarter Reports, the ETC Institute
Citizen Survey Report, and various input from City staff and the community as outlined below.
Findings:
1. FY14 represents the second full year of Republic Services providing franchised solid
waste collection services to the City. City Council approved the assignment of the City's
Agreement with SSC to Republic Services on March 13, 2012 (Resolution 12-844). The
assignment tools effect on April 1, 2012.
2. According to the ETC Institute Citizen Survey findings, garbage sei vice earned a
satisfaction rating of 85% and recycling service earned a satisfaction rating of 80%. Both
trash and recycling services fell into the Exceeded Expectations portion of the matrix.
3. Growth in the number of residential and commercial customers engaged in recycling
continued in FY14. All of the major recycling programs in Meridian showed increases in
volume during 2014. Residents recycled 3 tons over the last three quarters, an overall
increase of 3.2% over 2013. City of Meridian's commercial customers recycled 1,044
tons over the last three quarters.
4. Special Program: Republic Services collected a total of 790 cubic yards of leaves during
Meridian's 2013 three week residential curbside Fall Leaf collection program (38% more
cubic yards of leaves than Fall 2012). There is no additional cost to customers for this
program.
Solid Waste Advisory Commission . 33 E. Broadway Avenue, Suite 200, Meridian, ID 83642
5. Special Program: Republic Services collected a total of 668 tons of trash during the
Christmas unlimited collection week. This was 24 tons more than the same collection
period in 2013.
a. Republic Services collected a total of 1,944 Christmas trees for recycling at no
additional cost to customers.
6. Special Program: Republic Services collected a total of 207 bulky items and 2,064 yards
(826 tons) of trash during Meridian's 2014 Spring Clean Up week. Last year during
Spring Clean Up week, residents discarded 871 tons of waste and 245 bulky items. There
is no additional cost to customers for this program.
7. Special Program: Republic Services collected a total of one hash truck, a flat-bed trailer
of televisions and one construction box with trash, wood and 30 cubic yards of material at
the Old Town Clean Up. There is no additional cost to customers for this program.
8. Special Program: The Community Recycling Program is funded through Republic
Services return of 80% of the City's residential and City parks' recycling revenue (after
Household Hazardous Waste expenses are paid). Due to continued downturn on
commodity prices, Republic Services was unable to return any recycling revenue to the
City in FYI 4. The extended downturn in secondary markets throughout FYI has had a
dramatic negative impact on the Community Recycling Fund balance. The current
balance is $1,156.84.
9. Special Program: In response to customer demand, Republic Services continues to
provide a subscription -based Grass Recycling Pilot Program in Meridian, Boise, and
Eagle. Meridian's customers make up 60% of the total number of customers participating
in this new program. Republic Services agreed to keep track of all the relevant data and
will report back to SWAC at the end of the Pilot Program year.
10. SWAC meetings: Republic Scrvices attends monthly SWAC meetings which is a
valuable service to the City. In FY14, special topics covered by Republic Services
included the county landfill tipping fee issue; the Meridian Heights/Kentucky Ridge
subdivisions' annexation and the transfer of trash services; community outreach efforts to
increase participation in the residential recycling program; container placement
standards; changes in the recycling commodity markets in the Pacific Northwest; the 25`h
Anniversary of the Household Hazardous Waste programs; countywide rates
comparisons; and periodic status reports on Boise's glass beverage container recycling
program.
Conclusion: On the basis of these findings, SWAC concluded that Republic Services provided
services in addition to its contracted duties and responsibilities and performed them above and
beyond the manner and standard prescribed in Agreement. As a result of its findings, SWAC
voted at its meeting on September 24, 2014 to recommend approval of the renewal of Agreement
with Republic Services to City Council for FY 15. SWAC also voted to convene a subcommittee
during FYI to review the terms and conditions of the Agreement including servicing of its
residential recycling stream and to report back to City Council with its findings prior to the
review cycle for renewal of the current Agreement for FYI 6.