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Minutes 09/28/2011 Colter County Public Utilities Division Productivity Committee's Subcommittee Solid Waste Management Department Capital Projects Review September 28, 2011 Agenda Productivity Subcommittee Members Vlad Ryziw Jim Gibson Gina Downs Janet Vasey (excused absence) Doug Fee (absent) Collier County Public Utilities Division Staff Tom Wides, Director, Operations Support Dan Rodriguez, Director, Solid Waste Linda Best, Manager, Waste Reduction and Recycling Susan Jacobs, Operations Analyst Joe Bellone, Manager, Utility Billing and Customer Service Paul Mattausch, Director, Water Tom Chmelik, Director, Planning & Project Management Steve Messner, Interim Director, Wastewater Sheree Mediavilla, Administrative Assistant 1. Call to Order Jim Gibson called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. The subcommittee was in consent to adopt the minutes from the August 30, 2011 meeting. 2. Introductions of the subcommittee members and the Collier County staff. Opening Remarks Dan Rodriguez: The Collier County Landfill property was purchased by the Board of County Commissioners in 1974 and was constructed in 1976 when the County's population was approximately 60,000. The county issued a formal Request for Proposal for the operation of the landfill and received three bids. In 1996, after long discussions on the length of the agreement, the Board of County Commissioners awarded the contract to WMI, the most responsive bidder. WMI is the number one waste collection contractor in the United States. WMI maintains the daily operations of t ,L�.�•fill, all the construction associated with 0 CIO Administration Department•3339 Tamiami Trail East,Suite 301 •Naples,Florida 34112-5361 •239-252-2540•FAX 239-252-6474 it, and the liability of doing so. The contract is for the life of the landfill site. You can see that this has worked to the benefit of our community. Vlad Ryziw: The contract with WMI is for the life of the site? Dan Rodriguez: As long as the landfill exists, we have a relationship with them. The county is responsible for the gate where we serve the customer and we also control the rates charged to our customers. Leachate Discussion Dan Rodriguez: The County is responsible for the leachate collected within the cells and we are regulated by FDEP permits. The County sends all leachate collected from the landfill to the South County Water Reclamation Facility (SCWRF) where it is turned into irrigation quality (IQ) water and sold to consumers. Gina Downs: I understand this is a cost of$360,000 a year. Tom Wides: We have looked at other municipalities and have seen costs up to $550,000. We are also working on cost containment to eliminate as much leachate as possible. Gina Downs: I am not clear on the costs here. Since WMI is responsible, why do we have to provide funding? Dan Rodriguez: We have the Landfill Closure Fund. That is a reserve for closure for the current and future closed landfill cells that the County is responsible for. Maintaining a closed landfill is an expensive and potentially risky business, especially potential liabilities associated with investigations or remediations. This fund is a requirement of our permit. If found in non- compliance, average fines are $5,000 a day, $150,000 for 30 days, and up to $1,550,000 a year. Jim Gibson: Post closure claims are a tremendous cost. Tom Wides: We had two independent studies that stated our reserves should be $25 million if WMI went belly up and we had to assume the costs. 3. PowerPoint presentation on the Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy and Solid Waste Capital projects. Dan Rodriguez presented the PowerPoint and discussed the nexus with prior BCC policies: • April 2006 EAR Amendments • December 2006 Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy Enduring Guiding Principles o Environmental and Growth Management Compliance o Airspace Preservation o Operational Excellence o Best Value Service Components o Source Reduction, Materials Reuse and Recycling o Diversion o Optimizing Existing Assets and Resources o Obtaining Additional Facilities • FY10 AUIR Reconciliation o Solid Waste Generated — 822,720 tons o Landfill Disposal —209,277 tons (25% of total tons) o Diversion/Recycling — 535,601 tons (75% of total tons) o FY06 AUIR Landfill Capacity in the year 2028 o FY11 AUIR Landfill Capacity in the year 2042 • Yearly Tipping Fees Comparison o Annual benchmarking showed Collier County tipping fees continue to be some of the most competitive in the state. This is the second year in a row that Collier County will not be raising its disposal tipping fees. (Dan ??) • Drop-off Recycling Center Service Areas and Location Consideration for Future Facilities Reclamation of Cells 1 and 2 Dayne Atkinson is the project manager for the reclamation of unlined Cells 1 & 2. These are the original cells that started receiving solid waste when the landfill opened in 1976. FDEP ordered these cells closed in 1978 under a consent order. Each cell was excavated and screened with the excavated soil being stored on site for future landfill cover. We received grant funding to make this project happen. We reclaimed the largest landfill in the State of Florida. Gina Downs: I think we should look for grant funding for environmentally friendly products. Dan Rodriguez: Discussed the use of Posi-shell and cost savings to the county. 4. Video Presentation —Talking Points "Solid Waste The mission of the Solid Waste Management Department is to provide Management Collier County with an efficient and economical balance of public and Department FY2012 private services to meet federal, state and local regulations for solid Capital Improvement waste disposal in a manner that assures public health and safety; Projects"title slide for reduces the solid waste stream; increases public awareness of about two seconds then recycling; and, adheres to the guiding principles of environmental and show landfill aerial slide growth management compliance, airspace preservation, operational excellence, and best value service. The Collier County Landfill was constructed in 1976 when the county's Video of the old Collier population was approximately 60,000. As you can see by this video of County Landfill the original Collier County Landfill Scalehouse, it could not possibly handle the current disposal volume at the landfill today. The 2010 AUIR figures place the county's population at approximately 389,149. In 2007 the new and very much needed Scalehouse was constructed. The new Scalehouse provides for new and improved customer service by enhancing the Solid Waste operations. Old scales were replaced with three new scales thereby improving accountability, efficiency and working conditions. On December 5, 2006, the Board of County Commissioners' approved Rotate three pictures of the Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy which provided for the new Collier County future planning and preservation of the County's disposal resources. Landfill This strategy lays the foundation for building the infrastructure and needed resources to increase the life of the landfill by preserving valuable landfill airspace and optimizing existing resources through enhanced recycling. The Solid Waste Management Department's Capital Improvement Program supports this strategy of efficient, reliable, and high quality solid waste collection, processing, and disposal services that are strategically aligned with the mission of the Public Utilities Division and the Board of County Commissioners' Strategic Plan. In Fiscal Year 2010, Collier County generated 822,720 tons of solid waste. Of that, 209,277 tons went into the landfill while 613,443 tons were diverted out of the county or recycled. When the Board instituted Picture of Reconciliation the Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy in 2006, there were Chart and AUIR Chart only about 22 years of life left at the Collier County Landfill. Due to the forward thinking of the Board, the life of the landfill has now been extended until 2039, providing low-cost disposal capacity for future generations. Collier County has conveniently located recycling drop-off facilities to Rotate of the serve customers throughout the county. In Fiscal Year 2010, there were Rotate picturesee Transfer 33,230 customers served at the recycling centers. This year, Fiscal ImmokStation, Carnestown Year 2011, the total number of customers in the first 11 months is Recycling Center and 27,734. It is estimated that by the end of this Fiscal Year, the Naples the Marco Island and Marco Island Recycling Centers will serve 30,255 customers. The Recycling Center Carnestown Recycle Center, which services the residents of Everglades City and Chokoloskee, was not counted in the above numbers as the center is now open only one day per month. In 2010 alone, the Naples Recycling Drop-off Center served 9,877 Picture and video of the residential customers, and diverted 3,953 tons of recyclable material, Naples Recycling Center decreasing the amount of material entering the Collier County Landfill and preserving valuable landfill airspace. The newest Solid Waste Management facility is the North Collier Recycling Drop-off Center. The North Collier Recycling Drop-off Center provides a convenient location for approximately 65,000 residents to Pictures of the North bring recyclable materials and household chemicals to be collected and Collier Recycling Drop- shipped out for proper recycling or disposal. This new facility provides off Center enhanced environmental stewardship and increased recycling opportunities, saving valuable landfill airspace. A soft opening of the facility occurred on September 15, 2011, a grand opening is slated for November. The Solid Waste Management Department has developed a systematic approach to capital projects which includes identification of the purpose, Picture of people end state, correct procurement method, appropriate funding, a clear working in office and scope of work, and a solid business case that outlines the beneficial another picture of people use and valid public purpose for each project. This approach ensures working in the field compliance with the Board's nexus to the Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy. One element of the Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy includes the vertical expansion of the landfill, which will provide Pictures of Vertical significant benefits to all of the residents of Collier County. It will create Expansion—CH2MHill additional disposal (airspace) capacity for the County's solid waste; pix minimize the amount of money that the County must spend to provide new disposal areas; continue using the existing infrastructure, such as the scalehouse, and the leachate collection and treatment system; and postpone the construction of a new landfill. Picture from website of Leachate is the liquid that drains from land or stockpiled material and bottom landfill liner contains elevated concentrations of undesirable material from the system and leachate material it has passed through. collection system Picture of leachate pipes Phases I and II of the upgrade of the Leachate Management System at with buildup residue the Collier County Landfill took place in 2009 through 2011. Slide: Capital The FY12 capital projects include Improvement Projects for FY12 Phase III of the Leachate Management System will begin in Fiscal Year 2012, and includes the replacement of the current leachate lift station, New Picture Additional improvements to the leachate collection system will be the addition of a bypass pipe to provide for sustainability in the leachate collection system, which will ensure ample flow under any conditions and prevent spillage that would negatively impact the environment and pose a safety threat at the Landfill. The Solid Waste Management Department has been awarded a grant for this improvement in the amount of$240,000. The Resource Recovery Park consists of a 344 acre parcel located at the north end of the Collier County Landfill; 172 acres are available for solid waste activities. The Resource Recovery Park is a reuse park aimed at reducing solid waste volume within the landfill; providing "green" reuse products such as organic mulch, recycled rubber and metals; and a landfill gas-to-energy conversion source. The processing center will include recycled materials processing, storm debris and yard waste processing and construction and demolition debris recycling. The Resource Recovery Park will be designed to provide alternative means and methods to provide state of the art recycling and alternative sustainable energy and green technologies services. The development Picture or design of the Resource Recovery Park includes a zero off site odor policy; this drawing of Resource policy is the primary component of our working environment. Recovery Park Some critical functions of the resource recovery park will include, but are not limited to, debris recovery operations, construction and demolition materials processing, biomass (horticultural debris) processing, gas and leachate management, tire processing, white and brown goods processing, household hazardous waste, recycling, and a materials recovery facility. This facility will provide the infrastructure necessary to partner with private sector business. Fiscal Year 2012 activities on this project include obtaining environmental resource permits, and beginning site development permitting and mitigation requirements. Another Fiscal Year 2012 CIP project is the development of the Northeast Recycling Drop-Off Center. The Northeast Center will provide a safe, much needed, convenient neighborhood recycling center in this area of Collier County. In addition to preserving valuable airspace at the Rendering of the NE landfill, the drop-off center will help reduce illegal dumping in the Facility Everglades and Golden Gate Estates area and keep our canals and preserves clean and safe. In conjunction with our current recycling center programs, the new drop off center will accept and dispose of household hazardous waste materials including gas, oils, paint, pesticides and insecticides. The improvements to the Immokalee Transfer Station in Fiscal Year 2012 include a new Scalehouse and Drop-off Center. The current Picture of Old scalehouse can no longer be repaired and due to its age and Immokalee Scalehouse deteriorating condition requires demolition. Upgrades to the site also include the addition of a recycling drop-off center which will provide increased materials reuse and recycling. The Immokalee Transfer Station is designed to manage up to 150 tons of solid waste per day. The improvements and additional facilities at the Immokalee Transfer Picture of New Station will create a safer environment for employees and customers. Immokalee Scalehouse The much needed drop-off center will provide additional disposal or rendition alternatives to the community which will help reduce illegal dumping and will keep our canals and preserves clean and safe. The Hammerhead Program is designed to protect public safety by Pictures of providing turn-around capability (hammer-shaped) on dead-end streets Hammerheads before in the Golden Gate Estates area for solid waste collection vehicles. and after Over 100 hammerheads are projected to be built over the next five years with 20 being constructed in Fiscal Year 12. Constructing permanent hammerheads at the end of streets will allow Video of WM truck solid waste and recycling collection vehicles to safely turn around, turning around in thereby reducing property damage and the hazards caused by trucks hammerhead backing down dead-end streets. The hammerheads are also used by emergency medical services, fire trucks, and school buses. The intent of this project is to reinforce and widen residential driveways Picture of residential to provide safe turnaround areas where hammerhead construction is driveway not feasible. Right-of-Entry Agreements are executed with the property owner. The reinforced driveways are also used by emergency medical services, fire trucks, and school buses. By following the guidance of the Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy and a systematic approach to capital projects, Collier County Solid Waste Management Department has been nationally recognized for its forward thinking and innovative project management and execution. Pictures of dirt, tires, One of the most successful capital projects was the Reclamation of cement and picture of Cells 1 and 2 at the Collier County Landfill, earning the Solid Waste SWANA award. Association of North America Silver Award in 2010. This project was designed to recover and reuse the material in Cells 1 and 2 in an Video of Cells 1 and 2 environmentally-sound, cost-effective manner. reclamation. The total volume of material excavated was 323,781 cubic yards, made up of 147,963 cubic yards of solid waste, 175,818 cubic yards of soil, and 6,135 tons of recyclables. The reclamation project was the largest reclamation project in the state and was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. This project alone saved over $300 million in valuable landfill airspace. Two pictures of the The Landfill Gas to Energy plant, operational since May, 2011, landfill gas to energy beneficially uses landfill gas from the Collier County Landfill to generate plant electricity and, in turn, generate revenue for the county's Solid Waste Then Fund. Video of Dan Rodriguez The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has endorsed landfill gas as talking about Landfill an environmentally friendly energy resource that reduces our reliance Gas to Energy Facility on fossil fuels like coal and oil. Using landfill gas as fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The Solid Waste Management Department Capital Improvement Program submitted in the Fiscal Year 2012 budget plans for the future Landfill Aerial and by investing in the capital infrastructure needed for handling material picture of child putting wastes, while driving down the costs for disposal. This helps to keep stuff in recycling cart our tipping fees some of the lowest in the state. This will ensure proper, efficient disposal capacity at best value for future generations, and environmental stewardship to provide for prolonged existence of our sensitive natural resources. 5. Discussion after video presentation Dan Rodriguez: Our recycling program is saving our landfill airspace. Linda Best is now the manager of this program. Vlad Rywiz: You mentioned that we are diverting 75% of our waste. Jim Gibson: That is fantastic. Dan Rodriguez: Airspace preservation is our#1 priority. We benchmark and look to who is doing it better, cheaper, and faster. We hire consultants with national experience. The more tonnage we divert, the less we pay WMI. The plan for the Resource Recovery Park is to find other partners to send this waste to. Gina Downs: Our landfill is a huge asset. Recycling Center Discussion A r di = 20.. w _ � M9 � �ry - - l f _ 14 - - ::.. /— —————— p _ { i1 J Como.$iris• t .fit.:..`,y ,,, $ % — 5l.1 a wooeatOn 9 + a '; 't Cama-S.AfS• - ,' ) . The recycling centers provide the public with cost effective disposal and recycling alternatives to include reduction and reuse; and year round drop off locations for household hazardous waste. This program provides the business sector drop off locations for disposal of recyclable materials to comply with the Recycling Ordinance 2004-50. Linda Best and her team handle the marketing, promotion, and educational outreach programs. They raise awareness related to the importance of waste reduction, reuse and recycling for businesses, schools, single family residents, and multi-family residents and enhance and reinforce the recycling program through business audits which promote compliance with the Recycling Ordinance. At the three Recycling Centers, approximately 38,000 customers are served annually. Landfill Gas to Energy Discussion A contract was negotiated with WMI to design, permit, construct, operate, and maintain a Landfill Gas-to-Energy facility to convert landfill gas to electricity that can be sold to Florida Power and Light. Dan Rodriguez: We really look at this market as a separate profit center and we have programmed to receive $400,000 in FY12. Gina Downs: I toured this facility and it was quieter than I thought. Solid Waste Management Reserves FY2011 and FY2012 Dan Rodriguez: Provided a color coded bar chart to show the areas where reserves are maintained to ensure prudent funding availability in the event of a catastrophic event, or to provide for continuation of operations. Dan illustrated where funding is kept below or at the State's recommended guidelines. Dan highlighted where reserves for capital were primarily made up of the Closure Fund, that is well below recommended levels. Additionally, Dan discussed the need for reserves in Fund 473 that are utilized for continuation of operation in the event of a major event as well as to fund debris collection in the event of a severe weather event. Dan noted that initial funding, which can be in the millions of dollars, will not be coming from the general fund as advised by the Budget Office. Jim Gibson: Thanked the team for how much time we spent with them and for all the information that shows us what this operation is all about. The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m.