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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/20/20021225 Main Street [] Sebastian~ Florida 32958 Telephone {772} 589-5330 [] Fax (772) 589-5570 City Council Information Letter September 20, 2002 Mandatory vs. Non-Mandatory Solid Waste Service As discussed during your July 31st workshop relative to future solid waste collection activities in the City of Sebastian, I anticipate soliciting final direction from City Council relative to pursuing either non-mandatory or mandatory services during your October 9th regular meeting, as necessary to initiate a formal bid process appropriately in advance of Capital Sanitation's scheduled expiration in June 2003. Residents who contacted my office expressing opposition relative to mandatory collection communicated a number of reasons as to why their positions were such, including the grave concern about Capital Sanitation having the ability to secure such an exclusive contract, while maintaining the current substandard practices involving both customer service and business operations. In an effort to establish trust and confidence accordingly, City Council has the option of directing establishment of a franchise agreement with a more reliable and responsible solid waste collection services company prior to authorizing a citywide mandatory program. However, before any direction is formally offered, it becomes imperative for both city officials and residents to understand relevant impacts and opportunities accordingly (financial and otherwise). As such, the attached memorandum as compiled by Director of Finance Mark Mason offers some clarification with regards to respective implications regarding mandatory and non- mandatory service, including approximate and anticipated expenses per household. In addition, an explanation regarding Indian River County's Solid Waste Assessment is included, in an effort to clarify that the fee is collected to help finance costs associated with landfill maintenance and operations, in lieu of charging residents a specific dumping fee. This summary therefore serves as ancillary analytical information for thought and consideration prior to offering formal direction publicly. Essentially, both short term and long term dynamics should be considered equally. City Council Information Letter September 20, 2002 Page 2 Brief Transition in Code Enforcement Division As referenced in the attached memorandum as compiled and delivered by Police Chief Jim Davis, please be advised that Code Enforcement Officer Warren Lindquist will be incapacitated during the next couple weeks or so, and therefore be taking sick leave beginning Tuesday September 24th. As such, his duties will be assigned to the patrol division of the Sebastian Police Department. As such, residents will be able to continue calling 589- 5233 to initiate code enforcement complaints and inquiries. As the full budget process is anticipated to conclude next week, arrangements have been made to initiate hiring of a second code enforcement officer, whereby we expect applicants consisting of both in-house and external candidates. An actual offer of employment may therefore be granted during this brief transition period, such that both police officers and Mr. Lindquist can facilitate necessary initial training for the successful applicant. Status of Sebastian Boulevard Alley Improvement Pro.qram Early last month, I reported to you the status of progress relative to the implementation of the Sebastian Boulevard Alley Improvement Program, including a respective anticipated timeframe. Our original goal in this regard was to be able to offer recommendations relative to contractor and cost authorization during next Wednesday evening's meeting. However, we did experience the need to compile revised engineering plans due to existing drainage problems in the alley originally undetected. Necessary corrections and adjustments were made, as the bid invitation is now being formally advertised. Proposals from contractors due at City Hall on Tuesday October 15th. We therefore now anticipate offering the aforementioned recommendations to you during your October 23rd meeting. Library Renovation Open House and Reception The Friends of the North Indian River County Library will host a formal dedication ceremony to commemorate the success of the recently completed expansion program on Monday, October 7th beginning at 10 a.m. The attached copy of the formal invitation was delivered earlier this week to the attention of all city officials who have the flexibility to attend. I have made arrangements to participate in the ceremony, as I now wish to encourage any of you who are able, to please join us! City Council Information Letter September 20, 2002 Page 3 Employee Appreciation Picnic Just a reminder that the City of Sebastian will host its annual Employee Appreciation Picnic tomorrow beginning at noon, at the Sebastian Community Center on North Central Avenue. Arrangements have been made to host City Council members, as all city employees wish to welcome your presence and participation in festivities accordingly. Despite some concerns about possible inclement weather resulting from Hurricane Isidore, recent forecasts suggest that our community will likely be spared. As such, plans will continue to host various outdoor events, including open and closed pit grilling, volleyball and various activities for children. Unfortunately for employees (fortunately for us) no dunk tank will be featured this year! Enclosure(s): Memorandum from Mark Mason - Solid Waste Collection Services Memorandum from Chief Davis - Code Enforcement Duties Copy of Invitation - North Indian River County Library Dedication Ceremony Flyer - Employee Appreciation Picnic My Docu ments/InfoLetter 149 HOME OI; ?[L1CAN ISLAND From: Date: Re: Terrence R. Moore, City Manager Mark C. Mason, CPA, Director of Finance September 19, 2002 Solid Waste Collection Pursuant to your direction, following is a summary of potential impacts regarding solid waste fees for both Mandatory and Non-Mandatory Pickup. This table includes the residential cost of the Solid Waste Fee charged by Indian River County. The table is broken down into current, non-mandatory and mandatory with an explanation for each following. City of Sebastian Actual and Estimated Sanitation Costs Monthly Solid Total Total Including Waste Annual Monthly Franchise Fee Annual Assessment Cost Cost Non-Mandatory(Current) $ 8.59 $ 103.08 $ 76.10 $ 179.18 $ 14.93 Non-Mandatory (Estimated)it) $ 12.66 $ 151.92 $ 76.10 $ 228.02 $ 19.00 Mandatory (Estimated) (~) $ 9.54 $ 114.48 $ 76.10 $ 190.58 $ 15.88 (1) These monthly rates were obtained last year due to the possible cancellation of the current franchise agreement for failure to comply with certain articles of the franchise. In addition, these rates assume a change in service providers. One of the questions that has arisen since our presentation in July is; what does 'Mandatory' mean in connection with Solid Waste Pickup? Mandatory only means that each residential unit will be billed for the service whether or not the residential unit chooses to avail themselves of the pick up service. It does not mean that a residential unit owner cannot continue to dispose of trash or yard waste at the transfer station or at the landfill. Another question that has been asked is in reference to the Solid Waste Assessment by the County. The Solid Waste Assessment is the cost of dumping solid waste in the landfill, the cost of landfill maintenance and the cost of landfill closure. This non ad valorem assessment is in lieu of charging a dumping fee on top of the collection fee. Since not everyone is billed for collection, each residential and nonresidential unit is billed for the cost of solid waste dumping into the landfill. This is a cost effective way of insuring that all occupied units pay for the cost of the landfill. Non-Mandatory (Current) The fee for collection, including the Franchise Fee, is $103.08 per year for those residential units who have elected to have their trash picked up and delivered to the landfill for them. This cost is fairly low and the level of service associated with this cost has been questioned. In addition, this fee includes the cost of billing, collection and stickers. Although this is the cost to those residential units that have solid waste pickup there are additional costs that all landowners pay. These additional costs represent monitoring costs, fielding telephone calls, various road repairs, and cleaning up various dumpsites in the City. These costs, when spread over all personnel is estimated at an additional $50,000 per year or $7 per assessed property. When including the solid waste fee for the landfill, the total cost per month is $14.93, or $1.24 per pickup (assuming three pickups per week, four weeks per month). Non-Mandatory (Estimated) The fee for collection, including the Franchise Fee, is $12.66 per month or $151.92 per year. This is the estimate of fees provided by Treasure Coast and Waste Management assuming the cost of billing, collection, and tagging of container is born by the hauler. Both of these companies are established, well respected solid waste haulers, one of which, Treasure Coast, used to haul solid waste in Sebastian. When combined with the Solid Waste Fee, the cost would be $19.00 per month or $1.58 per pickup (assuming three pickups per week, four weeks per month). Mandatory (Estimated) As mentioned above, mandatory only means that each residential unit would be assessed for the service whether or not it was used. Hauling solid waste to the transfer station would still be a prerogative of the residential unit owner. The fee for collection, including the Franchise Fee, is estimated at $9.54 per month or $114.48 per year. This fee assumes that the collection of the solid waste fee will be through a non ad valorem assessment on all residential units in the City. Vacant lots are not included in the assessment. When combined with the Solid Waste Fee, the cost would be $15.88 per month or $1.32 per pickup (assuming three pickups per week, four weeks per month). The information presented above is to provide you with a breakdown of the costs associated with the three types of collection services and the fees and billing practice associated with each. This information will be further expanded upon via a presentation on October 9, 2002 regarding solid waste collection. Sebastian Police Department 1201 Main Street Sebastim~, Florida, 32958 772-589-5233 Fax 7V2-388 1872 e-marl spd@cityofsebastian.org James Davis, Chief of Police Date : To : From : Ref : September 18,2002 Terrence Moore, City Manager James A. Davis, Chief of Police Code Enforcement Duties Code Enforcement Officer, Warren Lindquist will be away from work for 2-6 weeks beginning September 24, 2002. In his absence, the code enforcement duties will be assigned to the patrol division and Lt. Lockhart. If this arrangement is insufficient to keep up with the work-load, Sgt. Hovasse will be re-assigned to assist with these duties until Code Enforcement Officer Lindquist returns to duty. Protocol for initiating a code enforcement call will remain the same. NORTH INDIAN RIVER COUNTY ~.mRARY 1001 Sebastian Boulevard (C.R. 512) * Sebastian, Florida 32958 * (772) 589-1355 IRG FIP~ DERARTMENT 12:00 NOON RAIN OR SHINE ti. Bring your lawn chairs and join us for a day of ~/~ FAMILY FUN Employees and immeoS'ate family members are welcome SPONSORED BY: Remax Riverside tJ~i~ Tozzolo Brothers Construction Co. Henry A. Fischer & Sons, Inc. ~o~ ii1.~Oit::; StnmkCwAFuneralLocal 3180Homes HORSESHOES Capp Custom Builders PRIOR TO 9/11/2002 TO BE INCLUDED IN THX VOLLEY BALL TOURNAMENT Saturday Sept. 21, 2002 Sebasn'anj~brthComrnurn'(YcentralA veCenter VOLLEYBALL W, LK