Subject:
Title
Overview and discussion of the Town’s solid waste program equipment/operations, updated leaf collection program analysis, and handheld gas and electric-powered leaf blowers.
Body
BACKGROUND SUMMARY:
At the request of the Town Council, the Department of Public Works (DPW) has prepared a summary of the Town’s solid waste program equipment/operations, updated leaf collection program analysis, and overview of the Town’s handheld gas and electric-powered leaf blowers.
OVERVIEW:
At the request of the Town Council, the Department of Public Works (DPW) has prepared a summary of the following Town programs and operations.
Solid Waste Program Overview:
The Operations Division within DPW provides solid waste services for the residential community which consists of weekly collection and disposal of trash, recycling, yard waste, brush, and bulk pickup. This discussion provides an overview of the solid waste services including current operations, equipment, latest town/industry trends, and future programmatic considerations and opportunities.
Attachment 1 is a presentation of the Town’s solid waste program overview.
Updated Leaf Collection Program Alternatives Analysis:
On July 11, 2022, the Town Council passed a motion directing the Town Manager to implement a leaf collection program for the fiscal year 2023 leaf collection season that eliminates leaf grinding and utilizes the Beulah Road site for short-term leaf storage, as needed prior to transfer, and employs the most efficient combination of Town-owned and rental trucks for short haul and long-haul transport of leaves to the disposal site. This motion followed subsequent Council meetings, conference sessions, and a public hearing to discuss the Town’s leaf collection and mulching program alternatives and associated analysis.
During the fiscal year 2023 leaf season, DPW collected approximately 8,977 cubic yards of leaves from Oct. 24, 2022, to Jan. 11, 2023. DPW disposed of the collected leaves at Prince William County “Freestate Farms” from Nov. 28, 2022, to Feb. 17, 2023.
During the fiscal year 2023 leaf season, DPW utilized three contracted rental trucks to assist with two weeks of leaf operations. The contracted rental trucks completed long-haul operations bringing leaves directly to the disposal facility from Nov. 28, 2022, to Dec. 2, 2022. The contracted rental trucks assisted with short-haul operations bringing leaves from the Beulah Road site to the disposal facility from Dec. 5, 2022, to Dec. 9, 2022. DPW used the information gathered during this two-week pilot program to update the previous leaf collection program alternatives analysis presented to the Town Council on July 11, 2022.
Attachment 2 is a presentation showing the estimated values from the analysis presented to Council in July 2022 and the updated actual values based on the fiscal year 2023 leaf season (shown in red).
Attachment 3 is the updated comparison showing the total round-trip cost for Town trucks (including fixed costs) versus rental trucks for long- and short-haul operations. Actual values based on the fiscal year 2023 leaf season are shown in red.
Handheld Gas and Electric-Powered Leaf Blower Overview:
The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the Department of Public Works (DPW) utilize handheld leaf blowers to accomplish seasonal and ongoing tasks including maintenance of Town-owned properties, parks, and infrastructure. This discussion provides an overview of the Town’s current handheld leaf blower inventory and identifies future opportunities and considerations in expanding the use of electric-powered leaf blowers.
Attachment 4 is a joint memorandum from the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and DPW providing an update on the Town’s current gas and electric-powered leaf blower inventory and future opportunities to expand the use of electric-powered leaf blowers for the Town Council’s consideration.
SUMMARY/STAFF IMPRESSIONS:
Staff looks forward to discussing the programs, services, and operations outlined above.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
Staff recommends council review the programs, services, and operations outlined above and provide input or guidance, as deemed necessary.