HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW 2003-04-14 Item 4A - Update - King County Solid Waste Issuesks% �a 'ygsy'
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CAS Number: 03-046
Agenda Item Title:
Original Sponsor:
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Sponsor's Summary:
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Meeting Date
4/14/03
Meeting Date
4/14/03
COUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS
Meeting Date
4/14/03
Council
Prepared by
FI I1l1
ITEM INFORMATION
O3 -04C
Update on Regional Solid Waste Issues
Initials ITEM NO.
1 Mayor's review I Council review
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Original Agenda Date: April 14, 2003
Admin. Public Works
Severe budget cuts throughout King County have triggered a thorough review of County
operations. As a result, King County Solid Waste Division (KCSWD) has begun work to
address reductions, efficiencies and productivity improvements to the King County Solid
Waste System.
Information Only
Forward to Committee of the Whole for discussion.
RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
Action
APPENDICES
Attachments
Information Memo dated April 9, 2003 (Revised)
Utility Committee Meeting Minutes from April 8, 2003
To: Mayor Mullet
From: Public Works Director
Date: April 9, 2003
Subject: Regional Solid Waste Issues
ISSUE
Discussions are underway to address critical issues that will affect regional solid waste
programs and services.
BACKGROUND
Severe budget cuts throughout King County have triggered a thorough review of County
operations. King County Executive Sims has directed all County departments to become
more efficient, productive, and to significantly change the way they conduct business. As
a result of this mandate, King County Solid Waste Division KCSWD) has begun to work
on a new long -term solid waste business plan that addresses cost reductions, efficiencies,
and productivity improvements while executing the policies of the King County
Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan.
DISCUSSION
INFORMATION MEMO
In addition to the reduction in the size of KCSWD's workforce, improvements in
technology, and work process changes, the business plan addresses two significant
elements:
Investment in an intermodal facility. Within the next decade, the Cedar Hills
Landfill will close and a new solid waste disposal system from King County must
be identified. The 2001 Comprehensive Solid Waste Plan identifies two basic
options to handle waste disposal when Cedar Hills Landfill closes. First, invest in
a remote landfill outside of King County. Second, build an intermodal facility
that will broaden the access to a greater number of remote landfills. At this time,
there is considerable support to build an intermodal facility, rather than the
purchase of a remote landfill. King County currently has an option to purchase an
industrial site (outside of Tukwila!) for the intermodal facility.
Rental payments from the Solid Waste Fund to King County's Expense (General)
Fund. Because the Cedar Hills Landfill property is owned by King County and
not the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund, KCSWD will begin paying rent to the
County's Expense Fund for the use of the landfill starting in 2004. The rent will
be $7 million annually, escalating at approximately 6% per year
Mayor Mullet
Page 2
April 9, 2003
Tonnage:
through 2012. Additionally, KCSWD must deal with retroactive rental
obligations from 1992 through 2003, since it didn't pay rent during those years.
KCSWD's solution to the $7 million rental payment is under significant scrutiny by cities
that have adopted the 2001 Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan. A work
group consisting of Public Work Directors, electeds, and solid waste staff personnel have
met and discussed concerns on the impact that rental payment will have on the overall
solid waste program One of the most significant issues being discussed as a means to
save money is the reduction of self -haul services at the transfer stations.
Since the City has one of the highest self -haul rates in King County, changes in self -haul
operations and programs will definitely affect Tukwila residents. The Table below
depicts the high number of self -haul transactions at Bow Lake Transfer Station:
Transactions:
The high volume of self -haul activity significantly impacts the daily operations of King
County transfer stations. Additionally, the demands of self -haul will also require capital
improvements at the transfer stations. The work group will continue to discuss
alternatives and solutions to the challenges of the self -haul program. Staff will continue
to participate in the work group and will provide input prior to final implementation of
KCSWD's business plan.
RECOMMENDATION
(P.ilicc Solid Waste Update -KC)
Commercial Self -Haul Total
85,946 tons 27,923 tons 113,869
16,762 90,309 107,071
Present to the Committee of the Whole for information.
Utilities Committee
April 8, 2003
4. Water Utility Vehicle Early Purchase A 1994 van used by water maintenance requires
$10,000 of repairs. Rather than spend that, Public Works asked they be allowed to purchase a
utility vehicle scheduled to be bought in the future. Though the funding being used is
replacement funds for future purchases, that money will need to be replaced by year's end.
Committee approval to purchase water van in 2003.
ir 5. Reeional Solid Waste Issues King County Solid Waste has been looking for ways to cut
their budget recently. With staff layoffs and new efficiencies having been introduced, the county
looked further for savings. One ploy they found was to charge rent from Surface Water to the
General Fund to pay for the rent of Cedar Hills Landfill, which the General Fund bought in 1992.
Rent starts at $7 million/year in 2004, and escalates 7% a year until 2012. That plan is being
investigated by several cities that use county garbage facilities. One of the things the utility is
planning is building a rail access intermodal station to send their future garbage to remote
landfills. They currently are working on a site near Harbor Island for their station.
Another issue that may affect Tukwila is in looking for efficiencies, King County found that
although they make 85% of the transitions, self haulers only pay 25% of the revenues of a
transfer or garbage station. Tukwila has a very high self -haul rate, and those rates (as well as all
other rates) seem likely to rise in the near future. The committee briefly discussed whether this
could be a good time to start public information about costs and about possible mandatory
garbage pickup. Information.
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Committee chair approval