Title
Resolution to Approve Service Agreement with Recycle Ann Arbor for Drop-Off Station Operations
Memorandum
The attached resolution approves and authorizes a service agreement with Recycle Ann Arbor for operating the recycling and solid waste drop-off station located at 2950 E. Ellsworth Road.
BACKGROUND
The site and buildings at the Drop-Off Station are owned by the City. The site is operated by Recycle Ann Arbor with no funding from the City. Beginning in 2009, the City, Washtenaw County, and Pittsfield Township provided funding to operate the site. At that time, the City provided $30,000, the County provided $50,000.00, and Pittsfield Township provided $7,500.00 in annual funding.
In December 2009, Washtenaw County informed the City that it would no longer be able to provide funding for site operations at the Drop-Off Station. At that time, Recycle Ann Arbor declined further funding from the City and Pittsfield Township, as this would require tracking of each customer to determine their jurisdiction to establish the applicable charge for their service. Approximately 60% of the users of the Drop-Off Station are from outside of the City of Ann Arbor.
In 2010, as a result of the elimination of governmental funding for the site operations, Recycle Ann Arbor implemented the current $3.00 per vehicle fee at the facility, as well as reducing the facility hours. These steps have allowed Recycle Ann Arbor to operate the site with no additional outside funding.
PROPOSED AGREEMENT
The proposed agreement between the City and Recycle Ann Arbor will continue to result in no funding requirement on the part of the City. Recycle Ann Arbor will be responsible for site operation and maintenance costs. The proposed contract is retroactive to January 1, 2010, which is when the previous contract expired.
City residents will continue to be able to use their RecycleBank points to purchase passes to the drop-off station (up to 2 per year) and avoid having to pay the $3.00 entry fee.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
The City hired an engineer to evaluate the main building at the facility, which was partially built on a closed landfill. The southeast corner of the building has been sinking fairly significantly in recent years. The engineering report is attached for your reference. It indicates that there is no immediate danger as the result of the sinking. However, the report does recommend some building repairs, which the City will follow up on. This report has been forwarded to Recycle Ann Arbor for their information.
The long term plan for the Drop-Off Station will be evaluated as part of the upcoming solid waste plan update.
Staff
Prepared by: Tom McMurtrie, Systems Planning Unit
Reviewed by: Matthew J. Kulhanek, Fleet & Facility Manager and Sue F. McCormick, Public Services Administrator
Approved by: Steven D. Powers, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Recycle Ann Arbor has a history of providing a high quality service at the City's Drop-Off Station;
Whereas, Recycle Ann Arbor has been able to continue providing service at the Drop-Off Station even with the elimination of funding from the City of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, and Pittsfield Township;
Whereas, The Drop-Off Station has been a valuable service to residents and businesses, accepting a wide variety of materials that are not part of the curbside collection programs;
Whereas, The long-term plan for the drop-off station will be evaluated as part of the City Solid Waste Plan update; and
Whereas, Recycle Ann Arbor received HR Contract Compliance on August 2, 2011, and Living Wage approval on June 20, 2011;
RESOLVED, That Council approves a contract with Recycle Ann Arbor to operate the drop-off station, at no cost to the City, substantially in the form as shown in Attachment A;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized and directed to execute the contracts after approval as to form by the City Attorney, and approval as to substance by the City Administrator; and
RESOLVED, That Council authorize the City Administrator to take the necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.