Explanation
The Public Service Department, Refuse Collection Division, has provided Columbus residents with weekly collection of yard waste through a contract since 1994. This separate collection is necessary to segregate yard waste that can be composted and recycled from the regular waste stream; this serves to extend the life of the landfill operated by the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) and increases weekly refuse container capacity for residents. Landfill diversion requirements are established by Ohio Revised Code. Street-side yard-waste collection service is presently provided to 225,088 households.
The current contract for yard-waste collection with Rumpke of Ohio, Incorporated was authorized with the March 1, 2006, passage of Ordinance 0371-2006. The contract commenced March 1, 2006, for a five year period contingent upon annual funding approval from Council, and authorized the expenditure of $3,574,251.00. This contract was amended with the February 08, 2007, passage of Ordinance 0140-2007 by authorizing the additional expenditure of $351,654.88. On February 14, 2007, Ordinance 0162-2007 passed authorizing a contract amendment, contract extension and the expenditure of $3,989,204.00. This ordinance authorizes the Public Service Director to amend the yard waste collection contract, to extend the contract's term from February 01, 2008, through January 31, 2009, and to authorize the expenditure of $3,800,650.00.
The yard-waste collection monthly charge is $1.475 per household and is in effect through January 31, 2008. For the period February 1, 2008, through January 31, 2009, the new monthly charge will decrease to $1.377 per household. This decrease in the monthly household charge is possible because there is an offsetting increase of $3.25 per month to households choosing to participate in subscription curbside-recycling. In effect, the City will end its subsidy to the approximately 11,820 households that choose to participate in this program.
With the March 1, 2006, passage of Ordinance 0371-2006, a contract with Rumpke of Ohio, Incorporated was established that afforded households an optional curbside-recycling collection service on a subscription basis. The current contract for subscription curbside-recycling commenced March 1, 2006, for a five-year period. In 2006 and 2007, a subscribing household paid $5.00 per month directly to the contractor. On June 1 the monthly rate for this subscription service will increase to $8.25 per household. The City has (in effect) licensed the contractor to provide this service and negotiates the terms and conditions on behalf of individual residents. Continuing this contract maintains a public good for Columbus citizens, namely, it increases waste-stream diversion and reduces refuse tonnage going to the landfill. Homeowners who may choose to discontinue this service have a network of nearly 200 drop-off recycling containers located throughout Columbus and Franklin County.
Rumpke of Ohio, Incorporated's contract compliance number is 31-1617611; this expires April 18, 2008.
Fiscal Impact: The Refuse Collection Division has a total of $3,800,650.00 budgeted in the General Fund for yard-waste collection services and subscription curbside- recycling collection services in 2008. In 2007, $3,989,204.00 was appropriated for these collection services. In 2006, Columbus expended $3,840,921.00 for these collection services.
Emergency action is requested to provide uninterrupted service to residents. Earlier submission of legislation was not possible pending the final determination and adoption of the 2008 operating budget.
Title
To authorize the Public Service Director to modify contracts with Rumpke of Ohio, Incorporated for yard-waste collection and subscription curbside-recycling collection services; to authorize the expenditure of $3,800,650.00 or so much thereof as may be needed from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($3,800,650.00).
Body
WHEREAS, the Refuse Collection Division has provided Columbus residents with weekly collection of yard waste through a contract with Rumpke of Ohio, Incorporated, for many years; and
WHEREAS, the City has licensed this contractor to provide an optional curbside recycling collection service to residents on a subscription basis; and
WHEREAS, with the approval of City Council, these contracts will be amended and extended for the period February 01, 2008 through January 31, 2009: and
WHEREAS, $3,800,650.00 will be appropriated from the General Fund for 2008; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Public Service Department, Refuse Collection Division, in that it is immediately necessary to enter into new contracts for these purposes, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare, now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Public Service Director be and hereby is authorized to amend and extend the contract with Rumpke of Ohio, Incorporated, for yard waste collection service for the period February 01, 2008 through January 31, 2009, at a cost of $3,800,650.00 or so much thereof as may be needed.
SECTION 2. That the Public Service Director be and hereby is authorized to amend an existing contract with Rumpke of Ohio, Incorporated, for subscription curbside recycling collection by allowing them to charge $8.25 per household/per month, instead of $5 per household/per month.
SECTION 3. That for paying the cost of said yard waste collection contract, the sum of $3,800,650.00 be and hereby is authorized to be expended from Fund 010, the General Fund, Department No. 59-02, Refuse Collection Division, Object level One Code 03, Object Level Three Code 3336 and OCA Codes 593566 ($3,800,650.00).
SECTION 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.