10.L.
City Council Meeting - FINAL
- Meeting Date:
- 07/21/2015
- From:
- Matthew Morales, Project Manager
Information
TITLE:
Consideration and Approval of Contract: Intergovernmental Agreement with the Arizona Board of Regents for and on behalf of Northern Arizona University for Testing Paper Millings (Approve IGA with NAU for testing paper millings for use at the Cinder Lake Landfill).
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
-
Approve the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Arizona Board of Regents for a total project cost of $47,358.43, of which the City will cost share $23,878.54 and NAU's share will be $23,479.89.
Executive Summary:
The City is seeking assistance from Northern Arizona University (NAU) College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences (CEFNS) to determine the structural and physical properties of alternative materials incorporated with elastic polymer-based admixtures to determine if we can seek approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to use paper millings as an alternative cell liner.
Financial Impact:
Initial projections indicate that savings over time could be as much as $8 million over the life of the landfill. This project is budgeted for FY16 in the Solid Waste Fund 211-06-165-0631-0-4433.
Connection to Council Goal and/or Regional Plan:
COUNCIL GOALS:
1) Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics
2) Address key issues and processes related to the implementation of the Regional Plan
REGIONAL PLAN:
Policy PF.2 Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure system in an efficient manner to serve all population areas and demographics
1) Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics
2) Address key issues and processes related to the implementation of the Regional Plan
REGIONAL PLAN:
Policy PF.2 Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure system in an efficient manner to serve all population areas and demographics
Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This:
On May 19, 2015 Council approved the construction of a 10 acre storage cell located in Cell E. The cell will allow the facility to store as much as 688,000 cubic yards of paper millings over the next 20 years.
Options and Alternatives:
Option 1-Approve the IGA
Option 2-Not approve the IGA and direct staff to solicit competitive bids from qualified contractors
Option 3-Not approve the IGA and continue operations as is
Option 2-Not approve the IGA and direct staff to solicit competitive bids from qualified contractors
Option 3-Not approve the IGA and continue operations as is
Background/History:
The landfill does not have enough soil to last over the entirety of its operation. Nor does it have enough soil needed for the landfill cap. The current deficit is over 1.5 million cubic yards. In an effort to minimize the deficit, the landfill currently accepts paper millings from SCA Tissue (Located on Butler Avenue), and uses the material as an approved source of alternative daily cover. Paper millings are used in other states as landfill caps. In 2012 the City of Flagstaff partnered with NAU CEFNS Design 4 Practice Program (Capstone) in successfully developing a mix design for the implementation of paper millings as a component of a landfill cap. NAU CEFNS demonstrated that the material (when mixed with other products such as fly ash) can be approved as a cap when we close the Cinder Lake Landfill.
Subsequent to the landfill cap design, staff determined the next step was to test the viability of using polymers in the same mixtures. As an admixture, the polymer(s) may have the structural rigidity to withstand continuous static and dynamic loading for years to come making the material suitable as a liner for future landfill cells. In several years, as we move into the 'Non-Grandfathered and Expansion Areas' we will have to construct new cells with approved liners.
Standard landfill cell liners are constructed with 3 feet of clay or claylike material (bentonite) with a 10 to the minus 7 permeability and a synthetic membrane over the top. There is also a foot of sand placed over the membrane to keep it from being punctured as waste is introduced into the cell. In addition to being soil deficient, we have none of this material onsite so the clay or claylike material and sand would have to be purchased and imported at great expense to the City. Our hope is the testing will show the product we produce can replace all or part of the standard liner process.
Subsequent to the landfill cap design, staff determined the next step was to test the viability of using polymers in the same mixtures. As an admixture, the polymer(s) may have the structural rigidity to withstand continuous static and dynamic loading for years to come making the material suitable as a liner for future landfill cells. In several years, as we move into the 'Non-Grandfathered and Expansion Areas' we will have to construct new cells with approved liners.
Standard landfill cell liners are constructed with 3 feet of clay or claylike material (bentonite) with a 10 to the minus 7 permeability and a synthetic membrane over the top. There is also a foot of sand placed over the membrane to keep it from being punctured as waste is introduced into the cell. In addition to being soil deficient, we have none of this material onsite so the clay or claylike material and sand would have to be purchased and imported at great expense to the City. Our hope is the testing will show the product we produce can replace all or part of the standard liner process.
Key Considerations:
Staff is proposing this IGA to serve the following functions:
- Continue partnership opportunities between NAU and the City
- Assist with exploration of innovative research with positive technological impacts for the solid waste industry
- Provide mechanisms for cost sharing between NAU and the City
The proposed project includes testing in a laboratory environment over a two year period. Once viable mixtures of paper millings, fly ash, and polymers are established, the City will propose that field testing be conducted at Cinder Lake Landfill. If no conclusions are reached in the two year period, staff may propose to extend the IGA for an additional year.
If field testing proves successful, then staff will submit a proposal to the ADEQ for approval to use paper millings and other additives as a landfill cap and liner.
Expanded Financial Considerations:
Implementation of paper millings as an alternative cap has demonstrated a potential savings of $8 million over 20 years. If proper admixtures can be established, the cost savings for future operations is likely to be even greater. The overall cost for this project is expected to be $47,358.43,of which $23,878.54 has been requested from the City. NAU has committed to the balance ($23,479.89).
Community Benefits and Considerations:
Cinder Lake Landfill serves the citizens of Flagstaff and many portions of Coconino County. Although no immediate benefits are expected to be realized by the community, this project has the potential to assist in maintaining affordable solid waste disposal options in the future.
Community Involvement:
Inform
Expanded Options and Alternatives:
Option 1-Approve the IGA
Option 2-Not approve the IGA and direct staff to solicit competitive bids from qualified contractors
Option 3-Not approve the IGA and continue operations as is
Option 2-Not approve the IGA and direct staff to solicit competitive bids from qualified contractors
Option 3-Not approve the IGA and continue operations as is