Approve increased green waste claw collection services in Willowbank and direct staff to update Solid Waste Franchise Agreement No. 19-249 with Recology Davis. (No general fund impact) (Lindbo/Juhler) (Est. Time: 5 min)

The Old Willowbank County Service Area and Community Advisory Committee (WCSA & CAC) requested the Division of Integrated Waste Management (DIWM) reopen the discussion with Recology Davis and the residents of Willowbank about increasing loose pile green waste "claw" collection services in their neighborhood during leaf-fall season. As such, DIWM sought out formal input regarding future options for collecting the loose piles of green waste (leaves, branches, grass clippings, etc.) in Old Willowbank by mailing out a survey to all households. (Att. A. Survey) 

County staff and Recology put together the two options below for consideration for organics collection after receiving public input on what changes in services the community may be most interested in considering.

OPTION 2 – Increase collection during November, December, and January each year to twice per month and keep 1x/month collection February through October
$17.89/month for trash (based on average 64-gallon trash cart size)
$10.92/month for recycling
$20.50/month for organics cart
$44.62/month for green waste claw (15 pickups per year)

Total New Bill = $93.93/month          

This is approximately $9 more per month ($107 more annually) than Willowbank residents currently pay for these Recology services.

On June 11, 2024 the first survey went out with a response date deadline of June 28.  This survey resulted in only 1/3 household participation. Therefore, on July 2, 2024, DIWM staff sent out a second and final survey request to those property owners that still had not responded to the survey. In this second and final attempt to increase responses, we achieved a 2/3 response rate. The final result of the survey is below.

As shown in the final results, a majority of residents chose to increase the number of collection services. Therefore, staff recommends approval of increased green waste claw collection services in Willowbank and the corresponding update to Solid Waste Franchise Agreement No. 19-249 with Recology Davis.

If the Board approves the increase in services, the new rates and service level would become effective November 1, 2024 (Att. B. Rate Sheet), which would become the new Exhibit E rate sheet, and would be mandated to all Willowbank residents under Solid Waste Franchise Agreement No. 19-249 with Recology Davis.  The rates will also be subject to the standard annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate increase annually.   

Operationally, Recology is prepared to implement these changes November 2024 with the intent to mail out new service calendars to all Willowbank residents in October.  If approved, the new scheduled collection route for loose pile green waste in November, December and January would be the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each of those months starting with November 7, 2024.  Under Yolo County Ordinance No. 1529, Section 6-17.307 (4) residents may still place their loose green waste piles out seven days before their "scheduled collection day".                

Old Willowbank County Service Area, Community Advisory Committee and Recology Davis.