Receive update on illegal dumping prevention programs and request direction on proposed program changes. (No general fund impact) (Lindbo/Juhler)

Receive update on illegal dumping prevention programs and request direction on proposed program changes. 

Illegal dumping affects every area of our Strategic Plan goals. While Sustainable Environment is the most obvious, a Robust Economy and Flourishing Agriculture go hand in hand with our businesses and growers not being burdened with the waste in front of or on their properties. Thriving Residents and Safe Communities also tie back to these programs by ensuring that we clean up the waste timely but also work on long term prevention programs to eradicate illegal dumping.  

Illegal dumping is a problem both statewide and within Yolo County.  While the Department of Community Services, Division of Integrated Waste Management (DIWM) spends over $175,000 a year to assist in the prevention and cleanup of illegally dumped waste and litter, the problem persists.  Below you will find a list of our existing programs and recommended changes that could assist in eradicating this issue.  Current programs are as follows:

The following are updates on new programs and recommended future actions for the Board's consideration:

1. Update on Clarksburg Illegal Dumping Surveillance: Since the cameras were installed in June 2022, there have only been three reported incidents of illegal dumping on Babel Slough Road. (8/30/22 - Abandoned Boat, 10/9/22 - Bags of Trash and Furniture, and 12/1/22 - General Debris).  From the surveillance footage captured, three offenders were contacted either in writing, via phone or in person.  Due to the quick response by the Yolo County District Attorney (DA) staff, the boat was removed by the offender within 24 hours of illegal dumping.  Appropriate steps were taken to ensure the offender does not dump in Yolo County again.  Additionally, the bags of trash had information contained within which helped the DA provide follow up on that incident.  The third incident had no indicia or images available that would help locate the suspect vehicle or individual.  The DA currently has no prosecutions pending but continues to look forward to addressing violators in the future and developing additional enforcement measures.  This program, which is funded by a CalRecycle Farm and Ranch grant will continue through March 2024 at which time DIWM will come back to the board with a full report and recommendations.  

2. Update and Request for Direction on Landfill Un-Tarped Load Fee: From July - December 2022, the scale house attendants at the Yolo County Central Landfill handed out over 3,000 educational flyers, in English and Spanish (Att. A.), to customers explaining that un-tarped loads are not only a violation of the law, but also pose significant safety risks and litter along our roadways.  In addition to gathering this data and handing out flyers, DIWM simultaneously conducted a Community Engagement Customer Satisfaction Survey.  The survey included a specific question about whether customers would be in support of a fee to address un-tarped loads. Out of the 212 respondents, 53.6% were in support of a new fee being added and 46.4% were not.  In addition to the litter that is created by self-haul vehicles, larger commercial haulers also create litter for which DIWM receives funds from both franchised haulers to pay for the current litter removal surrounding the landfill. 

If we assume that the data collected below is reflective of an average 6-months, then approximately 3,200 customers would be assessed a fee in FY 23-24 if a new rate was established through the Master Fee Resolutions in July 2023.  It is estimated that the average fee would need to be $6.25 per un-tarped load to cover existing 1x/month clean up service charges incurred from the Yolo County Probation contract.  If the Board wishes for staff to increase the frequency of litter pickup, DIWM would recommend an estimated fee of approximately $12-15 per un-tarped load.  The final fee would be determined and brought back to the Board for approval in July. At this time, DIWM is only seeking direction from the Board on whether staff should continue its efforts in developing this fee for implementation.

3. Request for Direction to Revise Adopt-A-Road Program: The Yolo County Roads Division brought forth an Adopt-A-Road Program in July 2013 (Att. B.) which encourages organizations, corporations, groups, and individuals to participate in keeping the county beautiful and safe by volunteering to maintain and enhance select Yolo County roadsides.  To date, this program has no participants. While the current program is written to addresses illegal dumping, it also includes pothole repair, tree trimming, weed abatement and ditch cleaning.  One reason the participation may be low is that it puts the ownership on the participating organization to supply all labor, ensure proper training is in place for hazards, supply their own signage for the road, and provide reporting back to the County on the work accomplished under this program.   To look beyond our current program opportunities, DIWM is recommending that we revise the Adopt-A-Road program to shift to a contractor provided service in exchange for an annual program participant fee.  DIWM is seeking Board direction to explore this option by putting out an RFP for such services to determine what it would cost to have a 2-mile stretch of county roadway cleaned once per month for the removal of illegal dumping and litter.  In exchange for an annual program participant fee, the partnering organization would get an Adopt-A-Road sign in their name placed along that stretch and annual update provided to the Board showing how their funds were spent and the amount of waste collected.   The cost of sign fabrication and install by our Roads Division, would be included in the overall fee for adopting the road.  While this has not been done before, it is evident that we must keep trying new avenues to beautify our community and keep it safe.       

DIWM continues to work collaboratively with the Yolo County District Attorney's office, the Yolo County Roads Division, IntelliSite, the private contractor who monitors the surveillance cameras under the Farm and Ranch grant, and the public through community engagement customer satisfaction surveys.