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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2004 0602 CC REG ITEM 10E,ITEM 10• E- 4 -a -A 190 4 MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT TO: The Honorable City Council FROM: John Brand, Senior Management Analyst` DATE: May 25, 2004 (CC Meeting of June 2, 2004) SUBJECT: Consider Changes to Current Compost Program SUMMARY The City Council is being asked to approve changes to the existing compost program. The changes recommended include the way compost and worm bins are distributed and the amount of subsidy offered to Moorpark residents. On December 16, 2003, the Public Works, Facilities, and Solid Waste Committee (Councilmembers Mikos and Parvin) reviewed the proposed changes and concurs with the staff recommendation. BACKGROUND Since 1994, the City has sold backyard compost bins to Moorpark residents at a subsidized rate. In 2000, the City also began selling vermiculture worm composting bins. The subsidized sale of compost bins is one of the programs selected for implementation in the City's Source Reduction and Recycling Element, which is the plan for the City's compliance with "AB 939," the Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989. Among other things, this law requires every city and county in the state to divert from landfill disposal 50% of the solid waste generated within the jurisdiction. The backyard composting bin program consists of the City buying bins from a wholesaler and reselling them at a discounted price to Moorpark residents. Compost bins cost approximately $50 and are resold for $20. Worm bins cost about $80 and are resold for $25. The City funds this program from its AB 939 fee. A minimum order requirement from the suppliers makes it necessary for the City to buy a quantity of the bins and store them until they are sold. The compost bins are stored behind City Hall on pallets or in boxes. Because the storage conditions are not ideal, the compost bins get 000261 Compost Bin Program CC Meeting of June 2 2004 Page 2 dusty, and show signs of exposure. The City last purchased a supply of one - hundred five (105) Compost bins in June, 2000. The inventory of compost and worm bins is nearly exhausted. Bin sales tend to come in spurts. Spring time is the busiest period for bin sales, and often there are bin sales shortly after some form of publicity is distributed, such as the quarterly City newsletter. In recent years, the City has averaged selling approximately thirty compost and worm bins per year, or about two to three bin sales per month. DISCUSSION Staff recommends purchasing bins from a supplier who offers online purchasing capabilities to Moorpark residents. The firm Green Culture, based in Orange County, offers such a program to municipalities that spares cities from stocking their own inventory of compost bins. It allows residents to order a compost bin online (or by using their toll free telephone number) and have the bin delivered to their home. Green Culture will set up a webpage for City of Moorpark residents to view. A link from the solid waste page on the City website would connect a resident to a special city page. The cities of Thousand Oaks and Santa Cruz currently use the system, and they report that it is well- received by the public, saves staff time, and is more efficient than holding their own bin inventory. The Public Works, Facilities, and Solid Waste Committee examined the composting products available and various subsidy rates. It is the recommendation of the Committee to keep the same products currently offered, the `Home Composter" compost bin, and "Three - Tray Worm Tower" vermiculture system and to establish the subsidy at 50 percent of the retail cost. The retail cost with shipping is estimated to be $80.00 for the "Home Composter," and $90.00 for the "Worm Tower." Under the proposed changes a Moorpark resident would pay the vendor their 50 percent share and the City would be billed for the remainder. Green Culture screens addresses to ensure that the subsidized prices are only available to eligible City residents. Either one compost bin or one worm bin could be purchased per residence at the subsidized price. Bin deliveries take one to two days. Green Culture sets up the webpage at its own expense. As indicated, cities do not have to pre - purchase any compost bins. The only requirement that Green 000262 Compost Bin Program CC Meeting of June 2 2004 Page 3 Culture has is that it asks the City to promote the webpage. This could easily be done as the city promotes its compost bin program through the City's numerous avenues to reach residents, including the City Webpage, Quarterly Newsletter, cable character generator, solid waste flyers, and the solid waste bills. At the end of each month, the City of Moorpark will receive a bill based on how many compost bins were ordered. Additionally, it will receive a list of the residents purchasing a bin along with the corresponding address verification. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Approve the recommended changes to the City Compost Bin Program as outlined in the Agenda Report, and authorize the City Manager to execute an Agreement with Green Culture, Inc. 000263