TAMRMS#: B06
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Mike Mitchell Recycling Depot Hours
Notice given by: Councillor MacKay
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BUDGET POSTPONED MOTION:
recommendation
That Mike Mitchell Recycling Depot hours of operation be extended to six days a week (Tuesday through Sunday), for an increased operational cost of $17,592, and the utility rates are increased by $0.07/month to reflect this.
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POSTPONED MOTION ADMINISTRATIVE BACKGROUNDER:
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Administration’s Understanding of Intent Motion:
To operate the Mike Mitchell Recycling Depot an additional day of the week (Sunday) and provide associated costs that will be reflected in the monthly recycling utility rates.
Operational or Organizational Impacts if Motion is Approved:
Currently the Mike Mitchell Recycling Depot is open 40 hours a week, Tuesday to Saturday. This motion would add an additional eight hours to current service levels. CUPE staff’s work hours currently align with a 40-hour work week, as per the Collective Agreement, therefore additional staffing and changes to current work schedules will be required.
Financial Implications of Motions:
Additional staffing would be required to support the increase hours of operation. A Casual Labourer can be added for 16 hours per week (two shifts, for a total of 832 hours for the entire year) to support existing CUPE full time staff.
The impact to the rates would be an increase in the Solid Waste flat rate by $0.07 per month to $8.48 per month (from $8.41). The average residential utility bill would increase to $133.44 per month.
This was based on an increase in CUPE casual wages by 16 hours per week at a rate of $19.47 per hour plus 8.6% in benefits. The increase was made in cost center 9110 - Recycling.
Stakeholder Consultations:
Consultation with CUPE Union and Human Resources is advisable as staff schedules will be impacted should the motion pass. Communication to the public will be required to advertise the changes. This can be done through website and Be Waste Wise App updates, Citylights and social media posts, and updating signage at the Depot.
Background:
The Mike Mitchell Recycling Depot offered extended hours from July to the end of September 2019. The Depot was open on Sundays and Mondays, offering 16 additional hours a week of service.
During the pilot, a staffed check-in station was set up to collect data from users of the Depot. Data collected determined:
• Number of visits per hours, day, and per week
• If users were City of St. Albert residents and rate payers or if they were non-residents or businesses
The data showed:
• The busiest days at the Depot were Tuesdays and Saturdays
• The Depot received more visits on Monday (average of 161 vehicles) than on Sundays (average of 132 vehicles)
Alternatives:
• Further promote the Recycling Depot is open from 12 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays as residents may not be aware of these late operating hours
• Open on Sunday, and close on Tuesday instead to continue service levels of 40 hours a week
• Offer extended hours only in the summer, as it reflects residents doing house and yard work during this time of the year.
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Report Date: November 21, 2019
Author: Kate Polkovsky
Department: Utilities & Environment Department
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble
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