TAMRMS#: B06
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Hours of Operation of the Compost Depot
Presented by: Kate Polkovsky, Director, Utilities and Environment Department
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
recommendation
That the Level of Service Inventory be amended to change the City of St. Albert Compost Depot hours of operation to 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays and holidays, effective July 1, 2020.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
To provide an update to Council regarding the Compost Depot and recommend changing the hours of operation.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Strategic Priority #6: Environmental Stewardship: Explore innovative environmental and conservation opportunities.
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
The service is provided for utilities customers only.
The compost depot is an unstaffed site which accepts residential yard waste (leaves, branches, soil, sod and other landscaping material). It is open a minimum of 6 months per year.
Current hours of operation:
• Open daily (Monday -Sunday) from April through October between 7:30 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
• Closed November through March
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
N/A
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
With COVID-19, the Waste and Diversion branch provided updated standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the Compost Depot to manage safety, physical separation, and mis-use of the facility due to third party use (contractor use and individuals who live outside of the City). The need to have full time staff manning the site to ensure safe procedures, check identification, and move materials have been identified.
Specifically due to COVID-19, the Compost Depot use increased and required additional staffing and maintenance on site. Through observations and traffic counts, it is recommended operating hours change from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week to 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., six days a week, closed on Mondays and statutory holidays.
The change in hours:
• Parallel the Mike Mitchell Recycling Depot hours of operation, operating six days a week and closed on statutory holidays
• Reflect when residents utilize the site, as very few vehicles drop leaf and yard waste off before 10 a.m.
• Allow staff to be consistently on site to provide customer service, traffic control and site presence
• Reduce misuse from non-St. Albert residents and businesses such as landscape contractors by completing identification checks
• Reduce illegal dumping which occurs frequently by having staff presence
The Depot will continue to be open April to end of October, and for Christmas tree drop-off following the holidays. Exact opening and closing day are weather dependent.
Administration propose these changes be in effect as of July 1, 2020. Communication to residents will be done by updates to the site signage, City website and Be Waste Wise App, and advertisements on social media and Citylights.
Administration will also explore opportunities to allow businesses such as landscape contractors to use the site for a fee for the future.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
Communication to residents will be done by updates to the site signage, City website and Be Waste Wise App, and advertisements on social media and Citylights.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
During Covid-19, this site was identified to be a site that required full time staffing during operating hours to facilitate the movement of residents. By reducing the hours, the site mitigates substantial overages reducing the total hours over a six month period by 708 hours. During operating months staff have been traditionally present for 40 hours a week (one staff), however due to Covid-19 the staffing numbers and hours present onsite have increased at the peak to 3-4 staff over the 101.5 hours, to what will be projected to be 1-2 staff covering the 72 hours a week.
Legal / Risk:
N/A
Program or Service:
Reduce hours of service from 101.5 hours per week, to 72 hours per week.
Organizational:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
1. Do not change hours of operation and leave as is.
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Report Date: June 29, 2020
Author(s): Oliva Kwok
Committee/Department: Utilities and Environment
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble