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CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL, REJECTION, AMENDMENT, AND/OR POSTPONEMENT OF RESOLUTION R-2021-133: A RESOLUTION OF THE NORMAN MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY APPROPRIATING $250,000 FROM THE SANITATION FUND BALANCE TO PAY INCREASED COSTS OF TAKING STORM-RELATED REFUSE TO THE LANDFILL.
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BACKGROUND: The recent weather extremes created a dramatic increase in volume at the transfer station and the compost facility. After the October 26, 2020 ice storm, citizens began bringing increasing amounts of debris to our facilities even though private contractors were hired to collect the limb debris at their properties and properly dispose of it. On October 31, 2020, the new tub grinder (less than 2 years old) broke and parts were ordered. Since emergency cleanup activity was underway, staff obtained bids for private contractors to assist in grinding and hauling away mulch. The dramatic increase in volume left us with no room for storage at the compost facility, and not enough collection staff to properly collect all of the yard waste. This forced staff to send a large amount of yard waste debris to the landfill. Shortly thereafter, Vermeer performed routine maintenance on the tub grinder, and the next day it caught fire and burned all workable engine components. The City Attorney's Office is working to get compensation, if the damage to the new tub grinder was related to the maintenance work performed by the manufacturer.
Volume at our Compost Facility increased from an annual rate in FYE20 of 28,000 tons to a forecast for FYE21 of 85,000 tons. This, and the increase in residential and commercial refuse led to a total volume increase at our Transfer Station from FYE20 of 101,000 tons to a projection for FYE21 of 110,000 tons.
DISCUSSION: With this unanticipated tonnage, staff has depleted the "Utility Services-Refuse Tipping" account (33955163-44331). Staff estimates additional disposal costs to complete the Fiscal year to be $350,000 to $400,000. Our current available...
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