O-2006-2863 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DISCUSSION Attached to this report are two (2) sub-reports. One is the study prepared by HDR calculating probable costs to construct and operate a city-owned landfill. The other is a brief staff cost estimate to construct, equip and operate a transfer station, with associated labor, equipment, supplies and maintenance. Each sub-report will be discussed below. The report prepared by HDR is a result of their experience permitting and consulting for municipal and private landfills throughout the nation. The report assumes start-up construction, equipment and labor costs associated with construction and operation ofthe site. The basis of the report is that with changes in regulations and reductions in estimated waste streams, the cost to dispose of waste at a La Porte-operated landfill, in 2002 dollars, range from $27.86 to $29.48 per cubic yard. Note that current disposal rates under the City's contract with a private landfill are $5.80 per cubic yard. The alternative to operating a city-owned landfill when capacity at the currently contracted site is gone (estimated at 20-30 years) is to find another landfill and transport. Depending on the distance, a transfer station may need to be constructed and operated. A transfer facility is basically a staging area or building to store collected waste until a larger, transfer trailer/truck is filled. Instead of the collection truck being driven, with a three-man crew, to the landfill, several collection trucks can be accommodated by one transfer vehicle. This alternative will require the construction of a transfer station building to house the tipping t1oor, loading area and any compaction equipment out of the weather. Purchase of transfer trailer and truck and other minor equipment will be required for operation of the system. Finally, the addition of two (2) employees will be required to operate the system. The cost to operate the transfer system and pay disposal costs (at current rates) is estimated at $11.27 per cubic yard. At one time, it was determined that the cost of operating a city-owned landfill was the best long-term disposal alternative for La Porte. Changes in regulatory requirements have greatly increased this cost. Although the changes associated with Subtitle D were known to increase the cost of landfilling, the additional changes to design criteria, such as groundwater levels and depth of burial, have increased costs far more than anticipated. Additionally, it costs virtually the same amount to operate a small landfill as a larger one. The major difference is the amount of daily waste. Obviously, the more waste to allocate costs to, the lower the price. With the elimination of La Porte's commercial waste, virtual elimination of all yard waste due to the City's composting program and the elimination of all residential and commercial waste projected for the City of Seabrook, the projected daily waste stream is less than 12 of that originally projected.