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R-92-1711 - 4/9/1992 THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK ,) 221 East Main Street Raund Rock,Texas 78664 'i 512-255-3612 Fax 512-255-6676 1 April 24, 1992 Mike Heiligenstein County Commissioner Precinct 1, Williamson County 211 Commerce Blvd., #7 Round Rock, Texas 78664 Dear Commissioner Heiligenstein: Resolution No. 171TR'was approved by the Round Rock City Council on April 9, 1992. The enclosed copy of the resolution is for your files. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call. Sincerely, Jo nne Land, Assistant City Manager/ City Secretary JL:km Mayor Enclosure Mike Rnbinson Mayor P—te. Chartres Culpepper Council Members Robert Siluka Tislt ootntatt Hick Stewart F-1 Palmer Jinnn y Jaseplt ' City Manager RoJ'_'L.Bennett,Jr. City Attorney Stephan L.Sheets RESOLUTION NO. WHEREAS, environmentally safe and economically affordable solid waste management services are necessary for the citizens of Round Rock, Texas; and WHEREAS, Williamson County has established a Type I solid waste landfill north of Hutto, Texas to provide for the municipal (non-hazardous) solid waste disposal needs of the residents and businesses of Williamson County, including Round Rock, Texas; and WHEREAS, Williamson County has contracted with Waste Management of Texas, Inc. to operate the landfill in an environmentally safe and cost efficient manner for the benefit of Williamson County; and WHEREAS, Williamson County has filed an application to amend its landfill permit to ensure compliance with federal and state environmental requirements and thereby to provide for the future solid waste disposal requirements of Williamson County, including the residents and businesses of Round Rock, Texas, Now Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS, That the Round Rock City Council approves and supports the application by Williamson County to amend and upgrade its landfill north of Hutto, Texas to provide for environmentally safe and cost efficient solid waste disposal for Williamson County, including the residents and businesses of Round Rock, Texas. RESOLVED this 9th day of April, 1992. A�v 14 Z MIKE ROBINSON, Mayor City of Round Rock, Texas ATTEST: NNE LAND, City Secretary (Ili VIC i VU1T.)z2F1q L L-,,r)'I U:. C. Ira 'JIF Ellon vj Lim-,ir, iD: sb.vo lo 17,jon 1111h.l.,31 InIf n1,.SL r .4l -Ili 10 :.if - 1, -4L ,26xg -1 _fj j. )i P_^ f L;, E, La:tiFjjd if F-I.fv.) E.1311 v!,it to*.) .lv la ttf f 311 3q, n:; I •fl I ,:r. ET 30 7vqm5pbnsm 10 3_1slljd 3111 4--1 -­I1_.-j,l _tn9E,.L3h;, Las -31,:a iif.51"3nlol va, L.I.S '{Imic') f.jer-s-,I I i;l TICS? has Is-.t3x)32 Ift--a (:,j I.L'I7DC, ii:l:.nzf ejI. qli,ml .2-11 Ic-i b;:n to .-sccqaib E)rms;, bilo- Lmrjoa It, c-ap- Ur .5.1t '­,!UO;4 11 YTIC ZiT iO JP)VTX, 3HT Y9 UF'V_J04?M1 T-7 Ha, 111ablif,j aji 3h5-jj,,jj­ bjjE bg73:na ci yfru1jD yd rlcfth-^111'ls hm-a 91ra tjll-volq 0! 'O.Tn,.i Ic, qM1 -,.ri.LUj1Da_c y1fisioz :ol bzl,a J.T31:DxI13 Let lilqr, IQ yrf) rije ahij c[TV10za. rnexel Awq briucli 10 '?!1D Williamson County Landfill Issue Points March 1992 Strict new regulations are causing a decrease in available landfill space. New federal governmental regulations have resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number of landfills in the country and in Texas. Even the threat of the EPA's long-awaited new Subtitle D regulations governing landfills(recently put in place in September 1991)has already resulted in the closure of more than 600 landfills in Texas alone,and hundreds of additional small landfills will be closing over the next year. Many of these landfills will close to escape having to institute the strict new EPA environmental standards and to avoid the long-term liability for maintenance of the facility long after the landfill is closed. Under these new regulations,it is also unlikely that many new landfills will be approved in Texas because of the cost of siting new landfills. Meanwhile the need for landfills is increasing. The average American throws away 4.0 pounds of trash per person per day. Despite dramatically increased recycling,the amount of household trash produced by each American is still expected to continue increasing—up another 10 percent by the year 2000 to 4.4 pounds per person, according to the newest EPA study. Even with the increased awareness of and access to recycling and source reduction, the need for landfills is essential. According to the Capitol Area Planning Council's (CAPCO) 1992 interim report on developing a 20-year solid waste management plan for the surrounding 10-county area,these siting difficulties have resulted in a"capacity crisis"in central Texas. Integrated waste managment practices including Ecoycling and Ian Ellin is the'm ediate anewer The State of Texas and the CAPCO regional study both agree that more fully integrated waste management plans are needed that combine safe, secure landfilling with responsible waste reduction and recycling. Texas has set an ambitions recycling goal and is working to encourage"end-markets"for the use of recycled goods and products. But even with increased reduction and recycling,notes the CAPCO report,landfilling is still the only actual waste"disposal"method in our area for the remaining refuse: Williamson county I.andfi 1 i pase "...landfills will necessarily be a part of any municipal waste management system because portions of the waste stream cannot be handled in any other way. Landfills should not be considered a"necessary evil." Due to technology improvements and increased regulation, modem landfills are more secure than ever..." The Williamson County landfill is an important art of meeting_our area's landfill needs for the future. As the nation's landfill space has decreased, landfills like the one in Williamson County have actually become valuable commodities for the community. They help support local economic and environmental health by ensuring that secure,low-cost,local waste disposal services are available to area residents and businesses now and in the future. While it was probably never intended to be an economic generator for the county,the fact is that the county's foresight in keeping and expanding the landfill may well mean that we will have a valuable commodity that many other counties do not have. And most importantly, it assures residents of Williamson County that landfill space is reserved for their use. Unlike many other landfills, the contract governing operation of the Williamson County landfill insures that only the equivalent volume of waste generated in our county can be disposed of in our landfill. By expanding the existing 122-acre site with an additional 80 acres as proposed, the site life is extended to more than 30 years of Williamson County use. Who depends on the Williamson County Landfill? Almost every resident in the county does—both now and in the future. The vast majority of solid waste picked up from residential homes and businesses in Williamson County is taken to the Williamson County Landfill, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in transportation costs each year. Since transportation is a key element in setting garbage collection rates, having a local landfill is a critical component in keeping rates low and affordable. Some portion of business and residential trash from all over the county— regardless of which disposal company picks up your trash—is delivered each day to the county landfill. Eventual closure of the landfill when it reaches capacity, for example, would mean that trash picked up in Georgetown would be trucked at least SO miles away or more,leaving our residents at the mercy of increasing rates and declining capacity. In today's costs,the extra transportation costs alone for Georgetown could be as much as $40,000 a month! L4illiamson County LandfillPage - With siting of now land_ s almost non i ttrnt upgrading—oxigin landfills to meet the new environmental standards mats gQod CrDnarnic and environmental sense. The fact is,no one wants the siting of new landfills in their own back yard. That's why working with an existing landfill makes so much sense. The Williamson County landfill is currently operating at a site between Hutto and Jonah in eastern Williamson County—centrally located and reasonably convenient to all residents. The landfill at this site has been operating here for a number of years and is well established. There is a big difference between finding a new site in Williamson County for a landfill and starting a new landfill near homes where a landfill was never contemplated, versus continuing to use an existing site where the landfill has been in operation for many years. Most importantly, by approving the expansion permit for the existing landfill the county will be able to insure that the landfill operates to the most stringent regulations— a challenge that might not otherwise be feasible. This upgraded and modernized site will then be available to continue to serve our local communities for many years to come. Williamson Cbunty contracted out operation of the landfill to ensure professional and experienced management of the landfill operations Most cities and counties do not have the in-house expertise required to operate a landfill under the new environmental standards. That's why the Williamson County Commissioners Court chose Waste Management Inc.to operate the landfill. Waste Management Inc.is the country's leading provider of solid waste services,including recycling, collection, transfer,resource recovery,processing and disposal. The company currently operates 13 lan&Ws in Texas and more than 120 nationwide. Waste Management serves some 202 Texas cities and operates in 111 Texas counties and overall the company's 62,000 plus employees provide solid waste services through more than 450 subsidiaries and divisions in 48 states and Canada. In addition, Waste Management Inc.brings the support of literally hundreds of environmental engineers,hydrologists, soils engineers, surveyors and monitoring technicians which comprise the company's environmental staff: In fact,Waste Management is the nation's largest private employers of engineers. Such breadth allows the company to bring an experienced team of environmental engineers to bear at each site the company owns or operates—something that no municipality or county could do on its own. Villiamoon County Landfill Page q Since taking over operation of the landfill. Waste Managemen Inc- has worked to en nre env. onm n a compliance, The fact is,since Waste Management Inc.took over operation of the landfill in 1988,there have been a number of improvements in operating procedure at the Williamson County site. The county's problem of excess dirt stockpiles has been steadily addressed and the stockpiles of dirt have been lowered and revegetated to give the landfill a more natural and less obtrusive appearance. But perhaps most importantly of all,the operator has worked diligently to upgrade the operation of the landfill to modem standards of environmental safety. In fact, the operating procedures currently in use at the Williamson County landfill and under which the landfill has been operated over the last few years area ready in compliance with almost all of the new EPA rules. In many cases,the landfill's own operating procedures are more strict than those required by state or federal law. That's why the County was pleased to work with this experienced team—to ensure that the site is operated to the best environmental and economic standards. Waste Management Inc-is a maponsible member of the co mn 'ty too-' Here in Williamson County,Waste Management's local affiliate—Longhorn Disposal— is working to bring curbside recycling to many local communities. They already provide weekly curbside pick-up of recycling in the city of Georgetown—among others—and are the largest private curbside recycler in Central Texas. With the approval of the proposed permit,an additional Williamson County recycling drop off center will be available at the landfill site for those not served by curbside services. Waste Management Inc.,operator of the landfill, is already the country's leading provider of private curbside recycling providing recycling to more than 4 million homes across the country. Waste Management Inc.and Longhorn Disposal are involved in our community as well through the donation of services,facilities, and equipment to numerous local clean up efforts and have worked with the county, schools and cities in the area. Williamson County Landfill Page 5 What can we expo*to sex in terms of the landfill appearance? ActuaUy, there has been a great deal of work done to improve the appearance of the landfill, and much more will be done with the new permit. As originally designed, the landfill was destined from the very start to have a problem from a tremendous excess of dirt. During the 1980's,some of the dirt stockpiles at times reached as high as 60 feet or more above the surrounding landscape. Waste Management Inc.has worked to reduce those stockpiles to no more than 30 feet. A maximum height of 39 feet is proposed under the new permit. At 39 feet,the landfill is more in scale with the surrounding countryside and existing natural tree breaks help screen the view. The height is considerably less than that at most other central Texas landfills—many of which are located in far more densely populated areas. The lowered height can be accomplished here by trying to more reasonably balance the amount of solid waste to the amount of excavated dirt so that all the soil is eventually used in the operation rather that stockpiled. In addition, work has been done to reduce the slope of these hills to control erosion, adding black dirt and revegetating the slopes to a more natural appearance, fencing the site and adding landscaping and a paved entry. All in all,the landfill has seen significant improvements in its appearance as well as operations. What will change as a result of the gxanting of this Wrmit? Not much really in the short term. There are no significant or immediate increases anticipated in current volume of trash being delivered to the landfill each day.The site is already limited as to the volume generated in Williamson County alone. Rather, the permit will insure that there will be capacity at this site for many more years in the future when landfill space becomes even more critical. The biggest change is that the increased lifespan of the site will ensure that the operator and county can afford to install and maintain the kind of stringent environmental controls that we all want for our community. By meeting those standards, we can be assured that the landfill will continue to operate now and in the future. s � k� n-< , DATE: April 7, 1992 SUBJECT: City Council Meeting, April 9, 1992 ITEM: 9.D. Consider a resolution of support for the Williamson County Landfill. STAFF RESOURCE PERSON: Bob Bennett STAFF RECOMMENDATION: SCI, E OFT MIKE NSTeN <v x11 COMMERCE BLVD#7 County ty Commissioner h� N ROUND ROCK.TEKA$78664 PretinCt 1,Williamson County (512(244.2359 2 244-2433 r�9MSON`OJ March 24, 1992 ouk TO: Mayor Councilmembers ,� „'SC• JJJ���"""___ Xn'.1`�`/°' l FROM: Mike Heiligenstein Precinct 1, Williamson County XQ RE: Williamson County Landfill Resolution of Support Attached is a copy of a draft resolution regarding the Williamson County Landfill upgrade and expansion. I would be most appreciative if you would place this item on your agenda for consideration at your earliest convenience. You have probably already received information from my office about the county's plans to expand and upgrade the existing landfill to meet new EPA environmental standards. We think the upgraded landfill will be a tremendous asset to the county -- providing Williamson County residents and businesses with a long term, safe and affordable solid waste disposal option. In the meantime if I can answer any questions you might have about the permit or the proposed resolution, please do not hesitate to call. Either I, County Commissioner Greg Boatright or a representative of Waste Management Inc. would also be pleased to attend your council meeting to discuss the resolution as well.