The state of California has set a mandate that 75% of solid waste is to be diverted to recycling by the year 2020. Currently, Visalia's diversion rate is 71%. To help meet this state mandate, the city council has authorized staff to start the process of converting to a residential three-can collection system, i.e., separate cans for solid waste, recyclables, and green waste, as opposed to the current split-can system. It will cost approximately $5 million to implement the three-can system and to provide new cans for all residents. The conversion will not result in a rate increase. It is estimated that the three-can system will be implemented sometime during the next three years.
Once implemented, the cost to operate a three-can system will not be much more than the current split-can system. A split truck can only service about 800 split cans a day, while a single-body truck can service about 1,200 cans a day. Single-body trucks cost about $40,000.00 less than split trucks. Two single-body cans don't cost any more than one split can. Split trucks have to dump more often in a day than single-body trucks, because when one side of a split truck fills up, the truck has to take the materials to the dump even though the other half of the truck may not be completely full.
Other positives about a three-can collection system include increased diversion and decreased contamination by adding capacity and convenience. City customers can request a smaller can or a larger can, depending on their particular waste needs, and rates will be structured based on can size.
It is becoming more difficult to find manufacturers who make split-can trucks, and even the split cans themselves. Visalia is the last city in California to use the split-can system, and may be one of the last in the nation.
Of course, there are some cons to this conversion, such as customers will have to store an extra can and there will be an additional truck pass each week. However, the consequences remaining with the split-can system include the difficulty of meeting the increased diversion requirements mandated by the state, more contamination of recyclables, and decreasing availability of split cans and split trucks, along with the resulting increasing costs for specially built split trucks and cans.
As the city moves forward with implementing the three can collection system, citizen input and feedback will be sought and more information will be shared with the public as it becomes available. My wife Alisa has already told me that I get to haul that extra can to the curb each week!
One of the many good things about Visalia city staff is that they constantly strive to keep up with current technology and efficiencies. The city council also approved the solid waste division to start the process to acquire an in-house account management system with Associated Technology Improvements. The implementation costs of this new system will be about $750,000.00. However, the staff study estimates that the annual savings from a new account management system will be about $750,000.00.
ADDITIONAL CITY UPDATES:
Developer Dave Paynter recently purchased the Sequoia Plaza Shopping Center (which includes Walmart, Burlington Coat Factory and Ashley Furniture on South Mooney). Mr. Paynter already owns Sequoia Mall and the Dick's Sporting Goods center, which means that Mr. Paynter now controls three corners of the Caldwell and Mooney intersection. Mr. Paynter is a well-known developer who has had many successes locally. Look for more new stores and upgrades at these locations as Mr. Paynter works to redevelop them.
Construction of the Visalia Parkway crossing at Packwood Creek to the west of Target on South Mooney is finally underway. This will connect the southern boundary of the city and will allow travelers to drive on the Visalia Parkway from County Center east through to Mooney Blvd.
If you have questions or topics regarding the city which you would like to have addressed in future articles, please email Warren at wgubler@ci.visalia.ca.us, or call (559) 713-4400 x 3313. For past articles, visit directfromwarren.blogspot.com.
Warren Gubler
Visalia Vice Mayor
