Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout9B - Report of Refuse Hauling on Prior Lake MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: AGENDA ITEM: DISCUSSION: H:\Council\200B 4646 Dakota Street S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT AUGUST 18, 2008 98 JANE KANSIER, BUILDING AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES DIRECTOR CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A REPORT ON REFUSE COLLECTION I ntrod uction The purpose of this report is to review the results of meetings with the licensed refuse haulers, and to share the findings of a comparison of the current system with a day zone system and an organized system. The staff is seeking Council direction regarding how staff should proceed. H istorv The 2030 Vision and Strategic Plan was updated and adopted on May 7,2007. Included in the 2030 Vision is an element for Community Capital Assets. Part of that Vision Element is a Five-Year Goal to provide community leadership in energy conservation. The two-year objectives associated with the five-year goal are as follows: . Develop a plan for implementation of energy conservation in City fleet and facilities . Recommend improvements to City building energy efficiency including audits for each building . Evaluate and implement environmentally-sound and cost-effective means to power City rolling stock . Implement a public awareness program regarding energy conservation On May 5, 2008, the City Council discussed potential changes in the refuse system in Prior Lake and directed staff to meet with the currently licensed haulers to solicit input regarding six identified issues: 1 . Safety 2. Fuel Usage 3. Environmental Concerns 4. Road Impacts 5. Noise 6. Aesthetics As part of their discussion, the Council also made it clear they value the free enterprise system and freedom of choice, so any decisions must include these values. Current Circumstances City staff met with the refuse haulers on two occasions. At the meeting on July 10, 2008, the haulers were asked to provide two things: www.cityofpriorlake.com rhtYti-ee9s2AW7.:9Ml)prtik;taJS29l47.4245 1. A written response explaining their actions regarding the six issues identified by the City Council: 2. A map identifying which areas of the City they served and the day of the week they served that area. A summary of the responses received and a copy of the individual responses are attached to this report. ISSUES: In light of the information received, the staff evaluated three options for refuse collection: 1. Maintain the status quo (open system, no day zone) 2. Apply a day zone 3. Organized collection The attached matrix evaluates each of these refuse collection types against eight criteria (the six provided by the Council plus consumer choice and cost). From our meetings with haulers we learned: . Haulers are working in each of the six areas to improve their operations. They are motivated to provide the best service at the least cost but the results are seen in fuel savings, reduced number of trucks on the street, reduced road impacts and the like. . If all haulers collected three to five days a week, it would be easier and probably less expensive to implement day zones. Three of the haulers collect three days a week. The other three collect one day per week. If we implemented day zones, it would mean some haulers would need to add drivers and equipment and change the day of pick-up for some Prior Lake residents. . The City of Burnsville arbitrarily dictated the day zones to the haulers. Prior Lake could do the same, but the impact would be substantial to customers, affecting the day of collection, price or choice of vendor. Haulers with smaller numbers of customers may elect to quit serving the Prior Lake area. . Day zones appear to address only aesthetics in a positive way. The other criteria are impacted negatively. At this time, the appropriate action is to maintain the status quo open collection system and monitor what others are doing. Perhaps a hybrid system will be identified which we could evaluate in the future. FINANCIAL IMPACT: If the City moves to an organized collection system, the City staff will become involved in administering the system. As a result, there will be added costs to the consumer in the form of taxes or fees for service. ALTERNATIVES: The Council has the following alternatives: 1. Do nothing; maintain the status quo. 2. Direct staff to create a day zone schedule. 3. Direct staff to begin the process to establish an organized collection R\Council\2008Agenda Reports\08 18 08\refuse~agenda_reporU3-18DOC :;~?O~~ENDE( As ;er the 7 Council's discussion. .^vvJ Frank BODI tv, Reviewed by: R\Councii\2008 system " Reports\08 i 8 8DOC Comparison of Options and Issues ISSUES OPTIONS Status Quo Day Zones Organized Collection Consumer Choice . Allows maximum consumer choice . Customer has choice of haulers, but . Hauler is dictated by contract; does will not have a choice of days for not provide customer choice pick-up Cost . Competition among haulers may . Competition among haulers . Cost is set via contract reduce costs to customer continues . Possibility that costs to customers is . Some haulers may drop out if day increased zones are not cost-efficient Safety . Industry standards require trucks be . Industry standards require trucks be . Industry standards require trucks be equipped with safety lights and back- equipped with safety lights and back- equipped with safety lights and back- up alarms. up alarms. up alarms. . Multiple trucks in a neighborhood on . Reduces the number of days in a . Will reduce both the number of multiple days neighborhood, but not the number of trucks and the number of days trucks Fuel Usage . Most companies use biodiesel or . Most companies use biodiesel or . Bi-weekly recycling service and on- low-sulfur fuels, and equip trucks low-sulfur fuels, and equip trucks board scales allow drivers to know with idle restrictors. with idle restrictors. weight of truck at all time . Does not reduce number of trucks . Will reduce the number of trucks used Environmental Concerns . Trucks equipped with emissions . Trucks equipped with emissions . Trucks equipped with emissions controls and idle restrictors controls and idle restrictors controls and idle restrictors . Does not reduce number of trucks . Will reduce the number of trucks used Road Impacts . Bi-weekly recycling service and on- . Bi-weekly recycling service and on- . Bi-weekly recycling service and on- board scales allow drivers to know board scales allow drivers to know board scales allow drivers to know weight of truck at all time weight of truck at all time weight of truck at all time . Multiple trucks in neighborhoods on . Reduces the number of days in a . Reduces the number of trucks on the multiple days neighborhood, but not the number of roads trucks Noise . Packing garbage at idle speed . Packing garbage at idle speed . Packing garbage at idle speed reduces volume by one-half reduces volume by one-half reduces volume by one-half . Automated trucks take only seconds . Automated trucks take only seconds . Automated trucks take only seconds to stop, empty and leave area to stop, empty and leave area to stop, empty and leave area . Reduces number of days in a . Number of trucks is reduced neighborhood, but not the number of trucks. Aesthetics . Single Stream recycling reduces . Limits refuse and recycling . Limits refuse and recycling recycling routes by 50% containers in neighborhood to one containers in neighborhood to one . Recycling containers only on streets day per week day per week every other week 4 Summary of Refuse Haulers Responses to Six Identified Issues Issue Allied Waste Services Buckingham Dick's Sanitation Waste Management Safety . Safety training for . All post-2005 . Most trucks . Formalized safety drivers and monthly vehicles equipped equipped with rear program, including: safety meetings with LED safety view camera . Continuous . Trucks equipped lights systems, back-up monitoring and with safety . Trucks equipped alarms and flashing measuring of equipment, with monitoring strobes safety exceeding DOT cameras to allow . Believes narrow performance standards driver to see top and streets would be an . Classroom and . Truck routing both sides of truck issue in a day zone on-the-job safety determined with system training safety in mind . Daily safety meetings Fuel Usage . Biodiesel fuels . Low-sulfur diesel fuel . Day zones would . Retrofitted trucks . Trucks equipped . Trucks equipped increase fuel usage with filtration units to with idle restrictors with idle restrictors by haulers reduce emissions . GPS used to . Packing garbage at . In CA, will build determine most idle speed results in liquefied natural gas efficient routes 8% increase in fuel (LNF) facility to . Single source savings provide LNG to CA recycling every other trucks week . Invest in equipment made by manufacturers willing to research and develop more fuel- efficient trucks Environmental Concerns . Trucks equipped . Automated . Emissions reduced . Single Stream with emissions equipment and by increased EPA recycling program controls and idle refuse containers requirements (combines all restrictors with tight lids is recyclables) cleanest method . Increases . Low sulfur fuel recycling conserves fuel and . Reduces trucks produces little to no on street, emissions conserves fuel, reduces emissions . Landfill gas recovery systems provide renewable energy 5 Summary of Refuse Haulers Responses to Six Identified Issues Issue Allied Waste Services Buckingham Dick's Sanitation Waste Management . Provide environmental waster audit service to customers to assist customers with waste management . "Green Leader", "Green Squad", and "LampTracker" programs to help customers with environmentally safe programs . Corporate initiatives to reduce waste Road Impacts . Bi-weekly recycling . On-board scales . There would still be . Cites 2005 University service allow drivers to know the same amount of of MN study finding weight of truck at all trucks on the streets weight restrictions times only provide nominal increase in life of road Noise . Working with . Packing garbage at . Day zones result in . OSHA requires manufacturers to idle speed reduces all trucks on the back-up signals reduce noise volume by one-half street at the same . Early morning . Automated trucks time service for safety take only seconds to reasons stop, empty and leave area Aesthetics . Not an issue heard . Neutral colored . Trash containers . Single Stream by hauler refuse and recycling and single source recycling reduces containers recycling containers recycling routes by . Placed at curb only are more attractive 50% once in 7 days . Recycling containers only on streets every other week . Graffiti clean-up proQrams 6 CJ) W ...J ::) C W :r: (J CJ) w (J ~ w CJ) r-- ro III a a. III is >- '0 i= ..... a c Q) Q) ..... OJ ..... Q) > L.U E a ~ Q) III C a a. III Q) ..... a Z Page 1 of 1 Jane Kansier From: Richard Hirstein [Richard.Hirstein@awin.com] Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 11 :54 AM To: Jane Kansier Subject: Prior Lake Response request from waste haulers Hi Jane, At the conclusion of our meeting on July 10, Frank and Steve requested that each of the trash/recycling haulers provide a short response to each of the points in the "Examining Refuse Collection Options" letter from the Mayor. Here is that note: Safety All service providers in the City have extensive safety training for their drivers and supervisors. Allied Waste holds monthly safety meetings and does dozens of other things monthly to remind our service personnel of the importance of safety. Our trucks all are equipped with the best safety equipment and exceed all DOT requirements. We do our truck routing in order to service a neighborhood in the most safe manner possible. Fuel Consumption Allied Waste currently uses Biodiesel Fuels in it's trucks and has always met or exceeded the Government's requirements on fuel efficiency. We also do everything possible to reduce our fuel consumption including placing idle restrictors on all of our trucks. We also use GPS software to most efficiently route our service areas. Allied Waste also offers single sort recycling service that is every other week---rather than every week--- in order to reduce consumption. Environment Allied Waste has been forward-thinking in this area for many, many years. The emissions controls on all of our trucks are the most advanced in the industry and we are continuously looking for other ways to make as little of an environmental impact as possible. As mentioned above, we have placed idle restrictors on our trucks that shut the truck off if it idles for more than 5 minutes. Roads, The roads we travel are capable of handling our vehicles without a problem. Many streets and roads were designed to handle much more weight than we carry on our trucks. As stated above we provide recycling service on an every other week basis rather than weekly in order to efficiently handle the service 26 weeks a year rather than the old standard of 52 weeks a year. This keeps us off the streets and allows your residents safe efficient service. Noise Unfortunately, diesel trucks are not always quiet vehicles. The manufactures of these vehicles are doing everything they can to minimize the noise-- and yet be able to deliver the horsepower necessary to provide these essential services. Aesthetics Many people do not see an issue with their waste and recycling containers placed at the curb weekly. We rarely hear any issues with this concern. Thank you. Rich Hirstein Allied Waste Services - Minnesota District Municipal Services Manager Phone 952-946-5330 WWW.AIJieclVVasteTwinCitieS.CQrn 7/23/2008 ~ COMPANIES 5980 Credit River Road Prior Lake, MN 55372 952-226-6441 fax: 952-226-6442 Response to questions discussed at July 10, 2008 refuse haulers meeting The Buckingham Companies 5980 Credit River Rd. Prior Lake, MN 55372 952-226-6441 July 28, 2008 City of Prior Lake Jane Kansier, AICP Building & Transportation Services Director Re; Response to questions discussed at July 10, 2008 meeting: Environmental Concerns, Becoming automated with new equipment and containing refuse in a lid tight container is not only the cleanest method but also the most environmentally friendly way to handle trash. Use oflow sulfur fuel in all our refuse collection vehicles also conserves fuel and produces little to no emissions into the atmosphere. Safety, All new equipment purchased after 2005 will be compliant with the new Federal safety laws requiring LED lighting. This type of lighting not only alerts and warns the surrounding area of the refuse truck while operating on public streets but anyone within 10ft. of the refuse vehicle itself. Each refuse truck is also equipped with monitoring cameras in order for the driver to visibly see the entire top and both sides of his truck as well as anyone approaching his or her vehicle at any time. Fuel Usage, Buckingham uses Federal mandated low-sulfur diesel fuel. New vehicles are equipped with electronic engines to conserve idle time which results in less fuel usage. Packing garbage at idle speed also results in 8% increase in fuel savings. Street & Road Impact, Using on board scales allows our drivers to know their weight at all times. Our trucks leave our garage empty every morning and it takes them a full eight hours to fill to capacity (knowing their weights at all times). During their travels on local streets they are regulated by weight restrictions imposed by the City of Prior Lake to stay legal. Aesthetics, Our curbside refuse and recycling receptacles are brown in color which is a neutral color by choice. They are placed at the curb only once in seven days and we (here at Buckingham) believe they are the most aesthetic and pleasing looking receptacles on any city street in Prior Lake. Noise, Noise has somewhat been discussed in the above column under fuel usage. Packer type refuse trucks are being equipped to pack at idle speeds not only saving fuel but drastically cutting the volume of noise by at least one half. Another important factor to consider is the fact that with automated trucks, it only takes a matter of seconds for a refuse vehicle to stop at a residential home, empty its contents and to leave the area. It has been at pleasure to work out the above details with city staff. We hope this process has benefited all parties involved and the entire staff at The Buckingham Companies look forward to better relationships with both the Mayor and City Council as well. Please notify us of the final meeting and staff recommendations before this matter is presented to Council. Received August 6, 2008 --- - (Rfiol) August 6, 2008 Jane Kansier City of Prior Lake 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 RE: Response to Refuse Hauling issues Dear Jane, Here is our response to the issues regarding refuse hauling in the City of Prior Lake: Safety: Narrow streets would become a larger issue with the possibility of 12 trucks being in the same area at the same time. Over the years advancements have been made not only for the safety of the customers but also the drivers. Rear view camera systems, back up alarms and flashing strobes are in place on most trucks and come standard on all new trucks. Fuel usage: Day specific pick up would cause more fuel usage for the haulers who are in town one or two times a week by being forced to come into town 5 times a week Environmental concerns: With increasing E.P.A. regulations that are in place emissions have been greatly reduced and will be reduced even more by 2010. Street and Road Impacts: You will still have the same amount of trucks on the streets; they will just be in the same area at the same time, so there would be no impact in this area. Vehicle noise: By going day specific you would have all the refuse trucks in the same area at the same time, but you would still have school buses, city trucks, U.P.S. trucks, Federal Express trucks and the list goes on in any given neighborhood at any given time. Aesthetics: With the introduction of trash carts by the different companies with wheels and lids given to the customers and with the introduction of single sort recycling with the same type of cart, it makes it more convenient for the customer, helps to keep trash from flying around and makes for a nicer looking receptacle as opposed to personal trash can that's dented or cracked. If you have any questions please feel free to call me 952-469-9899. ~cd~ Rick Morcomb Operations Manager Dicks Sanitation Inc. Lakeville Sanitary Inc. Dick's Sanitation Inc. 8984 215th Street West Lakeville, MN 55044 Phone: 952-469-2239 Fax: 952-469-1146 WWW.dickssanitation.com Waste Management Response to City of Prior Lake Waste Management (WM) respectfully submits the following information in response to questions raised by the Prior Lake City Council regarding goals for trash hauling. The following response provides a broad, strategic perspective on the direction WM is taking nationally, but also incorporates specifics on what WM is doing locally in Minnesota. We believe that this information demonstrates leadership on the key issues that are of primary concern to the Council. I. WM's Environmental Goals In October 2007, Waste Management's CEO, David Steiner, spoke to the World Business Forum in New York stating the company's strategic direction on the environment. These "sustainability" goals have since been published broadly and include the following: 1 ) Waste Management will triple our current annual recycling rate to 20 million tons of recyclable commodity per year by the year 2020. 2) Waste Management will reduce our truck emissions by 15% by 2020 and invest up to $500 million per year over a ten year period on new truck technology that will reduce our emissions. 3) Waste Management will double our waste based energy, through collection of landfill gas and recovery of energy from waste so that we will be providing electricity from garbage to 2 million homes by 2020 These goals will further position WM as an industry leader in waste and environmental services, differentiate us from our customers and reduce our overall impact on the environment. These goals also serve as specific, measurable commitments that our company can benchmark and measure progress toward. WM SUDDorts Hi!!h Recvclin!! and Waste Diversion Goals for Minnesota More specifically, Waste Management is the largest recycler in the nation, recycling nearly 7 million tons of recyclable commodity a year. Here in Minnesota, WM is also the largest recycler, handling over 200,000 tons of commodity a year at our Twin Cities MRF. In 2007-2008, WM participated in the Governor's Climate Change Task Force and supported a very high recycling goal of75% (15% includes SS organics composting) by 2025. WM is working to achieve this recycling goal through our Single Stream program, which increases recycling participation due to the ease of combining all recyclables in one container. The result has been that residents are recycling 15-20% more material when they are in the Single Stream program. Because the Single Stream program is every other week, we have reduced the number of trucks on the street, conserved fuel and reduced truck emissions due to less need for transportation. WM provides Single Stream recycling to the City of Prior Lake and therefore Single Stream recycling addresses the environmental goals through higher recycling rates, less truck emissions, less fuel use, and directly affects the safety issue due to fewer trucks on the street with every other week collection. We are also participating in two Source Separated organics pilot projects one of which was nominated for a Minnesota Environmental Initiative (MEI) award this May. Waste Management is further exploring Source Separated organics and waste to energy in the Minnesota market as a means to manage waste as a resource--getting the most energy and value from waste. WM's Efforts to Reduce Fuel Use and Truck Emissions Regarding truck emissions, WM partnered with Clean Air Minnesota, a Minnesota Environmental Initiative (MEI) program that retrofitted some of our trucks so that we could reduce our truck emissions with filtration units that reduce particulate and improve air quality. Nationally, WM recently partnered with Linde Corporation to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility that will provide LNG to trucks in the California market starting in 2009. WM also institutes many maintenance procedures that ensure that our trucks are operating optimally every day, which further reduces air emissions and fuel use. These maintenance procedures include: pre- and post- trip inspections that ensure tires are properly inflated, engines are tuned, oil and all fluids are checked. WM also has an anti-idling and speed limit policies that ensure the best fuel efficiency and thus, lower air emissions. WM's sustainability goal of using $500 million that we invest every year in new truck equipment, to direct that capital to manufacturers who are willing to research and develop new, more fuel efficient and less emitting trucks demonstrates the leadership that WM is taking on these issues nationally. All of these efforts address the Council's concerns about truck emissions and fuel use and demonstrate that the industry is on the cutting edge, trying to leverage changes in our truck designs and working with drivers to implement daily practices that result in less fuel use and less emissions. WM's Landfill Gas Pro!!ram Produces Renewable Ener!!v Sources and Reduces, Greenhouse Gas Emissions All three of Waste Management's land disposal facilities in Minnesota have landfill gas recovery systems that provide renewable energy to thousands of homes through partnerships with local utilities. These utilities then offset their coal fired power plants with renewable energy from Waste Management's landfills. Through the collection of methane to produce energy, WM is capturing methane, a greenhouse gas, that would otherwise have been emitted to the atmosphere. WM is also exploring waste to energy options throughout the state of Minnesota through our Wheelabrator subsidiary, in an effort to assist the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) in achieving their strategic planning goal of increasing waste to energy in the state. Through Landfill gas to energy and Waste to Energy, WM is implementing measures that result in environmental improvements. WM Provides Diverse Service Offerin2"s to Customers Waste Management is also expanding our service offerings to include environmental service options that will help our customers manage waste items in an environmentally protective manner. For several years, Waste Management has provided customers with waste audit services, assisting our customers with waste reduction, recycling and management options that result in a more cost effective and environmentally sound approach to waste management. Climate change initiatives at the local, state and national level have pushed companies to become more aware of their waste practices, endeavoring to reduce the amount of waste they generate and recycle as much as possible. In response to the Climate Change issue, WM of Minnesota is embarking on a program called GreenLeader, to quantify our customers' reduction in greenhouse gases and energy savings achieved through best management practices: waste reduction, recycling and composting. In addition, WM has also begun providing a more comprehensive environmental assessment to businesses through our new, "Green Squad' program that provides a thorough and more exacting audit of our commercial customers' energy and water use, waste generation and management practices. Waste Managemement's LampTracker program is designed to provide our residential and commercial customers with environmentally safe options for managing compact fluorescent light bulbs and office fluorescent light bulbs that, due to their mercury content, cannot be placed in the waste stream, and due to their fragility, need to be managed safely to reduce exposure from mercury. Waste Management's sales team has LEED certified sales representatives and WM has provided recycling services to construction sites that are required to meet LEED certification. Waste Management does onsite separation of recyclable construction and demolition materials that WM recycles into compost and mulch and we also work with local C&D recyclers to recover value from the materials. Waste Mana2"ement Leads Bv Example: Energv Use and Recvclin~ From the standpoint ofleading by example, WM of Minnesota recently quantified its paper use in terms of recyclable materials and cost savings resulting from printing on double sided paper versus single sided. Every WM facility in Minnesota has reviewed its purchasing decisions, recycling options, and will have a plan for future capitol investment in more costly measures, such as reduced energy consumption through programmable thermostats or better, more energy efficient windows. II. WM's Safetv Proeram-Overview At Waste Management, safety is a core value and a cornerstone of operational excellence. This philosophy is embedded in the way we work, the decisions we make and the actions we take. With more than 50,000 employees and over 25,000 trucks on the road every day, we fully recognize our responsibility to protect our employees, our communities and our customers. Our goal is to attain world-class safety and, more importantly, to be among the safest companies in our industry. Our plan of action is called Mission to Zero (M2Z), which means zero tolerance for unsafe actions, unsafe decisions, unsafe conditions, unsafe equipment and unsafe attitudes. WM's Safetv Metrics Drive Hieher Safetv Performance Waste Management sites monitor and measure safety performance continuously. The resulting measurements reflect the reduced frequency and severity of safety incidents, improved employee satisfaction and improved customer satisfaction. Through the established safety processes and procedures, the goal of zero accidents and injuries is transformed into measurable results that have a positive impact on thousands of people. Elements of WM's Safetv Proeram The cornerstone of M2Z is training, which provides classroom and on-the-job site instruction in safety fundamentals for supervisors, drivers and helpers. The Operations Rule Book, Driving Science Series videos and Electronic Observation Behavior Assessments are just a few of the tools available to our frontline managers to help them to develop our employees. M2Z seeks to enhance understanding, change behaviors and develop company leaders who can make a difference and train and lead others. Rules Book: The WM Operations and Safety Rules Book includes requirements and tools that our employees use to complete their job tasks safely. The basic outline of these rules include background and information on daily safety briefings and weekly safety meetings, general safe work rules, tasks that need to be completed prior to driving the route, safety measures that need to be taken while on the route and when at the disposal location. The safety briefings and meetings provide an opportunity to discuss key topics on a daily and weekly basis and allow for, on a yearly cycle, the discussion of all DOT and OSHA related topics. The preface to the Safety Rules Book includes Life Critical Rules, those rules considered to be the highest priority for WM employees. These life critical rules are summarized below, some of which are related to safety within the community in which we work: *Never back a vehicle without motorized mirrors, rear camera and swivel mounted monitor. *Observe the posted speed limit in school zone. *When in the stand-up right-side drive position, never operate the truck over 20 mph and never travel father than .25 of a mile between stops. *Never climb in, on or under a vehicle without safely securing the vehicle. This includes walking or placing any part of your body under a raised tailgate, body or hoist. Other Life Critical Rules are designed to primarily protect the driver and include the following: *Never drive in reverse unless all workers are visible and no workers are on the riding step. *Do not allow personnel to ride outside of the cab if the truck is traveling over 10 mph or traveling father than 2/IOth of a mile. *Seat belts are required and are to be used for every passenger in the truck. Observation Behavior Assessment(OBA): All WM drivers are subject to Observation Behavior Assessments (Obi's), which involve Managers observing and recording the driving skills of new and long time employees. This is an assessment of the employee while performing their daily tasks as a driver and usually conducted by their immediate Supervisor. The Supervisor makes an assessment as to whether the driver is completely following the WM rules for driving safely. Safety Meetin~ Safety Briefings are conducted with the drivers every morning. During this time, the Supervisor discusses a subject as a reminder before drivers go out on their route. This places safety as a priority in the minds of the drivers as they start their workday. Weekly Safety Meetings are more comprehensive, covering DOT and OSHA required training as well as other topics the Company has determined that is important. WM also has a Driver Science Series where we take a scientific look at the issues that affect our drivers. It covers various topics concerning things like physics of the trucks, importance of proper rest, proper lifting, safe following distances, employee wellness, etc. Constant communication with employees on safety is vital to maintaining a safe work force and providing safety to the communities in which we work. Through the use of ongoing data collection and measurement, and use of Em's website to provide safety alerts, safety advisories and the general opportunity for dialogue on safe driving practices, WM is striving to meet our safety goals for the communities that we serve. III. Extendin~ the Life of Prior Lake Roads In 2005 the University of Minnesota completed a study on the effect of heavy trucks on roads during Spring Weight restrictions and concluded that most of the impact on roads was environmental, due to the elements and exposure to sun, rain, and snow and that weight restrictions only provided a nominal increase in extending the life of roads. The study also concluded that the economic impacts on the transportation industry would outweigh the benefit derived to the community economically, through a very small increase in the life of the road. WM believes that our customers will receive the highest quality service and best rates when communities allow for free market competition. We further believe that restricting free market trade through measures that limit areas that we can provide service provide very little benefit to the community in increased lifespan of the road. Furthermore, there are many other industries that provide express mail services, delivery services, that are not regulated and there is therefore a fairness issue. IV. Vehicle Noise For safety purposes, OSHA regulations require backing signals on trucks, which "sound" when providing trash-hauling services in alleys, behind commercial accounts, or anytime backing is required. This beeping signal is designed to warn passersby, other drivers, etc., that our trucks are backing up and provides an alert as a means to prevent accidents. Also for safety reasons, our trucks provide early morning service. This measure results in our trucks being in neighborhoods or downtown areas before the day starts, before people begin to go about their daily routine. This limits risk for our drivers and improves the safety of our communities, but may result in increased noise levels. WM believes the benefits of providing these safety measures outweigh the need to regulate hours of operation and therefore address the needs of the Council on this issue. V. Aesthetics Single Stream recycling has reducing recycling routes by 50%. WM was the first waste hauler to provide single stream recycling in Minnesota and this has resulted in significant fuel savings, increased recycling levels, but also resulted in an improvement in aesthetics due to recycling containers only being set out once every other week instead of every week. WM has also worked with other communities on graffiti issues, such as the City of St. Paul and their current effort to improve the aesthetics of the downtown area dumpsters by drivers painting over graffiti. In general, WM believes trash service is a necessary function that must be performed and that because trash containers are picked up early in the day, that the containers can be placed back in storage early in the morning thereby reducing any concerns about containers being present on the street.