[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6502916,"mediaKeyId","5689864-4a177d37c00255910a8e761d26663714","parentId",5689864,"title","ARR: on‑demand bulk pickup shows early operational savings; staff to track participation and diversion","audioSeconds",571,"startMs",5759000,"endMs",6330000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5689864-4a177d37c00255910a8e761d26663714&start=5759&end=6330","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5689864-4a177d37c00255910a8e761d26663714/thumbnail_5759000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6502916/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/ARR-ondemand-bulk-pickup-shows-early-operational-savings-staff-to-track-participation-and-diversion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502916-b64ded4398f20fd3407ea12602192cc2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447794&Signature=gWbTlIdzXA~62ePMc3QQg6AjY6sGHI7F-oudIVYS539uAk0chuq2CZtfy9QYXGd0PwvuLpIS4flPdV2QyEriqhm8-UPEuP~kuJ4q0vBNEnTzWRcwGxiTR4BN-r1B2v759vABCiIgA6QdcMprNZkgq-sKhU7MpIbUThHUIyntYZ6jkFWW~RRKHXFRJLWrUYXhNvI4HkhISZfYowiCb7nHr9g1FZxfd-VbcHF3Q59gKwWrmg2bvBGeWTjJhVt-f6v0Sc83WbDYEqmI4zSZ01UAOVv~zq0YUjow6AR09fwvufyc4qT7wa0BkXmqqSmM2eloP2LV4~dmmWgulyamthjKmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-08-27T00:00:00Z","article","Amy Slagle, assistant director for Austin Resource Recovery, updated the committee on the city’s on‑demand bulk pickup pilot, which had been operating for about six to seven months at the time of the briefing. Staff reported early operational savings but said it is too soon to judge long‑term performance and that ARR will continue to monitor participation and diversion.

Program status and reuse plans: Slagle said ARR is actively pursuing a furniture reuse warehouse supported by an EPA grant and is seeking property for that reuse site—a separate city effort intended to divert reusable furniture and other bulky items from landfill disposal. “We are actively working towards our furniture reuse warehouse that we got the EPA grant for,” Slagle said.

Tonnage and participation: Staff presented a six‑month snapshot showing lower bulk collection tonnage compared with the prior 12‑month period but said that citywide bulk pickup tonnages have trended downward since the COVID period. Slagle told the committee that reductions may reflect changes in consumer behavior and said the department is gathering more data for a full‑year comparison and to analyze whether customers are diverting materials through donation, reuse markets or other channels not captured in ARR tonnage data.

Customer service and access: Committee members asked about customer experience, set‑out education, and hybrid models (for example, combining a fixed annual collection with on‑demand options). Slagle said ARR is working on education and customer service improvements and will collect additional data before recommending structural changes. She confirmed that customers currently have a limit on how many appointments they may request for certain bulk services and that ARR plans further outreach to increase awareness of diversion pathways.

Measuring success: Committee members pressed ARR on the program’s success metrics: whether success is more pickups or fewer pickups overall. Staff answered that ARR will use a combination of metrics—operational savings, diversion rates (including new reuse infrastructure), and material capture from the curb—to judge program performance rather than relying on a single pickup count.

Next steps: ARR will continue to monitor the program for a full year, produce additional historical comparisons requested by committee members, implement improved public education on set‑outs and diversion, and continue searching for a site for the furniture reuse warehouse.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Climate, Water, Environment, and Parks Committee","oneSentenceSummary","Assistant Director Amy Slagle briefed the Climate, Water, Environment and Parks Committee on early results of Austin’s on‑demand bulk pickup program and on an EPA‑funded furniture reuse warehouse effort to divert bulky items from landfills.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6502921,"'Rain to River' overhaul: Watershed Protection seeks to update 2001 master plan with equity, climate and 10‑year targets",1108,3097000,4205000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5689864-4a177d37c00255910a8e761d26663714&start=3097&end=4205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5689864-4a177d37c00255910a8e761d26663714/thumbnail_3097000.jpg","/articles/6502921/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Rain-to-River-overhaul-Watershed-Protection-seeks-to-update-2001-master-plan-with-equity-climate-and-10year-targets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502921-011e917bc1455e7e76fda9869bfeb324/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447794&Signature=YTNyvaf0UWmaJs5xDJBQMbc~eR4fnfn0Xe9756GySKCHTYdL0baJZX9bVQikj9b9Z6Derp6wkFz25II2VcRTGUHvFkpHAHtqlUJyo23txrOyF7J0Sowv4rLgPTFJGJyFZdMQjEeyLqTPWet6qKolCJcD4fh4DlwSSQ6wCHw6ABhsRv531UHOJbRdgoRimZMvbicg8GRBRNVQnYxTZjSkNd58E4KTMipo2ddUZADnvggYy1Nay2ut2bCqXEHGdIHS-LSEzO6RDtCXIHk80ICNaAZFSf~POBMx2M1y2aZ9Mc-RDkuWnrha24ZxO9u0awAqSA1xnyEK5E2MHM3uaqMFoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Saul NuCitelli, deputy director of Watershed Protection, and planning manager Erin Wood briefed the Climate, Water, Environment and Parks Committee on the department’s update to its Watershed Protection Master Plan, branded 'Rain to River.' The update aims to set a 10‑year vision, equity goals and time‑specific targets for flood mitigation, erosion control, water quality and community engagement.

NuCitelli told the committee the existing master plan was first adopted in February 2001 and relies heavily on technical guidance; staff and consultants want a shorter, more accessible strategic plan that embeds equity, climate adaptation and community values. Wood told the committee the new plan will “set our vision and values for the department” and serve as “a communication tool” for staff, policymakers and the public.

Community engagement and methods: Watershed staff described an extensive engagement program that includes a community vision survey (more than 2,000 responses in an earlier phase), targeted focus groups, 10 paid community ambassadors, six $5,000 mini‑grants to grassroots organizations, and mailed postcards to more than 90,000 addresses in high‑flood‑risk areas. The project added a Community Activation Group of roughly 20 local leaders to advise on priorities and outreach.

Phase 2 and current work: Staff said the program entered a second phase of engagement in 2025 focused on prioritization—asking residents to tell the department how to allocate limited staff time and resources. The ongoing survey (through mid‑September) had reached about 1,000 participants at the time of the briefing. Watershed’s consultant team (led by Joden Macklem with partners including Bend Collaborative, Chief of Syntech and Measure Austin) is building technical analyses and an implementation plan that staff expect to share as a draft this winter, with final adoption aimed for 2026.

Community priorities: Staff summarized the Community Activation Group’s prioritized list of community concerns and actions: 1) equity and inclusion, 2) flood mitigation and emergency preparedness (the CAG advised splitting these into separate items), 3) climate adaptation (drought, heat, habitat), 4) preserving and restoring creeks and natural spaces, 5) building trust through transparency and listening, 6) making natural spaces safe and accessible, 7) balancing growth with environmental health, 8) supporting resources and safety for people experiencing homelessness, 9) education and youth engagement, and 10) innovation and leadership.

Integration, granularity and measurable targets: Committee members asked how detailed the plan’s technical content would be and how it would interface with other city efforts such as Imagine Austin, Water Forward and the Climate Equity Plan. Staff said they intend a layered approach: a shorter, council‑adopted strategic plan with time‑specific targets and an online technical repository (and implementation plan) that would house formulas, prioritization criteria and dashboards. Staff also said they are coordinating with Imagine Austin and other city programs and will use the plan to guide capital prioritization and reporting on progress.

Near‑term action: Staff said they are trying to take early, actionable input into practice before final adoption. Examples given at the meeting included adding mental‑health resources to the city’s flood‑safety webpages and a pilot collaboration with Austin Public Library for secure document storage for people affected by floods—actions that staff said arose directly from ambassador or partner input.

Next steps: Watershed staff said they will close the current survey in mid‑September, continue testing draft content with the Community Activation Group and partners this winter, and return with a draft plan for public review before targeting Council consideration in 2026.","Watershed Protection staff described progress on 'Rain to River,' a project to replace the department’s 2001 master plan with a 10‑year strategic plan that incorporates equity, community priorities, climate change and measurable targets; staff outlined broad engagement, a consultant contract and a draft timeline for a 2026 Council adoption.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6502926,"Austin Resource Recovery presents transfer-station feasibility study, says enclosed sites could cut hauling miles and support electrification",1988,529000,2517000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5689864-4a177d37c00255910a8e761d26663714&start=529&end=2517","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5689864-4a177d37c00255910a8e761d26663714/thumbnail_529000.jpg","/articles/6502926/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Austin-Resource-Recovery-presents-transfer-station-feasibility-study-says-enclosed-sites-could-cut-hauling-miles-and-support-electrification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502926-38f01cb9cbc1609a9a034609f2db8258/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447794&Signature=YNzjY72QHTRIlPEGYs3JAKtsWMBicGgpXHsdTVw43zhR7gTwCOUXcmYFJGZrHdlWCV4Wb-jQGVjlx91tmJHZOvaPJwryrfNtCKYU7J22AWY7Kk~HAGRJvcZHOKdfvdNPH5fCKxNuKjXLPHNG14~Y9~ZiKGajN1esG6Y2Z1Is4b775WsGzLXtx79Y~nBfhX2gdyEYsbvrdKC0CJcLUCAq3RHgmUfviMOiK3z7OgqQi-6WSJzg3iPYeiLRpYI~Vm68S7osCIE-HnaeG5tht5VZnOtw-BZMRrIBbapYxAxx492njofogJjVaya0sx3OmoQFJ-~zWXdojvuoK-~e5OO1IA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richard McHale, director of Austin Resource Recovery (ARR), told the Climate, Water, Environment and Parks Committee that a feasibility study shows an enclosed transfer station could reduce hauling mileage, improve recycling and organics collection options, and make electrifying the collection fleet more practical.

The study, McHale said, examined candidate sites north of the river and compared operational savings, capital and construction costs, and community impacts. The consultant found a site closest to ARR’s planned Johnny Morris service center would deliver the largest financial return and “almost broke even” under the consultant’s assumptions; sites farther away showed larger incremental costs.

Why it matters: ARR crews frequently drive more than 150 miles in a single work day, and McHale said reducing that off‑route mileage both lowers fuel and maintenance costs and makes electric trucks more viable. McHale noted the department’s electric truck pilot has been limited by battery life: “Right now we’re getting about a 5 hour charge out of that truck,” a limitation the study says could be reduced if disposal points were closer to collection routes.

The study’s recommended model is an enclosed building where materials are temporarily consolidated and loaded into larger vehicles for transfer to final disposal or processing sites. McHale said ARR toured model facilities, including the Factoria (Bellevue/Seattle) and another Seattle facility that is fully enclosed, uses air filters, and includes community-facing amenities such as an education center and recreational space.

McHale told the committee that an enclosed transfer station is intended to limit odors, litter and other negative externalities: “We wanna keep that contained in the building and not be in so that we can be a good neighbor,” he said. The study also looked at opportunities to add a household hazardous waste drop-off, a reuse center and public drop-off, to capture hard‑to‑recycle items such as mattresses and to support reuse and diversion.

Costs, partners and timing: The consultant recommended ARR explore contractual arrangements—either with private haulers or other jurisdictions—to improve financial performance. A smaller initial facility restricted to ARR vehicles could break even, the consultant found, but would not accommodate public drop‑offs. McHale stressed the department seeks a phased approach if needed: start smaller and expand if demand and property size allow.

McHale said staff aim to present property recommendations to Council this fall and to have a facility operational by around February 2030, when several long‑term contracts for landfill, recycling and organics processing are expected to expire. He cautioned that any schedule and savings depend strongly on site choice, permitting and community acceptance.

Environmental justice and permitting: The consultant evaluated potential sites for permitting constraints, utilities, route efficiency and impacts on surrounding communities. McHale said any chosen site would need CAPCOG (Capital Area Council of Governments) Solid Waste Advisory Committee review for conformance with the regional solid waste plan. He acknowledged siting will be politically sensitive and stressed ARR’s intention to engage communities early to identify mitigations and community benefits such as meeting spaces and trails.

Committee questions and staff responses: Committee members asked for the consultant’s financial scenarios, detail on staffing and capacity, and how ARR used environmental‑justice screening tools. McHale said the consultant report and attachments are included in the meeting packet and that the staffing analysis in the report assumed roughly 10 positions for a facility sized to handle about 126,000 tons per year. He also said ARR would provide EJ screening details and underlying data used by the consultant.

Outlook: McHale emphasized that ARR focused this study on ARR operations and that broader citywide savings (from other departments that direct‑haul) were not included; staff said they plan to quantify those additional benefits as the project advances. The department also plans to embed charging infrastructure at new facilities to support a future electric fleet and to continue public outreach as site selection advances.

Votes at a glance: At the start of the meeting the committee approved the minutes of its July 30 meeting. Councilmember Duchin moved approval and Vice Chair Ellis seconded; the minutes were approved without objection.","Austin Resource Recovery staff briefed the Climate, Water, Environment and Parks Committee on a consultant feasibility study recommending an enclosed transfer station to reduce off‑route miles, improve diversion and support electric trucks while noting substantial capital costs and siting challenges.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

ARR: on‑demand bulk pickup shows early operational savings; staff to track participation and diversion

'Rain to River' overhaul: Watershed Protection seeks to update 2001 master plan with equity, climate and 10‑year targets

Austin Resource Recovery presents transfer-station feasibility study, says enclosed sites could cut hauling miles and support electrification