Oakland considers change to recycling program

Oakland residents might have to put less in their recycle bins once town officials decide how to proceed with a request from the recycling company.

The Town Commission discussed possible changes to its recycling program at its meeting Tuesday, March 10. The town received a letter last month from Advanced Disposal Services, of Orlando, which collects the items recycled by residents.

Regina M. Caronia, ADS general manager, asked for an amendment to the solid waste collection franchise agreement, citing a change in processing fees and a decline in the amount of recycling now accepted overseas.

“China is not taking all the recycling it did when the agreement was signed,” Town Manager Steve Koontz said. “The business is not the same as it was in 2015.”

ADS is requesting to amend the contract to exclude glass from the curbside recycling program to minimize weight, thereby keeping disposal rates down. When the contract was signed, there was no disposal fee. Now, Caronia said, there is a fee of $50 per ton.

Three years ago, ADS picked up two tons of recycling each week in Oakland — an average of three pounds her household. Now, they collect three tons each week — nearly six pounds per home.

Another alternative would be to raise solid waste collection rates.

The commission asked for time to conduct further research on the issue.

“I’m not ready to wholesale say, ‘Let’s get rid of glass,’” Mayor Kathy Stark said. “We need to take a deeper dive and look at all of the issues. … I don’t think I’m educated enough.”

The town has two years left of the seven-year agreement with ADS.

In another recycling matter, Caronia wrote in her letter that there has been some confusion in what types of trucks ADS uses to pick up recycling in Oakland.

“On occasion, if the dual-sort truck is down, we will use a rear-load vehicle that looks just like the truck used to pick up garbage, but we do keep the recycling separate from the garbage, and it is delivered to Recycle America,” Caronia said.

IN OTHER BUSINESS

• Town Manager Steve Koontz and Administration Services Manager Elisha Pappacoda presented the idea of a brand refresh for the town to streamline multiple logos into one strong brand.

“There are several projects in the pipeline where the opportunity to enhance the identity of the town could be realized,” Koontz wrote in a town memo to the commission. “This would include park signs, trail signs, monument/gateway signs and street signs.”

The town has 850 approved new homes coming to Oakland in the next few years, which means a significant increase in residents. The rebranding would help create a strong visual identification with a consistent look and a way to connect with the new residents, Pappacoda said.

The commission voted for Koontz to contract with a graphic designer, who will work with staff to develop options to take back to the commission for approval.

• The commission passed the second reading and public hearing of two ordinances.

The first establishes regulations pertaining to fertilizer use, and the town will adopt the standards contained in the Orange County Code. This best-management practice will further protect Lake Apopka and John’s Lake from nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen.

The second is an update to an ordinance, first passed in 2017, that outlined the illicit discharge and stormwater regulations surrounding construction materials and construction trash and debris.

• Koontz gave an update on the Healthy West Orange Arts & History Center at Oakland: Pavers are being installed, Information technology equipment has been delivered, Spectrum is adding public wifi, a Facebook page has been launched, and the town is working on wall displays and signage. Substantial completion is expected by April 24.

• The town made two proclamations: March 10 as Water Conservation Month, and April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and Friday, April 3, as Wear Blue Day.