2013 Solid Waste ReportFebruary 20, 2014
Kalispell City Council
Drawer 1997
Kalispell, MT 59903
RE: Flathead County Solid Waste District — 2014 Solid Waste Report
Dear Sir or Madam:
Attached to this letter is the Fiscal Year End Report for the Flathead County Solid Waste District
for the period of July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. It is very important to the District to inform our
constituents within the County of the state of our solid waste operation. Our continuing goal is
to provide environmentally sound and cost effective refuse collection, disposal and recycling
opportunities. We hope you find this report useful to inform interested parties within our
communities as to our mission and operations.
If you require any more information, please contact me at 406-758-5773.
Respectfully,
Jim Chilton
Operations Manager
Flathead County Solid Waste District
enclosure
FLATHEAD COUNTY SOLID WASTE DISTRICT
4098 Highway 93 North 0 Kalispell, Montana 59901 • (406) 758-5933 • fax (406) 758.5918 • trash@flathead.mt.gov #,
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or 0
Flathead County Solid d District
2013 SolidWadeReport
C
The Flathead County Solid Waste District was created by the Flathead County Commissioners on
December 2, 1968 by Resolution 78.
Currently the Board consists of representatives from the Cities of Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia
Falls. Two seats are occupied by Members -at -Large, one seat is occupied by an appointed member of
the City /County Health Board and the remaining seat is occupied by a County Commissioner.
Flathead County Solid Waste District Board Members
Hank Olson, City of Kalispell; Greg Acton, City of Whitefish; Lorin Lowry, City of Columbia Falls;
Wayne Miller, Board of Health; John Helton, Member -at -Large; Alan Ruby, Member -at -Large; and
Gary Krueger, County Commissioner.
Mission Statement
The Board of Directors and the employees of the Flathead County Solid Waste District provide
environmentally sound and cost-effective refuse collection, disposal and recycling opportunities for
Flathead County residents and businesses. Our facilities are a major part of the economic and
environmental infrastructure of Flathead County. Long range planning and fiscal integrity ensures
decades of capacity with minimal financial impacts to Flathead County citizens.
Contact I of or mat ion
The Flathead County Solid Waste District is comprised of a central landfill and eleven transfer sites.
Flathead County Solid Waste District
4098 Highway 93 North
Kalispell, MT 59901
406.758.5910
406.758.5918 (fax)
trash@flathead.mt.gov
Web Site
http://flathead.mt.gov/waste/
Pe r sonne I
The District ended FY13 with a staff of 18.4 full time equivalent employees: 5.65 county matrix and
12.75 union employees. The only changes in staffing occurred as a result of the retirement of an
operator. The weekend operator moved into the full-time operator position, the part-time
monitor/operator took his position and a new part-time Columbia Falls monitor/operator was hired.
The District continues to utilize both the weekend driver (30 hours per week) and the part-time
Columbia Falls container site monitor in a "call -in" capacity which continues to reduce overtime
costs.
Employee training and safety continues as a high priority. In addition to annual hazardous waste
training, monthly safety meetings were held covering a wide range of topics including: safe driving,
safe backing, handling difficult loads, nuclear medical waste, scavenging, fill sequence plan,
equipment safety water truck, landfill fires, methamphetamine waste, communicating with drivers,
road safety and slips/trips/falls. In FY13 safety meetings were expanded to include wellness
education provided by Flathead County Health Department employees. The District also provided
audiogram screenings and respirator fit tests.
Landfill Office
Landfill Operations
Total tonnage disposed of at the Flathead County landfill between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013 was
95,277 tons, an increase of 3.16% over FY12.
WASTE TO LANDFILL
95500 Ma-95,277 Tons
95000
94500
94000
93500
93000
92500
92000
91500
91000
90500
FY11 FY12 FY13
'q&l
The primary components of the waste stream included mixed waste and construction debris. In FY13,
76,786 tons of mixed waste was landfilled, of which 46% was disposed of by commercial haulers,
11% by municipal haulers, 11% by private citizens and 32% was hauled by FCSW from the container
sites.
WASTE STREAM SOURCE
Pia MI%ED WASTE 75,785.53 Tom
Private Citizen
11%
10
Puce Haulers
45%
Municipal Haulers
11%
Construction debris comprised 18% of the waste stream with 16,855 tons disposed of in FY13. There
was 1,126 tons of brush diverted and chipped for use on the landfill. There were 8,581 tires removed
and disposed of by a private tire landfill at a cost to the District of $13,488. Batteries (750), oil (4,800
gallons), and anti -freeze (1,100 gallons) were all accepted for recycling. Refrigerators (1,811) and
other appliances (3,811) contributed to the 639.66 tons of white goods which were baled and removed.
The District received revenue totaling $91,341 from batteries ($2,740), oil ($2,825) and white goods
($85,776).
Equi pme rt
Equipment capital purchases in FY13 were a Blizzard snow plow ($7,995), John Deere 700H dozer
drive rebuild ($26,124), CAT 826 compactor wheels and tips ($25,812) and a John Deere 700 grader
($25,000) which was purchased from the Road Department. Repair costs for both landfill and
container equipment were up 19% and 64% respectively from FY12. The increase in container
equipment was due to a greater number of costly repairs to aging equipment. With the increase in
refuse hauled from the green box sites, the District plans to budget for a new garbage truck in FY14
and another in FY15.
$300.000.00
$250,000.0C
$200,000.0C
$150,000.00
$100,000.00
$50.00C 00
EQUIPMENT REPAIR AND TIRE EXPENSES
FY11 F'r12 FY13
0 CONTAINER EQUIPMENT REPAIR ■ LANDFILL EQUIPMENT REPAIR
Landf ill Facilities
Approximately 275 acres have been permitted for waste management activities with the completion
of the South Area Landfill Expansion Project. The North Area Landfill consists of 105 acres and is
the current operating area. The South Area Expansion encompasses the remaining area owned by
Flathead County and was approved for disposal operations by the Montana Department of
Environmental Quality (DEQ) in the spring of 2006. The south area landfill has 18.1 million cubic
yards of available airspace. The first lined cell was approved for use in 2002 by the DEQ. Two
subsequent liner projects (Phase II -A and Phase III) have been constructed and approved for disposal
activities by the DEQ. Construction of Phase IV -A was completed and became the active working
cell in August, 2011. Disposal activities continued in Phase IV -A through the fiscal year. The north
landfill area has approximately 2.91 million cubic yards of gross capacity remaining at the end of
FY13.
The District utilized approximately 160,665 cubic yards of airspace during the fiscal year. The site
effective density was calculated to be 1,208 lbs/cubic yard. This number represents the total waste
deposited in the landfill divided by the gross airspace utilized (refuse and cover soil). The goal
established for the site as set by the Board of Directors was 900 lbs/cubic yard. In FY13 30,600
cubic yards of soil were utilized for the Phase IV cover operations. This translated to a refuse to soil
ratio of 4.3:1 for the year. The site is balanced at a 3:1 ratio so the utilization of gross airspace was
exceptional. Fencing and liner sand were included in the $65,015 the District spent on landfill capital
expenditures. Portable wind fencing was purchased at a cost of $5,465 which significantly reduced
the volume of litter blowing off the landfill. The District spent $26,306 installing permanent fencing
of the former Flathead Wood Recycling property with the remainder of the project budgeted for
completion in FY14. Liner sand was purchased for $33,243.78 to provide a protective barrier
between the trash and the liner.
Landfill Gas System
The landfill gas system operated well throughout the period. Approximately 227,890,000 standard
cubic feet (scf) of landfill gas were removed from the landfill and burned at the gas to energy facility.
This facility, operated by Flathead Electric Cooperative, produces power from the landfill gas
produced by decomposing refuse. Maximum energy output is 1.6 megawatts for the system when the
landfill produces enough gas, which will occur in future years as the landfill grows. Currently the
system is producing about 1.1 Megawatts every day. On average, this is enough energy to power
1200 homes in Flathead County. No emissions from the system exceeded permit levels and no
operating violations were received from the DEQ. The landfill is currently in excellent standing with
the DEQ regarding both the operations of the solid waste license and the air quality permit.
Corrective actions, required under the direction of the DEQ regarding the groundwater contamination
from the "old" portion of the landfill, appear to be having the desired effects. The landfill gas
extraction system, the up -gradient ground water diversion system and the surface water diversion
system have decreased the levels of contaminate concentrations to acceptable levels at the relative
point of compliance (groundwater monitoring wells at the sites perimeter). The District continued to
perform semi-annual groundwater monitoring through the fiscal year.
The District completed two of three projects to mitigate surface water from infiltrating into the
perched groundwater aquifer. The District diverted the surface water from Phase IV -A and IV-B
down a HDPE lined ditch to the north storm water pond. Also in FY13, four groundwater extraction
wells were drilled in the northeast portion of the landfill. After finding no water, these wells were
not developed.
G
Container Sites
Eleven refuse drop off sites serve residents throughout the County. A total of 24,822 tons was hauled
from the container sites to the landfill by District trucks, an increase of less than 1% in tonnage
compared to FYI 2. This was the first year to show an increase in container site tonnage since FY07.
Consolidation of the container sites continued with consolidation of the east corridor sites and the
construction of the new Red Rock/Essex site. Abuse of the sites by commercial and out -of -county
residents and disposal of hazardous material continues to be a problem at the unmanned sites.
As the only staffed site, Columbia Falls continues to receive positive public response due to the
cleanliness of the site, improved recycling and elimination of salvagers. The cardboard compactor
has greatly increased hauling efficiency making the recycling of the material cost effective for the
District and improved public utilization by increasing storage capacity.
The District incurred expenditures of $11,233.43 to clean-up and dispose of chromic acid left at the
Lakeside container site.
Recycling Program
The District requested proposals for the recycling program with only Evergreen Disposal/Valley
Recycling submitting a proposal. Valley Recycling continues to haul and process the recyclable
materials collected at the drop-off sites on a month -to -month contract while the District re-evaluates
the future direction of the program. Current sites with recycling opportunities are: Ashley Lake,
Bigfork, Coram, Columbia Falls, Creston, Somers, Lakeside, Super One, Albertsons, Kalispell Army
Navy and the landfill. Recycle bins were removed from Flathead High School, Kalispell Middle
School and Glacier High School in FY13 at the request of the schools. Materials accepted are:
plastics no. 1 & 2, cardboard, newspaper, office paper, shredded paper, magazines, tin and aluminum
cans. The total amount of recycled material for the fiscal year for this program was 1,198 tons.
SITE RECYCLING MATERIAL
FYI 3-1,198
I.I-.--I LIES PI`STIC TIRLIIE:I I1II11
4% 14n f'v
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NEWSPAPER
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The District incurred $212,495 in expenditures and received $123,278 in revenue from the program
for a loss of $89,127 and a cost per ton of $71.55. Increases in hauling and handling costs combined
with lower commodity prices contributed to the second greatest fiscal year loss in the program's 16
year history.
Collection Events
The District continues to provide opportunities for residents and businesses to properly dispose of
unwanted hazardous materials. The monthly Household Hazardous Waste collection accepted 2,860
gallons of materials from 169 Flathead County residents. Materials accepted include oil -based paints
and stains, pesticides, herbicides, poisons, mercury and other common household chemicals. The
District paid disposal costs of $20,055.15 to an out-of-state hazardous waste firm to dispose of the
materials.
HAZARQOU 5 WASTE COLLECTION
FY13.2,660 Gallons
ONIORING
30L103
it
FLAMMAB LE3
11i
MI3C CORR03NE3
50°d IOi
PA1NT
21%
The tenth annual Commercial Hazardous Waste Material Collection was held at the landfill in May.
Twelve registrants (schools, municipalities, contractors and businesses) disposed of 2,287 pounds of
material. Material disposed included the following: paint related materials; automotive fluids (fuel,
oil and grease) and filters; chemicals; cleaners; batteries; aerosols; and lamps.
Permanent pharmaceutical collection receptacles were installed in the Columbia Falls and Whitefish
police stations in addition to the receptacle located in the lobby of the Justice Center in Kalispell.
These receptacles collected 351.7 pounds of prescription drugs which were reported to the State of
Montana by the Flathead County Sheriff's Department and disposed of in the lined cell at the landfill.
Apo
Sharps can safely be disposed of during landfill hours of operation in the red Sharps Disposal bin
located at the landfill. Plastic sharps disposal containers are available at the landfill or at the Flathead
County Health Department.
Refrigerator Decommissioning Program
The District continued to assist Flathead Electric Cooperative (FEC) with management of the Refrigerator
Decommissioning Program. This energy efficiency measure was implemented by FEC in February 2012 as
an incentive to encourage homeowners to recycle older working appliances and replace them with more
energy efficient units. In FY13 District staff tested 176 units to determine eligibility for the $50 FEC
rebate.
Ik
J unk Vehicle Program
The Flathead County Junk Vehicle Program is funded by a grant provided by the Montana Department of
Environmental Quality and administered by the District. The grant is funded by a fee assessed on vehicle
licenses and distributed to each county based on vehicle numbers. The amount of this year's grant was
$127,954.86 which is utilized by the District to provide free pickup and removal of vehicles and to enforce
the Montana Motor Vehicle Recycling and Disposal Act (75-10-501, MCA) in Flathead County. While
higher metal prices have significantly reduced the number of vehicles retrieved, the District continues to
process and inspect junk vehicle complaints throughout Flathead County in addition to inspecting all
licensed wrecking facilities annually for compliance with all state statutes.
Projects in Progress/ Completed
Olney Site
In May the bid for construction of the Olney site container site was awarded to LaSalle Sand and
Gravel for $190,184.80. Construction of the new site began in FY13 with completion scheduled for
completion in FY14. The District spent $35,957 in FY13 on engineering, surveying and electric
installation.
Red Rocks Site (Essex)
In June the East Corridor container site construction bid was awarded to Paveco, LLC for
$273,038.00. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the fall of FY14 with the site scheduled
to open in the spring. In FY13, the District spent $81,331 for land purchase, site preparation and
engineering.
Phase IV -A
Phase IV -A is still the active working area of the landfill. The District worked unilaterally with SCS
Engineering on the installation of new horizontal gas collection lines in Phase IV -A.
Basin Pond Repair
LaSalle Sand and Gravel and Lange Containment completed installation of the head walls and liner
repair of Pond 93 in order to keep the pond from leaking. Cost of the project was $43,781.03. As the
first of three projects to mitigate surface water from infiltrating into the perched groundwater aquifer,
the District diverted the surface water from Phase IV -A and IV-B down a HDPE lined ditch to the
north storm water pond. LaSalle Sand and Gravel completed construction for $25,050.00.
Monitor Well Installation
Four groundwater extraction wells were drilled in the northeast portion of the landfill as the second
project to mitigate surface water from infiltrating into the perched groundwater aquifer. After finding
no water, these wells were not developed. Total expenditures for this project were $9,380.00. The
third project (North Pond Liner) is scheduled for construction in FY14.
Roadside Litter Reduction Program
Flathead County Ordinance No. 8 requires loads to be secured or covered to prevent littering with
fines associated with the ordinance up to $200 per offense. The District continued the media
campaign (a billboard located on Highway 93 South and radio advertising) to educate the public
regarding the requirements to secure their load and to reflect the District's commitment to reducing
roadside litter throughout Flathead County. The District appreciated the efforts of the Flathead
County Sheriff's Department and Montana Highway Patrol to educate the public regarding the
ordinance.
Don't Risk The $ 200.00 Fine!
Keep Fathead County Cleary...
Financial Summary
The Flathead County Solid Waste District, an enterprise fund, operates under a combination system
of an annual assessment ($80.73 per household) and a pay -as -you -throw (PAYT) tipping fee ($31.05
per ton) for commercial customers. Businesses throughout the county are charged the annual
assessment with a multiplier based upon the volume they produce and report to the District in a
biennial volume study performed by the District. If information is not supplied by the business, the
Flathead County Solid Waste District Board of Directors has determined a multiplier for the different
types of businesses throughout the county.
District revenues are generated by refuse fees, tipping fees, sale of recycled commodities and interest
earnings. Total District revenues for the year were $6,250,955. Primary components were
residential and commercial refuse assessments ($4,909,587); tipping fees ($1,000,014); white goods,
battery and oil recycling ($91,341); and recycling program ($123,278). Investment earnings
($32,078); transfers from the expansion ($33,244) and land purchase ($30,576) trust accounts and
miscellaneous revenue make up the remainder of the revenue.
FY23REVENUE
$6,250,955
Recycling Interest Tr a It T ransfe rs
Accounts
Rec wahle
16% pl`idx -
ents
2il,2%, 0 1
FY13 EXPENDITURES
$6,934,699
Land Purchase Trust personnel
Closure Trust �
t
uppl
Caplta10utla F—dCharges
S% 5%
Operating fund cash balances at the end of the year were: $4,047,846 (Operational Cash) and
$2,433,948 (Reserve for Equipment Replacement). Trust account balances were: $7,683,315
(Closure/Post-Closure), $8,235,475 (Liner Expansion), $1,768,094 (Landfill Property Acquisition),
and $245,533 (FEC Improvement/Gas-to-Energy project).
Expenditures for FY13 totaled $6,934,699 which included trust transfers of $1,222,902 (Liner
Expansion); $648,426 (Closure/Post-Closure); $400,000 (Landfill Property Acquisition); and
$30,000 (FEC Improvement/Gas-to-Energy project). The District continued to provide a $4,000
Sharps Disposal Grant to the Flathead City County Health Department for the purchase of sharps
disposal containers. The landfill cost per ton for the year were $29.28, down from FY12.
Goals for FY13
The Board of Directors has created a set of goals to help define the direction of the District and
provide a goal list for the Director to achieve during the coming fiscal year(s). The goals were
broken down into duration categories to help further define the Districts direction.
The following goals were established by the FCSW Board in June 2011.
Annual Goals (Current Fiscal Year)
1. Fiscal year report to summarize all District activities
2. Minimum landfill effective density 1,000 lbs/cy
3. Refuse truck average of 7+ tons/load from April thm Sept and 6.5+ tons/load Oct thru March
4. Overall annual review of District financial status
a. Residential/commercial assessment and gate fee review
5. Community Education
a. Continue Waste Not Grant, school tours, media releases, radio spots and litter reduction campaign
b. Continue household hazardous waste, electronic, pharmaceutical and commercial small quantity
generator hazardous waste events
6. Employee Development and Safety Training
a. Professional development for management staff
b. Solid waste based monthly training for operational staff
Short Term Goals (2 years of less)
1. Fulltime staffing at Coram, Somers and Creston container sites (as financially feasible with
Commissioner approval)
2. Utilization of Class III/IV landfill area when construction volumes warrant
3. Strategic Plan implementation
a. Pursue purchase of land in southwest corner of south area landfill or property west of Prairie View
Road
b. Container Site consolidation
1. Bigfork and Lakeside elimination
2. Purchase and construction of Highway 2E corridor site (Red Rocks Pit — Canyon area)
4. Landfill entrance improvements
a. Facility sign and regulatory signs at gate
Long Term Goals (more than 2 years)
1. Strategic Plan Implementation
2. Increase aesthetics and buffering of container sites by use of screening, fencing, vegetation or soil
berms wherever feasible
3. Weigh station scale house improvements and installation of outbound scale when necessary
4. Close District facilities (landfill and container sites) on all County recognized legal holidays and also
close all facilities on Sundays