Label
Food Waste Composting
Department of Public Service
Megan Robson (x2306)/Dana Reising (x2643)
Revised
Title
Authorizing the Mayor to amend and extend an agreement with Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful, the Toledo Metroparks, and GoZERO Services, Ltd. (GoZERO) for the collection and composting of food waste; authorizing an agreement with Go Zero for one year for food composting services; authorizing the appropriation and expenditure of $35,000 from the General Fund; waiving the competitive bidding provisions of TMC 187; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
The U.S. EPA estimates that 63 million tons of food waste is sent to landfills each year and that nearly half of this comes from individual households. In fact, Ohio landfills are up to 17% food waste, the largest everyday item in our garbage. In the landfill, as food waste slowly breaks down it creates methane, a greenhouse gas, contributing 10% to global greenhouse gas emissions. If food waste was its own country, it would be the 3rd largest contributor to greenhouse gasses. This food waste also takes up space. The life of the landfill can be extended by sending less material there.
After a successful pilot year in which over 60,000 pounds of food waste was collected and diverted from the municipal landfill, City of Toledo, Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful, and the Toledo Metroparks will continue the residential food waste drop-off program for the city. Drop-off locations will continue at Swan Creek Metropark, the Glass City Metropark, and the Toledo Botanical Gardens for residents and park visitors to utilize. GoZERO will process collected food waste into compost and made available for purchase.
Summary
NOW THEREFORE Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the Mayor is authorized to amend and extend the agreement with Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful, The Toledo Metroparks and GoZERO for a residential food waste drop-off program, upon terms and conditions acceptable to the Director of Public Services and the Director of Law.
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $35,000 is authorized from the unappropriated balance of the General Fund to Account Code 1001-24500-623002STDSTD and expenditure of the same is authorized for residential food waste disposal.
SECTION 3. That the Mayor is authorized to amend and extend the contract with GoZERO for residential food waste composting upon terms and conditions acceptable to the Directors of Law and Public Service.
SECTION 4. That this Council finds and determines that it is in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive procurement requirements of Toledo Municipal Code Chapter 187 for the reason that GoZERO has been identified by Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful and the Toledo Metroparks as readily available to provide program services at competitive cost and after a successful pilot program.
SECTION 5. That the Finance Director is authorized to draw their warrant or warrants against the Account Code listed in Section 2 in payment of the above-authorized obligations upon presentation of properly approved voucher or vouchers in a total amount not to exceed $35,000.
SECTION 6. That this Ordinance, being an emergency measure, shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that it is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety and property, and for the further reason that the Ordinance must be immediately effective in order to ensure food waste disposal and composting services are available to the community.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas 12, nays 0.
Passed: October 23, 2024, as an emergency measure: yeas 12, nays 0.
Attest:
Julie A. Gibbons Carrie Hartman
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: October 24, 2024
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor