City of Pepper Pike

Service Department

Year End Report

2008

Recycling

In 2008, Pepper Pike residents recycled 5,025.60 tons of materials and diverted these items away from the landfills. This effort saved the City an estimated $182,120.24 in disposal fees. Recycling efforts for 2008:

General Recycling: WM Blue Bag Recycling 76.31 tons

Paper Bin 357.80 tons

Scrap Metal Bin (washer, dryers, etc.) 26.92 tons

ACBC Program 5.00 tons

Public Shredding Program 15.76 tons

Goodwill Recycling 254.10 tons

In-House Recycling: household goods, vehicle batteries, and used motor oil 5.93 tons

Total 741.82 tons

Solid Waste District Round-Ups:

Household Hazardous Waste 2.44 tons

Computers and Equipment 3.50 tons

Scrap Tires 1.51 tons

Total 7.45 tons

Yard Waste Recycling: Bagged Yard Waste 198.54 tons

Container Program Yard Waste 136.70 tons

Composted Yard Waste 3941.09 tons

Total 4276.33 tons

Pepper Pike held four public shredding events for residents in 2008, resulting in 15.76 tons of recycled paper. This translates to 267.67 trees saved, 47.28 cubic yards of landfill space preserved, 945.60 pounds of air pollutants prevented, and 315.20 gallons of water saved. According to Goodwill Industries, a total of 12,705 donors dropped off reusable items at the trailer located in the shopping center parking lot on Pinetree Road. This resulted in 254.10 tons of recycled material.

Here is a look back on the last six years of recycling in Pepper Pike:

In Tons: 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

General Recycling

Blue Bag 89.85 91.29 103.17 89.34 73.80 72.73 76.31

Paper Bin 245.49 245.33 306.30 258.00 233.15 292.30 357.80

Scrap Metal 34.72 32.71 19.03 2.53 29.48 25.08 26.92

ACBC Program 2.10 2.10 2.10 2.10 3.00 4.80 5.00

Public Shredding --- --- --- --- --- 8.11 15.76

Goodwill Recycling --- 260.00 260.00 247.00 260.00 281.40 254.10

In-House Recycling 4.05 3.33 6.03 4.79 5.50 9.01 5.93

County Round-Ups

HHW 1.23 --- 3.08 2 boxes 4 boxes 2.35 2.44

Computers 1.64 1.88 3.21 1.27 5.24 3.12 3.50

Scrap Tires 2.65 3.24 2.73 2.53 3.43 2.55 1.51 Yard Waste Recycling

Bagged Yard Waste 69.75 83.45 153.59 504.10 60.70 81.69 198.54

Container Program --- 22.50

included w/ bagged yard

waste 124.69 72.37 87.50 136.70

Composting Survey --- 4226.10 4226.10 4333.21 4203.20 3847.86 3941.09

Grand Totals: 451.48 4971.93 5085.34 5569.56 4949.87 4710.39 5025.60

Rubbish Collection In 2008, the residents of Pepper Pike generated 2,864.28 tons of solid waste, which is a decrease of 166.24 tons from 2007. The solid waste was taken to BFI, and the City paid $102,135.85 in disposal fees.

Cost to collect solid waste in 2008: Labor and Materials:

Cost of Labor (4 drivers, 4 helpers, ½ of 1 mechanic's annual salary, ¼ of 1 driver's annual salary, plus benefits) $533,936.00

Cost of Mechanical Repairs (on rubbish trucks only) $24,092.62 Vehicle Depreciation $60,000.00

Cost of Fuel (rubbish trucks only) $31,388.47

$649,417.09

Dumping/Recycling Fees:

Took 2,864.28 tons of mixed solid waste to BFI (does not include materials from the Container Program) $102,135.85

Took 76.31 tons of blue bag recycling to Waste Management $0.00

Took 455 yards of residential yard waste to Boyas Excavating (does not include materials from the Container Program) $2,445.75 Took 100 yards of residential yard waste to Beachwood $100.00

Took 64.30 yards of residential yard waste to Orange Village $0.00

$104,681.60

GRAND TOTAL: $754,098.69 Number of Residential Units: 2337

Disposal Cost per Residential Unit per Month $26.89

Disposal Cost per Residential Unit - Annual: $322.68

* does not include administrative costs

Container Drop-Off Program

In 2008, residents rented 174 containers. This generated 277 tons of construction debris, household items, and yard waste. Residents paid $50.00 for a 6-cubic yard container and $100.00 for a 12-cubic yard container.

Bio-retention Swale Project

The City Engineer, Don Sheehy, worked with Chagrin River Watershed Partners (CRWP), a local non-for profit group, to obtain federal funds for a demonstration project to install bio-retention swales at two locations in Pepper Pike. The City of Pepper Pike received 60% of $40,000 total project estimated cost ($24,000) from CRWP in the form of a grant. Additionally, the City received technical assistance and a stand-alone weather monitoring station from CRWP to assist in the installation and monitoring of this demonstration project. By employing the installation techniques developed by the City Engineer and CRWP, we will be able to filter polluted storm surface waters through various natural soils and plant roots to break down harmful chemicals and scrub some of the debris off the surface waters. This should lower the pollutant load for the water entering the streams and rivers, and slow down the rate of discharge, reducing erosion and flooding. This small project, if successful, can be duplicated in numerous locations throughout the City. The Service Department performed the installation and developed construction techniques and experience that will assist in making any future installations successful.

Administrative Accomplishments

The administrative and managerial staff accomplished the following tasks in 2008: � Orchestrated the production and creation of a DVD/video to promote recycling in

Pepper Pike. Funded by the Community Recycling Awareness Grant, offered by the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, a production company created a recycling video that includes footage of Service Department employees and City residents demonstrating the importance of recycling. The grant also funded video streamlining on the City’s website for one year.

� Pepper Pike was named a Tree City USA for the ninth consecutive year, by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry.

� Service Director Robert Girardi collaborated with other Cuyahoga County service directors to establish a county-wide Sensible Salting Plan. This plan was adopted by the Mayors & City Managers Association in November of 2008.

� Contracted Court Community Service, through the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District’s Litter Collection Program, to pickup litter along Brainard Road by Interstate Route 271. In total, Court Community Service collected 47 bags of litter.

� The Service Department hand-delivered 193 grass notices to homes with grass that exceeded six inches in length; 83 of those lawns had to be cut by the Service Department.

� The administrative assistant answered 4,869 phone calls. � In April, Service Director Robert Girardi and administrative assistant Kasey Bally

visited Moreland Hills Elementary School to discuss plastic recycling with students during their lunch periods.

� Disaster Preparedness efforts: � Service Director Robert Girardi hosted MARCS radio training sessions

and conducted two county-wide radio tests. The MARCS radios were obtained through federal grant money and distributed county-wide in 2007. Radio tests will be conducted on a monthly basis.

� Service Director Robert Girardi obtained three emergency equipment trailers and three light towers through federal grant funding. The equipment was strategically placed in communities throughout the county where they would be most valuable during an emergency.

Road Crew Accomplishments

The road crew accomplished the following in 2008: � Picked up 151 dead animals from roadways and residential properties. � Inspected the City elevator 12 times, and made necessary repairs as needed. � Inspected the City generator 9 times. � Inspected the playground equipment in Pepper Pike Park 6 times, and made necessary

repairs as needed. � Disposed of 52 yards of debris from sweeping City streets. � Disposed of 179 yards of debris from cleaning City catch basins.

� Installed a new catch basin on Woodleigh Rd.

� Completed 31 catch basin/sewer/sinkhole repairs.

� Used approximately 18 tons of cold-patch to fill-in potholes and repair asphalt curbs.

� Inspected City Hall’s sewer line eight times, and cleaned it when necessary.

� Replaced manhole covers on Snowberry Ln., Fairmount Blvd., Gates Mills Blvd., and Old Brainard Rd.

� Repaired/replaced 121 road signs and sign posts throughout the City, including new signs on Brainard Road.

� Replaced 16 traffic signal light bulbs. � Assisted numerous residents with cleaning up debris from floods and locating the

cause of the flooding. � Planted 47 new trees at various locations including Gates Mills Blvd., Fairmount Blvd.,

Lander Circle and Windy Hill Dr. � Planted 95 various plants at eight locations where new AT&T above ground cabinets

had been installed. � Planted flowers and other landscaping around the City Hall complex, including the

bridge to Pepper Pike Park. � Treated all City plants and trees with deer guard. � Continued an aggressive and thorough fertilizing, mulching, and watering program of

all plants and trees owned by the City. Again, we received free mulch from the City of Cleveland Heights, which was used throughout the City.

� Mulched each tree on Fairmount Road and Gates Mills Boulevard. � Maintained the City’s two cemeteries. � Cut over 50 acres of grass a week in City right-of-ways. � Kept all City roads clean and free of litter and other roadside debris as part of our

continuous litter collection program. � Installed 35 mailboxes for residents who had purchased them from the City. � Replaced eight of the City entrance signs with new signs, and painted the remaining

old signs. � Refinished all park benches and picnic tables in Pepper Pike Park. � Repainted all plow and rubbish trucks, and off-road equipment such as the loader and

backhoe.

In-House Projects and Building Maintenance

In an effort to reduce costs and guarantee quality, the Service Department completed some projects in-house rather than use a contractor. Additionally, we performed standard maintain, such as changing light bulbs, repairing small window leaks and miscellaneous kitchen and restroom repairs, in order to keep each department running like a well-oiled machine.

Here is a brief synopsis of some of the building maintenance that was completed in 2008: � Replaced ungrounded receptacles in the Building Department with grounded

receptacles. � Installed a tempered-glass door in the office of the Building Department. � Painted the Building Department entrance door. � Repaired drinking fountain in City Hall. � Replaced some thermostats in City Hall. � HVAC repairs in Fire Department. � Repaired air conditioner in Police Department. � Several sewer repairs in Police Department.

Memberships, Organizations, Seminars and Training

In order to extend and improve on their abilities, thus improve the services that are provided to the residents, Service Department employees were given the opportunity to attend seminars and special training courses; and renew memberships with public works organizations. Conferences, Training Sessions, and Seminars attended in 2008: � Annual Northeast Ohio Snow & Ice Technologies Workshop & Expo, attended by

Service Director Robert Girardi, Dave Anderson, Tim Young, and Greg Taylor � 2008 APWA (American Public Works Association) International Public Works

Congress & Exposition, attended by Service Director Robert Girardi. � Safety Training for Powered Industrial Trucks, attended by, Dave Anderson, Bryant

Bonano, Dale Fejedelem, Rich Kriefall, Bob Long, Tim Mariola, Frank Paparone, Tony Sonego, Greg Taylor, and Tim Young.

� 2008 Tree City USA Awards Ceremony, attended by Service Director Robert Girardi. � Northeast Ohio Clean Diesel Retrofits & Funding Conference, attended by Service

Director Robert Girardi and Dave Anderson. � Ohio Department of Agriculture Pesticide Commercial License, received by Dale

Fejedelem, Dave Anderson, Tony Sonego, and Bob Long. � Pesticide Safety Training, attended by Bob Long and Tony Sonego. � 2008 North Coast Urban Forestry Conference, attended by Service Director Robert

Girardi and Bob Long. � Weather Alert: Severe Weather Warnings, presented by The Greater Cleveland Safety

Council and The Northern Ohio Chapter – American Society of Safety Engineers, attended by Service Director Robert Girardi.

� An OSHA Update, presented by The Greater Cleveland Safety Council and The Northern Ohio Chapter – American Society of Safety Engineers, attended by Service Director Robert Girardi.

� Ohio Association of Public Treasurers safety seminar, attended by Service Director Robert Girardi.

� A three part session series, presented by The Buckeye Chapter of SWANA (Solid Waste Association of North America), attended by Service Director Robert Girardi. The sessions were:

� Food Scrap Recovery and Composting

� Save the Greens � Zeroing Food Scraps Out of the Residential Waste Stream

� Government Days, an annual event held by ODOT (Ohio Department of Transportation), attended by Service Director Robert Girardi

� Extreme Crisis Communications, sponsored by the Cuyahoga County Emergency Management Agency, attended by Service Director Robert Girardi.

� Rich Kriefall renewed his membership to the Ohio Association of Emergency Vehicle Technicians.

� Dave Anderson was a member of the NEO Snow & Ice Technologies Committee. � Tim Young completed six months of training and received his certification in MIG,

TIG, and Arc welding. The City of Pepper Pike now officially employs a certified welder.

� Service Director Robert Girardi renewed his memberships with the following associations in 2008:

� APWA � SMSO � NOSDA

� Service Director Robert Girardi was a member of the following associations in 2008: � CAT Committee – Public Works Representative � Cuyahoga County Task Force – Chairman � Emergency Management – Public Works Representative � NEO Snow and Ice Committee – member � NOSDA – Secretary/Treasurer

Vehicle and Equipment Purchases and Repairs

The Service Department is responsible for the mechanical maintenance on most of the City-owned equipment and vehicles; therefore, a strong preventative maintenance program is our top priority. By continuously replenishing the parts and supplies stock and performing weekly or monthly checks on all equipment and vehicles, we are not only preserving the life of the equipment, but also reducing maintenance costs. Additionally, our mechanics took on some major projects in 2008, which saved the City a substantial amount of money. Mechanical In-house Accomplishments: � Enhanced our salt brine system by installing a 6,000 gallon storage tank to our current

brine system. Increasing our total brine capacity to 12,000 gallons. � Fabricated a multi-purpose truck body to be used to transport our 1,950 gallon salt

brine tanker body in the winter, and to be used as a regular flatbed to transport equipment and materials the remainder of the year.

Estimated Mechanical Expenditures for 2008 Plow and Road Trucks $ 74,206.26 Rubbish Trucks $ 24,092.62 Off-Road Equipment (mowers, tractors, etc.) $ 4,346.50 Salt Brine Equipment $ 25,387.89 Shop Tools/Garage Stock Items $ 37,849.74 Capital Improvements: 1 new large packer (body and chassis) $135,953.00 1 new large packer chassis (maintained existing body) $ 55,350.00 Other Departments Building Dept. $ 92.40 Police Dept. $ 15,377.70 $372,656.11

Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Accomplishments and Highlights from 2008: � The Service Department back-billed the Cleveland Water Department for road

openings due to repairs to water mains. These repairs were completed by an outside contractor. In total, the City received $2,316.43 from the Cleveland Water Department for these repairs.

� Used 237,600 gallons of salt brine during the 2007-2008 snow season. � Used 7,671.49 tons of rock salt during the 2007-2008 snow season. � Sold 339 bundles of Kraft Bags (paper yard debris bags) to residents. � Purchased 25,372 gallons of diesel fuel and 24,989 gallons of unleaded fuel. � Collected 3,738 Friday Special Pick-Ups. � Road Foreman Richard Palmer retired after 30 years of service. � Joe Milano was hired as the Superintendent of Service. � Hired seven (7) part-time employees last summer to perform miscellaneous outdoor

duties (i.e., watering flowers, weeding the gardens, etc.) and to paint trucks and equipment.

Ice Cream Social: Sunday, August 24, 2008