November 15, 1999
To: North York Community Council
From: Angelos Bacopoulos, General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services
Subject: Bulk Lift Collection Services in North York Community Council Area
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to review the policy of using only one operator per vehicle for multi-residential bulk lift
garbage collection services in the North York Community Council Area.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Funding for the North York bulk lift contract has been previously approved. There are no financial implications if the
current one operator per truck policy is continued, with the exception of the annual consumer price index adjustments.
As stated in the initial joint report dated November 2, 1998 from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services and
the Chief Financial Officer, the cost saving accrued to the City by using one employee instead of two per collection vehicle
is $200,383 per annum (excluding GST), or $601,149 over the term of the three year contract.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the one person per bulk collection vehicle policy remain in effect throughout the City of Toronto,
including the North York Community Council Area.
Background:
At its meeting of April 6, 1999, the Budget Committee approved a recommendation from the North York Community
Council meeting on March 30, 1999, that "the one staff person per truck policy for multi-residential garbage collection be
reviewed and that the review include, but not be limited to: speed of pick-up; type and suitability of vehicles; employee
morale; customer satisfaction."
Council, at its meeting of November 25, 1998, considered the joint report from the Commissioner of Works and
Emergency Services and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer headed, "Award of Contract No. 358 - Bulk Lift
Collection Services - North York and Scarborough Community Council Areas," dated November 2, 1998. Council adopted
a recommendation that, "J & F Waste Systems Inc., utilizing one person collection vehicles, be awarded Contract No. 358
in the total estimated annual amount of $1,546,865.40, including GST, for the provision of bulk collection services for all
designated areas within the North York and Scarborough Community Council areas for a three-year period, subject to
adjustment in the price for years two and three of the contract based on the average percentage increase/decrease of the
Statistics Canada's Employment Earnings and Hours for the previous year, with an option to extend for two years should
the terms and conditions be agreeable to both parties."
The report stated that, except for the former City of North York, all of the City of Toronto's bulk waste collection was being
conducted with one person per vehicle. In the former City of North York, the additional employee was required to assist
with positioning the bulk waste containers for collection and to guide the vehicle operator, when necessary, while
manoeuvring or exiting at each site.
The report recommended that, "bulk lift service be harmonized across the City by using one person collection vehicles." It
was estimated that by harmonizing the one person per vehicle policy, the new contract for the North York and Scarborough
Community Council Areas, would result in a saving of $200,383 per annum (excluding GST), or $601,149 over the term of
the three year contract.
Comments:
One month before the one person per vehicle policy was implemented, property owners were notified that, due to this
policy, all bulk collection containers would have to be placed in the designated collection area and that site staff may be
required to move or shuttle the waste containers for collection. It is important to note that almost one third of all the
multi-residential properties previously stored their containers in a location where they could be accessed without being
moved.
To meet safety requirements, the contractor must have all vehicles equipped with rear view cameras with monitors that are
in full view of the driver. The vehicles must also be equipped with a backup warning alarm system that will alert the
operator when objects are within a close distance to the rear of the vehicle.
The use of rear view cameras on waste collection vehicles has become standard throughout North America where there is
one operator per vehicle. With the rear view cameras in place, the contractor's vehicles are in full compliance with the
City's collection safety requirements.
After approximately nine months of operation, the one person per bulk lift collection vehicle policy has been operating
successfully in the North York Community Council Area. Although initially there were a few complaints and inquiries
from property owners about the new policy, these calls have decreased dramatically. Most of the calls currently received are
in regard to the garbage not being collected because there was no one on site to move the bins into the correct collection
position.
In instances where the collection containers are not properly positioned in the designated collection area, the contractor is
required to contact their dispatcher who then contacts the property owner or site staff. The contractor will return to the site
before the end of the day and empty the containers as long as they are in the designated collection position or site staff are
available to move the bins.
The overall speed of bulk lift collection has improved since the bulk containers are now usually placed in the proper
position for collection, allowing the operator to empty them efficiently. This has resulted in fewer delays, more prompt
collection service and improved customer satisfaction.
Conclusion:
Staff recommend that the City of Toronto's current policy of one operator per vehicle for bulk waste collection continue for
the duration of the contract.
Contact:
Ben Shepherd
Manager, Operational Planning
Solid Waste Management Services
Works and Emergency Services
Metro Hall, 19th Floor
Phone: 397-0206
Fax: 392-4754
E-mail: bshephe@toronto.ca
Angelos Bacopoulos
General Manager
Solid Waste Management Services
Works and Emergency Services
SJ:RS
(northyo2)
