City officials began investigating a new trash program with a possible curbside recycling component after a presentation from the city of Tuscola on its trash program.

City officials also revealed the details to the investment grade audit included in the performance contract with Siemens Building Technologies Inc. that described ways the city can become more energy efficient.

Tuscola City Administrator Drew Hoel explained the city’s one contract, single-vendor mandatory residential trash program to the city council at the second day of the City Council Fall Retreat on Friday.

“We have found that in Tuscola, a single vendor on a multi-year contract has allowed us numerous benefits that outweigh the negatives,” Hoel said.

Tuscola’s solid waste program is with a single vendor currently contracted for four years that provides service to residential, commercial and roll-off properties.

The city’s limitations to a single vendor make the program a mandatory expense for residents in Tuscola.

Hoel said that under a single vendor, the city and residents save money because everything is included in a package deal.

“Because we include commercial and roll-off in our contract, residents get a lower rate of $10.85 a month,” Hoel said.

Residents in Tuscola are also allowed to rent their trash tote from the provider for $15 a year.

However, the commercial rate remains at a higher price, something the council feared would scare businesses away from supporting the single contract.

Other benefits outlined by Hoel were an increase in the payment collection rate and relative ease for residents to pay.

Tuscola’s billing process for solid waste hauling is included on their water and sewer bill, which Hoel said increases payment collections to 99 percent and helps residents manage their bills.

Charleston currently has three waste haulers contracted on a private basis by residents serving the city.

“Wear and tear on the streets is also reduced because we only have one vendor’s trucks on our streets and alleys,” Hoel said.

Tuscola’s program does not include curbside recycling, but has several drop-off sites throughout the city, like Charleston currently has with vendor Veolia Environmental Services.

Charleston has been investigating the possibility of a curbside program avidly since the Citizens for Recycling group presented a petition with more than 1,300 signatures at the Sept. 16 city council meeting.

Hoel said a curbside recycling component was never something Tuscola could incorporate with the single vendor, explaining that it was never efficient for the city.

Council members speculated the costs it would take to incorporate all aspects they see Charleston needing in the near future.

“At some point, the city of Charleston will need to look seriously at something very similar to what Tuscola has done,” said Mayor John Inyart. “We would really like some community feedback before proceeding.”

Siemens Project Developer John Marley, Project Manager Dan Miller and Business Manager Rick Rodriguez also presented the results of the investment grade audit highlighting the amount of energy the Waste Water Treatment Plant consumes from the city.

Taking up 45 percent of the energy pie, the plant has become the focus of City Manager Scott Smith’s plan for energy efficiency.

Marley and Miller said the most effective way of reducing energy costs is the replacement of the plant’s blower system to the Turblex Blower that Siemens has designed.

The current 250 horsepower unit and the 125 horsepower unit the plant uses would be replaced by a 200 horsepower Turblex unit, saving 175 horsepower in use.

“This is really the most efficient method of cooling,” Miller said.

Curt Buescher, director of public works, said he would support the reallocation of money within public works for the incorporation of the new Turblex blower system.

Siemens also named HVAC renovations to city hall, the police station and Fire Station No. 1, recommending infrared heating that has already been incorporated into Fire Station No. 2 as options for the city’s path to energy efficiency.

Lighting retrofits to all city buildings and outside lighting and the installation of a solar heating unit for the infant pool at the Rotary Pool were also recommended.

Siemens said that through all the audit options, it can save the city approximately 1.3 million kilowatts and 9,740 therms in energy. This equals an amount of $137,650 saved annually after the options are implemented.

Krystal Moya can be reached at 581-7945 or at [email protected].