In recent years, public use of the RSWA’s facilities – the McIntire Road Recycling Center, Ivy Transfer Station/Material Utilization Center, and the Paper Sort Facility – has reached capacity, and the use of these facilities is likely to increase in the future. In addition, the mechanism for local government funding to support non-fee programs provided by the RSWA (e.g., McIntire Recycling Center, Paper Sort, HHW Collection, etc.) has become unstable and a source of disagreement regarding equity between local governments. As the entity that provides for the transportation and final destination of solid wastes and recyclable/reusable materials from the County of Albemarle, City of Charlottesville and the Town of Scottsville, the RSWA wants to improve services and facilities to better meet the evolving needs of the public while also establishing stable funding for managing these services.

Q2. How is the strategic plan being developed?

The strategic planning process, launched in August 2007, is being undertaken by the RSWA with the support of solid waste consultants Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc., assisted by Draper Aden Associates. The development of this plan includes a number of discrete tasks such as: critical review of the RSWA’s services and facilities, personal and phone interviews with more than 25 stakeholders, discussions with the RSWA Citizens Advisory Committee, data and document review, technical evaluation, and benchmarking with five communities that are similar in one or more ways to the Charlottesville area. In addition, the public was invited to complete two online surveys (survey #1 results, survey #2 results) to provide its suggestions for improvements to current facilities and services. Based on this research, the consultant will present to the community a number of options for consideration. Public input has been sought at two community meetings on November 15 and December 4. Following those meetings, the consultants will draft a report for the RSWA Board of Directors, elected officials, and University officials, which we hope will lead to public discussions and decisions toward new expectations for RSWA.

Q3. Which communities are being studied as "benchmark communities" during the strategic planning process?

The consultants have reviewed data and information to compare and contrast Rivanna service in solid waste management from the following communities: Ann Arbor, Michigan; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Williamsburg, Virginia; Harrisonburg, Virginia; and Blacksburg, Virginia. These communities are similar in one or more ways to the Charlottesville-Albemarle County area (e.g., have institutions of higher learning, have an authority that manages solid waste, have demographic similarities). GBB will also give examples of other locations in the U.S. where best practices are provided. A summary of the results of this benchmark survey are now available.

Q4. Who is involved in developing the strategic plan? Is public input part of the process?

We want to involve as many people as possible. The RSWA and its consultants are leading the effort, with the support of the RSWA Board of Directors, elected officials, and the RSWA Citizens Advisory Committee. The consultants have met with elected officials in the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County and the Town of Scottsville; officials at the University of Virginia; officials of the Thomas Jefferson District Planning Commission; planning officials in the City and County; solid waste managers in the City and County; representatives of community and business organizations; solid waste businesses/RSWA customers; recycling processors; and legal advisors. In addition, we sought public input throughout the process through public opinion surveys (survey #1 results, survey #2 results) and two community meetings. The RSWA survey results and input at the community meetings are essential to the development of the RSWA strategic plan. We encourage the public to participate. The public may also contact us at any time during the process.

Q5. What is the expected outcome of the strategic planning process?

The anticipated outcome of the process will be a community consensus on a new solid waste management paradigm, aligned with the objectives of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District’s Regional Solid Waste Plan (pdf) that provides a clear role for RSWA in serving Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville. The strategic plan will likely include recommendations for improved facilities and services as well as for financing mechanisms that will support these improvements and ensure the financial viability of the area’s solid waste management system. The plan is an opportunity for a new beginning in solid waste management in our community.

Q6. How will the final decisions be made by the RSWA, the City and the County?

Following public input, recommendations will be prepared by the RSWA staff and consultants, with input from City staff, County staff, and the RSWA Citizens Advisory Committee, for public consideration by the RSWA Board of Directors. With the support of the Board of Directors, recommendations will also be presented to elected officials of the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, the Town of Scottsville, and officials of the University of Virginia. The desirable final outcome will be a consensus of all of these organizations. While it is desired that all organizations in the community share some basic overall solid waste goals, there may be some differences in how RSWA will serve each particular organization, taking into account the preferences and the unique needs and strengths of each organization, and provided that these services are equitably structured.

Q7. How long will the process take?

The strategic planning process was launched in August 2007 and is expected to deliver recommendations and a report in the February-March 2008 timeframe. The schedule for final approval of the report by the various organizations will depend on the issues raised, but it is hoped that final approval can be achieved by June 2008.

Q8. How can I express my opinion?

The public may now review the results of the two public opinion surveys launched in November that were open through January 15 (survey #1 results, survey #2 results). The public is also invited to contact us at any time for further comments.

Q9. The City of Charlottesville recently posted an online survey on customer satisfaction with residential collection services. Is there a difference between the RSWA survey and the City of Charlottesville survey?

Yes. The first RSWA survey focused on public opinions about the RSWA’s facilities at McIntire Road and at the Ivy Material Utilization Center and on current as well as desired future residential trash and recycling services. The RSWA survey was open to residents of the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Town of Scottsville and the University of Virginia community. The City of Charlottesville survey was for City residents only and focuses on satisfaction with residential trash and recycling collection in the City.

Q10. Is the University of Virginia part of the strategic planning process?

Yes. The consultants have met with solid waste managers, architects and other officials at the University of Virginia, and they have studied the university’s trash and recycling systems. We will also contact the University as recommendations for finalizing the strategic plan are being brought forward.

Q11. How will the strategic plan impact local businesses engaged in the collection, transportation, or processing of solid wastes and recyclable material?

The strategic plan will need to be forward thinking, innovative, and customer service focused. In addition, it will need to provide appropriate economies of-scale and be driven to find the best available market pricing opportunities. However, consistent with those objectives, RSWA welcomes opportunities for building public-public or public-private partnerships to meet future service expectations. RSWA also encourages businesses within the solid waste industry to participate in a positive way through the community meetings, opinion surveys, and other opportunities.

Q12. Is there an opportunity for the strategic plan to offer solid waste services beyond the jurisdictions of the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County?

Yes. RSWA recognizes that it was organized in 1991 by the County of Albemarle and City of Charlottesville to serve the needs of those jurisdictions, which includes the Town of Scottsville and the University of Virginia. However, it is conceivable that a strategic plan driven toward this objective could include components that may compliment more regional objectives as reflected in the Thomas Jefferson Planning District’s Solid Waste Plan. As an example, the feasibility of developing a Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) for processing recyclables will be studied. Should this feasibility be proven, such a facility may actually serve the citizens of the County and City more efficiently if its doors were also open to adjoining counties.

Q13. Where can I go for more information?

This website will be updated with additional information, including survey results, meeting agendas, and videos of the community meetings. Please check back frequently. Citizens are also invited to e-mail RSWA through the address info@rivanna.org or by telephone during business hours at (434) 977-2970, Extension 101.