Austin Resource Recovery staff presented findings from a consultant study recommending a transfer station to consolidate residential and bulk waste before hauling to final disposal, and said staff plans to return to council with a property acquisition recommendation later this fall with a goal of having the facility operating by 2030.

Amy Slagle, assistant director for Austin Resource Recovery, described the transfer station as “a facility where solid waste is temporarily collected, sorted and consolidated before being transferred to a larger vehicle for transportation to a final disposal site.” She said enclosed stations reduce odor, litter and vermin and can support operations resiliency and fleet electrification goals in the city’s climate equity plan.

Slagle said the consultant evaluated five candidate sites (four clustered in north Austin and one near the department’s Todd Lane facility) using a weighted site-evaluation methodology that included site conditions, permitting constraints, accessibility, utility access and impacts on surrounding communities. She said proximity to haul destinations, drive-time reductions and compatibility with regional planning factored heavily into the financial analysis.

From a purely financial perspective, the consultant found locations near the newly planned northeast service center provided the greatest return and were “almost break-even,” while sites further away would increase operating costs. Slagle also described a smaller phased option focused on ARR vehicle use initially, with capacity to expand later and accept private haulers.

Slagle told commissioners the facility could support diversion of metals and mattresses for resale or recycling, host a resource-recovery/household hazardous-waste reuse area like the South Austin resource recovery center, and reduce community impacts from temporary storm-debris staging sites.

Commissioners asked whether private haulers had expressed interest in using the station and whether the facility would accept trash, compost and bulk waste or also handle recycling. A legal staff member noted location matters to private haulers; Slagle said the initial study focused on trash, compost and bulk waste and that recycling could be considered later. She said acceptance of third-party waste would depend on facility size and could help the city approach break-even financially.

Commissioners pressed on community engagement and siting sensitivity; Slagle said the department would pursue robust community outreach similar to the process used for the new northeast service center and emphasized a desire to be “good neighbors.” She said the department is not focused on specific properties yet and is evaluating both city-owned and private parcels.

Next steps identified by staff were to continue site evaluation, pursue property acquisition authority from council later this fall, and proceed with design and permitting work with the target of having the facility online in 2030, timed to the end of multiple major contracts (landfill, recycling and compost) that also expire in 2030.

The briefing drew discussion but no formal action; commissioners asked for ongoing outreach and to evaluate public-private partnership options and financial models before bringing a property purchase request to council.