Placement: New Business
Action Requested: Discussion
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Solid Waste Program Update and Discussion
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Submitted By: Carmen A. Capezzuto, Director of Neighborhood Services
Strategic Plan Link: The City’s Mission to provide exceptional municipal services.
Executive Summary (General Business): On June 21, 2021, the City Council requested an update from Waste Pro regarding performance-based complaints on solid waste and recycling services. Staff was directed to bring forward an amended solid waste ordinance that could improve value and service to the community.
Presentation Information: Mr. Capezzuto will open the discussion and introduce Keith Banasiak, Chief Operating Officer from Waste Pro who will report on the steps that Waste Pro have underway to alleviate the community concerns on their recent performance. Staff will provide a presentation on Waste Pro’s performance and recommend amendments to the solid waste ordinance updates.
Staff Recommendation: Request that the Council Request that the Council hear the updates from staff and Waste Pro and direct staff to return to Council with an ordinance to address areas consistent with the current Solid Waste Agreement, while working with Waste Pro on updating the Agreement as necessary to address areas of concern which require an addendum to the Agreement.
Background: Solid Waste Complaints
Issues/Analysis: The City’s Solid Waste Ordinance was last updated in 2007. Since then, the City has experienced tremendous growth in all aspects of our solid waste operations. Excessive amounts of trash and debris have been the norm with residents hiring professional tree/landscape removal companies and contractors for renovation projects with the expectation of leaving piles of debris for collection by the City’s Franchised Waste Hauler. We’ve also experienced a high number of move out/eviction piles. These excessive debris piles cause significant delays primarily for bulk collection trucks and ultimately cause the added cost of collection and disposal to be shared across all customers who pay the residential solid waste assessment which equates to approximately $1.36 per service.
Financial Information: N/A
Special Consideration: Staff has identified proposed changes to the Solid Waste Ordinance, based on best practices in the industry, that would mutually benefit our solid waste contractor, the City, and ultimately our residents who receive curbside service. These include Business Conditions some of which will need to be negotiated with Waste Pro as an amendment to the Solid Waste Agreement and brought forward to the City Council with the proposed ordinance changes. The Solid Waste Ordinance will be updated to include a section of restrictions on eviction and moveout piles (that exceed 6 cubic yards) placed curbside for collection. Property owners will be limited to less than 6 cubic yards of bulk waste per service or unless they pay for expedited removal via a mechanical container. If placed curbside and not in a container, piles must be placed curbside no earlier than their regular garbage is allowed. In addition, a change to the Solid Waste Ordinance will be made addressing large yard waste piles set curbside. The proposed amendment would restrict residents from placing yard waste piles larger than 4 cubic yards out for collection per week. Lastly, the ordinance will be modified to provide limitations on Construction and Demolition (C&D) materials that are set out for collection. The proposed ordinance change will restrict the collection of C&D debris to 2 cubic yards. All of these amendments to the ordinance will include an education campaign to the residents of the City to ensure awareness of these changes.
Location of Project: N/A
Attachments: Letter to Waste Pro dated June 18, 2021, Waste Pro’s Response to June 18th letter dated July 1, 2021, City staff PowerPoint Presentation, Waste Pro Franchise Agreement (for reference), Memo from the City Attorney’s Office.
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: 6754
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Frank Moehrle, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by James D. Stokes, City Attorney.