Title
Consideration of Citizen Petition Related to Waste Receptacles Around the Human Services Campus
Description
This report provides the City Council with information in response to a citizen petition submitted by Frank Urban at the Dec. 1, 2021 Formal City Council meeting regarding waste receptacles around the Human Services Campus (Attachment A).
THIS ITEM IS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
Report
Summary
The petitioner requests the City Council to install more waste receptacles in the neighborhood around the Human Services Campus.
Staff Response
Historically, the Public Works Department provided dumpsters in the area around the Human Services campus only during the holiday season to address sanitation issues. Approximately six years ago, the Human Services Department requested an increase in services as a result of a greater need for sanitation services. In response, the Public Works Department began providing year-round solid waste collections. Adjustments have been made to services and the number of dumpsters provided during that time period in response to changing needs.
As of January 2021, the Public Works Department serviced four 8-yard front load bins five times per week. In July, services were increased by the addition of an extra day of collections to six times per week (Monday through Saturday). In November 2021, additional bins were placed near the Human Services increasing the current service level to six 8-yard bins collected. The average monthly tonnage removed from January through November 2021 was 16.83 tons per month. A total of six dumpsters provides the means for disposing of trash throughout the area.
In the past, some of the bins provided by the City were removed following the holiday season. This year, there are no plans to remove any bins, given the tonnage currently being removed and the needs expressed by the Human Services Campus providers and community members. Staff continuously evaluates collection and container services offered in the area to address waste and will continue to closely monitor needs in partnership with the Human Services Campus.
The Human Services Campus as part of their Special Permit is required to provide trash receptacles within the boundaries of the special permit area, accessible to the public from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily. In addition, the Special Permit requires the property owners within the Special Permit area to clean the area twice a day, seven days per week. Staff from the City and the Campus are in the planning process of a pilot project that would provide smaller trash receptacles at shorter distances in addition to the 8-yard bins already provided by the City. This pilot includes testing a smaller trash receptacle that could be placed in greater number, if successful. For safety purposes, there is a need to test a trash receptacle that is heavy duty, fixed and deters tampering.
Location
Madison Street from 9th to 12th avenues and Jackson Street from 9th to 11th avenues.
Council District: 7
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Managers Gina Montes and Karen Peters and the Human Services and Public Works departments.