Title
Private Property Cleanup Program Pilot Update
Description
This report requests the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee recommend City Council approval of the Private Property Cleanup Program pilot framework as updated in this report, with additional flexibility for the current fiscal year.
THIS ITEM IS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
Report
Summary
In December 2022, Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) staff introduced a potential framework for a Private Property Cleanup Program pilot to the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee. Staff considered four important factors in the development of the framework: 1) Anticipated high demand; 2) Limited funding; 3) Legal concerns; and 4) Practical need from the community.
Based on these considerations, staff presented two potential levels for the Private Property Cleanup Program pilot, leveraging existing resources: 1) Expansion of Enhanced Clean-ups, which expands the area covered by regularly scheduled enhanced cleanups; and 2) Individual Property Cleanup Assistance with a tiered approach. Staff also presented possible eligibility criteria.
Staff proposed taking the framework to the community to seek input before bringing final recommendations back to the Subcommittee.
Public Outreach
NSD staff hosted community listening sessions as an opportunity to better understand how the community would respond to the potential framework and to seek feedback and ideas for improvement. In January 2023, staff presented at the Hatcher Urban Businesses (theHUB) group and, in February, held a focused meeting with the Madison Pioneer Coalition. These groups represent stakeholders in the areas where the Expansion of Enhanced Cleanups were proposed. Feedback from community members of theHUB and Madison Pioneer Coalition was mixed. Both appreciated the city's intent to support clean neighborhoods, however many noted they did not feel the resources provided would be enough to make a meaningful impact, and several members recommended other uses of the funds to address the underlying issues.
While both groups provided similar feedback, several members of the Madison Pioneer Coalition mentioned that specific areas could benefit from more frequent biohazard waste cleaning, disposal and sanitization. Their recommendation was to pilot more frequent biohazard cleanups in known areas where waste often accumulates.
Staff also conducted a citywide community listening session on Feb. 22, 2023, to receive broad input on the framework, particularly the Individual Private Properties Cleanup's three levels of cleanup assistance. Participants asked detailed questions at the meeting which demonstrated a high level of interest in the program and the need for flexibility as staff continues to refine the program design, especially in the remainder of the current fiscal year. Additionally staff developed an online feedback form and survey as an option for residents and business owners who could not attend the meeting. Based on the feedback from both the survey and meeting, participants felt the cleanup service would be valuable to property owners and their neighborhoods, with a positive impact. The majority of respondents felt the eligibility criteria for each of the levels of service were reasonable and a means to reduce possible exploitation of the program.
Updated Framework Recommendation
Based on the feedback received through NSD's outreach efforts, staff recommends an adjusted framework as follows:
1) Enhanced Biohazard Cleaning service in enhanced cleanup areas near Hatcher Road and the Human Services Campus, focusing on locations to be identified in partnership with the community.
2) Individual Private Properties Cleanups with three different levels of cleanup assistance, as originally proposed, but with additional flexibility. Given the limited time available to implement the program in the current Fiscal Year, the added flexibility will allow staff to make adjustments to the procedures and eligibility criteria during the initial months and provide immediate services to residents.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Neighborhood Services Department.