Memo-Central Dumpster Project
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ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
DEPARTMENT
. MEMORANDUM
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Steve Stahmer, Assistant to the City Manager :pS
CC: Steve Mielke,~ City Manager
DATE: August 7, 2003
SUBJECT: Central Dumpster Project - 1 Year Report
In 2002, City staff was approached by a group of business and property owners with a
proposal to create a centralized garbage dumpster enclosure on Block #7, between 8th
and 9th Avenues South. The project included replacing several unsightly dumpsters with
an enclosed, centralized dumpster located in Parking Lot #200 (as indicated on the
attached site diagram). The group requested the use of three public parking stalls in
Parking Lot #200. The City Council voted in April of 2002 to allow the use of the three
parking stalls and provided funds in the amount of $5,000 to build the structure as a two-
year pilot project ending in 2004.
The following report serves as the one-year report required by Resolution 2002-17 and
summarizes the status of the project after one year of operation.
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1. How is the facility working generally?
In general, the central dumpster is working very well. No major problems or complaints
have been received by the City or the project's block leader, Chuck Redepenning, owner
of Bud's Music Center. The facility has centralized the storage and collection of garbage
and recycling materials on the block.
2. How many of the businesses on the block are using the dumpster?
Seven businesses/organizations currently use the dumpster facility. They include
Hoagie's, Pito's, Bud's Music Center, Mainstreet Bar and Grill, Best Buy Liquors,
Michelangelo's, and Vail Place. A-1 Vacuum does not use the dumpster facility. Mr.
Redepenning stated that he felt the facility could accommodate at least one more small
business user.
3. Has the dumpster arrangement improved the aesthetics of the alley and rear
parking area?
In the opinion of staff and the area's business owners, the central dumpster has
improved the appearance of the rear parking area and alleyway. The vast majority of
the various dumpsters which were previously located throughout the alley are now
contained in a single area, screened from view. Please see attached photos.
4. How does the structure look visibly? Are there any maintenance issues?
The structure appears very clean and well kept. The Armor Waste Systems Company,
which collects garbage and recycling from the facility, is responsible for picking up litter
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in and around the structure. Mr. Redepenning said the company has been very reliable
with regard to litter pickup, and has been very responsive whenever contacted with
problems or complaints. .
There is currently one broken board on the south side of the structure (see attached
photos). Mr. Redepenning said the group has extra boards and will see to it that the
board is replaced very soon. One minor difficulty with regard maintenance is that the
group of business users does not currently have a separate fund/budget for fixing and
replacing broken sections of the structure.
According to Mr. Redepenning, the design of the structure has worked very well. He did
state that it might have been helpful had it been built slightly bigger (but still within the
area of the three parking stalls).
Other Notes
No parking issues/problems have been reported in connection with the central dumpster
facility.
Mr. Redepenning stated that the centralized storage and collection of refuse has led to a
large monthly cost savings for the associated businesses (as much as 50% of their
respective refuse collection expenses).
Mainstreet Bar and Grill has spoken briefly with City staff concerning the possibility of
enlarging the structure to include more of their refuse (recycling and grease dumpsters).
This could be in combination with the addition of outside seating on the alley side of
Mainstreet Bar and Grill. Other building/business owners have inquired about expanding
the project to other blocks by creating similar structures.
Staff Opinion
'nthe opinion of staff, this project has succeeded in the stated goals of:
. Eliminating or significantly reducing alley clutter due to the reduction of the
number of garbage dumpsters and the consolidation and enclosure of the
remaining dumpsters;
. Improving aesthetics of the rear business entryways and the alleyway area;
. Reducing heaVy truck traffic caused by frequent garbage pickup by multiple
collectors;
. Enhancing recycling pick-up opportunities due to increased participation and
potential cost reductions; and
. Reducing costs for building owners and tenants due to common trash collection.
Next Steps
Resolution 2002-17, which authorized the Central Dumpster Project, states:
"At the end of the pilot project in July 2004, the City of Hopkins shall complete the final
evaluation and determine whether more permanent structures should be built in the
described location and at other locations throughout the Central Business District or
whether the enclosure should be removed at the end of the two year period."
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As a next step, staff recommends presenting the one-year report of the project to the
Hopkins Business and Civic Association. Staff would then report back to the City
Council with regard to those discussions with HBCA, and seek direction (rom the Council
on:
1. Whether or not to continue the project and allow the structure to r~main;
2. Whether or not to pursue similar arrangements in other parts of O:owntown;
3. Or to delay such a decision until the official end of the pilot project in 2004.
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Please contact me with any questions, concerns or suggestions. Thank you.
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o.URANT
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922 Mainslreet '
Hopkins. Mn.
55343
(612)933-0972
fax: (612)933-1153
ASSOCIATES LTD.
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BLOCK 7
HOPKINS ALLEYSCAPE
PRELIMINARY PLAN
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Conditions PrIor to Construction of the Central Dumpster
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Central Dumpster Photos - A,ugust 2003
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