CR 94-73 Changes To Brush/Yard Waste
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. April 1, 1994 ~ Council Report: 94-73
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APPROVAL OF CHANGES TO THE BRUSH AND YARD WASTE
COLLECTION PROGRAMS
proposed Action.
staff recommends adoption of the following motion: "Authorize staff
to implement modifications to the brush and yard waste collection
programs as outlined below:
BRUSH Collection from City Service area
o Free brush pick up from the third Friday in October through the
second Friday in May (approximately mid-October thru mid-May) .
o Free brush pick-up on the first Friday of every month during the
non-free pick up periods during the summer (approximately mid-May
thru mid-October).
o A $10.00 fee per pick-up/per 18 cubic yard load, every Friday
other than the first Friday of the month during the non-free pick
up periods during the summer (approximately mid-May thru mid-
. October) .
o Implement a free drop off during the non-free pick up periods
during the summer coinciding with the free drop off for yard
waste on Saturdays from 10-2 and Wednesday evenings from 3-6
(approximately mid-May thru mid-October).
o Move Brush Service into the Refuse utility and implement charges
for non-refuse customers of $15.00 per pick-up/per 18 cubic yard
load all year.
YARD WASTE Collection in the city Service Area
o pick up yard waste free in the spring from the third Monday in
April through the second Friday in May and in the fall from the
first Monday in October through the end of November, or until the
first heavy snowfall, using current methods, inclUding street
collection in Belgrove, Interlachen and Hobby Acres.
o Charge $1.00 per bag for piCk up - sticker system during the non-
free pick-Up periods in the summer.
o Implement a free drop off on Saturdays from 10-2 and on Wednesday
evenings from 3-6 during the non-free piCk-Up periods in the
summer.
. 0 At the beginning of the program change provide five (5) free yard
waste stickers to all refuse customers in the city service area
to ease the transition into the new program.
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Council Report: 94-73
Page 2
. overview.
On March 8, 1994, Council reviewed and discussed staff's proposed
changes to the brush and yard waste collection programs offered by the
city. At that meeting staff was directed to alter their original
proposed changes slightly and to bring those changes back to Council
at the April 5th Council meeting.
Primary Issues to Consider
0 Why are changes to the Brush program necessary?
0 Why are changes to the Yard Waste program necessary?
0 How will the residents be informed of these changes?
Supporting Information
0 Analysis of Issues
0 Exerpts from the March 8, 1994 Council Work Session memo
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Council Report: 94-73
Page 3
. Analvsis of Issues
0 Why are changes to the Brush program necessary?
Brush pick up is currently done every week on a call-in basis.
When the state banned brush from disposal with regular refuse,
our brush stops for very small quantities of brush increased.
This was because most residents had previously placed small
quantities of brush into their refuse container. Now that they
can no longer do this, the number of stops during the peak summer
period has increased from an average of 60 stops per week to an
average of 150 stops per week. Concern over recent legislative
changes such as; visible costs and waste reduction, along with
increased manhour and equipment cost, indicated to us that we
evaluate this program and attempt to reduce our costs without
eliminating the service. It was determined that it was not cost
effective for city crews to pick up handfuls of brush each week
from residents. In order to control this problem and still keep
a high level of service we are proposing to reduce the frequency
of brush collection and to add drop off opportunities to those
who want small quantities of brush out of their way weekly.
0 Why are changes to the Yard Waste program necessary?
. Yard Waste pick up is currently done every week from mid-April
through mid-october on the same day as regular refuse collection.
When tip fees increased and yard waste was banned from disposal
with regular household refuse, the city began to compost the
material at our gravel pit site on County Road 73. Concern over
recent legislative changes and proposed changes such as; funding
loss, visible costs, waste reduction, air/water quality (as
related to use of our site for composting), and the high
incidence of back injuries related to this collection system the
recommendations move towards an attempt to reduce our workers
comp exposure and still provide a high level of service. To
accomplish this a cost for weekly summer collection 1S proposed
and drop off opportunities were added.
0 How will the residents be informed of these changes?
A major educational tool staff will be using is a Yard Waste
Seminar which is intended to inform residents of the changes and
instruct residents on leaving lawn clippings on their lawn,
proper watering, fertilization, and other techniques for a low
maintenance lawn care program. Residents have already been
informed of these proposed changes through an article in the
Sailor newspaper and future articles in the Highlights will
regularly update them on these programs. The Cable Bulletin
Board will also be utilized.
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