Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works Department

 

 TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager
Charles F. Soules, Public Works Director

FROM:

Tammy Bennett, Assistant Public Works Director

CC:

Casey Toomay, Budget Manager

Date:

 

August 21, 2012

RE:

Solid Waste Rate Ordinance 8781

 


Please place the following item on the August 28, 2012 City Commission consent agenda:

 

Adopt on first reading, Ordinance No. 8781, establishing residential solid waste service rates for 2013.  

Background

On August 14, 2012, the City Commission provided direction for the Solid Waste monthly residential rates to vary by cart size, as follows:


          95-gallon:      $16.94 per month

          65-gallon:      $14.94 per month

          35-gallon:      $13.44 per month

 

Ordinance 8781 codifies the fee structure, as directed.

 

Cart deliveries for households who do not currently have a cart are planned for October 15 to November 9th.  Staff will work diligently with residents on ensuring they have the right size of container to accommodate their trash needs through the year.  During this period, staff will take the extras set to the side, and make notes such that we can adjust container sizes, if needed. 

 

When the right-sizing period is complete, the code provides staff with adequate flexibility to meet customers’ occasional extra set-out needs, while also providing staff the ability to switch out containers for customers who exceed their container limits.  Section 9-404(b) sets out provisions for overflow trash as follows:

 

A maximum of twice per calendar year, the City will collect and remove an overflow of garbage and refuse from a dwelling unit in excess of that which can be contained by the City Roll-out Trash Cart. If a dwelling unit exceeds two such overflow incidents in one calendar year, the City will provide an additional or larger City Roll-out Trash Cart to the owner or occupant of that dwelling unit and the monthly solid waste fee will be adjusted accordingly. Overflow garbage and refuse must be securely bagged or placed in a secure container and may not exceed the 65-pound limit established by Section 9-405.

 

Our outreach materials will highlight the ability of residents to call the Solid Waste Division to discuss unique or unusual situations. 

 

The rate changes will be effective February 15, 2013.