HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.21.2005COUNCIL WORK SESSION
March 21, 2005
4:15 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Kincaid, Greenwood, Clark, Gunderson, Welper, Cole,
Schmitt.
Moved by Welper, seconded by Clark that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Five.
Absent: Cole, Schmitt. Motion carried.
The purpose of the work session was to discuss litter control and litter control relating to the
contractual mowing contract.
Councilperson Welper noted that litter control is an unnecessary expense that the city should be
able to control. There is a serious litter control problem on Texas Street/218 by Aspro.
Councilperson Welper commented that the city has all these rules and regulations for garbage
and garbage containers required to have lids closed, but driving around the city there are
dumpsters overflowing with open lids. Councilperson Welper distributed a picture of a four-plex
in his neighborhood.
Councilperson Greenwood stated that the International Property Maintenance Code defines the
size of garbage receptacle by the number of units. Councilperson Gunderson asked if the city
could require that the dumpsters be picked up twice per week.
Lou Cutwright, Building Official/Maintenance Administrator, reported that there is a section in
the International Property Maintenance Code which regulates size of receptacle referencing a 32
gallon garbage container by the number of units. Mr. Cutwright stated that the Code
Enforcement Officer can inform the owner of the size of dumpster required according to the
number of units. If the owner continues to be in violation, they can be cited. The language in
the International Property Maintenance Code does not specify how often dumpsters need to be
picked up. Mr. Cutwright noted that it is the responsibility of the property owner to monitor the
dumpsters. Mr. Cutwright reported he drove the Crossroads area and Texas Street, and that litter
is buried down and has been there since the snow. Mr. Cutwright stated that almost every spring
there is litter in that area, and what needs to be determined is what group is going to clean the
litter.
Bob Adams distributed photographs of pictures of litter throughout the city. Mr. Adams has
been the mowing contractor for the city, and he described the problems with the litter. Mr.
Adams stated he tried putting people in front of the mowers to clean up the litter, but it ended up
the person on the equipment had to stop and pick up litter. Mr. Adams noted that the worse
place he mows is Dubuque Road where they pick up 15 to 20 bags of litter every time they mow.
He thinks the private waste haulers are not getting to the waste sites every night, and loose
papers come out of the trucks onto the streets. Mr. Adams stated that on the area by the 5th Street
overpass on 218, everything blows between 5th and 9th Streets, and last year, they spent 1
hours picking up garbage and 1/2 hour mowing. Mr. Adams stated that the time spent picking up
litter means the machine is running and burning fuel. Mr. Adams reported that last year he used
10,000 gallons of fuel, and when bidding on the right-of-way mowing that cost has to be
included in the bid.
Councilpersons Cole and Schmitt now present at 4:35 p.m.
Scott Destival from Leisure Services reported that the right-of-way mowing contract does require
the contractor to pick up the litter.
Tim Shea, Superintendent of Waste Management Services, stated that two years ago he brought
before the council a proposal to charge a fee to stop residential overflow of garbage, and no
decision was made at that time. Mr. Shea stated that sending out warning letters does abate the
problem for a short time, maybe one to three months. If the driver notices a resident has an
overflowed garbage container, the driver calls into the office, and they track that information on
Council Work Session
March 21, 2005
Page 2
the computer. Mr. Shea stated that probably 25 percent of residential customers have
overflowing garbage containers each week.
Councilperson Greenwood asked what recourse does the city have concerning the providers of
the dumpsters. Mr. Cutwright responded that would be a third party contract. Mr. Cutwright
stated the city could cite the owner of the property if they are not using the proper dumpster size
or the lid is not closed.
Mr. Adams stated that he feels litter is a controllable expense to a landlord. The landlord is
either going to take care of his property and have the garbage picked up or just put the money in
his pocket. Most landlords know what it costs to have the litter picked up and that is one area
they can cut expenses.
Mayor Hurley stated he will create a Task Force consisting of department heads, council
members and neighborhood groups to look at the litter issue.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Welper, seconded by Kincaid that
the meeting be adjourned at 4:48 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk
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