HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM V-Ci l 1 ~ ~ Finance Department
Interoffice Memorandum
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To: Municipal Services Committee
From: Shelley Coleman, Finance Director
CC: Pete Lewis, Mayor
Auburn City Council
Date: January 4, 2010
Re: Extra Garbage Policy
From 2005 to 2007, the City resolved extra garbage disputes by noting "take no extras" on garbage
accounts. If customers had extra garbage out it was not picked up per the note on the account. This
policy worked well for owners of rental properties, multifamily complexes, or businesses that
frequently received extra garbage charges as a result of tenants or illegal dumping.
In 2008, Waste Management purchased cameras for their drivers and began taking pictures of
garbage extras. Waste Management sends a CD of extras pictures to Utilities on a weekly basis.
Utilities staff now pull the extras pictures when customers dispute the charges. This program works
well to resolve disputes.
Occasionally problems arise because of the "take no extras" notes on accounts. For instance, a property owner may have requested "take no extras" but the tenants are not aware of the
account
status. When the tenants put out extra garbage, and it isn't collected, they call the City to complain.
We would like to discuss removing the "take no extras" notes from all of Waste Management's City of
Auburn accounts. The "take no extra" policy contradicts the Auburn City Code that states "The city's agents shall collect, remove and dispose of all solid waste from single family and
multifamily
residences and commercial establishments in the city... (8.08.070 Collection)." The "take no extras"
policy doesn't promote a clean city and may not be necessary now that Waste Management takes
pictures of extras.
Per a discussion with our Legal Department, the City can change the "take no extras" policy if it deems fit. Legal suggested sending a letter to the owners and tenants that currently
have "take no extras"
accounts, giving them a minimum of 30 days notice (see attached spreadsheet of "take no extras" accounts
and draft letter).
Waste Management recognizes that the process to handle garbage extras was established prior to Waste Management drivers taking pictures of extras and is happy to work with the City on
updating the policy.
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