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Trash Cart Exemption ProgramCopyrighted June 5, 2023 City of Dubuque Action Items # 05. City Council Meeting ITEM TITLE: Trash Cart Exemption Program SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council adopt the Trash Cart Exemption program and approval of the Trash Cart Exemption Form which has been reviewed and approved by the CityAttorney's Office. SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve DISPOSITION: ATTACHMENTS: Description MVM Memo Trash Cart Exemption Trash Cart Exemption Form Type City Manager Memo Staff Memo Supporting Documentation THE C DUjIBQTE Masterpiece on the Mississippi TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: Trash Cart Exemption Program DATE: June 1, 2023 Dubuque WAWca 914 ii 2007-2012.2013 2017*2019 Public Works Director John Klostermann is recommending City Council adopt the Trash Cart Exemption program and approval of the Trash Cart Exemption Form which has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney's Office. I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval. v Mic ael C. Van Milligen MCVM:sv Attachment cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager John Klostermann, Public Works Director THE CITY OF DUB E Masterpiece on the Mississippi TO: Michael C Van Milligen, City Manager FROM: John Klostermann, Public Works Director SUBJECT: Trash Cart Exemption Program DATE: May 26, 2023 Dubuque MI-AneNea City s1-1 KiAA 2007•2012•2013 2017*2019 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this memorandum is to provide a recommendation on accommodating solid waste customers who have expressed concern about using a 35-gallon city -issued cart. BACKGROUND As promotion about the transition to a fully automated trash collection system increased this Spring, the Public Works Department has heard from multiple customers about their concerns about using a 35-gallon trash cart to wheel their trash to the curb/alley line. Since March 15th, 2023, all concerned citizens have been put in contact with Resource Management Supervisor, Jake Jansen. A list of contact information was developed, and they were told an exemption program to the cart was in development and would be contacted once finalized. We currently have a list of 32 residents that have expressed interest in being exempt after it becomes mandatory on July 1 st for all residents that have received a city issued trash cart. DISCUSSION While every resident's situation varied slightly, the vast majority's concerns related to the size of the cart and only generating one bag of trash. Whether it be a disability or age related, most of the residents explained how setting out one bag of trash per week has worked very well for them. One of the reasons the cart would be a burden is the fact that it would require two trips to the curb/alley line, instead of just one trip with a single bag. Many of the residents explained how in the wintertime taking out the trash makes them very nervous, especially with the possibility of falling. Of the 32 individuals only 2 have explained they physically can wheel a 35-gallon cart but their property's terrain makes it challenging to do so. In these scenarios, the individuals have multiple sets of stairs or live in a location with a long lane and the cart doesn't fit in their car to haul to the set -out location. To accommodate these customers, staff has researched and explored possible solutions. Most cities that have gone fully automated offer an exemption to those who need it. These programs vary from offering a door pick-up to allowing one bag at the curb/alley line. Many of the programs researched require medical reasoning for the exemption, and the applicant claims they have no one else in their home who can assist in wheeling the trash to their set -out location. Based on concerns received from customer feedback, the interest of the collection workers, and research from other communities, we recommend allowing an exemption to using the trash cart for those who meet the following criteria: • Applicants must live at a residential property; services are not extended to businesses. • The applicant is physically unable to push a minimum of a 35-gallon trash cart and doesn't have anyone else in their home to assist in hauling the trash to the curb/alley line OR the applicant lives at a location where the terrain prohibits the use of a wheeled trash cart (approved by Resource Management Supervisor). • Applicants must provide proof from a health care provider that they are physically unable to use the wheel cart and need this accommodation. • Applicants will be contacted every fiscal year to reverify the cart exemption to ensure the service is still needed as the resident may move, may no longer need the service, or acquire a housemate at the residence that is able to pull the cart to the street for service. • Residents who meet the criteria, will be allowed, at their cost, to continue to place one 35 gallon trash bag out for collection each week instead of using the city issued cart. I am recommending the adoption of the Trash Cart Exemption program and approval of the Trash Cart Exemption Form which has been reviewed and approved by our legal department. ACTION STEP I am recommending the Trash Cart Exemption Program as identified above and request your approval. Cc; Arielle Swift, Assistant Public Works Director Jake Jansen, Resource Management Supervisor THE O CITY F Dt B E Masterpiece on the Mississippi Dubuque All -"Inca city 2007•2012.2o 13 2017*2019 CITY OF DUBUQUE - TRASH CART EXEMPTION FORM APPLICANT INFORMATION Name: Address: Phone Number: Email: REASON FOR EXEMPTION Physical Unable to Wheel Cart to Street [Healthcare Provider Signature Required or Other Proof of Disability] Terrain Prohibits the use of Wheeled Cart [Resource Management Supervisor Approval Required] TERMS OF SERVICE • Applicants must live at a residential property; services are not extended to businesses. • The applicant is the homeowner or resident at the address listed above. • The applicant is physically unable to push a minimum of a 35-gallon trash cart and does not have anyone else in the home to assist in hauling the trash to the curb/alley line OR the applicant lives at a location where the terrain prohibits to use of a wheeled trash cart. • Applicants can put out one bag of trash weekly, up to 35 gallons in volume and 40 lbs. of weight at their normal set - out location. To be serviced, all trash must be bagged. • Applicants will be contacted every fiscal year to reverify the cart exemption to ensure the service is still needed as the applicant may move, no longer need the service, or acquire a housemate at the residence who is able to pull the cart to the street for service. HEALTHCARE PROVIDER STATEMENT The applicant has a medical condition inhibiting or precluding the applicant's ability to move a trash cart curbside weekly. The applicant's status as listed above has been verified. Healthcare Provider Name: Date: TERRAIN STATEMENT Healthcare Provider Signature: Other Proof of Disability Attached: The applicant lives at a location that prohibits the use of a wheeled cart (steep stairs, limited set -out locations, no storage location beyond the right-of-way, steep hill, etc.) approved by the Resource Management Supervisor. Resource Management Supervisor: Date: Questions concerning form? Contact Jake Jansen (563) 581-9737. The form can be returned via the following methods: by emailing it to jjansen@cityofdubuque.org, or by mailing it to 925 Kerper Ct., Dubuque, IA 52001.