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Trash Collection in Wheat Ridge July 29, 2010

Trash Collection General Information 67% of all cities in the country are responsible for residential trash collection 41% of Colorado cities are providing residential trash collection Many cities finance trash collection from general taxation, while other cities operate public utilities or franchise for the service

Trash Collection General Information Many cities are entering the trash collection arena to promote recycling Municipalities cannot provide trash collection service to commercial, industrial and multi-family per state law One trash truck has the impact of 1,300 cars on a street or road

Trash Collection in Wheat Ridge Existing Practice Private collection throughout the City Collection on multiple days Residents have a choice of 5+ trash haulers Most haulers, if not all, offer recycling

Trash Collection in Wheat Ridge Alternatives City enters into one or more franchise agreements for service City creates a Solid Waste Utility and provides trash collection service by contract City remains uninvolved with trash collection

Franchise & Utility Mutual Benefits One trash truck on each street each week Trash at the curb only one day each week Reduction of street maintenance by $80,000-$100,000 per year Less air pollution and noise Safer and quieter neighborhoods

Utility City has control of the service The solid waste program is easily modified via contract, terms negotiated Service can be by one or more contractors City staff is required for service billing, processing and management City could negotiate a fee from the vendor Recycling

Franchise Voters must approve the ability of the City to enter into a franchise agreement or agreements, terms negotiated One or more franchises can be awarded Residents pay vendor(s) directly, no fee collection costs City staff refers service complaints from residents to the vendor (Much like Xcel franchise) City collects a franchise fee from vendor Recycling

DRAFT Ballot Question for Franchise – Must be Referred by City Council to Voters Shall the City Council of the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado be authorized to enter into a franchise or franchises for City wide residential trash removal, including recycling and a senior discount, for single family and duplex zone districts?

Summary Benefits of City involvement in trash collection: SAVE RESIDENTS MONEY! Reduce damage to streets Safer and quieter neighborhoods Improve aesthetics of City Improve air quality Reduce noise pollution Encourage recycling

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