Agenda 11/10/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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155 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1998 Program was very popular and appreciated by the residents it had grown to the point that many staff from other operational areas were now needed to carry out the work, which brought other necessary work to a halt during that ever increasing time frame. Other positive comments were made by Council about the popularity of the Quarterly Pick-Up Program, but it was also noted that it appeared that some non-city residents were often taking advantage of the program by bringing their waste into the city rather than taking it directly to the landfill. There was then some discussion of possible enforcement measures to prevent this practice. Mr. Towamicki then went on to describe his plans for an enhanced residential service, with a continues bulk pick-up program to be accessed on demand by residents on their regular pick-up days. As described, residents would be able to call the City and request pick up of bulk items on any regular pick up day in their neighborhood, and such collection would be offered year round. Advantages included better service, less scavenging, better neighborhood appearance, and a more responsive program, especially for senior citizens. Further discussion then ensued concerning issues of cost, quality of service, and other related issues. Mr. Towamicki then stated that he planned to implement the new enhanced service in January of 1999. Mayor Crabtree stated that he felt the new system should be tried out before enforcement measures on system abuse were added. Mr. Towamicki then discussed staffing needs, stating the critical need to eliminate inmate labor use, and plans to eliminate the task system and go to eight-hour days for all crews. He also indicated that there would be a need to add an additional driver to the system through next year's budget, which Council Member Dallas questioned. Mr. Towamicki then described the various problems inherent in the current staffing and operational method, and measures that would be taken to improve on these issues. It was also noted by staff that the system had recently been bid out to the private market, and that the in-house operation had proven to be the most cost effective relative to current service standards. Further discussion then took place regarding the merits of additional staff and equipment issues, and Mr. Reynolds stated that these issues would be revisited during the council's upcoming strategic planning and budget sessions. Mr. Towamicki was congratulated on his conscientiousness, initiative and efforts to provide better service, as well as the accomplishment of having competed successfully against private sector providers.