Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sanitation Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council discusses Live Oak collection proposal, mowing contracts and moving divisions out of sanitation enterprise fund
Summary
Council and staff discussed a Live Oak proposal for single-truck, city-can-only curbside pickup, concerns about code changes and service perception, a $750,000 mowing quote used as a budget guide and a proposal to move most public-works divisions out of the sanitation enterprise fund.
Councilmembers and staff discussed possible changes to curbside trash collection with representatives from Live Oak, examined mowing-contract estimates and reviewed a plan to amend the ordinance that created the public-services and sanitation enterprise fund.
On curbside collection, Councilman Hammonds described a Live Oak proposal discussed with company representatives Roy and Michael Timbs in which collection would use a single truck and driver, collect only city-issued cans, and require residents who want extra cans to purchase them from the city. Nottingham said staff has met with Live Oak and “we have some concerns” because the city’s code of ordinances would require amendments and residents might view a requirement to buy city cans as a reduction in service. Nottingham said the city and Live Oak discussed routing adjustments so a following truck on the same route would pick up overflow on the same day to avoid accumulated bagged garbage.
On mowing and beautification, staff presented updated contractor quotes used to estimate the budget. Nottingham said the full quote for expanded cuts was roughly $750,000 (16 cuts per year) but the draft budget does not fully fund that amount and shows a lower budgeted amount (about $450,000). Councilmembers asked that staff issue an RFP and add supervision and quality controls for any contracted mowing; one councilman said current work shows missed spots and asked for an RFP so other vendors can compete.
Enterprise fund change: Nottingham explained the public-services and sanitation enterprise fund was established by ordinance in 2001 and the administration proposes amending that ordinance so only sanitation and solid-waste disposal remain in the enterprise fund and other divisions (herbicide, mosquito control, street sweeping, grass cutting and animal control) would move to the general fund. Nottingham said the change would leave curbside trash and drop-off/recycling fees in the sanitation fund and move 29 positions into the general fund to clarify fee accounting and ensure that sanitation fees are covering curbside services.
Ending: Staff said code amendments and ordinance changes would be required before any service changes. The mayor is scheduled to meet with Live Oak later in the week to follow up on service timing and routing.
