City staff and the contracted solid‑waste collector presented a pilot program to change collection patterns in selected neighborhoods by moving some alley pickups to the street front. The pilot, described by staff as phased and limited in scope, aims to reduce safety and service problems caused by inaccessible, overgrown or unmaintained alleys.

Environmental Services staff and the contractor told council that alley collection often encounters tipped containers, low overhead wires, retaining walls, deep potholes, and snow/ice that prevents safe truck access. Staff said roughly 10–11% of customers currently receive alley service and that the proposed pilot would affect about 146–147 homes in the first phase. Door hangers and mailed notices will inform impacted households, and staff will add households that need assistance to a waiver list for special pickup or continued alley service.

Residents who testified supported the change where it would ease burdens on homeowners who currently maintain alleys and those whose cans are regularly tipped or where trucks repeatedly track ruts. Staff said some properties will require case‑by‑case handling, and existing medical waivers will remain in place for customers unable to bring carts to the curb. The pilot will proceed gradually and staff said they will return with results and public input before broader implementation.