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Council hears first reading to add weather exception for weekly solid-waste pickup after missed collections
Summary
City Attorney Nick Woodman presented a first reading of a proposed amendment to City Code section 22-3-45 that would allow temporary exceptions to weekly solid-waste pickup requirements in cases of documented inclement weather, natural disasters or other events that prevent collection.
City Attorney Nick Woodman presented a first reading of council bill 2025-57 on March 11 that would add an exception to the city code requirement for weekly solid-waste collection in documented instances of inclement weather, natural disasters or other events that reasonably prevent collection.
"If approved, the bill would add an exception to the requirement that solid waste be collected on a weekly basis, which would trigger in the event of documented instances of inclement weather, natural disasters, or other events that reasonably prevent solid waste collection," Woodman said. He added the draft bill requires the city’s authorized hauler to collect any missed material "as soon as practical after the offending event has occurred." Staff recommended approval to the council for a first reading.
A council member told the meeting they had received multiple calls from residents whose trash and recycling had not been picked up for weeks, and that residents reported receiving notifications from Republic Services saying the hauler would collect but the collection did not occur. The council member said the city’s office recycling had not been picked up for about four weeks and that citizens suggested the city examine its contract with the hauler or consider a different provider.
City staff encouraged residents to contact the utility billing office if there are ongoing service issues so staff can follow up with Republic Services. Woodman said the ordinance as drafted makes a technical allowance for the hauler to delay service in qualifying events but places the risk on the hauler to collect missed material as soon as practical to avoid an ordinance violation or potential contract breach.
The council opened a public hearing on the ordinance; no public comments were offered, and the hearing was closed. No vote was taken on the first reading; the bill will return to council for further consideration.
The first-reading item references City Code section 22-3-45 as the section being amended. The meeting record shows staff and council members discussed both operational service gaps and the legal framework that would permit temporary exceptions during qualifying events.
