The Public Works Committee on Jan. 6 voted to forward updates to the city’s solid waste ordinance that align the code with current operations and clarify how bulk and multifamily waste are handled.

Public Works staff said the existing ordinance had not been updated in about a decade and still described commercial pickup the city no longer provides. The proposed changes remove language about city-contracted commercial collection, add definitions to clarify bulk waste categories, and define “multifamily” as any single‑ownership property with nine or more units. Staff told the committee the amendments also reflect the fleet transition to side-loader trucks and define how and where cans must be stored to facilitate automated collection.

Staff noted the city will continue to accept recyclable scrap metal; proceeds from that program are returned to the general fund. Committee members asked for clarification on what the city will and will not collect; staff confirmed the ordinance will make clear the city does not provide routine bulk-pickup service for certain household items and that commercial entities will be responsible for commercial can service.

The committee voted unanimously to forward the ordinance changes to full council with a recommendation to approve.