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Del City council approves new four‑day trash routes, expands bulk‑trash limits and authorizes emergency rule change
Summary
Council approved new ward‑based trash routes (Monday–Thursday), raised the bulk‑pickup cap to 8 cubic yards with a fee added to utility bills for larger loads, and repealed an older municipal services resolution; council declared an emergency to put the change into effect.
The Del City Council on Dec. 16 approved a reorganization of residential trash service and a rewrite of the municipal services authority's bulk‑waste rules that council members said will reduce curbside piles and simplify pickups.
What the council adopted: Assistant City Manager Kelly Wilbanks described a move to a four‑day residential trash schedule, with each council ward assigned a single weekday (Ward 1 Monday, Ward 2 Tuesday, Ward 3 Wednesday, Ward 4 Thursday). The council also approved a revised DCMSA resolution replacing Appendix A, section 2‑3 (bulk waste collection) and limited standard bulk pickup to up to 8 cubic yards. For amounts exceeding that cap, the city will bill the charge on the resident's utility bill rather than require an up‑front payment.
Why the change: Wilbanks and staff said the changes aim to reduce repeated multi‑day piles at the curb and make routes more efficient so drivers can assist one another and finish within scheduled shifts. The city intends to hand‑deliver notices to every residence and provide QR codes and an updated calendar to reduce confusion while the city transitions.
Council discussion and exceptions: Council members asked about staffing, vehicle downtime and how the city will handle larger emergency collections resulting from storms. Wilbanks said the city will aim to maintain four trucks and the program includes language allowing the trust manager to adjust service dates and operational processes for one‑off events. Construction and demolition debris (concrete, rocks, dirt) remain on the list of unacceptable items; the manager said roll‑off rentals should be used for major construction waste.
Resolution and emergency declaration: The council voted unanimously to repeal and replace the prior municipal services resolution (DCMSA resolution 04‑04‑2016 a) and approved resolution 12‑16‑2024 C updating bulk‑waste rules. The council then declared an emergency so the revised rules can take effect without delay.
What residents will receive: The city will hand‑deliver printed route and bulk pickup notices to every door, run a short video and keep fuller guidance in a revised welcome booklet and on the city's website. Wilbanks said the city will evaluate individual cases and allow adjustments where needed.
Ending: Council members said the changes should reduce repeat curbside piles and administrative phone calls; they asked staff to emphasize instructions about bulk pickup requests and the availability of roll‑off containers for construction projects.
