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Public Works asks Refuse Rate Board for $15 million to replace city trash cans
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Summary
Public Works Director Carla Short told the commission the department seeks a $15 million allocation from refuse-rate reserves to buy a new generation of about 3,000 trash receptacles designed to deter rummaging, resist rodents, be sensor-ready and use rolling liners; staff described a phased three-year rollout and said the purchase would not raise refuse rates or draw on the general fund.
Public Works Director Carla Short asked the Refuse Rate Board to allocate $15 million in reserve funds to buy and install a new generation of public trash receptacles designed to reduce illegal dumping, limit rodent access and make servicing more efficient.
Short said the department's 2022 pilot tested seven models at 52 high-demand locations and that a custom "slim silhouette" can best met objectives including rummage resistance, tamper-resistant locks, durability, sensor readiness and accommodation for rolling liners. "We are asking the refuse rate board to allocate $15,000,000 in the refuse rate account reserves," Short said.
Short described a not-to-exceed request of $9 million for procurement (about $3,000 per can) that would buy roughly 3,000 cans, and said the remaining $6 million would cover installation and replacement parts. She outlined a phased rollout of 500 cans in year one, 1,000 in year two and 1,500 in year three and said the purchase would come from refuse-rate reserves, not the city general fund, and "would not raise the refuse rates." Short acknowledged there is no perfect design but said the new cans are intended to reduce maintenance and improve service.
Commissioners asked how the department would address illegal dumping around cans and whether parks-adjacent cans are the department's responsibility. Short said Public Works and Recology currently service cans on the public-right-of-way (Rec & Park is responsible for cans inside parks), and described outreach and enforcement actions, including tracing identifying information in illegally dumped bags, issuing citations where appropriate and outreach to property owners to ensure sufficient garbage service.
The rate-board request will undergo two more hearings before a final decision; Short said the department plans to issue an RFP next month with the not-to-exceed procurement amount and is coordinating with the Office of Contract Administration on procurement and installation plans.
Next steps: the refuse-rate board will hold additional hearings on the proposed allocation before any funds are released.
