Committee approves Chapter 7 changes so city can remain eligible for Wisconsin DNR recycling grant

The Wisconsin Rapids public works committee voted to approve revisions to Chapter 7 of the city ordinance to maintain eligibility for a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recycling grant. Staff said the changes update definitions, add requirements for multifamily and nonresidential establishments to provide recycling, and require reporting from commercial recyclers; regular residential service will not change.

Paul, a staff member who presented the item, said the bulk of the draft shows redlined changes prepared by Attorney Schill to meet the DNR's conditions for continued grant funding. He told the committee the city's existing ordinance already met many of the DNR's expectations but needed updates on definitions of recyclable materials, tenant information for multifamily housing, and a reporting step for commercial recyclers to satisfy the grant reporting requirements.

Committee members asked whether residential service or curbside pickup would be affected; Paul said residents should not expect changes. The committee approved the ordinance amendments on a motion to adopt the changes.

The ordinance changes are procedural and aimed at preserving a state grant; staff did not identify any immediate fee or service-level increases tied to the revisions. The updated ordinance language and the attorney's redlined version were described as being included in the meeting packet.

The committee did not set a separate public hearing in this meeting; next steps are to finalize the ordinance language and move it forward for any additional approvals required by the city. The committee adjourned the item after the vote.