Title
Accepting "Organized Trash Collection in Saint Paul: Report on Community Input and Draft Goals and Objectives" from the Saint Paul Department of Public Works.
Body
WHEREAS, on February 24, 2016, the Saint Paul City Council passed a resolution directing the Saint Paul Department of Public Works to solicit input from residents using a variety of techniques in order to develop draft goals and objectives for implementing a system of organized trash collection within the city of Saint Paul; and,
WHEREAS, the Department of Public works conducted a public information campaign utilizing a variety of tools to collect information including a survey on Open Saint Paul; a written survey; general information on the city’s web page; notice to traditional, local media outlets; promotion through social media including the city’s Facebook page and Twitter account; paid social media to targeted zip codes; articles on city council and district council websites and news outlets; printed brochures available at all libraries and district council offices; a direct mail piece; direct outreach and focus groups through trusted multi-cultural community organizations; and one-on-one conversations with currently licensed trash collectors and at several community meetings and events; and,
WHEREAS, the feedback received through this campaign is summarized in the document Organized Trash Collection in Saint Paul: Report on Community Input and Draft Goals and Objectives; and,
WHEREAS, based on the information received through community feedback and prior values expressed by the Saint Paul City Council, the Department of Public Works recommends that, if the City Council proceeds forward with the consideration of organized trash collection, they consider the following goals for meeting the city’s objectives for handling solid waste and in preparation for negotiations with trash collectors. A measure of importance has been assigned to help identify those goals that should be given a higher priority: 1 = Key Priority; 2 = High Priority; 3 = Would Like to Achieve
Zone Creation
• Maintain opportunities for small, local, minority and women owned trash haulers (1)
• Support living wage jobs and labor peace agreements (1)
• Create zones that fairly recognize differing neighborhood characteristics and complications (2)
• Coordinate trash and recycling collection days (3)
Traffic & Safety
• Reduce the number of trucks on alleys and streets (1)
• Reduce noise from equipment and operations (2)
Environmental Performance
• Create routes that minimize the use of fuel and air pollution (1)
• Provide financial incentives to residents to recycle more and divert organic material from the waste stream (1)
• Process trash at Ramsey Washington Recycling and Energy Center (1)
• Use of trucks that utilize best environmental fuel technology (i.e. biogas, compressed natural gas) (3)
Service Provided
• Provide customer service that includes ability to talk to a customer service representative (1)
• Provide options for the disposal of bulky items such as appliances, mattresses, tires, etc. (1)
• Provide consistent customer service across the city (1)
• Provide options for the disposal of yard waste (2)
• Improve access to information for non-English speakers (2)
• Provide arrangements for pickup from less able-bodied residents (2)
• Provide option to increase amount of material removed (i.e. extra bag) (3)
Price
• Provide stable and uniform rates for residents throughout the city (1)
• Reduce costs for a majority of residents (1)
• Provide prices for different size containers (1)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council accepts the report Organized Trash Collection in Saint Paul: Community Input and Draft Goals and Objectives from the Saint Paul Department of Public Works; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council will consider the goals identified in the report, and further community input received through a public hearing on those goals, in its continued deliberations about organized trash collection within the city.