2002-111 AMENDING CITY CODE - CHAPTER 56 - REFUSE REMOVAL

Home Browse Search

Memorandum #02-122 Page-2 Promul ated Rules: g Service Interruption Fee ■ City staff is clarifying that all inhabitable residences in Decatur subscribe to refuse collection service. To allow for certain situations that may call for a residence to become/remain vacant for prolonged periods, this new rule will allow a once yearly service interruption. Scheduled with the individual hauler, each residence would have the ability to temporarily interrupt refuse collection service for a minimum two month period. . The present system allows for unlimited interruptions and some landlords are routinely tuming their garbage service on and off to account for vacancies. This creates problems for City staff when attempting to verify Ordinance violations, and also for neighborhoods that suffer when trash and debris accumulate at vacant properties. As per the promulgated rule, the fee for service interruption is $5. Billing ■ City staff is proposing that the billing practices of licensed haulers become uniform throughout the city. Beginning January 1, 2003, licensed haulers shall bill for collection services in two month increments. Presently many Decatur residents are being billed in three month increments, and it is at times difficult for individual households and City staff to determine due dates and/or to verify nonpayment. This rule will allow the haulers to bill in not more than two month increments, and will standardize due dates. ■ City staff is proposing that the bills themselves become more uniform by providing certain information including hauler name and contact information, service address, amount due, billing period, and due date. ■ Effective January 1, 2003, haulers will be able to impose a $1.50 per month late fee for unpaid balances after 30 days. Currently haulers are charging a variety of service and billing related fees that are confusing and unregulated. POTENTIAL OBJECTION: City staff is not aware of any opposition to the adjusted rate and/or the Chapter 56 amendments. INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES: There are several attachments to this memorandum: 1. Proposed Chapter 56 Amendments 2. 2003 Rate Schedule 3. Promulgated Rules Memorandum STAFF REFERENCE: If Council members have questions they may contact A.J. Krieger, 424-2727, ajkrieger(c�decaturnet.org.