Council Communication Office of the City Manager	Date	December 17, 2007
	Agenda Item No. 39 Roll Call No. 07- Communication No. 07-749 Submitted by: William Stowe, Public Works Director

AGENDA HEADING:

Approving monthly billing rates for wheeled carts for use by residents for leaf and yard debris.

SYNOPSIS:

Recommend approval of the proposed ordinance changes and waiving of subsequent readings to permit monthly billing for yard debris carts effective January 1, 2008. The program has proven to be a convenient alternative to the use of Compost-It bags for approximately 1,000 Des Moines residents on a subscription basis.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Amount: The city would provide 64 gallon yard debris carts at a user fee of $8.34 per month and 96 gallon carts at a fee of $10.42 per month.

Funding Source: The solid waste collection and disposal program is an enterprise account which is funded exclusively through user fees.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

As an alternative to the use of Compost It bags, in 2004 the Public Works Department partnered with the Metro Waste Authority (MWA) to offer Des Moines residents wheeled carts for leaf and yard debris. The program was introduced on a pilot basis for those residents previously using the discontinued annual $35 sticker program that allowed residents to place leaf and yard debris in 33 gallon garbage containers. The program currently requires residents to pay “up front” $100 per year for a 64 gallon cart and $125 per year for a 96 gallon cart. Each year residents are issued a new sticker following payment for placement on their yard debris carts. The carts are provided by the City of Des Moines and serviced weekly by Public Works Department.

In response to requests for convenient monthly billing, the Public Works Department has now made arrangements with the City’s billing agent (The Des Moines Water Works) to bill monthly for yard debris carts similar to solid waste carts. The proposed monthly rates are $8.34 per month or $100 per year for a 64 gallon container and $10.42 per month or $125 per year for a 96 gallon container. If approved, the Public Works Department would no longer require the assistance of the MWA to bill residents annually.

Staff recommends proceeding with proposed ordinance changes to provide convenient monthly billing to residents requesting wheeled carts for leaf and yard debris disposal.

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION(S): NONE

BOARD/COMMISSION ACTION(S): NONE

ANTICIPATED ACTIONS AND FUTURE COMMITMENTS: NONE