RPVCCA_CC_SR_2013_09_17_SS2a_Trash_Carts_Placement_and_PickupCITY OF
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
Fellow City Council Members
Susan Brooks
September 17, 2013
Trash Carts Placement and Pickup
Recommendation:
Consider amending hours of trash placement and pickup. Add to enforcement
with educational materials.
Did you know that the Number 1 Code Violation complaint for RPV, concerns
violations of our Trash Collection Ordinance (ie: times and days to leave trash
cans on the street, screening necessities)? It's understandable, given that EDCO
and the larger trash cans are relatively new to our city.
It has come to my attention through constituents, in consultation with staff and
via personal observation, that we have a problem with trash carts being left at
curbside or without proper screening as defined in our Municipal Code.
Many cans, particularly green waste, are actually being 'stored' at curbside by
some gardeners. This raises several concerns; among them health, safety and
aesthetics.
In addition, I believe our current Ordinance 2.20.250 is outdated. Adopted in
1991, the wording permits cans to be left at curbside for as long as 36 hours.
8.20.250 Residential refuse containers-Time of Placement
SS2a-1
Trash Carts Placement and Pickup
September 17, 2013
Page 2 of 4
11 No residential householder who receives curbside refuse removal service shall place or permit to be placed any
solid waste or solid waste container at the place of collection at the residential premises before eight a.m. of the
day preceding the scheduled collection or leave any such container at the place of collection after eight p.m. on
the day of collection, or more than two hours after actual collection, whichever is later."
That's a very long time. When Waste Management was our carrier, the cans
were a smaller size and did not present as much of a nuisance as the very large
speaking with EDCO representative, Efrin Ramirez about this concern, he states
that cities sometimes create a sticker for placement on carts stating the hours
and days of use. They also state any fines which may be applicable if carts
remain 6n the street for prolonged times. I have addressed this matter with
staff (Lauren Ramezani and Joel Rojas) about the issue, and their information
follows this introduction.
Based on staff research of neighboring cities (see chart below) I am requesting
that Council consider changing the times to something more reasonable .Of all
our neighboring Peninsula cities, RPV is the most relaxed. While both Rolling
Hills and Palos Verdes Estates have personalized pickup and removal, Rolling
Hills Estates has a 4pm placement time or 30 hrs. I suggest we consider bringing
forth those same 30 hour time constraints.
The stickers can be produced, and either placed on all cans by EDCO, or only the
offenders. However, EDCO would not know which carts have been left out
because they only come once a week. It would have to be the responsibility of
Homeowner's Associations or via Code complaint.
I suggest we find out what the new 'norm' is for trash cart placement and
pickup, and make any changes deemed appropriate. Secondly, the city would
provide stickers for either all cans or only the offenders.
While this item could be taken care of in-house, the consideration of a change
to the existing ordinance requires Council agendizement and approval.
See staff information below:
Curb Placement Hours of Other Cities
SS2a-2
Trash Carts Placement and Pickup
September 17, 2013
Page 3 of 4
Staff conducted research of other cities in the South Bay and found that the residential
trash container placement hours in surrounding cities varied greatly from 48 hours in
Manhattan Beach (1 O a.m. the day before collection to 10 a.m. the day after collection)
to 24 hours in Redondo Beach (11 :59 pm the day before collection to 11 :59 the day of
collection). A summary of the placement hours for the cities surveyed is provided
below.
Rancho Palos
Verdes
Manhattan
Beach
Rolling Hills
Estates
Lomita
Hermosa Beach
Redondo Beach
Palos Verdes
Estates
Rolling Hills
8:00 a.m. the day preceding 8:00 p.m. the day of
collection collection 36 Hours
10:00 a.m. the day 10:00 a.m. the day after
preceding collection collection 48 Hours
4:00 p.m. the day preceding 10:00 p.m. the day of
collection collection 30 Hours
4:00 p.m. the day preceding 8:00 a.m. the day after
collection collection 40 Hours
5:00 p.m. the day preceding 10:00 a.m. the day after
collection collection 41 Hours
11:59 p.m. the day 11:59 p.m. the day of
preceding collection collection 24 Hours
Containers collected from and returned to the storage area by the trash
company
Containers collected from and returned to the storage area by the trash
company
Cu
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RP v
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Pr
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Cit
y's Code Enforcement Division is responsible for responding to complaints regarding
trash containers in the City. When code enforcement staff receives a complaint about
trash containers being left out at the curb too long or not adequately stored when not in
use (trash containers must be substantially screened from view when not at the curb),
Staff will go to the site to verify the complaint and if verified, will send the property owner
a notice. The notice informs the resident of the hours trash containers can be placed at
the curb for pick-up and how the containers are to be stored when not out for pick-up.
Once a notice has been sent to the homeowner, code enforcement staff will do a follow
up inspection the following week. If the property is not in compliance, a second notice is
sent, as is a third notice if necessary. Following the third notice, administrative citations
are issued. Beginning in 2008, when the Ordinance allowing administrative penalties
was approved by the City Council, Code Enforcement staff has written only two
Administrative Citations to property owners for trash container violations as most
compliance occurs after receiving City notices.
SS2a-3
Trash Carts Placement and Pickup
September 17, 2013
Page 4 of 4
Trash Container Related Complaints
As of September 18
\ code enforcement staff had opened 53 code enforcement cases
thus far in 2013 related to trash container violations. Trash container violations are the
most frequently received complaints from residents. Approximately 75% of the trash
container complaints involve issues with trash containers being placed at the curb for
too long a time and 25% involve issues with how trash cans are being stored when not
at the curb. With regards to the complaints involving trash containers at the curb for too
long a time, all of them involve trash cans being left too long at the curb after collection
as opposed to too early before collection.
SS2a-4