09-03-02 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Personnel and Finance Committee September 3, 2002 Page 7 Solid Waste Division 2002 Revenue: $ 4,059,439 2003 Revenue: $ 4,061,439 Solid Waste Operating Fund 2002 Expenditures: $ 3,898,971 Fund # 610 2003 Expenditures: $ 3,656,551 Solid Waste Depreciation Fund 2002 Expenditures: $ 4,050,813 Fund # 611 2003 Expenditures: $ 3,808,393 Mr. John J. Dillon, Director of the Division of Environmental Services made the presentation. Mr. Dillon stated that last spring a pilot program took place in the Near Northwest Neighborhood involving 600 customers, or 1% of our customers. They utilized semi-automatic pick-up devices. They would like to work to see if they could become fully automatic. Mr. Dillon stated that the division has reduced its personnel by seven(7) employees. Mr. Dillon will be back in December to talk about purchasing state of the art equipment. They are looking at one-person trucks. Employees are still experiencing on-the-job injuries. They have had two(2) vehicle accidents this year,compared to fourteen(14)in 2001. He noted that their gasoline account is down $ 7,000 since fewer trucks are out, and their has been an overall 6% budget reduction. Dr. Varner inquired whether the specs for the bids have been written, and suggested challenging the union with innovative methods to deliver better service. He stated that the City must be competitive and raise the quality of our service. He stated that this question needs to be looked at before we go out to bid for new equipment. Dr. Varner inquired whether all the trash trucks have radios, and suggested that they use the radios when they see heavy equipment items out for pick-up. Mr. Dillon indicated that all trucks are equipped with radios,however noted that they have found that if someone puts a large item out and has not called for pickup, and if the City picks up that item, the person putting it out then demands reimbursement for the item Mr. Gilot added that this bureau has struggled with efficiency. He stated that they are committed to the"Clean City"theme, and may be trying a pilot program in the near future. Mr. Gilot stated that this program must be competitive with the private sector, and must be as efficient as the private sector. They will be evaluating all of the operations of this bureau closely. Council Member Kirsits inquired about whether the city is still considering getting the trash pick- up services out of the alleys and have pick-ups street side. Mr. Dillon stated that they have thought about it, however such neighborhoods as Keller Park have expressed concern if alley pick-up is eliminated. Mr. Dillon stated that the city picks up 400-450 extra pick-ups per week. It is costing the city$22 per refrigerator to remove the freon,which the city does not charge the customer. Mr. Gilot stated that he would like to have "experimentation as transparent as possible to the public"; and that they will be discussing options such as re-routing and will brainstorm since they know that this is an area that needs improvement.