To: Board of Supervisors
From: Solid Waste
Meeting Date: October 17, 2023
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Department Contact: |
Howard N. Dashiell |
Phone: |
707-463-4363 |
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Item Type: Consent Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: N/A |
Agenda Title:
title
Acceptance of Informational Update by Department of Transportation on Town of Mendocino Public Streetside Litter Containers; and Approval of Amendment to County Policy Number 14 “Encroachment Permits”, Adding Provisions for an Adopt-A-Can Program (Town of Mendocino and Hopland Areas)
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Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Accept informational update by Department of Transportation on Town of Mendocino public streetside litter containers; and approve amendment to County Policy Number 14 “Encroachment Permits”, adding provisions for an Adopt-A-Can Program (Town of Mendocino and Hopland Areas).
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Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
On November 25, 1986, the Board of Supervisors, by Minute Order, adopted Mendocino County Policy No. 14 “Street Closure”. By Resolution 98-006 (January 6, 1998), the Board rescinded the previous policy and adopted a new Policy No. 14. By Resolution 01-268 (December 4, 2001), the Board rescinded the previous policy and adopted a new Policy No. 14. On September 12, 2017, the Board, by Minute Order, rescinded the previous policy and adopted a new Policy No. 14 “Encroachment Permits”. On February 28, 2023, the Board directed staff to return with a consent item with a plan to remove the public trash receptacles in the Town of Mendocino and implement a stipend program for businesses to provide trash receptacles.
Summary of Request:
For several years now, the twenty-six public streetside litter containers in the Town of Mendocino have been plagued with problems, including attracting illegal household dumping and animal access causing trash to be spread on the sidewalk. On February 28, 2023, the Board of Supervisors held a discussion regarding the ongoing issues and directed staff to return with a plan to remove the containers. Following media coverage of the Board’s discussion, Department of Transportation (DOT) was contacted by numerous business owners and residents in the Town of Mendocino, pleading for the County to not remove the cans. At this point, DOT agrees the cans should not yet be removed and proposes to try some other interim solutions before removing the service altogether.
Shortly after the February meeting, DOT drafted and sent a letter (attached for reference) to property owners, residents and business owners in the Town of Mendocino informing them of the prohibition against disposing of residential or commercial waste in the street cans, and the possible ramifications of doing so. The letter also informed landlords of their legal requirement to provide waste receptacles for tenants and provided information on curbside hauling and transfer station services. In the months following the letter, DOT staff did three surveys of the cans on different days of the week and different times of day to gauge whether the current level of service is sufficient. On no occasion did staff find a single can overflowing, indicating the service level is adequate. The one issue noted was a small amount of fugitive litter, which may be caused by animals pulling it out of the cans.
One option to address the animal issue would be to replace the cans with new, animal resistant receptacles. This option would be quite costly, with cans ranging from $800 to $2,000 each, plus the cost of installation. A second option worth trying is an implementation of an “Adopt-a-Can” program, similar to the largely successful Adopt-a-Road program administered by DOT. The proposed program would allow volunteer residents or businesses to “adopt” a can to maintain, expecting them to check on the can at regular intervals and collect any fugitive litter. The can would continue to be serviced at the current frequency by Redwood Waste Solutions (RWS). In exchange for their service, the volunteer would be provided safety equipment and a plaque would be mounted on the receptacle thanking them for helping to keep the community clean and free of litter. DOT estimates this program would cost no more than $500 per year on an ongoing basis. DOT has drafted a proposed amendment to County Policy No. 14 “Encroachment Permits”, attached for the Board’s review and consideration, which would allow for the implementation of such a program. The program would also be available in the Hopland area where the County also maintains public streetside litter containers.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Do not approve amendment to County Policy Number 14 “Encroachment Permits”.
Does This Item Support the General Plan? Yes
Strategic Plan Priority Designation: A Safe and Healthy County
Supervisorial District: Districts 1 & 5
vote requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: N/A
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: BU 4510 |
budgeted in current f/y: No |
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current f/y cost: $500 |
if no, please describe: Not specifically budgeted; however, costs are so low that they likely can be funded through current budget allocations for safety supplies/office supplies in BU 4510. Budget adjustments can be requested at a later time if deemed necessary. |
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annual recurring cost: $500 |
revenue agreement: N/A |
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budget clarification: N/A |
Agreement/Resolution/Ordinance Approved by County Counsel: Yes
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CEO Liaison: Steve Dunnicliff, Deputy CEO |
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CEO Review: Yes |
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CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Atlas Pearson, Senior Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Approved |
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Date: October 17, 2023 |
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