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4e - Trash Services for Disabled Residents Protecting our community's health and the environment by providing solid waste and sewer collection services. www.cmsdca.gov Costa Mesa Sanitary District ….an Independent Special District Memorandum To: Board of Directors Via: Scott Carroll, General Manager From: Elizabeth Pham, Management Assistant Date: December 10, 2013 Subject: Trash Services for Disabled Residents Summary Residents of the Costa Mesa Sanitary District who are physically unable to take their garbage to the curb for collection may qualify for the Disability Collection Services. Staff is providing the Board with alternative methods to provide trash services to disabled residents who do not want and/or do not have room for a trash container. Staff Recommendation Staff recommends that the Board of Directors provide staff with direction on how to provide trash services to handicapped and/or disabled persons who do not want and/or do not have room for a trash container. Analysis CR&R currently provides roll out services as a courtesy to customers who request assistance. However, the District does not currently have a policy that specifically addresses trash services for disabled residents or those who choose not to have a trash container. In order to ensure equitable services for all residents, the District should implement a policy that addresses trash services for disabled residents. As a comparison, staff reviewed the special trash services that the Midway Sanitary District provides for their residents. At the Midway Sanitary District, the trash hauler will pick up the trash (inside their home) for them. They do not offer different size carts, or impose an additional fee for this service. There is no eligibility criterion. If a resident requires a special service, they request the service from the District and the Operations Supervisor will come out and examine if the resident requires special Board of Directors Study Session December 10, 2013 Page 2 of 3 services. This also allows him to evaluate the amount of trash that is being generated. The General Manager from Midway Sanitary District added that it is usually an older resident that requests special trash services and typically does not produce as much trash. They currently have 51 residents that require special services. The District should implement a similar program that the Midway Sanitary District offers. However, residents will be asked to complete a “Disability Collection Verification Form.” This form requires the resident to have a physician complete the “Physicians Statement” portion of the Verification Form. Once the form has been submitted, staff will schedule an onsite interview with the resident. After the onsite interview has been conducted, collection services will begin within two weeks. The resident will receive a confirmation call stating when service will begin. In addition, disabled residents may request an exemption not to have residential carts (trash bags as an alternative collection method). However, requests for exemptions must be made in writing and must be approved by the Board of Directors. Once an exemption request is made, staff will contact the resident and let them know the date of the Board meeting in which the matter will be heard. Residents are more than welcome to attend the Board meeting to plead their case. Otherwise, the Board will base their decision solely on the letter. Strategic Plan Element & Goal This item complies with the objective and strategy of Strategic Element 2.0, Solid Waste, which states: “Objective: Our objective is to manage the collection and recycling of residential trash in the most economical and environmentally friendly way.” “Strategy: We will do this by looking for ways to improve efficiencies, achieve high customer satisfaction, and considering prudent new recycling methods.” Legal Review Not applicable at this time but if the Board of Directors decide to implement a program for disabled and/or handicapped residents, an amendment to the current Agreement and a legal review must be made to include additional services. Environmental Review The manner in which a disabled resident’s trash is taken to the curbside and placed in the trash collection vehicle is not a disturbance of the environment directly or indirectly similar to grading or construction and is not a project under CEQA or the District’s CEQA Guidelines. Financial Review Staff is currently evaluating the financial impact of implementing trash services for disabled residents. If the Board of Directors decide to implement a program for disabled and/or handicapped residents, staff will need to consult with CR&R to Board of Directors Study Session December 10, 2013 Page 3 of 3 determine whether additional costs will be incurred. Therefore, the financial impact is unknown at this time. Public Notice Process Copies of this report are on file and will be included with the complete agenda packet for the December 10, 2013 Board of Directors Study Session meeting at District Headquarters and posted on the District’s website. Reviewed by: Javier Ochiqui Management Analyst Attachment: Disability Collection Verification Form DISABILITY VERIFICATION FORM TRASH COLLECTION SERVICES RESIDENT'S STATEMENT (To be completed by Resident requesting service) NAME: _____________________________________________________ ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________ In accordance with the following physician's verification, I am physically unable to transport my household refuse to the curb for collection. I further verify that there is no able-bodied person residing or working at my residence who is capable of transporting my refuse to the curb for collection. RESIDENT'S SIGNATURE: _________________________PHONE #: _____________ DATE: ____________ PHYSICIAN'S STATEMENT (To be completed by Attending Physician) It is my professional opinion that _______________________________________ is physically unable to transport his/her household refuse to the curb for collection. __________ It is my professional opinion that his/her disability is permanent. __________ It is my professional opinion that his/her disability is temporary. The temporary disability is anticipated to end _________________________. PHYSICIAN'S SIGNATURE: ________________________________________ PHONE #: __________ ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________ CITY: _________________________ STATE: ______ ZIP: _____________ LICENSE ID#: __________________________________ If you have any questions, please call (949) 645-8400. Please return the form to Costa Mesa Sanitary District, 628 W.19th Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627.