4e - Section 7.01.040 Containers
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
T o: Board of Directors
Via: Scott Carroll, General Manager
From: Javier Ochiqui, Management Analyst
Date: October 15, 2013
Subject: Section 7.01.040 Containers
Summary
The District’s Operations Code Section 7.01.040 Containers – states, that, “…
c ontainers used for residential collection shall be those provided by the District through
its franchisee. Said containers shall be standardi zed to allow for fully and semi -
automated collection as determined and provided by the District … no person may use
any other type of container after the standardized containers are provided …(c) All
trash (as defined in this Code along with exclusions) must be placed inside the
container …” Therefore, based on our current contract agreement with CR&R, all
residents must use trash carts in order to receive trash collection services.
Staff Recommendation
That the Board of Directors provide staff with direc tion 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
On August 26, 2013, a Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) resident called CR&R
Customer Service, and info rmed them that their trash was missed. CR&R asked if
both trash containers were missed or if it was just one. The resident stated that she
has lived in this property for over 20 years, and has never had trash containers , and
that her trash bag that was lef t next to her neighbor’s containers was missed. CR&R
asked what happened to her trash containers. The resident stated that she did not
know. However, a ccording to CR&R’s inventory records, the address shows that they
have two 60 -gallon containers.
Board of Directors
October 15 , 201 3
Page 2 of 3
When CR&R told her that they would deliver new carts she refused, and stated that
she is disabled and cannot roll -out the containers herself, nor lift the lid. CR&R
suggested a container without a lid, and offered free “walk up service” (containers
would be pu lled out for the customer as a courtesy) and she declined, stating that she
has no room, and did not want trash containers. The resident also stated that she will
be fined by her homeowner association if she leaves her trash containers outside.
CMSD’s Co de Enforcement Officer visited the site and indicated that space was tight
since the resident has lots of plants on her property, including the main walk way
(Attachment 1). Even though we have been servicing her without containers, our
current agreement d oes not allow for special trash bag pick -up services. CR&R has
also indicated that they cannot continue to service this account via trash bags due to
safety reasons. CR&R has stated that if we do it for one individual that we would need
to do it for all an d that doing so will decrease efficiency.
Strategic Plan Element & Goal
This item complies the with objective and strategy of Strategic Element 2.0, Solid
Waste, which states:
“Objective: Our objective is to manage the collection and recycling of resi dential 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 applicabl e at this time.
Environmental Review
Collecting refuse in containers or collecting bags of trash as part of a regular trash
collection program is not a disturbance of the environment similar to grading or
construction and is not a project under CEQA or the District’s CEQA Guidelines.
Financial Review
If the Board decides to offer walk up bag services to all disabled CMSD customers,
CMSD will need to negotiate with CR&R on a rate, if any, that would be acceptable to
all parties. Therefore, the financial impact is unknown as this time.
Public Notice Process
Copies of this report are on file and will be included with the complete agenda packet
for the October 15, 2013 Board of Directors Study Session at District Headquarters
and posted on the District ’s website .
Board of Directors
October 15 , 201 3
Page 3 of 3
Attachments:
1. Pictures of the Property
Attachment 1