Mayor Dow's Message on Automated Garbage Service

May 6th, 2003

CITY OF MOBILE AUTOMATED GARBAGE SERVICE
By Mayor Michael C. Dow
(Delivered at a Public Hearing May 6, 2003)


Welcome. Thank you for coming this evening. We're here to provide you with information about our proposal to change the way garbage is collected in the City of Mobile and to answer your questions and concerns.

Some of your concerns may have been answered when you walked in this evening and saw examples of garbage containers that we are proposing to use. Did you get a chance to roll one? We'll talk more about containers and various sizes later.

Change is difficult. Change can be frightening. But many times, change is very, very good. This change we're talking about tonight is very, very good.

We want to make the way we collect garbage in the City of Mobile more efficient, more cost effective and more progressive. Today, we use three-man garbage crews?one driver and two men riding on the back of trucks. It is a dangerous, physically demanding job. The men have to jump off the back of the trucks at each house to pick up cans ? sometimes bags - and empty them into the back of the trucks. It is hard and dangerous work and involves inclement weather exposure.

Tonight we will show you how converting to automated garbage service will save the city $1.4 million, why it is more progressive and answer your questions.

First, we have a video where you'll see automated garbage service in action. The truck and container are not necessarily what we propose to use here, but they are good examples of what you can expect.


(VIDEO TAPE)


THE PROGRAM


(A) GOAL

What do you think? Can we make that kind of garbage collection a reality in Mobile? It's simple; it's clean; it's how at least 300 other cities in this country already collect garbage, and converting to this kind of service will save us $1.4 million annually.

(B) SAVINGS/LAYOFFS

Let me be "right up front" with you. The savings will come at an expense. During our two-year, phase-in program, 72 positions in our Public Works Department will be eliminated. We will no longer need men riding on the back of trucks. Does that mean we are firing these men? No. There may be layoffs these specific positions: Equipment Operator II's and Public Service Workers I's.

(C) CITY HELP

Through attrition within the city and in the county, we are working with the City/County Personnel Board to help these men find better jobs and better paying jobs where they can build careers. Seventeen (17) men who work in the Department have just received their CDL's and may become drivers. We offer these employees training classes through Bishop State Community College, and we urge them to attend. Again, we are doing our best to find better jobs for these men. Our goal is to keep everyone who is currently on the trucks employed.

(D) TRUCKS & CONTAINERS

We propose to buy a total of 18 trucks -- nine each year -- with our new automated service beginning October 1, 2003. The city is divided into routes on the North and South side. It is easiest to maintain this division. Who will get the service first? That's still to be decided.

What is the cost? Our first nine trucks will cost $1,035,000; our first order of 90 to 96-gallon carts will cost $1,485,000. Instead of buying upfront, we propose leasing both the trucks and carts.

What will we do with our old equipment? We will auction 15 trucks at $7,000 each?depending on the market. We will also retrofit three old trucks as semi-automated for backup on new trucks at a cost of $10,500.



THE SERVICE



(A) COLLECTION

Many of you have questions about how the service will work. We are still working out all the details, and we want to be flexible -- but not to the extent that we don't meet our goal, which is to provide high-tech, automated, more cost effective and efficient service.

(B) SCHEDULING

We plan one-day-per-week pickup rather than the current twice-per-week pickup. Twice-per-week pickup would require more trucks and fewer savings. The 90 to 96-gallon garbage carts that the city will provide should be big enough to hold a week's worth of garbage for most families. If not, residents may purchase a second cart at the city's cost.

We will phase in the new automated service, but we intend to continue using the same North-South schedule. We have had many questions about holidays and what happens if regular pickup falls on a holiday. We have made no rule on that yet; however, garbage service is a 4-day, 10-hour day operation, and that problem can be handled by working off-days to include Saturdays in sections of the city missed because of a holiday.

(C) SPECIAL NEEDS

As you saw in the Atrium, we propose to use 90 to 96-gallon carts with 10-12 inch wheels, making it easy to roll the container to your curb. But we know there are special needs in our community. Many people cannot handle the larger carts. We are working with a committee to determine what their special needs are and how best to provide for them. We are considering offering the two sizes of containers you saw this evening: a 90-96-gallon cart or a 60-65 gallon cart. Either cart is easy to maneuver.

(D) RULES

Rules for pickup time will be the same. Have your cart at the curb no later than 6:00 a.m. With the new cart, you will need to position it so that the wheels are away from the curb, and make sure it is not blocked by a parked car, mail box or telephone pole.

Garbage does not have to be bagged inside the cart; it can be loose. However, bagging garbage as you do now prevents leakage and keeps odors from seeping from the cart.

If your garbage cart is stolen or vandalized, the homeowner is responsible for paying for a replacement at the city's cost.



FAQ


This is an overview of our program. But there are many more frequently asked questions that people in other cities have raised when they implemented the program -- and questions that many of you have raised since we introduced our proposal. Some of these questions have already been answered in our program, but it's a good idea to go over them again:

• How do I obtain a garbage cart? The city provides the first cart at no cost.
  
  
• May I have more than one garbage cart? Yes, at the city's cost.
  
  
• Where do I place the cart for collection? At the curb?wheels turned away from street. Make sure nothing is blocking the can.
  
  
• Who is responsible for the garbage cart? The homeowner.
  
  
• How will you establish ownership of cart? Each cart will have a serial number.
  
  
• What should I do if I move? Call the city for pick-up.
  
  
• What can I put in my container? Garbage as you do now.
  
  
• Does garbage have to be in bags? No, but your cart will be cleaner longer.
  
  
• Can I have a smaller container (For example, a 60-65 gallon cart?) We are considering this request and are working with a committee to determine the needs of the elderly and special needs population.
  
  
• Will the routes change? No, the routes will stay the same.
  
  
• Will the city clean containers? No, homeowners will maintain their own carts.
  
  
• How do I report a stolen or vandalized cart? Call Public Works. A "hotline" number will be established when the program begins.
  
  
• What cannot be placed in a garbage cart? Hot ashes, engine blocks, bricks, cinder blocks.
  
  
• What happens if the container is overloaded? It will not be emptied.
  
  
• Holiday schedule? Possible make up on off-days.
  
  
• Any change in trash schedule? No.
  
  
• Any sanitation concerns with just one-day-per-week pick up? No.
  
  
• What can you do about odorous or pungent garbage? The same thing you do now. We suggest bagging and tying all garbage to prevent spills, leaks and smells.