City of Southside to take over garbage collection, starting in January
If you live in Southside, you should have gotten a new garbage can in recent days — the first step for residents in the city's plan to take over garbage collection service in the city.
Mayor Dana Snyder said quality of service was a big issue in the city's decision to take up garbage collection.
An increase for consumers was on its way, regardless of who collected refuse. The current contractor had made the decision not to renew, and the city was going to have to rebid the service, Snyder said. The cost estimate was $22 per household, from the current rate of $15.50.
Adding the customer complaints received in recent years to the increase in costs, the mayor said city leaders decided the essential service could be provided more efficiently by city employees.
Snyder said complaints about garbage pickup have been a constant for the last two years. She said when city officials contacted the contractor, they were told "we're in the garbage business," while the city was not, and that the contractor would handle the issues.
The manner in which those issues were addressed was enough to prompt city leaders to get into the garbage business for themselves.
"It has been horrendous," Snyder said. "We believe by doing it ourselves we can we can take care of it on a daily basis. We were going to get the complaints anyway."
With city personnel in charge, she expects a more timely response when there's a problem on a garbage route.
The price will increase — something Snyder reiterated was going to happen regardless of who handles the pickup. The council discussed what that rate will be during a recent work session, and she expects a decision on it in the next week or so. Residents should expect a rate of between $20 and $25 per month.
Each household in the city should have received one garbage container by Nov. 11, but residents should not begin using the new cans until Jan. 2. Because of a processing error, some residents may have received a garbage container with a City of St. Augustine emblem, rather than City of Southside. If you got a St. Augustine container, call Southside City Hall at 256-442-9770, ext. 119 to arrange a swap.
Residents who pay for additional garbage containers will receive them after each household has at least one can.
The automated trucks will run once a week, and will only pick up garbage in city-owned containers. Just as under the contract with Waste Management, every premises within the city where solid waste is created or accumulated must subscribe to and participate in the garbage collection and disposal.
Other garbage-related rules are:
City containers are to be used to dispose of household trash only; no concrete, bricks, dirt, scrap, metal, rocks or other heavy waste or demolition-type material. The container is never to exceed 200 pounds.
Containers will not be serviced with items protruding from the top; the lid must be closed.
The City of Southside will not service any extra trash placed beside cans, such as bags or boxes, etc.
Trash containers should be placed at the curbside on the date designated for pickup, at a point not more than 20 feet from any driveway, public alley or street right-of-way line, at a place conveniently accessible to collection crews. Containers should not be placed within five feet of a vehicle, mailbox or other obstruction.
Collection time will be between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. (it could be adjusted for inclement weather or holidays).
Any potentially threatening animals should be confined, or garbage receptacles should be placed where collectors can empty them without interaction with such animals.
Trash containers are to be put in position for collection within 24 hours of scheduled collection time and retrieved within 24 hours of collection. A fine will be imposed for non-compliance.
Garbage trucks will not be able to re-visit a residence if trash is not out on designated collection days, or if it is not in compliance with placement and content requirements. City trash collection trucks will be equipped with dashboard cameras to record misplacement or misuse of containers in event of a dispute
The city will provide more information and further instructions in December regarding garbage service.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: With rising complaints, garbage pickup costs, Southside takes over service
