TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Adam Lindsay, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Michael Gibson, Parks, Recreation and Maintenance Director
Sheila Thomas-Ambat, Public Services Director
DATE: October 2, 2023
RE:
Title
Litter and Illegal Dumping Management Process
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal 4 - The City of Fayetteville will be a highly desirable place to live, work and recreate.
Executive Summary:
The purpose of this report is to address and discuss the requests received by City Council regarding the concerns of right of way mowing, litter, and illegal dumping within the City of Fayetteville.
Request 1 - Council Member Jensen asked staff to define the litter problem.
Request 2 - Mayor Colvin asked staff to conduct research regarding litter, illegal dumping and mowing on our main corridors and high traffic areas, and respond to Council with options to enhance these services.
The primary responsibility for the overall appearance and cleanliness of our city lies with the people that live in and visit the City. The City supports these efforts by encouraging and, where necessary, correcting the uncleanliness and if possible holding those responsible accountable.
Litter and illegal dumping are ongoing issues addressed on a regular basis by the City of Fayetteville.
To define the litter problem, it is important to distinguish the City’s efforts to encourage and correct across three categories:
1. Thoroughfare Litter
2. Right of Way Violations/Illegal Dumping
3. Private Property Code Violations
There is a litter and illegal dumping management process that is currently being utilized by the City of Fayetteville. The current process is designed to remove litter & illegal dumping and improve the city's overall appearance. Parks & Recreation, Solid Waste, and Code Enforcement work collectively to ensure that the issues of litter and illegal dumping are addressed on a regular basis and in a timely manner.
Litter and illegal dumping continues to be an issue on the city’s main corridors and high traffic areas. Litter has been cited as a major issue by many residents and businesses in Fayetteville. Currently, litter crews collect more than two tons of litter each week from public areas and roadways.
Also, this most recent budget Council authorized additional RAPID or Solid Waste code enforcement resources that will enhance right of way/illegal dumping solid waste violation enforcement.
If enhanced services are desired to address the litter concerns on our main corridors and high traffic areas through January of 2024, an additional $185,000 will cover the litter crew expenses. This could be a pilot to see if it’s impact merits future funding consideration.
We do not recommend enhanced mowing during this same pilot as the growing season is winding down.
The attached power point covers how we respond to the three areas. It also shows the services the City provides from the street, gutter, curb, grass, to sidewalk. These services include Spraying, Street Sweeping, Edging, Litter, Rapid, Mowing, Pot Holes and Catch Basins.
We also show the corresponding ordinances that we use as guidelines for providing these services. We believe there is an opportunity to revise the language in these ordinances so that they better align with current practices. Any associated increase in services will necessitate additional costs and resources not currently budgeted.
Background:
The City of Fayetteville deploys several different services to collect waste, remove litter and illegal dumping, and maintain its overall cleanliness. Litter and illegal dumping has been an ongoing issue that is addressed on a regular basis by the City of Fayetteville. Parks & Recreation, Solid Waste, and Code Enforcement work together collectively to ensure that the issues of litter and illegal dumping are addressed on a regular basis and in a timely manner.
Parks & Recreations completes litter pick up in all of the major and minor thoroughfares and has a schedule that groups the major and minor thoroughfares within the city in a particular zone. Litter is collected in each zone on a biweekly basis.
The Solid Waste Knuckle Boom (KB) team collects curbside compliant piles of limbs and bulky waste every other week. In cases where items are not compliant, they are tagged by the KB crews, documented, and submitted to the RAPID (Removing and Preventing Illegal Dumping) team. RAPID follows a specific process that handles any litter and illegal dumping violations.
Code Enforcement handles litter and illegal dumping violations that occur on private properties. Code Enforcement works to protect residents and visitors in our city by enforcing codes and standards. Code Enforcement will issue notices to property owners/violators giving them time to gain compliance. Failure to comply will result in civil penalties and in some cases criminal charges.
Issues/Analysis:
N/A
Budget Impact:
$TBD.
Options:
City Council receives report
City Council receives report and provides additional guidance to staff
Recommended Action:
City Council receives report and provides additional guidance if needed.
Attachments:
PPT