Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout(3)LANDFILL OPERATIONSCITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM: TO: Steve Fitzgibbons, City Manager FROM: Leslie E. McMahen, P.E., Director of Public Works DATE-' April 25, 2003 SUB3ECT: City of Port Arthur Landfill Operations In response to Council Member Gillam's requested report regarding the operation of the City landfill, [ am submitting the following information. A. Who May Use Landfill 1. Citizens of Port Arthur 2. Agents of property owners in the city 3. City's Solid Waste Division 4. Contractors doing work in the city 5. Private wholesale commercial haulers working inside and outside of the city and which have a disposal contract with the City (this is a recent category added to the Code of Ordinances). B. Authority/Limitations 1. Code of Ordinances Chapter 86 - Solid Waste 2. Tnformation on the Port Arthur Telephone Helpline web site and phone line 3. Port Arthur.net web site 4. Long-standing polities controlling flee loads The complete Code of Ordinances revisions done in 2000 and the development of the PATH and PA.net web sites have caused some minor discrepancies among the three sources regarding use of the landfill. These need to be addressed, as well as inserting up-to-date terminology related to Texas Commission on Environmental regulations. Apr/126, 2OO3 Some sections of the Code of Ordinances will need to be changed by City Council action, while the two web sites can be done administratively after Council action. C. Free Use of Landfill/Limitations 1. Governed by long standing policy that is set out, but poorly worded, in Section 2045 - Landfill of the PATH web site. 2. The policy is that Port Arthur residents may bring and dispose of one (1) - two (2) cubic yard load per month at no cost, upon presentation of a water account bill and driver's license. The waste is restricted to normal household garbage and trash as would be picked up at curbside by the City's collection crews. This keeps commercial haulers from using a water bill and driver's license to dispose of large volumes of material at no charge. 3. All subsequent loads of any nature brought to the landfill by dtizens must be paid for at the normal gate rate in effect at the time ($6.50/cy at this time). Host of our landfill complaints deal with the issue of free loads/not free loads. Some citizens feel that there should be unlimited free use of the landfill for Port Arthur citizens, and that the volume and type of material should not be restricted. The use of the landfill for disposal of material beyond that which is covered by the normal household garbage and trash solid waste fee is not a right, it is a privilege with a price to be paid. The cost of the landfill operation has to be supported by its users. D. Gate R~te Charges For All Non-wholesale Commercial Refuse Haulers 1. Compacted waste 2. Uncompacted waste 3. White goods (applicances, AC unitS, etc.) 4. Whole tires 5. Tree limbs 24" or less diameter 6. Tree limbs less than 24" diameter 7. Pull load off trailers or trucks $ 6.50/cubic yard $ 6.50/cubic yard $ 3.00/item $ 2.00/tire $1.00/cubic yard $ 6.50/cubic yard $ 2.00/load E. Gate R~3te Charges For Wholesale Commercial Refuse Haulers 1. Compacted waste less than 5,000 cubic yards 2. Compacted waste 5,000 to 10,000 cubic yards 3. Compacted waste more than 10,000 cubic yards $ 6.50/cubic yard $ 6.20/cubic yard $ 5.90/cubic yard 2 April 26, 2003 4. Non-compacted waste less than 5,000 cubic yards 5. Non-compacted waste 5,000 to 10,000 cubic yards 6. Non-compacted waste more than 10,000 cubic yards $ 6.50/cubic yard $ 5.50/cubic yard $ 4.50/cubic yard F. Measurement of Loads 1. Gate attendants have numerous standard diagrams that'allow them to quickly determine the volume of vehicles or trailers most commonly used to bdng material to the landfill. 2. Odd size loads are measured and calculated for volume, or counted as the case may be. We will immediately address the issue of revising Chapter 86 of the Code of Ordinances to reflect current terminology and operational policies and procedures, and prepare an amending ordinance for City Council approval. At the same time, we will begin drafting the necessary changes to the information contained in the PATH and PA. net web sites that will be reflective of the amending ordinance. Please advise if additional informaUon is needed.