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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSS3 - Residential Refuse Collection - CorrespondenceHIMAT MILLS (OMMUNITU NONTION Newport Beach City Council February 13, 2013 3300 Newport Blvd. Newport Beach, CA 92663 Dear Mayor Curry and Members of the City Council: Subject: Potential Outsourcing of Residential Trash Collection We understand that the City Council will be discussing this subject at the City Council Study Session February 26, 2013. The Board of the Newport Hills Community Association would like to provide the following input for your meeting. Newport Hills is a community of more than 500 homes, also known as the "Port Streets'. In the center of our community is Andersen Elementary School serving our multitudes of children, who play in the greenbelt, on our streets, and walk or ride their bikes to the community pool. Needless to say, child safety is our top concern. If our trash pickup were outsourced, the outside contractor's many additional trucks would create concern. Ranking right up there with child safety is our "Quality of Life ". A major element of our quality of life is the City's trash collection service which this community has enjoyed since its inception. It's probably the primary service that our residents, who may have no other contact with the City, enjoy. The efficient, convenient service which we receive along with the current recyclable achievement of 71% makes one wonder why the City would tinker with one of the highest rated services in our City. (92% approval). The City's on -line video of this efficient service demonstrates exceedingly well what we enjoy. While we recognize the City Council is being vigilant about City costs, there are areas which the Council has recognized as being desirably above the most economical solution, like our new Civic Center. Our method of trash collection and processing provides great convenience to our residents, and we feel it is a very important "Quality of Life" issue in Newport Beach. We respectfully request that our current in- house trash collection system be maintained. Sincerely, � ry Board of Directors, Newport Hills Community Association 1 rn rn w 0 1900 Port Carlow • Newport Beach, CA 92660 • (949) 721 -1929 tel • (949) 706 -3659 fax "RECEIVE►J�R AGENDA PRINTED:" Brown, Leilani 2- -2_(,P-1Z From: Denys Oberman [dho @obermanassociates.comj Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2013 6:11 PM To: gardnerncy @aol.com; Curry, Keith; mhenn527 @hotmail.com; Daigle, Leslie; edselich @adelphia.net; Petros, Tony; Hill, Rush; Kiff, Dave Cc: Brown, Leilani Subject: Comments re Outsource of Waste -Trash Collection Importance: High Sensitivity: Confidential Mayor and Council, We understand that the City is contemplating the outsourcing of Waste Collection. We recognize the City's desire to address the many economic and regulatory factors which the City needs to contend with. First, let me say that trash /waste collection in our neighborhood has been excellent. The consistency, and the care, exhibited by the operational staff has been unparalleled. Following are some of the considerations which we request be addressed in any outsource program: 1. Scheduling and responsiveness to fluctuating demand - -- particularly in the coastal area, there are fluctuating requirements Driven by holidays, high vacation seasons, and even weekends. Any program will need to consider these variations in demand, and be scheduled to as to respond. 2. Trash receptacles need to be of a size and dimension so as to afford property ingress and egress on small lots with narrow setbacks and narrow streets and alleys functioning as streets. Trash containers need to allow adequate passage with lots which currently barely offer fire clearance, 3 ft. walkway per lot. These characteristics are prevalent in Balboa Penninsula, Balboa Island, Lido Isle, West Newport, and Corona del Mar. 3. Issues associated with robotics: robotics,if used, need to be accompanied by adequate human function so as to manage overspill and other irregular characteristics which frequently accompany trash pickup and container replacement. 4. We concur that the outplacement and redeployment of appropriate city staff in a privatized environment would be a worthwhile objective. However, we would not expect that any private operator would have a cost structure including retirement benefits such as those currently provided by the city; and would not want to condition a contract on the commitment to hire city employees. 5. Lastly, in the event that an Outsource solution and provider are selected and engaged, we request a contractual framework that allows for annual review, and public participation in evaluation of cost - effectiveness so that de facto entitlement is not promulgated . Thank you for your consideration. Denys Oberman Regards, Denys H. Oberman, CEO P4®BERMAN OBERMAN Strategic Consulting & Transactions 2600 Michelson Drive, Suite 1700 Irvine, CA 92612 Tel (949) 476 -0790 Cell (949) 230 -5868 Fax (949) 752 -8935 Email: dho(cDobermanassociates.com CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The documents accompanying this transmission contain confidential information belonging to the sender which is legally privileged. The information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this telecopied information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify us immediately at 9491476.0790 or the electronic address above, to arrange for the return of the document(s) to us. Brown, Leilani From: bobpastore [bobpastorel @gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2013 11:20 AM To: Brown, Leilani Cc: City Clerk's Office Subject: FW: Cameo Community Association Tidelines Refuse Study and Survey Attachments: Cameo Trash Final draft.docx; Cameo Trash Survey_ Deadline January 18, 2013.pdf; Cameo Trash Survey Report - Complete.pdf Ms. Brown, The Board of Directors of the Cameo Community Association has directed me to forward to you a recent Refuse Study which appeared in Cameo's newsletter Tide lines, a survey form which was emailed to our membership and the results of that survey. The Board wishes for you to enter these documents into the official City Council record in the City's Refuse initiative. Thank you. Bob Pastore Cameo Communications Committee I IMPORTANTIII TRASH COLLECTION Change may be coming to the method Newport Beach uses to collect trash. For us here in Cameo we are, and have been, well- served by the current system. We put our refuse out on Thursdays - in cans, in plastic bags and in boxes - and our Newport Beach trash collectors go about their business putting our stuff in their hoppers and hauling it away. Sometimes stopping to chat. But if the City has its way, all that will change. In a nutshell the new paradigm will be this: Under the new system Cameo homeowners will be issued large trash containers, one for refuse and one for recyclables and quite possibly an additional container for green waste. On Thursdays, trucks with automatic lifting capability will lift the container and dump the trash in a hopper at the top of the truck. Everything must be in the containers and the lid must be closed. No plastic bags on the curb, no tree trimmings, no shipping boxes, etc. - everything must be in the containers or it remains at the curb. The containers are large, on wheels and capable of holding 49 or 96 gallons of trash. All of this, it is proposed, will be accomplished by a contractor. The present City employees will be terminated. So why is the City doing this? Ostensibly, to save money. However, what are the expected savings? How realistic are the stated savings? What will be done with any savings that are realized? Will the homeowners realize any savings from implementing an automated collection program that is provided by a contractor? For those that have the time and inclination, it's all in their report which is available on the City's website: Scroll down to page 26 for the Study. http:// newportbeach .granicus.com /MetaViewer.php ?view id =44 &clip _ id = 1662 &meta id= 130710 The current amount of $15.54 is what it costs City staff to provide the current unlimited manual collection service to approximately 26,500 residences. Our neighbors in Newport Coast have automated collection. The current cost is about $12.20 per house per month. However, if a resident needs more than the two cans, they can request a maximum of two additional cans at $1.14 per month, which the City pays for. As a result, the cost of trash collection moved to more than $14.48 per month for a many homes up there. There are some disadvantages to an automated collection system when compared to what we currently enjoy with an unlimited manual collection. With an automated system, it will either be a co- mingle system such as what we currently enjoy or a two or three can system for trash, recyclables, and green waste. One thing negative about automation is that it limits the amount of trash a resident can put out for collection. If it does not fit in the can with the lid closed, it does not get collected. Not all of the City is open to automation. It won't work in the alleys of CdM, Balboa Island or Balboa Peninsula. Only areas such as Cameo will be designated automation areas. It is rumored that the Port Streets will be the first to get it. Cameo would not be far behind. Recycling Presently, Cameo homeowners are not responsible for recycling. Recycling is accomplished at the Trash Transfer Station prior to the remaining refuse being transported to the landfill. We are billed for this service on our bi- monthly water bill (which also includes sewer charges). Technically, the City is prohibited from charging for trash collection per the City Charter. If the City is able to get a contracted trash collection system in place, the idea is to have a three can system. As a result, the City may be able to charge residents more for recycling fees and that is addressed in the Refuse Study. New Automated Trucks There is also the issue of new equipment. The Department Director, Mark Harmon, spoke to this subject at the November 27th City Council meeting. He offered that City staff will not be operating automated trash trucks. City Manager Dave Kiff offered that the decision to purchase any trash trucks is dependent on whether the City wants to implement an automated collection system with a contractor or keep the current co- mingle manual system in place with City staff. Automation has a steep investment for starting up. While the automatic equipment is costly, it would also require a substantial investment in containers. If automation is implemented, it will be carried out by a contractor. Mr. Harmon presented an interesting point of view at the meeting. He stated that this should be carried out by a contractor so the City could avoid the cost of purchasing automated collection trucks and the accompanying containers. Council member Henn and Mayor Gardner were in agreement with Director Harmon that it is costly to purchase new refuse collection vehicles since they are required by AQMD to be an alternative fuel type, in this case CNG (compressed natural gas). Councilmember Henn stated that if they were to contract out trash collection, the money in the Vehicle Replacement Reserve could be spent on other items (he did not define "other items "). Current estimates of money in that fund is $5 million dollars. Without the burden of purchasing new equipment, where will that money go? Sim Fitzpatrick, a member of the Costa Mesa Sanitation Board spoke at the council meeting. He was supportive of the Request for Proposal (RFP) to get a market price for a service to be provided to Newport Beach. He lives in Santa Ana Heights that was annexed by Newport and is not very happy with the service and the cost. The Study stated that the cost for automated service in Costa Mesa is $16.00. However, he pointed out that that is incorrect. He stated that the residents are charged $19.00 per month for service. That makes an incredible difference in cost when multiplied out over the number of home collected per month times 12 months. Report to the Cameo Community Association Board of Directors Submitted by: Cameo Communications Committee Contact: info(.acameohoa.or Date: January 22, 2013 The Cameo Community Association Communications Committee began an investigation Into the City of Newport Beach's study to replace the current manual trash service collection with automated collection outsourced to a vendor. The Committee prepared a report and included a survey to acquire the wants and needs of Cameo residents. The report was the sole subject of a special edition of the Cameo member newsletter — 77delines - in early January. The full T/delines report is available here: htto: / /www.cameohoa.oro /documents /cca /tidel i nes /tideli nes l30 itrash. odf Homes /email addresses The Cameo Community Association includes both Cameo Highlands and Cameo Shores and Is comprised of 316 homes with 310 owners. The report/survey was sent electronically to the 253 owners for which we have email addresses, which represents 82 %. Email list/ respondents Of the 253 for which we have email addresses on file, 146 responded to the survey (58 %). Survey Format Surveys are conducted using Google Drive (an application within Google's Internet Browser — Chrome) which allows for a construction of a survey form and then supplies a link to the form that can be imbedded In an email. Respondents to the survey have their questions /comments automatically memorialized in an Excel -type spreadsheet. The Google spreadsheet allows for generation of charts. The following charts bring into focus the results of the survey. There were 146 respondents to the survey — not all may have answered the survey question. That number was too small to pay any attention to. Survey Responses To the survey question: I prefer the current system of refuse collection: Of the 146 respondents: 135 preferred the current service of manual collection by City employees (93.1°/x). 10 did not (6.9 %) 318113 Cameo Trash Survey. Deadline January 18, 2013 Came® Trash Survey: Deadline January 13, 2013 This survey is going out to the Cameo residents for which we have email addresses, approximately 85% of Cameo. I prefer the current system of refuse collection: t}il Yes ha No I prefer the proposed automated refuse collection system: (—d Yes fD No I prefer the present recycle system (City does recycling): Yes No prefer the City's proposed system (homeowner does recycling): Yes r No Under the new system, for trash I would need: 1 Trash Bin 2 Trash Bins More than 2 Under the new system, for recyclable materials I would need: 1 Recycle Bin v, 2 Recycle Bins More than 2 Recycle Bins Under the new system, for green waste I would need: 1 Green Waste Bin °.: 2 Green Waste Bins More than 2 Green Waste Bins I am willing to pay for the present trash collection system: Mips: /Idms.google.conVspreadshe tl\ iewform? formkey= dGpOaVQtXOpibmdfVGIYZHZEbDY5dEE6MQ 112 31 &13 Cameo Trash Suney. Deadline January 18, 2013 Yes No What do you like about the current collection system? What do you NOT like about the current collection system? Additional Comments Submit. j Powered by Gooale Dogs Report Abuse - Terrrs of Service - Additional Terms i https:!/ does. google. conJspreadsheeVdewform? formley= dGpOaVQ tXOpibmdfVGIYZHZEbDY5dEE6MQ 2/2 To the survey question: I prefer the present recycle system (City does recycling): Prefer Present Recycle System Of the 146 Respondents: 126 Preferred the current system of recycling ■ - accomplished by the City of Newport Beach and paid for by residents (89.4 %) 15 did not (10.60/o) To the survey question: Under the new system, for trash I would need: Number of Trash Bins Required Number of S1 Of the 146 respondents: 29 would need 1 trash bin 54 would need two trash bins 54 would need more than two trash bins To the survey question: Under the new system, for recyclable materials I would need: Of the 146 respondents: 87 would need one recycle bin 31 would need two recycle bins 17 would need more than two recycle bins To the survey question: Under the new system, for green waste I would need: Of the 146 respondents 90 would need one green waste bin 26 would need two green waste bins 18 would need more than two green waste bins Comment on the number of bins: Although alluded to in the original report, the larger City supplied bins will probably hold more than the present standard 35 gallon trash cans most homeowners utilize. In the report we used the figures of 49 to 96 gallons of trash in a replacement bin. At the time of this writing, it is not clear which the City proposes to issue. We can revisit this segment later. To the survey question: I am willing to pay for the present trash collection system: Of the 146 respondents: 116 would pay extra for the current manual collection service (83.5 %) 23 would not (16.5 %) Costs of City trash service is stipulated by Newport Beach City Ordinance to be paid for by the ad valorem tax which is part of the Orange County Property Tax. To shift any costs to the homeowner would require, at a minimum, an ordinance change. From a City perspective, Cameo represents the standard single family home community of which there are many in Newport Beach, e.g., Irvine Terrace, Port Streets, Harbor View Hills, etc. Survey Comments: In the survey we also asked for comment input. The questions asked were: What do you like about the current collection system? What do you NOT like about the current collection system? Additional Comments Those comments are included in the following pages. What do you like about the current collection system? What do you NOT like about the current collection system? Additional Comments Courteous English speaking men. Long term professionals that know, live in, and care about our community. Go out of their way to pick up trash, clean up afterwards, and even help each other out. They even come to our community clean -up events on their own time.... with their families. There is NOTHING NOT to like. It's exceptional. I am not required to keep my hash to a minimum. We do our own gardening and trimming and often have the need for multiple trash bags for our refuse. Our trash people are great at allowing us toss in odds and ends when cleaning our garage or house. We come to the curb to help load the trash if we feel we are taking advantage of their willingness to pick up lots of trash (especially at the holidays!) The men are always kind and very helpful. Our daughter lives in RSM and we often talk about how'lucky' we are to have the service we enjoy compared to their very careless trash trucks. Stay off the streets when parking a car or when letting your kids play 'out front' on trash day!!! What's not to like! options, esp. with mailing boxes I would like a separate can for recyling I have owned homes in other cities with the contract trash collectors and they are not anywhere near as good as the Newport Beach system. In addition, it is a real pain to try to separate the trash into different bins. We have a trash compactor as do many homes and it just makes more sense to compact everything. I like it. The items I like about the existing system is it's flexibility, and personal service by someone who cares about the community The personal relationship with the worker, who is always so helpful to us. Friendly and helpful crew. The ability to dispose of odd shaped items. Lack of personal relationship. I fully understand the employees situation but Newport is way behind the curve when it comes to trash collection. The trucks are small. the labor is all manual and it does not make sense for a city to do this work. It should be handled by people that do this work. The investment in the equipment and trash cans should be borne by the new Trash Company. They should offer jobs to the current city employees. We should stop spending hundreds of millions of dollars on city buildings and growing our city work force. It is time to contract it out with long term pricing. This is a difficult decision, but I feel the old way is best....especially if not all in the I like that we have city employees available in case of an emergency.... community are benefiting . from having the new system, i.e. those w narrow alleys, it does not appear that the private companies will furnish someone to streets, etc. go out and fix broken sewer lines, etc. I vote NO on any proposed change to outsource our trash service. These are the same guys who helped us with the cameo hash pickup. Lets support them. We personally can deal with whatever the city decides. The elderly may not be able to handle the large cans, and the recycling.... and the cost appears to be ok for now, but will sky rocket when and if we need to replace our trucks. etc. So to us, cost is not a factor. We have an unusual problem in that our trash is in our garage and our garage is on the street below us. I doubt that an automated system would pick up our trash down on Orringlon because all the other trash bins are on the other side of the street. We would have to ask a neighbor to let us put our bins in front of their house or somehow drag our trash through the house and out the front to Fairfield. The current collection system allows us to put the bins in the street in front of our garage and they are picked up. Automation allows no flexibility. THE PRESENT SYSTEM IS EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE. Friendliness of the staff throughout the years. Very personable services. Not having to separate all trash types. Segregating all the waste is being done by experts', not by me. I can use fewer waste bins this way. All refuse can be put out together. I would have to provide much more space in my garage for TWICE as many bins -- Plus some weeks I would need at least 2 green waste bins- -Maybe 3 Home owner Cameo Highlands Almost. everythig. There is no space to house any of those large trash bins None Some neighbors put out plastic bags one day early and crows and other animals tear them and spread trash around. Only cans with lids should be allowed. Current trash system works just fine As was stated in your comments, these men are like friends. They have been a great help over the years, always friendly, willing to go the extra mile. Always smiling and gracious. This says a lot. It certainly adds to the atmosphere of our communities for what it's worth. Realizing that everything eventually must be automated sadly, I hope this won't happen any time soon. The current system is just fine! Efficiency and help from qualified workmen. The human factor and the nice, intelligent and personable people. nothing! I like everything about the cunent collection system. I have varying amounts and sizes of trash and green waste and want the convenience of using bags, boxes and my own containers. The workers are helpful, friendly and it's great to have the city do the recycling. Pis keep the jobs in Newport and have the city workers available for emergency responses if needed. I have experience with automated collection in Laguna Beach. Cans are heavy and difficult to move. Often other people and gardeners have disposed their green waste and trash in my cans. So. I highly recommend that we keep the current collection system. Please maintain status quo. Willing to pay a small bit increase in fees if necessary. Space is an issue for any of those horrible big bins that other communities have None Keep the current system. My husband and I have lived in Carneo Highlands in Corona. del Mar for more that 25 years and have been happy with the current collection system. In the infrequent times that we have a lot of green plant materials, we are able to put the debris into black plastic trash bags and they are picked up, which works very well for our community for those of us who do not have gardener who take things to the dump. That we don't separate the newspapers from the trash. That Cameo residents don't participate with local individuals in our community who are collecting recyclables for very good causes in our community that fulfilling real needs. See my additional comments and suggestions below for how we might do this. Your survey did not allow for other possibilities, so I don't think you will get a true picture of how people really would like their trash handled. If there were to be an automated system where the homeowner does the separation for recycling, when it comes to one bin for GREEN , I found it impossible to state how many I would need ... because sometimes we have a lot of green plant materials ... but not every week, so I would hate to have to pay for extra bins each month when I might need more bins only every could of months, certainly not every week! AND putting out trash bags have worked well for us and our neighbors and I think bags are best for plant. materials, FYI: We recycle our newspapers by giving them to a person who utilizes them for compost material. And we recycle our cans & bottles separately by giving them to a local real estate agent who is collecting them to provide dogs for the blind and for bullet -proof vests for police dogs (including in Newport Beach). And we have been recycling useful household items that are either sold or passed on to people in need ... and items for items for animals as well as useful items for animal rescue shelters are being recycled as well. WHENEVER I CALL THESE ARE PICKED UP FROM OUR HOUSE. BECAUSE SO MANY CANS & BOTTLED ARE NEEDED TO PAY FOR ONE $1000 POLICE DOG VEST, AND BECAUSE I BELIEVE THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WHO MIGHT HAVE ITEMS FOR ANIMALS THEY NO LONGER USE, AS WELL AS OTHER USEFUL HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT IF ALL THE RESIDENTS IN CAMEO COME UP WITH A COORDINATED EFFORT TO ESTABLISH ANOTHER DAY OTHER THAN A THURSDAY TO PUT OUT ON THE CURB RECYCLABLES IN BLACK TRASH PLASTIC BAGS (other than newspapers) TO BE In the infrequent limes that we have a lot of green plant materials, we are able to put the debris into black plastic trash bags and they are picked up, which works very well for our community for those of us who do not have gardeners who take things to the dump. That we don't separate the newspapers from the trash. That Cameo residents don't participate with local individuals in our community who are collecting recyclables for very good causes in our community that fulfilling real needs. See my additional comments and suggestions below for how we might do this. Very helpful and personable trash collectors. Always on time, neat and tidy Nothing- all is good Easy, no separation. It works, the collectors are flexible in what they take and we don't waste a lot of time doing the recycling ourselves. It is very easy to deal with and they will pick up items that won't fit in trash cans. Nothingx The collecters are courteous, fast and do not leave small trash pieces on the street.They take it all. No need to separate the waste More user friendly and more lenient that the city does the recycling It gives us a choice as to recycle on our own or through the City. It is dependable and convenient. I've lived in Cameo for 25 yeas and have never had any problems. Thank you for your service. First 1 like our collector. He is friendly and helpful. We personally have very little need for the larger trash bins that the new systems require. They are heavier and more difficult to manage. We have a lot of people in this community that are in their late 70's and BO's that will find the bins very difficult to maneuver. And finally, the system works great! I have never in the 15 years of living in Cameo had to contact the city or anyone else regarding the trash. Don't try and fix what isn't broken. Pave our streets instead] Nothing everything is fine Nothing See above PICKED UP.N I WOULD 13E HAPPY TO SPEAK TO ANYONE FROM THE CAMEO BOARD ABOUT THIS... AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO RECEIVE PHONE CALLS FROM RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO HAVE ITEMS PICKED. UP. We currently do not have a place for large trash bins especially anything with wheels I am very much against a system where we do not have a service doing the recycling for us. I understand it makes some people feel like they are doing "more ". Those people are always welcome to do "more ". Just don't make me do it when we have a system that works great and results in a large amount of material recycled, we do not have room for the much larger trash bins and I don't think they would look attractive outside my fence out front, my son has these bins and every week he has left over boxes and trash. Regarding last question... we already pay for the recycling! Would like keep the current systein Well managed and worry -free. Lack of recycling system at homeowners' level. with recycling by homeowners added. The convenience! The employees are very good and efficient[ I like my bash cans! The system works! What's nut to like about a system that makes life easier for the homeowner. We appreciate the recycle service. Nothingl They take a erything. Drivers are great! I love being able to put anything out on the curb to be removed. It is very handy when moving or during Christmas to not have a limit to the number of boxes, etc. The trash men are friendly and efficient. I have lived in an area with automated trash collection and it was very noisy because three different (one for trash, one for recycling, and one for green waste) must come by each trash day. In addition to the noise from increased truck traffic, the automated truck are bigger and the automated features are very loud. I think it is wonderful! We have lived in this community a very, very long time. Almost never - ever - has our trash system disappointed us! On time, on the right day, truck drivers are friendly, courteous, and very helpful. We SO appreciate this! If more recycling by each homeowner would improve trash disposal, I would be totally willing to do that - but I don't want those enormous containers[ Although the report does not specify actual size of containers proposed for the new system, I know they are huge, cumbersome, and with trash inside, could be very heavy. This alone will be incredibly inconvenient for many homeowners. Storage of these containers is another issue. Will they ft through the designated "trash areas" in many of our homes? Through the gates and sideyards. etc.? Sounds expensive, too. Actually, I wouldn't mind paying more for the current service, because of its convenience. All of the items listed in the previous letter reveals lust how homeowner - friendly the current system is. With a more through( review of the costs, including those not lilsted but are "intangibles" I think the city should remain with our present system as it is. NOTHING!! Simple, easy, not possible to make a mistake...... Convenience Its convenience, reliability, and the friendliness and helpfulness of the people, as well as the Flexiblity to do the common sense thing rather than abide strictly by the rules. service, service, and service. Sorters at the recycling center know what can be recycled and what can't better that the average citizen, Nothing, I like everything: about it. Friendly and professional local personnel that do an excellent job. No amount of savings is worth replacing them. If needed. We would be willing to pay extra to keep the system we have. "IF IT WORKS, DON'T FIX IT!!!" New is not always better. Investigate the numbers thoroughly, and even if this proposed "new" systems seems more cost effective, it is NOT more convenient. Again, I would pay more for the current system it necessary. Everything Everything trash cans are smaller than bins used for collection, and are much easier for older people to move and store in many sideyards. Nlce guys!!! It's convenient, straight - forward, and easy. Our household is very pleased with how the trash collection system currently works. Nothing Everything nothing lack of good recycling!!! There is nothing we dislike about the current system. We think its ideal. They pick up all kinds of trash, we are not restricted with what we can put out. The trash does not need . to be in the container all the time. The city workers are really nice and helpful and I like the fact that they are emergency trained. Nothing The garbage really gets recycled as opposed to letting people do it themselves and the job sometimes does not get done properly. Most people in NB don't mind paying a little more for the convenience of not having to recycle themselves.... I like it ..... the garbage collection people are very reliable. They collectjust about anything that's put out, as long as it's reasonable. On time, neat, friendly. I don't have to separate and recycle things. Never have a problem. Resident friendly low reliable cost Keeps neighborhood well maintained It employees people. It works well. Flexible in trash collection. We have excellent conscientious trash collectors who do a great job. They are friendly and accommodating and we appreciate them! I don't want them to lose their jobs and the extra time required to separate out garbage and additional cost for extra cans outweighs the benefits of an automated system. This is a city problem I think. We need one day or two a year,for Collection of large or awkward items that trash cannot pick up. Not sure that current recycling does as good a job as the automated system. This new proposal is ridiculous. It is like all the other schemes to automate thatjust shift the burden on the user under the guise of efficiency, and maybe saving money for the city. Who is getting a pay off? All this does is to make more work for the homeowner separating out the trash and what are we supposed to do with extra trash that doesn't fit in the containers, pay someone to take it to the dump? Plus I don't know if we have room for the larger trash containers We had the other system when we lived in Irvine and it worked great!!! I do not think it is worth the small amount of savings it any, putting people out of work and going to a system most homeowners will not like. Please leave the current system as is .... don't screw with something that works.... charge more per household if that is necessary. Maybe they shouldn't have built the new city hall. That could have saved lots of money. There is nothing I don't like about it. Simplicity. Able to put out all trash not only a designated amount. Cleaner yards If it would be easier for the collectors, I would pay to buy bins supplied since no one has to store trash until special trash days. by the city so they would be a uniform shape and size. that additional boxes, bags, xmas trees, etc... will also get picked up If it not broken, don't fix itH I currently have 4 to 5 trash cans to handle waste and I think the city employees being trained for disasters and CPR is an added incentive to keep the currenty I dislike the possiblity of paying more to handle the amount of waste system. and recyclables. It is very easy for homeowner Nothing. we like it We really love our current collection system. We really appreciate that the city recycles our trash for us. How beautiful and convenient our system is. Why would we want to change to a private hauler who cannot duplicate what we receive from the city. Please reconsider changing. Nothing Reliability. Great trash collectors. Willingness to cheerfully collect almost everything. As residents for over 50 years we have been and are extremely satisfied with the present system. The outline of benefits is not significant enough for change in my opinion. Putting out 3 barrels when only one is needed is a direct weekly inconvenience to us. We strongly urge you not to change, Nothing I think our current system is outstanding,. and I am willing to pay an increased cost to maintain this current level of service. We live in special town, and I think we should keep our level of services personal. I appreciate being able to put out a little bit of trash some weeks, and other weeks, after much gardening or having a party. put out a lot of trash. I think it adds to a sense of community and neighborhood that we are able to I think our current collection service is excellent, and I would like it to know and talk to our city employed helpers /trash collectors. continue as is. - Personal service - Allows for the occassional unusual trash load in volume or size /shape. - Avoids having to separate garbage at home into different bins. As I said above, if it helps the collectors. I would pay to buy trash receplicals that are uniform in size and shape. I have had the automated service in a different city + did not like it because of the limitations of what they will lake. We would happily pay more for keeping our collection with the city. This is not a good place to cut corners. Have you spoken to people who have private haulers? The answers they give should give you pause. Not happy!!' Many people in Cameo have constructed special garbage areas with walls that are lower than the height of these new trash cans being considered. I have. It would be an eyesore to see tall cans poking out of many of these trash areas. I am opposed to the proposed can size and the amount of cans that this new refuse collection program would dictate. That I can get rid of endless bays in addition to the cans and any other rubbish to big for the cans. The collector one told me, that if you put it out we take it. Whealy bins will put an to this. Besides the only place large enough for big containers would be the garage, do you want you trash cans in the garage? We are to old to heft three large cans down a step every week. would fall and get buried under the can. Nothing I have written the city manager in the past about our present trash disposal system. I have worked with many trash contractors and don't like their attitude and procedures. Our city employed people are very friendly and in many cases very helpful to us. For the current service we receive I would be willing to pay more. I am a Rolarian and our motto is SERVICE ABOVE SELF and that is now what we currently receive and (hat should not change. It is easy! The employees have been very efficient. They need their jobs. I would rather not recycle my trash. Nothing Don'! change!!!! The survey and the Tidelines article is too biased. It is my opinion that you would have more credibility and be more persuasive if you just state your position. "You prefer the current system ". Then detail why. I did not answer the first two questions because, I don't know, was not a choice, The current recycling system is less effective and efficient than the proposed. Other than that I am indifferent. I do appreciate the effort you put int to bring the issue to our attention. They take just about anything. I put my bins out and that is it. No sorting, no confusion, no problems ever with collection. It is very convenient and clean. City drivers are always appropriately dressed, they drive safely, they are considerate, conversational and helpful when needed. A few times they have returned to my home after I neglected to put trash out. Also, it is always beneficial to know others can perform CPR, emergency response, and FEMA response activites. I am limited to 35 gallon cans. Prior to Cameo I lived in two cities that had the automated system. It worked just fine. If there was "extra trash" you could call the contractor and they would make a special trip, up to two a year, to remove oversize items. I was shocked when I moved hereto find that Newport homeowners did not recycle, and it was left up to the city. If you run out of room in your can, you can usually find room in a neighbor's can! Start up costs and future maintenance are huge. If contracted who would do it. Would the job be put out for the bid or is it some government "buddy "? Are the contractor prices guaranteed or are they negotiable? What is the City not telling us about this new system? There is always something else or some unforseen costs. As always with a government "savings" program, I want to know what are the true numbers and specifically where savings will be directed for now and in the future. (Government seem to change this "in the futrue" to benefit the project or cause of the time.) It does not seem like they have really done the spreadsheets: very unbusinesslike. No real world business makes financial decisions this way. IS THIS ANOTHER CITY HALL WASTE AND FIASCO ? ? ?? Current system is knownM Why change something that works so well ? ? ? ? ?? I like using black trash bags for waste. I do not like trash cans have never used them and do not want to start now. I am one person I do not have enough stuff each week to fill a trash can. So if 1 have one item in the green bin then I either leave it there until the bin is full which could take months and smell or haul all of the bins out each week. I do not have space for all those bins. I keep my trash in the garage until Thur morning. If you force me to use those bins, I will leave them out on the street all the time. and take the trash out and put it in them. Nothing it is ok just the way it is Everything is great and the personnel is good! It works just fine It works, I like that there is not a limit on the amount of trash collected each week. My parents live in an area of Los Angeles that has the automated system and they are constantly juggling which trash gels put out and what can wait tit the next week when their bins are not as full. It can also be confusing regarding hat is actually recyclable and what isn't. Convenience, jobs for collectors & recyclers It is simple. The flexibility and special training the crew has. Nothing I dislike about it. We love the willingness of our trash men to pick up just about anything we put on the curb! We will always 'help' load our stuff when we think we are excessive in our waste disposal. Our drivers are always helpful and courteous; we would hate to have to have the big trucks that our daughter has in RSM. Their trash trucks are careless and we avoid parking anywhere on the sheet on their trash days. Not a thing. they take other items that don't fit I am answering for Mrs. Britton 4600 Cortland Dr. Corona del Mar, CA 92625 I like the customer service. I like that I can put out just about anything for them to collect. If I have extra trash that doesn't fit in my current bins, I like that I can put trash bags out. I'm not required to store extra bins like the bins required in the proposed automated system. I wish we had a better recycling program. It is easy; we can put out whatever we want . I like the idea of city employees. It is inefficient when it comes to recycling, I carefully separate newspapers, paper waste, glass bottles and I put wet garbage (food, etc) in closed plastic bags. Then it all gets mixed together and I doubt that more than 50% is recycled, if that much. Plastic bags go to Gelsons and plastic bottles for vests for police dogs.) like very much having separate containers for recycling. I dont think we should worry about a few dollars more or less: it it costs more to separate and if it helps the environment. so be it. .Almost anything can be hauled. Keeps junk from acccumulating on the premises for 1 -800 Junk people in the future. - Drivers are helpful and courteous. I am satisfied with the present system. The current employees are retired military men. They will be jobless with the new system and they are skilled and very important to emergency situation. Their customer service is also appreciated. In addition, asking individuals to sort recycling opens up to many errors and inefficiency in the end. nothing. Current system is great and the best in the country. I take pride in our trash collection system. With the proposed automated system, I don't know where I would store all the bins. They won't all fit in my garage. which means the other bins will have to be stored outside and will attract rodents, larger animals, and bugs. I don't want the current City employees to lose their jobs. I did not know that the trash collection employees are trained to be disaster service workers. In my opinion, this is the most compelling reason NOT to get rid of our current system. Just like we individually all need to prepare for a disaster, our city needs to be prepared. By outsourcing our trash collection and losing these very important City jobs, our city would be missing a vital resource in a time of need. Sooner or later, we will have to switch to trucks with automatic arms. Jobs such as garbage collector are becoming obsolete and rightly so; who will replace those who retire? I do not like the idea of outsourcing public services. I wish the city could provide the new trucks with the arms and the new fuel and the bins for effective recycling. Is it really too expensive for us to do iU Good luck with your decision. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to respond. Adding 'special pickups' far items which don't fit in bins, whether trash or green waste, would make the automated system more attractive. Certainly have an annual max on such pickups. i don't have to recycling Ease of use. Getting the added customer service I expect from the City of Newport Beach It suits our needs tine I don't like to be restricted in size /amount of trash. We oftentimes have odd sized trash pieces (like boxes, bags, etc). I do not want to have to worry about recycle separation. I also enjoy the friendly, helpful, neighborly relationship we have had through the years with our trash collectors. They should not lose their jobs over an automated, somewhat limiting service. Don't get me started on the waste our city has in other areas. This service and its employees should not suffer. Keep it the way it is. It still works. It ain't broken. Don't try to fix it. I love the current trash system. The guys are so nice and they really go out of their way to be helpful. it would be pretty easy to recycle It's like any other town. Does meet the customer service levels I'd like to have in this community. I think the current system is great. I would hate an automated system. if we recycle trsh pick up should be cheaper I like the present staff. They are professional, friendly and helpful. We use black plastic bags because we do not have sufficient space for large containers. Our trash contents vary during the year. Though we separate our 'trash, by using bags, we are not limited by the size of a container. We just set out our two Christmas trees this week and there is never any concern that such oversized items will not be picked up. Nothing. I think City employees are the best choice for this valued maintenance work, using our current system of bags or containers. I had the privilege of helping fund and then viewing a wonderful documentary titled " Trash Dance ", about the municipal hash and street sweeping services in Austin Texas. The choreographed performance that was the product of months of work by a choreographer and the volunteer - trash maintenance crews was a huge success, watched by thousands of residents. The performance was so popular the performance was restaged the following year. Adults and children were entertained and educated by the performance through the choreographer' ability to demonstrate the various skills required to operate the machinery safely and effectively. The audience was able to talk with the performers (city trash collectors) and see the various trucks and cranes up close. The performances created a wonderful vehicle for community building by allowing the citizens to meet the workers and see them in a different context: people who's contributions to the community and quality of life are put on "center stage" and appreciated in a public venue. In this era of outsourcing, I hope the decision makers will seriously consider our wishes that our current system and employees are appropriate for our community. It is important to have positive relationships with the people who provide these vital services, and as has been noted, provide services beyond what most residents understand are part of their job description. In comparing costs for a contracted automated service and our current service, 1 hope the decision makers will consider the additional services and assistance our current workers are able to provide because they are city employees. Contract workers will not be obligated or motivilated to assist in any other capacity should the need arise. As we have seen I like the present staff. They are professional, friendly and helpful. We use black plastic bags because we do not have sufficient space for large containers. Our trash contents vary during the year. Though we separate our trash, by using bags, we are not limited by the size of a container. We just set out our two Christmas trees this week and there is never any concern that such oversized items will not be picked up. Nothing. unlimited amount of trash can be put at curb It's unlimited and easy. I like it The city does the recycling separation. Frankly, I don't want to do it and I'm more than happy to pay the city to do it. that I leave Cameo very often on Thursday early AM, and, am able to put it out in large closed garbage bags ...... If gone I would not have anyone to bring barrels into garage. bigger cans, less expensive Limits, strict rules I lik e the current system and hope for no change from recent natural disasters on the East coast. these crisis require all hands on deck to help wherever they are needed. Losing these valuable city employees to an outside firm will not give us the additional workforce, such a disaster befall ow community. We need more capable people to respond to such a scenario in our varied neighborhoods, and our current staff provides this back up work force. Can we buy our own cans if we need additional and not pay monthly increase? If the new system means that soine people would loose their job, then I would rather slay with the current system, thx If the city of Newport Beach wants to use its time more effectively, more wisely. then they should focus on the condition of our roads and managing street lights and traffic better if they want to improve the quality of life for residents. Leave the trash issue alone. EVERRTHINGM I am a native of Newport Beach (67 years old and always lived here) and see no reason to change the trash system. It seems that we go through this every few years and we always tell the city council not to mess with the trash collection. HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO TELL THEM TO KEEP THE EXISTING SYSTEM FOR TRASH PICKUP. I t is almost like the little child constantly asking the parent for candy and the parent constantly saying NO! Nothing The best system we have ever had. Employees are great. We own a property in Laguna and the multiple container system is a big hassle. These men came to our community on their own time to help residents clean up the neighborhood. I like that during high volume times that we don't have to worry about having an excess of trash. I am a native of Newport Beach (67 years old and lived here all my life) and see no reason to change the trash system. It seems the( we go through this every few years and we always tell the city council not to mess with the trash collection. HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO TELL THEM TO KEEP THE EXISTING SYSTEM FOR TRASH PICKUP. I t is almost like the little child constantly asking the parent for candy and the parent constantly saying NO! The city has taken away many things that I have thought valuable; street sweeping, tree trimming, raised my boat mooring costs for example for example. Frankly, I see no advantages or benifits of their actions. I was in favor of the new city hall but not the extravagent monster they are putting in place for a HUGE sum of money. By the way, why not sell the old city hall site to help pay for the new one. It seems the city council has net even decided what to do with it! It is now time for us, the taxpayers and residents to put our foot down and control this runaway city government and say no to proposed system. Quite frankly I don't think they will listen to us as they haven't in the past. P. S. Feel free to use my name, Don Aakhus, Surrey Drive We do not want the trash collection to change With the current system, the city employees are part of the community and provide the service as such. 1)Service- I trim my own trees /bushes; city collects the many bags of trimmings. 2)Service- If I forget to take the trash out on lime, I can call the city and they will schedule a truck to pick up the garbage; 3)Seivice- If I have a large item, I can call the city and warn them of the overload: the staff will work with me.for pick up. We have lived in Newport Beach since 1987 and find our trash collectors courteous, helpful, and neal(they pick up the garbage from the bags that have broken). If this service is outsourced, I don't know if we will get the high level of service that is given by the present trash collectors. reliability - excellent personnel - proven quality - it works just fine It's clear that the new system is only advantageous to the city. They fail to realize that the city serves its people. Our community likes the cunenl system. I am pleased with the current collection system and staff. we have no problem with it whatsoever after many, many years I enjoy doing yard work at my home. I tie the bags up neatly and put them out. I do not put cans out because they are hard to move. I travel a lot and don't have anyone to bring the cans in if I am away. I separate green and food stuff and put the food stuff out the morning of trash collection. The current system works for me. I already pay for trash collection (recycling) on my Newport Beach H2O bill. Nothing. I worry about how things are really recycled and that things get Its very convenient damaged such as newspapers and regular paper, I know the city is trying to save money by outsourcing the service and not having to pay the benefits of the workers. BUT sometimes when we try to save in the short run ends up costing us more money in the long run. The homeowners end up paying more money than what was originally projected. The new service is often not as good as the original. Is there a way to compromise? Can we get bins so the homeowners learn to separate the waste but not terminate the present trash collectors? I have not read anything in the Daily Pilot or Independent about this issue. I just found out about this from the homeowners association. Is there going to be a public hearing? This is a perfect example of, " if it's not broke, leave it alone ". There does not appear to be any compelling reason for a change nor assurance that a new system will produce a better outcome. Especially where a strong need has not been demonstrated,lhe risk of unintended consequences is a significant negative factor. Why change? City Manager Kiff also stated: "Anytime we look at a service like our trash collection, a little context is important. First, I think we have among the best refuse collectors in the region. As City employees, they have a special consideration for customer service that is very impressive. There are about 24 or so staff members who love their work and the customers love them. I've thrown trash with them twice since I've been City Manager. It is tough work - affected by weather, by the age of backs and knees, and by the crazy stuff that people put in the cans, I lasted a half -day each time. A good number of them are close to or are at retirement age. Second, please know that not everyone in Newport gets their trash collected this way. Multifamily units all across town have private trash service. Folks in Santa Ana Heights, Bayknolls, Newport Coast, and Bonita Canyon all have private sector trash service that's automated (bins are picked up by a truck with an automated lift arm). The work of one- or two person crews hand - throwing trash as we do is work that probably will never be done quite this way ever again, thanks to automation. But even then, we have tight spaces and alleyways that are challenging for automated arms. Third, at some point very soon, we need to make a decision about new trash equipment - very expensive new equipment that runs on Compressed Natural Gas (CN5). We need to figure out if that equipment should have the automated lift arm or even be provided by another company. Fourth, some in the community have asked about the way we recycle, Today, you throw the recyclable materials in with the trash and they are sorted out by machine and by hand at a recovery facility. It works OK. But it also damages a lot of recyclable materials - like clean newspaper tossed in with food waste and dog waste. Other systems include two cans - one for mixed clean recyclables and one for trash. There are benefits and costs associated with each system. All tough things to talk about. I know the Council will weigh the study results carefully. They may decide to put the service out for proposals, a step that is on important "testing the waters" step but that does not pre- suppose contracting the service. " Your Input Needed All the above said, it appears as this is our government telling us what's good for us without going directly to the people. 5o Cameo is going to our members for their perspective on all of this. We have prepared a survey. Click here and let us know your feelings. Click Here For Cameo Trash Survey Sidebar All trash collection employees are trained to be disaster service workers. They are Federal Emergency Management Act trained to respond to disasters; they are also CPR qualified. Many are certified to operate heavy equipment. In the event of a City emergency, these employees would be notified to report and assist in dealing with the situation. This was addressed by the employee's representative from Orange County Employees Association at the Nov 27th Council meeting. Most people are not aware of this additional factor. It seems that some council members think that when an emergency occurs, outside contractors will respond. It is a stretch to think that will happen. No contractor is going to undertake the liability involved without additional fees added to a contract with the City. When water or sewer lines break, you can be sure that City trash collection employees respond to deal with the situation. It was City employees along with a few guys from the County Sanitation District who worked for 72 hours straight dealing with the broken sewer line between Balboa Island and Bayside Drive a few months ago. It is one of the intangibles City employees can provide when needed. This added value was not covered in the Study and is something should be considered in the decision making. The study is also deficient in putting a price on the high customer service satisfaction that we now enjoy. And let's forget that when Cameo undertook the cleaning of Morning Canyon of debris, refuse workers brought themselves and their kids to help. That's called community pride and spirit.