Committee hears clarifying updates to Solid Waste Services ordinance; policy referral approved

Rodney Jamieson, presenting for Solid Waste Services, told the committee the draft ordinance edits are intended to clarify existing service rules, not to change services or add fees. “There's no change in the services we provide today. It's just clarifying the services that we provide today,” Jamieson said.

Jamieson explained the draft codifies which multi-unit developments are eligible for large-container (dumpster/compactor) service (now defined to capture developments with 12 or more units) and adds definitions to align with the city's Unified Development Ordinance. He also described updates to small-container language to reflect city-issued residential carts and the inclusion of small-business container service in the code.

Councilmember questions focused on operational details and communication. Councilmember Owens asked about yard-waste container size and how the city will communicate expectations; Jamieson said administrative policy spells out common container sizes (e.g., a 64-gallon guideline tied to safe collection weight) and staff will clarify communications to residents. City Attorney staff counsel Thomas Powers explained why private-market personal container sizes are managed by administrative policy rather than encoded in ordinance.

After questions, the chair called for a motion and the committee voted to forward the Solid Waste Services ordinance referral to a future council agenda for consideration.

The referral does not change collection schedules, eligibility for existing containers, or add fees; it formalizes definitions (large-container eligible development, small waste container, personal waste containers) and aligns wording with planning and procurement practice. If the full council approves the ordinance changes after the referral, the amendments would become effective on the dates the ordinance specifies.