Public Works Committee to align Middleton recycling rules with WDNR template and study reporting gaps

Public works staff told the committee that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) reviewed Middleton’s recycling program and offered guidance. Staff said the city is not currently out of compliance but that several items need attention: local ordinances reference statutes that may no longer exist, the compliance assurance plan in the packet is thin, and the city has not consistently documented recycling complaints or inspections.

Committee members discussed three distinct workstreams: immediate, low‑effort fixes (website updates and correcting statutory citations); a short‑term project to improve tracking and reporting (combining cart assignment data with parcel or commercial property lists or contracting for technical assistance); and a longer effort to add inspections, enforcement and education that would require recurring staff time or funding. Members suggested exploring whether the contracted hauler (referred to in packet as Pelletier) can provide address‑level or cart‑level data and whether a sustainability intern or temporary staff time could be used to inventory carts and prepare reports.

The committee moved to refer the WDNR recycling ordinance template to the License & Ordinance Committee for drafting a Middleton‑specific recycling ordinance aligned to state guidance. The motion carried. Members authorized staff to continue conversations with WDNR, the hauler, and sustainability partners, and to return with recommendations and draft ordinance language in a future meeting.

Why it matters: Updating the ordinance and improving complaint/collection reporting will change how the city documents compliance and will affect multifamily and commercial reporting categories. Staff noted practical questions such as how to separate carts assigned to 1–4 unit residential addresses from carts that serve multi‑family or commercial properties.

Next steps: License & Ordinance will draft a Middleton ordinance based on the WDNR template; public works staff will check statutory citations (staff said they will call Matt Fleming to double‑check references), request data from the hauler and explore pilot outreach at upcoming elections to test public materials.