2019-083 Update on Dumpsters on SidewalksDate: April 19, 2019 Report No. 2019-083
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Provide an overview of the Solid Waste Department’s plans to address dumpsters located on
sidewalks.
BACKGROUND & DISCUSSION:
On December 21, 2018, the City Council received an informal staff report (ISR) regarding
compromised sidewalk accessibility due to the placement of thirty-one (31) solid waste and
recycling dumpsters. For several years, staff attempted to address this issue by requesting property
owners to voluntarily move their dumpsters or change to an alternative form of solid waste service
such as cart collection. Those efforts were met with mixed results, and staff was asked by Council
and the Public Utilities Board to consider mandatory compliance.
Without considering other agreements and allowances that may be in place for specific locations,
Section 24-68 of the Code of Ordinances permits the director of Solid Waste to locate and place
containers in accordance with the waste storage needs of individual commercial, industrial and
institutional facilities. Over the last few months, Solid Waste staff have issued written notices and
met with owners/tenants of the non-compliant properties. As of April 16, 2019, all non-compliant
properties have cleared sidewalk access by either relocating their dumpsters or adopting an
alternative method of service.
Please feel free to contact me if you have additional questions or concerns.
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Ethan Cox
Director of Solid Waste
(940) 349-7421
Ethan.Cox@cityofdenton.com