2019-175 Valet ServiceDate: September 12, 2019 Report No. 2019-175
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Downtown Trash and Recycling Valet Service Update
BACKGROUND:
The transition of select downtown customers from a shared dumpster service to a valet cart service
is currently underway and will occur in six phases. Each phase will focus on a specific downtown
location and will commence with a two-week engagement period. During the engagement period,
Solid Waste and Recycling staff will personally contact customers to inform them of the service
changes and give them the opportunity to ask questions relating to the transition. At the
culmination of the engagement period, the shared dumpsters will be removed and replaced with
carts.
To assist in the implementation efforts, staff created a communication plan that involves:
• Public meetings to engage residents and business owners on the reasons for and impacts of
the transition to a valet service. The first meeting was held on September 12 at the Civic
Center Community Room. Staff will also be visiting with the Main Street Association on
September 23 to address concerns that may exist. A second, wrap-up meeting will be
scheduled in November to discuss any concerns or questions once the implementation of
the valet service is complete.
• An informational flyer (Attachment 1) has been developed to be used by staff as they
conduct personal outreach. The flyer contains relevant information relating to the valet
service, including contact information of a City representative should customers have
questions.
• A direct mail letter has been sent to customers and property owners. This step will help
ensure that any property owners or customers who we cannot directly speak to have access
to information relating to valet service and are notified of the public meeting.
• Engagement of local media. Staff already provided information to the Denton Record-
Chronicle that was included in a recent article. DTV Newsbreak provided an update to the
program on September 5. As the implementation of valet service progresses, staff will
continue to engage our media partners. City Hall 215 E. McKinney Street Denton, Texas
www.cityofdenton.com.
• Engagement of downtown coalitions and community groups. Staff presented this
information at the Downtown TIRZ Number One board meeting on August 21. Information
has been distributed through downtown and Main Street Association email lists.
Additionally, Solid Waste and Recycling staff will be speaking at the September 23 Main
Street Association Meeting regarding the service change.
• Social media engagement. Staff will work with the Main Street Association to
communicate the transition to valet service through its social media channels, particularly
Facebook. Staff will also use the Solid Waste and Recycling page to provide status updates,
and a final before-and-after post will be shared on the City Facebook and Twitter to show
Date: September 12, 2019 Report No. 2019-175
the results of the valet service change. Staff has also posted information regarding valet
service and public meetings on Nextdoor and Facebook.
• Resident Update article. Before-and-after photos of the new valet service along with a short
article on the progress of the project will be included to show the beautification of Denton.
DISCUSSION:
The valet service will be implemented throughout downtown and the Fry Street area this fall. Each
phase will follow the general deployment process below:
1. Begin with a two-week evaluation and assessment of the area’s current trash and recycling
generation, potential cart capacity and placement, and collection frequency needs.
2. After the two-week evaluation, staff removes the current dumpsters and delivers the carts.
3. Solid Waste and Recycling staff cleans the area where the dumpster was removed with a
street sweeper and assesses the condition of the pavement to determine if it needs to be
washed or repaired.
4. Once the street has been cleaned, Traffic Engineering staff determine what pavement
striping needs to be added and will paint the lines within two weeks of the dumpster being
removed.
As discussed during the August 20 Valet Service work session, the valet service is being deployed
in six phases, with the area and target timelines listed below. Note that the dates may change based
on assessments or implementation needs for the phase.
• Phase 1: South side of square (Walnut St. between S. Elm St. and Locust St.)
o August 26, 2019: Evaluation and assessment begins
o September 9, 2019: Remove dumpsters, place carts, and clean area
o September 23, 2019: Pavement markings complete
• Phase 3: East side of Square (Austin St. between Pecan St. and Hickory St.)
o September 9, 2019: Evaluation and assessment begins
o September 23, 2019: Remove dumpsters, place carts, and clean area
o October 7, 2019: Pavement markings complete
• Phase 2: North side of Square (Pecan St. between S. Elm St. and Locust St.)
o September 23, 2019: Evaluation and assessment begins
o October 7, 2019: Remove dumpsters, place carts, and clean area
o October 21, 2019: Pavement markings complete
• Phase 4: West side of Square (Oak St. between S. Elm St. and Locust St.)
o October 7, 2019: Evaluation and assessment begins
o October 21, 2019: Remove dumpsters, place carts, and clean area
o November 4, 2019: Pavement markings complete
• Phase 5: Remaining Industrial Street area
o October 21, 2019: Evaluation and assessment begins
o November 4, 2019: Remove dumpsters, place carts, and clean area
o November 18, 2019: Pavement markings complete
• Phase 6: Fry Street area
o November 4, 2019: Evaluation and assessment begins
Date: September 12, 2019 Report No. 2019-175
o November 18, 2019: Remove dumpsters, place carts, and clean area
o December 2, 2019: Pavement markings complete
STAFF CONTACT:
Brian Boerner
Director of Solid Waste and Recycling
(940) 349-8001
REQUESTOR: Staff Generated
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: Solid Waste and Recycling, Capital Projects, Traffic,
City Manager’s Office, Parks and Recreation
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT: 1 hour
Solid Waste & Recycling
Downtown Valet Service
Service Change Description
Denton Square map
Parcels
Red: Red
Green: Green
Blue: Blue
August 26, 2019
0 0.06 0.120.03 mi
0 0.095 0.190.0475 km
1:2,400
Phase 3
September
Phase 2September
Phase 4
October
Phase 1
Late August
Phase 5October
Denton Square map
Parcels
Red: Red
Green: Green
Blue: Blue
August 26, 2019
0 0.06 0.120.03 mi
0 0.095 0.190.0475 km
1:2,400
DOWNTOWN SQUAREFRY STREET
Phase 6
November
Service
Change
Benefits
• Improves customer
experience with
everyday pickup
service, including
holidays
• Improves aesthetics
and reduces odor
• Improves service
efficiency
• Reduces illegal
dumping and
contamination
Services
Provided
• Removal of
dumpsters,
replaced with
cart service
• Litter abatement
• Pressure washing
Starting Sept. 9, 2019, the Denton Solid Waste and Recycling Department
will convert selected downtown waste services to a valet service model.
This change will begin with Phase 1 and work through the remainder of
the phases every two weeks. See the anticipated Phase Map below for
locations and timelines.
Level Description Revised Billing
Tier 1 Office and Residential $24.70
Tier 2 Small Retail, Bar with No Food $138.25
Tier 3 Large Retail, Bar with Food,
and Small Restaurant
$148.75
Tier 4 Medium Limited Service
Restaurant
$289.50
Tier 5 Large Full Service Restaurant $460.00
New Monthly Billing
Pilot Valet Service Results
• Implementation will occur in six phases beginning Sept. 9, 2019, with an anticipated
completion date in mid-November.
• Revised billing one month after cart placement based on waste generation.
• Solid Waste and Recycling staff will require a two-week audit period before phases begin.
What You Need to Know
Questions?
• Contact Brandi Neal at
Brandi.Neal@cityofdenton.com.
• Attend the public meeting on Sept. 12,
6 - 7:30 p.m. at the Civic Center,
321 E. McKinney St., in the
Community Room.
Before After
Before After