Jessica Hess comment-58823 2011-10-18T21:48:14Z 2011-10-18T21:48:14Z Hi Lisa- you can join us for a sewer puming station tour on Nov 5, 2011 at Sump 2. If you only want to see the Water Facility, we usually offer tours on the 3rd Friday of the month at 10 a.m. To schedule one of the Friday tours, you need an advance reservation. You can call me 808-1400. The tours this weekend and on Nov 5 require no reservation. Jessica Hess 2011-10-18T21:48:14Z Jessica Hess comment-53582 2011-07-19T21:07:35Z 2011-07-19T21:07:35Z Mr. Middleton, as you know the City does not provide an enclosed drainage system in your neighborhood. It is a series of overland (surface) drainage and ditches that Utilities operates in conjunction with the Department of Transportation. Over the past year, we and the Department of Transportation and Steve Cohn's office have met with you and your neighbors several times and have offered you the chance to have a ditch installed along your street to help alleviate the drainage issues. I am not aware of a response to our proposal. If I am incorrect in my understanding of the situation, please feel free to contact me directly. Thank you. Jessica Hess 2011-07-19T21:07:35Z Jessica Hess comment-50207 2011-05-04T23:57:56Z 2011-05-04T23:57:56Z Also remember to take the pledge and follow the blog at BeWaterSmart.info- there are great water saving tips there! Spare the Water Sacramento! Jessica Hess 2011-05-04T23:57:56Z Jessica Hess comment-49913 2011-04-28T19:15:16Z 2011-04-28T19:15:16Z Just to be clear, StrangeWalker. We are just looking in the recycle bins. Just trying to encourage people to recycle right by offering them an incentive to do so. We currently have a 30% contamination rate for our recyclables, meaning 30% of what you put in your blue can for recycling is actually sent to the landfill instead of being recycled. We want to decrease that percentage and recognize those doing a good job! Jessica Hess 2011-04-28T19:15:16Z Jessica Hess comment-46608 2011-03-01T00:18:54Z 2011-03-01T00:18:54Z Actually, the rate mentioned in the article (and the staff report) reflects the costs of collecting loose-in-the-street waste from the 12,000 customers. The rate being paid by those customers today was based on what it costs us when there was more than 50,000 loose-in-the-street customers. Jessica Hess 2011-03-01T00:18:54Z Jessica Hess comment-46589 2011-02-28T17:30:22Z 2011-02-28T17:30:22Z Customers who utilize a container for yard waste collection, are in fact charged a lower rate for collection as it is less expensive to pick up the yard from the can than with the claw. Containerized customers pay $10.35 a month versus $13.71 a month that loose-in-the-street customers pay. By law the City cannot charge more than it costs to provide the service and also cannot use rates collected for another service to subsidize rates for another service (so we can't use rates collected for garbage, recycle, containerized yard waste, sewer, drainage or water to offset the costs of loose-in-the-street collection). Jessica Hess 2011-02-28T17:30:22Z Jessica Hess comment-32525 2010-07-09T20:44:09Z 2010-07-09T20:44:09Z If you are interested, the Department of Utilites did a report back to the City Council on the Grand Jury Report. It can be found here: http://www.cityofsacramento.org/utilities/CityofSacramentoDepartmentofUtilities-SolidWaste-Proposition218.cfm Jessica Hess 2010-07-09T20:44:09Z Jessica Hess comment-27843 2010-05-24T16:20:58Z 2010-05-24T16:20:58Z We had a great time working this event and loved meeting many of our neighbors! The event also shared with neighbors many City resources, such as City waste reduction coordinators and water conservation specialists, and local tools for helping to create sustainable neighborhoods. Jessica Hess 2010-05-24T16:20:58Z Jessica Hess comment-25751 2010-04-27T19:31:02Z 2010-04-27T19:31:02Z HMW: loose-in-the-street collection is a periodic service. We try our best to make it there weekly, but may not be there exactly once a week, especially during leaf season. If it has gone beyond 2 weeks, please call 3-1-1 to report it. Also, if you haven't called 3-1-1 to opt out of the voluntary program, we will still have you listed as containerized so your pile was skipped because according to our records, it should be in the can. Again, just call or email 311@cityofsacramento.org to opt out of the program. You will instantly be placed on the opt out list (even if it takes us awhile to actually get the can) and your pile will be collected the next time the claw is in the area. Jessica Hess 2010-04-27T19:31:02Z Jessica Hess comment-20840 2010-01-19T20:31:54Z 2010-01-19T20:31:54Z The seminar on 3/13 is from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. Jessica Hess 2010-01-19T20:31:54Z Jessica Hess comment-20839 2010-01-19T20:31:15Z 2010-01-19T20:31:15Z The City offers composting workshops throughout the summer. The most recent schedule is posted here! http://www.cityofsacramento.org/utilities/solid-waste-recycling/residential/residential_education_backyard_composting_seminar_schedule.cfm The City also sells Biostack compost bins for $69. Contact us at 311 for more information! Jessica Hess 2010-01-19T20:31:15Z Jessica Hess comment-20838 2010-01-19T20:23:45Z 2010-01-19T20:23:45Z Last I checked Department of Fish and Game (that was in 2005) stocked the ponds in City Parks. Jessica Hess 2010-01-19T20:23:45Z Jessica Hess comment-20210 2010-01-06T19:10:19Z 2010-01-06T19:10:19Z It is now a violation of City code to scavenge in ANY bin, not just the recycling bin. If you see this taking place, you should call the police department. Other ways to limit scavenging in your neighborhood include not placing bins out for collection until the morning of your collection day and placing containers behind locked gates in between collection dates. Jessica Hess 2010-01-06T19:10:19Z Jessica Hess comment-19978 2009-12-30T00:31:42Z 2009-12-30T00:31:42Z Hi Dale, Our staff is committed to providing the best service possible, so often times, especially when the program is new to an area, they will just pick up the pile. However, after the neighborhood has been in the program for a while, the drivers do become very familiar with who has the bins and who doesn't. If a pile appears in front of a home that has a bin and it is not a week for loose in the street collect, the crew will call in for a supervisor to double check the site. If the resident is in fact in the program, the pile will be left and a note will be placed on the customer's door letting them know that they can place their waste in the bin, call for a special pick-up (costs approximately $90), or they will be cited for illegal dumping. Also, often times, we get calls from neighbors who complain that a pile has been on their street and has not been collected. This typically means that all of the street has opted into the program and therefore no claw driver has been on street. If it is not a week for loose in the street collection in the containerized areas, the Supervisor will go out and place the same note on the customer's door. Jessica Hess 2009-12-30T00:31:42Z Jessica Hess comment-19976 2009-12-30T00:16:57Z 2009-12-30T00:16:57Z Hi Bruce- I have tried posting a response a few times so later if you come back and there are a few postings, you'll know why! In terms of the weight capacity, there is none specified in the code. However, the trucks have a 400lb capacity for lifting a bin and dumping it into the truck. A 96-gallon bin (the largest size we offer for gabage and recycling and the only size offered for yard waste currently) has a capacity of 330 lbs. PLEASE NOTE THIS ADDITION: I just spoke with a Superintendent who advised me that it is best if the container does not exceed 200 lbs. In terms of your current yard waste pile situation, I would call 311 and report it as a missed service. During leaf season and other months where you are provided a loose in the street service and the pile has remained for more than 2 collection days (i.e. in your case, 2 Mondays), we would ask that you please call 311 and report it as a missed service so a crew can be scheduled to come out and collect your waste. Jessica Hess 2009-12-30T00:16:57Z Jessica Hess comment-19963 2009-12-29T20:01:10Z 2009-12-29T20:01:10Z Micah- if you still have your bin and you are interested in returning to loose in the street service, please call 311 and request that we pick up your bin. Your account will be reverted back to loose in the street collection and your bill for yard waste collection will revert to the loose in the street rate. In case you are not aware, the City does offer loose in the street colelction several times during the year (leaf season, pruning season and Christmas Tree collection) for customers who utilize the containers. This allows them to do their large scale work, place what they can in the bins and put the rest out for collection in the street. For the 2009 calendar of these dates, please visit, http://www.cityofsacramento.org/utilities/solid-waste-recycling/media-folder/pdf/YardWaste_Calendar2009_upd082609.pdf. The updated 2010 calendar will be up shortly. In terms of it being more environmentally sound, to provide loose in the street colelction, we require two vehicles (the claw and a rear loader truck that the claw places the waste into). For the containerized collection, we only need one vehicle (a side loader) to collect the yard waste. Having less vehicles on the road means less air pollution. Jessica Hess 2009-12-29T20:01:10Z Jessica Hess comment-19967 2009-12-29T19:12:04Z 2009-12-29T19:12:04Z Steve- in response to how many customers have opted out of the program: Approximately 6,240 residents have opted out of the program. Jessica Hess 2009-12-29T19:12:04Z Jessica Hess comment-19965 2009-12-29T18:58:32Z 2009-12-29T18:58:32Z Steve- In response to some of your questions The cost to provide yard waste service is reflected in the rates paid by customers. Under State law, we can only charge customers what it costs us to provide them the service they are receiving. Customers who have loose in the street collection pay a different rate because the cost to collect materials in the street is different than that with the bins. When we do loose in the street collection, we have to pay for 2 drivers, 2 vehicles, fuel for each vehicle, and the costs to get rid the yard waste (goes to a contractor who composts it). For a customer who has a bin, we only need 1 driver and 1 vehicle, fuel for the vehicle and the disposal costs. As more customers opt into the containerized program, the costs to collect materials loose in the street goes up because we may only need to collect a single pile or two on a street and then need to drive across town to pick up a few more piles, etc. We are currenly reviewing the accurate costs for both the loose in the street collection and containerized collection. Once that information is gathered and reviewed, rates may need to be adjusted to reflect the accurate costs of the programs. To answer your questions on the letter of the 1977 ordinance- no, it does not violate the ordinance. Customers still have the option to have loose in the street collection. Under state law, they must pay what it costs to provide them that service, so their rates are different than those who receive their collection in a bin. Jessica Hess 2009-12-29T18:58:32Z Jessica Hess comment-18725 2009-12-04T23:03:47Z 2009-12-04T23:03:47Z The meter size is based on the size of the service (pipe) that bring water to the property. Most single family residential properties have a 1-inch service (which is the lowest monthly service fee). If a meter that is smaller than the size of the service is installed, then you will likely see some service issues on your side of the property (issues with pressure especially). Jessica Hess 2009-12-04T23:03:47Z Jessica Hess comment-18651 2009-12-04T00:31:57Z 2009-12-04T00:31:57Z The City is currently meeting the diversion requirement. Besides recyclables, we also divert yard waste from landfills by composting it. Jessica Hess 2009-12-04T00:31:57Z Jessica Hess comment-18579 2009-12-02T23:38:12Z 2009-12-02T23:38:12Z The City doesn't make money per se on the recyclables. The money that is received fom selling recyclables is used to offset the rates customers pay for collection. Jessica Hess 2009-12-02T23:38:12Z Jessica Hess comment-18571 2009-12-02T22:15:07Z 2009-12-02T22:15:07Z I can admire your thought process, but unfortunately the City is constrained by several things... We are required by the State to divert more than 50% of our waste from landfills. It is because of this requirement that City Council passed an ordinance making recycling containers at all homes and businesses mandatory. Additionally, by State law, the City cannot charge a customer for a service that is not provided to a customer, so we cannot charge customers a fee or use a portion of the rates that we charge to help fund a homeless work program (as great as that would be!). To help combat the scavenging issue, last year, the City Council passed stricter scavenging rules and it is illegal for scavengers to pull waste out of any bin. If you see scavenging progress, you should call the City of Sacramento Police at 264-5471. Residents and businesses can recycle bottles and cans at a redemption location, if they so chose. They are not required to put them in the bin. There are many other items in the home or business that are recyclable and cannot be taken to a redemption location, thus making it unappealing to scavengers to be in the bin. These include paper and certain types of glass or plastic and metal items with no CRV. You and your neighbors might want to consider this as an option to optimize your recycling while limiting the scavenging. Jessica Hess 2009-12-02T22:15:07Z Jessica Hess comment-17683 2009-11-12T18:25:51Z 2009-11-12T18:25:51Z Please note- I have recently learned that this has been continued to November 24's Council Meeting. Jessica Hess 2009-11-12T18:25:51Z Jessica Hess comment-16783 2009-10-30T03:17:01Z 2009-10-30T03:17:01Z Thank you Suzanne! To further clarify a few things... During winter months, residents and businesses can water any time during the day; not jsut before 10 or after 6. Also, Council will also consider allowing residents and businesses to water on Sat or Sun at their convenience (no assigned day) at the Nov 3 meeting. Jessica Hess 2009-10-30T03:17:01Z Jessica Hess comment-16610 2009-10-28T22:57:09Z 2009-10-28T22:57:09Z That's great Mike and Urban Forest Folks! Much of the yard waste that people put out in their yard waste bins or on the street to be collected is eventually composted Jessica Hess 2009-10-28T22:57:09Z Jessica Hess comment-6157 2009-04-14T22:31:51Z 2009-04-14T22:31:51Z Colleen, I couldn't post a picture in my response. I had to post a new article. Basically, it is a hose nozzles that automatically stops the flow of water when you are no longer gripping the nozzle (as opposed to one that you have to manually turn off or on). Jessica Hess 2009-04-14T22:31:51Z Jessica Hess comment-2198 2009-01-13T20:33:29Z 2009-01-13T20:33:29Z Thanks Jonathan! I will look into them, maybe we can add them to our list as well in the future! Jessica Hess 2009-01-13T20:33:29Z Jessica Hess comment-1829 2009-01-02T23:08:06Z 2009-01-02T23:08:06Z The City of Sacramento Department of Utilities, which serves all of the City of Sacramento (not the unincorporated County or Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, etc), treats Christmas trees as it does all yard waste. All of our yard waste is composted- not landfilled. City residents can put their trees out for collection on their loose-in-the-street collection days. To findout when your next day is, visit www.cityofsacramento.org/utilities Jessica Hess 2009-01-02T23:08:06Z Jessica Hess comment-1747 2008-12-30T19:40:32Z 2008-12-30T19:40:32Z Good for you! The City offers rewards for people like you who can help us convict illegal dumpers! I am sorry that the police didn't respond quickly. You can also do things like note the license plate of the vehicle or (if you are so brave) take pictures of them in the act and turn that over to the police department. That helps us too! Most areas of the City are now on an appointment based neighborhood clean-up program. This means that you can call 311 and make a free bukly waste pick-up appointment. For those in areas of Midtown and Downtown, you will still have an annual pick-up day for the City to pick up your bulky waste. Jessica Hess 2008-12-30T19:40:32Z Jessica Hess comment-1746 2008-12-30T19:34:08Z 2008-12-30T19:34:08Z The websites listed above are great resources. The City also lists its Solid Waste Services on www.cityofsacramento.org/utilities. Did you know that the City offers a door-to-door pick-up program from batteries, CFLs, and fluorescent light tubes? Call 311 to schedule an appointment! We also offer a door-to-door program to pick up used motor oil and filters. The City also offers the Neighborhood Clean-Up Program which allows residents to place out large items, such as appliances or electronic waste for collection for free once a year. Call 311 to find out if your area is eligible for an appointment or if you need to wait for your day to be schedule (usually, this scheduled days are for those areas like Midtown and Downtown which have parking restrictions. Appointments are available in other areas of the City). All materials that are picked up are disposed of properly and more than 50% of what we collect is recycled! Jessica Hess 2008-12-30T19:34:08Z Jessica Hess comment-1745 2008-12-30T19:27:26Z 2008-12-30T19:27:26Z William Burg is correct. The City doesn't rake the leaves for you. Residents and businesses need to sweep or rake leaves into a pile for collection and leave them on the street, out of the gutter and the bike lane for collection. For those areas of the City with containerized service, the yard waste may be placed in the container and the container can be put out for collection. Typically, this is a weekly service. However, during leaf season, we can get backed up due to the large quantity of leaves. You can use the link in the article above to find out when we will be back in your area. Jessica Hess 2008-12-30T19:27:26Z