Submitted By
Robert Sproule, Public Works Director
Reviewed By
Ahmad M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager / Interim Director of Development Customer Services
Agenda Item Title
Title
Second Reading and Adoption of An Ordinance Amending Chapter 20 (“Public Health”), Article 7 (“Garbage, Weeds and Littering”), Section 20-7-2 (“Storage and Collection of Garbage, Refuse, Yard Waste and Recyclable Materials for Residential Buildings Containing Five Units or Less; Storage and Collection of Yard Waste for All Buildings”) of the Oak Park Village Code Regarding Rates for Garbage, Refuse, Yard Waste and Recyclable Materials Collection Services
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Overview
Overview
This Ordinance proposes the fees charged for refuse, recycling and yard-waste collection and disposal in Fiscal Year 2024. These services are provided by Lakeshore Recycling Services (LRS) to owners of residential property containing one to five units. These new rates reflect the charges for collection per the contract with LRS and for disposal at the West Cook County Solid Waste Agency’s Regional Disposal Project.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Ordinance.
Background
2024 will be the second year of the five-year contract with LRS for refuse, recycling and food scrap/yard-waste collection. The contract ends March 31, 2027. Disposal costs, Village administrative costs, Village wide leaf pickup and an alley improvement fee are included in the proposed rates in addition to the collection costs.
The proposed monthly rates for 2024 include the following highlights:
2023 rate/mo. 2024 rate/mo. Proposed % increase
96 gal trash cart $29.06 $30.22 3.99%
64 gal trash cart $26.39 $27.45 4.02%
Compost Cart $15.68 $16.31 4.02%
Yard Waste Stickers $3.10 $3.25 4.84%
Refuse Stickers $3.10 $3.25 4.84%
The monthly refuse rate includes charges for:
1. Refuse collection by LRS
2. Disposal cost (a separate cost from LRS’s collection fees)
3. Villages administrative costs
4. Leaf collection program
5. Alley improvement fee
6. Refuse sticker disposal cost
Notes:
Refuse rates were held flat for 2022 and 2023. Yard-Waste and Refuse sticker rates did not increase with the 2021 Ordinance amendment.
1. The 2023 rates for LRS’s waste hauling services increased by 5% per contract. See attached letter. Rates are expected to increase by 4.3% in 2024.
2. The 2023 rates for disposal rates with the Regional Disposal Project increased by 3.8% in 2024. The disposal rates per the agreement with the Regional Disposal Project are projected to increase by 4.3% in 2024.
3. Refuse cart rates for the 96- and 64-gallon trash carts are proposed to increase by 4% to $30.22/month and $27.45/month respectively, to keep up with LRS’s fees, disposal costs and Village administrative costs. This increase is based on the average % change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the previous 12 months which is 4.3%.
4. The Compost cart rate is proposed to increase by 4.02% to $16.31/month. To encourage participation in the compost program, it is recommended to keep the same incentive which provides the “first three months free” for first-time customers when agreeing to 12 months of service. The expected 2024 compost cart cost to the Village is $16.54 per unit. In an effort to increase organics diversion in Oak Park, the Village is subsidizing this service.
5. Both Yard Waste and Refuse stickers are proposed to increase 4.84% to $3.25 per sticker. Approximately 45,000-yard waste and 30,000 refuse stickers are sold annually. While the sticker price is the same for both types, the costs to the Village are not. For every pink refuse sticker used, the Village must pay the disposal cost ($1.66 per sticker). The slightly higher increase on both sticker rates accommodates for this previously uncaptured cost. Sticker rates were held flat with the last rate increase in 2021.
Fiscal Impact
Fees collected for these services are a revenue stream for the Environmental Services Fund. Raising the refuse rates by 4% will ensure that the Environmental Services Fund balance covers all estimated 2024 contractual costs to the Village for residential refuse, recycling, and food scrap/yard-waste services.
DEI Impact
The refuse rates were held flat in 2022 and 2023 are not estimated to adequately cover Village costs for refuse collection and disposal in 2024. The new rate increases have been fairly calculated using regional CPI data. The Village will continue to subsidize the compostable program to encourage diversion of organics in Oak Park and extend the usable life of Illinois landfills.
Alternatives
The Board can delay action to gain additional information.
Previous Board Action
A first reading of the Ordinance for 2024 rates was presented to the Village Board on November 6, 2024 (ORD 23-101).
Fees for refuse, recycling and Yardwaste collection and disposal were last increased at the Village Board meeting on November 16, 2020 for the year 2021 (ORD 20-121).
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
The Village Board may review the rates annually.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A