City’s dumpster service change receives support

0

The list has grown of multifamily properties in support of proposed legislation to allow them to opt of the city’s dumpster service.

Due to being classified residential, such properties are required to use the city’s dumpster services, unlike other businesses. But representatives from three of the 82 multifamily properties the city now serves have expressed strong interest to have that change over the past couple years.

Following a public hearing this month, City Council will have a third reading of the proposed ordinance next week.

“To date maybe six multi-family development property owners have expressed interest in potentially changing to private refuse collection service,” said Bill Ferrigno.

The public works director has said allowing multifamily properties to opt could create a risk for the commercial base to get smaller as prices for the services could go up to cover overhead costs and potentially cause more customers to leave.

The city now serves 133 customers.

“We’ll evaluate after a year if Council passes the law,” Ferrigno said.

During the public hearing, a representative from Hayes Colony apartments, 470 McKinley Lane, came out to expressed support for the ordinance’s passage. City officials have reached out to Ohio Wesleyan University and other businesses, but have not heard back.

“The proposed legislation change really just impacts multi-family properties with dumpster service. We have reached out to OWU, but have not received any comments from them,” Ferrigno said.

Council members and city staff had expressed interest in getting feedback from the university.

Earlier this year, Council reduced commercial rates and the city now collects trash from a 6-cubic-yard dumpster once a week for $121.80 per month, compared with the previous rate at $143.98 per month. But representatives of Hayes Colony apartments and Olentangy View Condominiums, 1241 Rivercrest Drive, have said they can find lower prices in the private sector.

Council will discuss the ordinance at City Hall, 1 S. Sandusky St., 7 p.m. Monday in council chambers.

By Brandon Klein

[email protected]

Gazette reporter Brandon Klein can be reached by email or on Twitter at @brandoneklein.

No posts to display