HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 06/10/2025 - Memorandum from Jacob Castillo and Emily Wenger re Q2 2025 Update on Contracted Residential Waste Collection Program OperationsEnvironmental Services Department
222 Laporte Avenue
PO Box 580, Fort Collins, CO,80522
970-221-6600
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MEMORANDUM
Date: June 5, 2025
To: Mayor and Councilmembers
Thru: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Tyler Marr, Deputy City Manager
From: Jacob Castillo, Chief Sustainability Officer
Emily Wenger, Contracting Program Manager, Environmental Services
Subject: Q2 2025 Update on Contracted Residential Waste Collection Program Operations
BOTTOM LINE
This memo shares key updates with City Council on the City’s Contracted Residential Waste
Collection program and staff’s progress towards stable program delivery. Highlights from the
beginning of 2025 include:
• The addition of approximately 2,000 new yard trimmings customers in 2025
• Service updates including:
o Missed pickups
o Challenges with automated trucks and alley service
• Update on outreach efforts to reduce the number of overdue opt-out accounts.
• Operational updates
o Republic is submitting reports on time
o Remittances of the administrative fee equal $324,769.50 remitted to date
o Hiring an additional FTE to help support program operations
BACKGROUND
Service
• Implementation of Yard Trimmings on an opt-out basis for all customers: Due to
miscommunication with Republic during launch, many former Republic customers did
not receive yard trimming carts as intended. This was resolved ahead of the 2025
season, adding ~2,000 new customers.
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• Missed Pickups: Total missed pickups for Q1 were 1,475, and the average days to
recover was 1.6. Republic reports meeting the contractual standard for recovery in Q1
2025, and City staff are working on confirming.
• Alley Service Issues: Republic continues to face challenges in narrow alleys, including
causing damage to property, overhanging tree branches, and low-hanging telecom lines.
Tree and wire issues are being reported to the City to be resolved. While there’s no clear
solution for recurring property damage, staff are discussing potential solutions with
Republic, including exploring a curbside service pilot and encouraging Republic to
consider smaller trucks for servicing alleys.
Billing & Payment
• Opt-Out Fee Enforcement: In early March, ~1,500 opt-out accounts had a past due
balance. The City issued an educational letter to occupants of the affected residences,
and this dropped to ~1,000. A second letter will be sent to property owners to inform
them that unpaid bills are ultimately the owners’ responsibility.
Remittance & Reporting
• Reports & remittances are being submitted on time and as required
• Total amount remitted to date: $324,769.50
NEXT STEPS
• Code Update Implementation: Following recent Council-approved changes, the City
Manager signed a rule excluding seven households from the program due to safety
concerns, and staff are developing an application process for newly adopted variances,
expected to be available to residents in early June.
• Price increase: Republic can petition to request an annual price increase above 3% if
increase is tied to disposal cost increases. City staff expect to receive a petition soon,
and staff will work with Purchasing and CAO to review the petition and work with
Republic to agree on a price increase.
• Increasing City Staff Capacity: An additional FTE has been hired to support continued
progress toward solidifying program operations, including supporting opt-out fee
compliance efforts, answering residents’ questions about the program, and generating
reports related to contractor performance.
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CC: Josh Birks, Deputy Director Sustainability Services
Megan DeMasters, Manager, Environmental Services
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