INC NEWS - yard waste resolution

[pat carstensen]

I sent a letter on the INC yard waste resolution to mayor and council, but 
it would be a lot more effective if they got some more letters supporting 
the idea of a citizen committee to get a better solution and more solid 
support for the resulting solution (before they go off and make a bad 
decision).  The text of the resolution is below for your information.

Thanks, pat

Attachment A: Yard Waste

Resolved: ______INC______ formally requests that the City of Durham 
re-examine its policies on the collection of yard waste within the city 
limits. This re-examination should include a review of the purpose of 
collecting yard waste, the methods of collecting yard waste, and the 
distribution of the costs of collecting yard waste. Thorough examination of 
the practices of other municipalities, including cost structures and 
collection practices, should also be included. A working committee comprised 
of relevant city employees, department heads, and representatives of 
community organizations should conduct this review, and be charged with 
making specific recommendations to City Council as to how this policy should 
be rewritten.

The City of Durham has gradually, over the past few years, increased the out 
of pocket costs to its citizens of participating in the yard waste 
collection program by requiring the purchase of a specified yard waste cart, 
instituting an annual fee to register the required cart, increasing that 
annual fee by 20% in the current fiscal year, reducing the amount of yard 
waste that will be picked up with the payment of these required fees, and 
charging additional fees for the removal of normal amounts of yard waste.

The result of these policies has been a continued decline in participation 
in the yard waste program among Durham citizens. According to figures 
published in the Durham Herald-Sun on 20 December, 2004, approximately 
13,000 Durham households are currently participating in the program, down 
significantly from approximately 18,000 in the previous fiscal year, and 
down dramatically from the period before annual fees were instituted. The 
revenue generated by current levels of participation is lower than that 
generated in recent years, despite the increase in fees.

A search of the internet for the published yard waste collection policies of 
other North Carolina municipalities shows Durham is currently in the 
minority in both the restrictions on yard waste and the fees charged for 
picking such waste up. Although we applaud the city's efforts to encourage 
citizens to reuse as much of this material as possible, we urge the city to 
recognize that it's efforts are counterproductive. As fewer citizens 
participate in the program, more yard waste is is either dumped illegally or 
simply pushed out onto the city streets. The results are increased pollution 
in our creeks and streams, unsightly streets, and blocked storm drains, 
creating esthetic, health, and safety problems for all residents.