LTC 294-2017 Issues Relating to Trash CollectionsCity of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
Tel: 305-673-701 0 , Fax: 305-673-7782
NO. LTC# 294-2017 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Mayor Philip Levine and Members o _the C~_c)rr::;::_on
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager ( ]---
June 2, 2017
SUBJECT: ISSUES RELATING TO TRASH COLLECTIONS
The purpose of this Letter to Commission is to provide information with regards to some issues
that have been brought up during recent commission meetings and emails as they relate to trash
collection and disposal services offered by the City's haulers.
At the Sutnick Hour during the May Commission meeting, a resident representing a
condominium association stated that Waste Management had increased their fees and when she
questioned, they presented a fraudulent agreement with a "forged" authorization. The Account
Manager for Waste Management provided some correspondence with the resident representing
the condominium association which appears to be contract negotiations which transpired prior to
the commission meeting. The fraudulent agreement had been executed by the condominium
association's management company. While the City has a franchise agreement with various
waste haulers, it does not set rates for private haulers and does not get involved in private
contract negotiations. The condominium apparently has settled their dispute with Waste
Management and has been retained as their client.
There had been a previous complaint received where a business had claimed that they were
getting additional charges being put on their bill which was increasing their costs. The additional
charge was itemized as an "overage charge". This charge represents a fee that is imposed upon
the business when their container is overloaded. The company defends this as it takes
considerably more effort to empty and clean up the spilled material when trying to service or
empty the dumpster. As a cost savings measure, businesses and condominiums either reduce
their service levels or reduce the size of their containers. When overflowing conditions occur, it
becomes a public health concern and the property owner can be cited. This leads to increased
litter in alleys and streets. In response to the complaint received by the department, the hauler
was asked to notify their customers of any increased or additional charges prior to them taking
effect.
The last issue that has been discussed at Commission and subject of complaints has been
leaking garbage trucks. The City has discussed this at length with the contracted haulers.
Inspections and enforcement actions have resulted in significant improvement in this area. The
haulers have replaced the seals in their equipment. Recently, a Sanitation supervisor went
unannounced through the residential route and checked each truck on that day. They were all in
compliance with the City's directive and no leaks were recorded. These inspections will continue
to ensure further compliance.
JM/ETC/JJF