Ballot Question: Residential Waste Collection

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Consultation has concluded


Consultation on this topic has concluded. Results of the ballot question can be viewed on the Jefferson County election results web page. Thank you to everyone in the community that participated in this important discussion.




Consultation on this topic has concluded. Results of the ballot question can be viewed on the Jefferson County election results web page. Thank you to everyone in the community that participated in this important discussion.



Consultation has concluded

Post your question here and city staff will respond within two business days. 

Please note that your questions will be visible to the public. If you'd like to send a private message, email us at sustainability@lakewood.org.

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    Under the contracted trash ballot issue would every residence be forced to accept trash pickup or could they opt out for whatever reason?

    DM asked over 4 years ago

    Single family home owners would be required to participate in the program unless exempted as part of an HOA that has opted out of the system. A home owner could decide to contract with a different hauler than the one selected to serve their neighborhood, but they would still be required to pay a minimum fee (to be determined during final contract negotiations) into the contracted system.


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    What happens to all the other businesses - trash collectors - picking up trash? If they don't land the city contract are they put out of business?

    bwim72 asked over 4 years ago

    The city contract would only apply to residential properties with seven or fewer units. Companies that are not awarded the contract would lose a significant share of residential accounts in Lakewood; however, these companies would maintain and continue to compete for multifamily and commercial accounts, as well as any accounts they may have in neighboring communities. The city would open the contract for new bids for residential collection from companies every three to five years, providing opportunities for all waste hauling companies to compete for the contract.

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    My HOA currently contracts with Republic Waste for trash pickup? How will this impact people like me? Would we stay on with our services? Would we get a better deal since you would be larger contractors? Would the waste disposal contractors be able to meet the higher demand or will service suffer? Has a cost benefit analysis been made? If so, where can I read it?

    Siskofloyd asked over 4 years ago

    HOAs would be automatically signed up under the citywide contract, unless they chose to opt out and demonstrated they were providing similar types of services (trash, recycling, etc.). 

    The pricing has not been finalized; however, you can compare your costs with the range of pricing proposed by hauling companies who responded to the Request for Proposals.

    The citywide contractor(s) would be required to maintain the level of service defined in the contract, which you can read more about on pages 5-6 in the Request for Proposals document.

    The city did provide an analysis, including costs and other impacts, for a contracted system in Section 3.2 (21-33) of the 2019 Analysis of Residential Waste Collection Improvement Options.

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    Our trash collection is contracted through our HOA. Would this proposal offer an alternative to that or is our neighborhood not affected? Thanks

    Mark asked over 4 years ago

    HOAs would be included in the new system, unless they chose to opt out and demonstrated they were providing similar types of services (trash, recycling, etc.).

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    On ballot question 2F: Will all costs (including administrative costs) be covered by fees charged to residences with 7 or fewer units. Or will any of the cost/fees be passed on to residences of 8 or more units.

    Don’t have one asked over 4 years ago

    The program, including the fees, would be applied only to residences of 7 or fewer units.

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    The proposal establishes twice a year yard waste pickup. Do you have more details? * Will it be curbside pickup, or something else? * Is there a limit to the amount of yard waste? * What will and won't be accepted? Leaves? Branches? Sod? ...? * Do leaves need to be bagged? * Branches cut to size and bundled? * Will there be ad hoc service after a storm? Also, do you have any similar details about the weekly compost/yard waste service that can be purchased as an add-on?

    Ken R asked over 4 years ago

    The twice-a-year yard waste pickup will be provided as a curbside service for all residents. Details of how the pickup will be administered (including size and specific yard wastes) were not included in the RFP and would be determined through contract negotiations. The voluntary compost services would be provided as a weekly curbside pickup of yard waste and food scraps in a container no smaller than 64 gallons for residents upon request. The hauler would be responsible for providing proof that the collected materials are composted at an approved facility for both the the twice-a-year yard waste and the weekly compost pickup. Additional details for these services can be found in Part IV, Pages 2-3 of the Request for Proposals document.

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    Will I still be charged when I leave my home and go South for the Winter for 4-5 months?

    Dale asked over 4 years ago

    The terms for suspension of service or vacant properties were not included in the RFP, so it has not been determined. A minimum fee may be required for vacant homes in order to maintain the lowest possible pricing citywide. This approach is common in many contracted systems, such as the City of Golden.

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    I do not have the need for trash pick-up. How can I exempt myself from this service?

    J asked over 4 years ago

    Single family home owners would be required to participate in the program unless exempted as part of an HOA that has opted out of the system. A home owner could decide not to receive service, but they would still be required to pay a minimum fee (to be determined during final contract negotiations) into the contracted system. 

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    Would owners of single family homes be required to use the company chosen by the city of Lakewood?

    BWadman asked over 4 years ago

    Single family home owners would be required to participate in the program unless exempted as part of an HOA that has opted out of the system. A home owner could decide to contract with a different hauler than the one selected to serve their neighborhood, but they would still be required to pay a minimum fee (to be determined during final contract negotiations) into the contracted system. 

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    My neighboorhood does not have an HOA, so does this mean I can opt out as an individual home owner? You ballot says HOAs can opt out of this.

    Mike2020 asked over 4 years ago

    Individual homeowners would not be able to opt out. HOAs would be given the ability to opt out of the system only if they are already providing services similar to the citywide contract, including providing recycling for all HOA members and having only one company service the entire HOA neighborhood in order to reduce truck traffic.