By Tyler Marr

Council hears plan for future city-wide garbage bin conversion

Aug 28, 2018 | 9:02 AM

During 2017 budget talks, city council approved the conversion of communal garbage bins to roll-out bins for the Midtown area, stemming in part from a 13-year issue plaguing the neighbourhood that residents called “out of control” and “a disgusting headache.”

A five-year, five-phase conversion project was later approved, at a cost of $44,000 per year for remaining neighbourhoods around the city. The department of public works has estimated the total number of roll-out bins needed to convert the entire city is 3,685, carrying a cost of $254,353.

As part of the process in Midtown, paper and online surveys were made available for residents to weigh in on bin placement, be it front or rear lane pickup. The neighbourhood was then divided into smaller segments to better facilitate the process. 

Monday night, administration updated city councillors on how they would like to proceed with converting the remaining 300-gallon communal bins across Prince Albert. Staff are suggesting following a similar process, which will consist of dividing the city into small segments, conducting surveys on bin placement, and informing affected residents on how the project will be executed.

Administration also recommended separate consultations on each phase, and in the same year the conversion is slated to be complete, so as not to confuse residents.

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Most municipal lawmakers were on board with the suggested process and applauded city staff on the methods used so far. However, Ward 2 Coun. Terra Lennox-Zepp held trepidation over the quarter-million dollar price tag and the possibility of forcing wheelie bins upon those who prefer the communal containers.

“I think we are going to have a lot of citizens frustrated and not want to see the large bins be removed,” she said, preferring rolling out the new bins on a need-by-need basis. “That is not small change and I think it would be more responsible spending.”

Though understanding of her position, Ward 8 Coun. Ted Zurakowski said eliminating the 300-gallon bins will pay positive dividends when it comes to public safety. He called the bins “a magnet for the naysayers and no-good doers,” and believed they draw people into back alleys for nefarious reasons.

“Quite often there are no good things that happen in back lanes after dark,” he said. “I think this will help us towards that one big goal of increasing public safety.”

Ward 6 Coun. Blake Edwards agreed, pointing out how the bins are routinely being lit on fire, overflowing with trash and draw people in from out of town to dump.

“I think it is important we convert some of these. We need to move forward with this,” he said.

Ward 2 Coun. Evert Botha, who represents much of the Midtown area, said though the conversion started a bit rough, it has been overwhelmingly accepted by a majority of residents. Botha said he had heard from around four people objecting to the move initially, but said they too had come around.

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr