Madison won't pick up large items from big apartment buildings next year

About 900 properties in the city that have nine units or more will see the service eliminated as city streets officials look to crack down on a handful of properties that abuse the service. Despite budget constraints in the Streets Division, it also has had to keep up with new housing developments and the city’s growing population.

“It’s just not a sustainable path at this time,” City Streets Superintendent Charlie Romines told the City Council on Tuesday. “We’re seeing more items spend more time on the curb.”

Over the past four years, the city has relied on a work order system to collect large items. But rising use of the system has put a further strain on streets crews and caused further delays to large item pickup, Romines said.

“The expectation is if (large properties) are no longer serviced then we will be able to maintain a more acceptable level of service for those living in eight units or below,” Romines said.

The city intends to send out flyers to properties affected by the new policy in the weeks ahead. Once the new rules take effect on Jan. 1, properties will have a 24-hour grace period to get items picked up by a private service from terraces, the grassy areas between the sidewalk and the road.

Fines will be imposed after the grace period.

Depositing a large item on a terrace without approval will see fines from $100 for a first offense to $1,000 for a fourth offense or more.

Seven council members voted against the policy. Those opposed were: Amani Latimer Burris, Barbara Harrington-McKinney, Isadore Knox, Charles Myadze, MGR Govindarajan, Mike Verveer and Nasra Wehelie.

Verveer, who represents Downtown in District 4, has been a vocal opponent of the change and warned that it could lead to uncollected trash on terraces, illegal dumping and costs getting passed on to tenants by property owners.

“I believe stakeholders will ultimately really miss this level of service that they’ve long enjoyed,” Verveer said.