HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7830 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7830
AATEN May 17, 1994
Syr o4 r� To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
X Subject: SOLED WASTE ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM
1873 (S.W.E.E.P.)
BACKGROUND
In late 1992 the City of Fort Worth was awarded a grant in the amount of$77,200 from the
Texas Water Commission for enhanced local enforcement of illegal dumping laws for the
period December 1, 1992 through November 30, 1993. The grant required 50% matching
funds and in-kind services. $52,809 from the Solid Waste Fund was used as the cash match
for this grant and the remainder of the match was derived from in-kind services. The
contract with the Texas Water Commission was not actually executed by the State until May
19, 1993. Two Deputy City Marshals from the City Marshal's Office transferred into the
program as S.W.E.E.P. officers beginning May 22, 1993.
The concept for S.W.E.E.P. was a cooperative program involving Code Enforcement, Solid
Waste Management, Fort Worth Clean City, and the S.W.E.E.P. officers. The program was
developed to deter illegal dumping through enhanced enforcement by patrolling known
dumpsites, providing surveillance of dumpsites,educating haulers,and other such activities.
S.W.E.E.P. was loosely structured so as to enable development of the best means possible to
achieve the objectives of the program. Initially, it was largely left up to the S.W.E.E.P.
officers to determine their own methods of operation and work schedules. As S.W.E.E.P.
progressed, changes were made in the administration of the program in an effort to focus
more time and effort on the deterring illegal dumping and citing more violators.
TRAINING
Between May 22 and July 2, 1993, the two Deputy City Marshals spent approximately 372
hours in training and preparation for S.W.E.E.P. That time included a grant orientation
meeting in Austin with TWC personnel on June 1 and a second meeting conducted by Keep
Texas Beautiful in Austin from June 30 through July 2 on "Litter, Illegal Dumping & The
Texas Health and Safety Code". Additional training was conducted with Solid Waste
Management,Code Enforcement,Municipal Courts,and Tarrant County Refuse Enforcement
Officers on patrolling, ordinances,citation writing,and other aspects of the program. Actual
cash outlays for training including the trips to Austin which included other City personnel
were approximately $1,800.
EQUIPMENT
Equipment purchased for S.W.E.E.P. include a patrol sedan and a 4-wheel drive Jeep with
light bars, radios, and MDT's, handheld radios, computer workstation and printer, scales,
video cameras, and other minor equipment and operating supplies. Total cost was $62,869.
in addition to the marked vehicles, two old, unmarked pickups were acquired for use in
patrolling and surveillance activities at dumpsites.
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CM MIETUY
FT. WOR111k TOL.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH. TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7830
p,RTE �40 May 17, 1894
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 2 of 3
Subject: SOLED WASTE ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM
1873 (S.W.E.E.P.)
PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS
From July 1993 through April 1994, S.W.E.E.P. Officers issued 228 citations for violations
of City ordinances and State laws as follows:
VIOLATION NUMBER
Illegal dumping (City) 10
Illegal dumping (State) 16
Accumulated trash 1
Littering 19
No tarp/tailgate 65
No hauling permit 47
No tags 1
No plates 11
No tail lights 3
No insurance 27
No license 16
Ran red light 2
Public intoxication I
Change of address 1
Conduct/urination 2
No mud flaps 1
Expired tags I
No head lights 1
Defective exhaust 2
Parking 1
Total 228
In addition to the citations,S.W.E.E.P.officers also assisted in the closing and cleanup
of some illegal dumpsites. Data from the program is still being developed and
assessed for reporting to the State.
It is difficult to measure how effective S.W.E.E.P. was. There does not appear to be
any decrease in the number of dumpsites or the volume of materials being dumped.
Illegal dump cleanup crews actually expect to clean more sites and pickup more
materials this year than in past years. Whether illegal dumping would have become
even more of a problem had S.W.E.E.P.not been in place is likely since waste disposal
costs are increasing and there are fewer permitted disposal facilities.
CRY SMUTARY
L ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER RTWef IT44yEl
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7830
RTEp
pie 19 94
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Ma
Pag17e 3 of 3
SOLID WASTE ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM
1873 Subject: (S.W.E.E.P.)
CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE PLANS
$76,032 was requested by the City to continue S.W.E.E.P. in 1994. In March the City was
notified by TNRCC that only$38,106 was available. Four other entities in the region which
have similar programs were also notified of decreases in State funding. It is our
understanding that decreases in TNRCC assistance have occurred state-wide.
Following notification of the reduction in State assistance,the Municipal Courts Director and
the two S.W.E.E.P. officers were notified that funding was only available to operate the
current program through June 30, 1994 and it was anticipated that the program would not
be continued as it was beyond that date. The Municipal Courts Director was advised that
if vacancies occurred within the Municipal Courts, the two S.W.E.E.P. officers be considered
for transfer back to Municipal Courts. Vacancies did occur and the officers at their request
were subsequently transferred back to the Courts effective April 30, 1994.
Illegal dumping remains a problem. Some options are currently being considered that would
involve Police and Code Enforcement personnel on a more limited basis to provide enhanced
enforcement and focus on illegal dumping.The State requires that equipment purchased for
the grant continue to be used in illegal dump enforcement for a period of three years. In the
interim, the S.W.E.E.P. hotline and all illegal dumping complaints are being monitored and
responded to by Code Enforcement.
Additional information can be provided upon request.
ABob LTerrel[l
City Manager
OFFIC14 1190RD
CITY' XCRUAff
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ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS