HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8353 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8353
Date: September 18, 2001
00/
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
0 *11111
Page I of I
raga SUBJECT: Local Investigation and Enforcement of
Illegal Dumping Violations
The City of Fort Worth is currently a party to an Interlocal Contract with Tarrant County to provide, through the
office of Constable Jack Allen, staffing to assist in the location, identification, investigation and enforcement of
instances of littering and illegal dumping within the City of Fort Worth. This contract expires at the end of
September 2001. The City of Fort Worth, Department of Environmental Management, Solid Waste
Management Division, currently has two Code Compliance Officers dedicated solely to the investigation and
enforcement of local ordinance and state law violations as related to the disposal of solid waste within the City
of Fort Worth. On occasion, violators of the local and state environmental statues have been found to reside
outside the city limits of Fort Worth. It is on these occasions that the City finds itself in need of personnel to
serve warrants to violators that reside outside its legal jurisdiction. This contract provides for personnel to
augment and enhance the City's efforts in enforcing Texas Law regarding the illegal dumping of solid waste
along city streets, empty lots and other areas within the City.
In FY 2000/2001, the City of Fort Worth contracted with the County for $104,403 to perform the services listed
above. The City has been contracting with Tarrant County for the full time equivalent of two deputy constables
for the enforcement of illegal dumping ordinances within the City of Fort Worth since October 1, 1995.
Enforcement efforts of the deputy constables are coordinated with the efforts of enforcement personnel in the
Solid Waste Management Division and of the Code Compliance Department. While this partnership has
,esulted in the identification and removal of some illegal dumpsites, it is staff's opinion that a better option may
exist for the identification, enforcement and abatement of illegal dumpsites.
As the City of Fort Worth works to redefine the delivery of its solid waste services, the activities the City
performs to achieve Council's Strategic Goal of a "cleaner and more attractive city" will be addressed. While
the need for increased enforcement exists, it is the opinion of City Staff that the application of these funds
could be better utilized. It is the recommendation of City staff that, until such time as the direction and goals of
the City of Fort Worth's solid waste program are better defined and the enforcement activities of similar market
cities can be benchmarked and a more effective investigation and enforcement program can be implemented
this contract not be renewed. Monies budgeted for this contract will be returned to the Solid Waste Fund
Balance.
Unless the Fort Worth City Council directs otherwise, staff will not bring forward an M&C for the renewal of this
contract.
Should you have any comments or questions concerning the information in this document, please contact
Brian Boemer, Director of Environmental Management.
a W. J ck
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
................