[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Council of the Village of Vicksburg as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 7-19-1977 by Ord. No. 118 (Ch. 54, Art. II, of the 1995 Village Code)]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
CUSTOMER
A person who has arranged or contracted for refuse collection service.
EMPLOYEE
An individual hired by an employer to work for wages or salary, whose responsibilities include handling the refuse bin. This includes individuals hired by the customer, owner, or refuse collector.
EMPLOYER
A person who hires one or more individuals to work for wages or salary.
OWNER
A person who has title to the refuse bin.
REFUSE BIN
Those bins which are mechanically emptied into refuse collection vehicles. Excluded from this article are roll-off containers hoisted atop tilt-frame or hoist-type trucks and manually handled cylindrical containers or manually handled disposal bags.
REFUSE COLLECTOR
The company, firm or other business organization which is in the business of providing refuse collection service.
USER
A person who deposits refuse into the refuse bin.
No person shall remove, mutilate or conceal any notice or placard posted by an employee of the Village except by permission of such employee.
If the owner, occupant or person in charge of any premises in the Village, to which the Village is given a right of entry for enforcement or administration purposes by any provision of this article or any code or regulation adopted by this article, refuses entry to the person responsible for enforcement of such provision, such person shall seek a warrant or use such other legal procedures as shall be advisable and reasonably necessary to discharge his duties.
The regulations of this article are minimum standards supplemental to the rules and regulations duly enacted by the State Department of Health and to the laws of the state relating to the public health. Where any of the provisions of this article and the provisions of state regulations apply, the more restrictive shall prevail.
Any person who shall fail to comply with any provision of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished as provided in § 1-6.
Nothing stated in this article shall be construed to limit the power of an employee of the Village to order the immediate and complete abatement of a public nuisance or menace to the public health or of a condition which, in the opinion of the employee of the Village, may become a menace to the public health.
A. 
Unloaded requirements.
(1) 
Hanging weight requirements. Refuse bins shall be designed, constructed, or modified such that they will not tip when subjected to 191 pounds hanging vertically from the leading edge of the refuse bin when tested under the conditions specified in Subsection C of this section.
(2) 
Pull force requirements. Refuse bins shall be designed, constructed, or modified such that they will not tip when subjected to a force of 70 pounds exerted horizontally from any leading edge of the refuse bin when tested under the conditions specified in Subsection C of this section.
B. 
Loaded requirements. Refuse bins shall be designed, constructed, or modified in such a manner that, when uniformly loaded, the load center of gravity shall lie within the wheel base of the refuse bin when tested according to the conditions specified in Subsection C of this section.
C. 
Conditions for testing. Tests to determine whether refuse bins satisfy the performance requirements given in Subsections A and B of this section are to be done separately and according to the following conditions in this section:
(1) 
The bin shall be empty.
(2) 
The bin shall rest on a hard, level surface.
(3) 
The bins shall not be allowed to move laterally on the surface upon which it rests.
(4) 
Bins with lids or covers shall have the lids or covers positioned in their most adverse stability condition.
(5) 
Bins with casters or wheels shall have the casters or wheels positioned in their most adverse stability condition (see Figure 1 on file at the office of the Village Manager).
D. 
Exceptions. If in-service or newly manufactured refuse bins cannot meet the requirements, they shall comply with the following:
(1) 
The refuse bin shall be reasonably secured in some manner such as chained or tied to a stake, fence, wall or other stationary object such that the bin will not tip over.
(2) 
The refuse bin shall be enclosed within a fence or barrier at least four feet in height with an access gate that is kept locked or otherwise reasonably protected from unauthorized access.
E. 
Safety markings.
(1) 
A safety marking shall be conspicuously located on each of the two opposite sides of the refuse bin, as illustrated in Figure 2, which is on file at the office of the Village Manager, such as: "Notice — Container must be placed on hard surface — Load uniformly."
(2) 
Safety markings shall be located on the front and the two sides of the refuse bin, as illustrated in Figure 2, which is on file at the office of the Village Manager, such as: "Caution — Do not play on or around."
(3) 
The size of the safety markings shall be at least five inches by seven inches.
F. 
Responsibilities.
(1) 
Manufacturer. It shall be the responsibility of the manufacturer of refuse bins to design and construct refuse bins in conformance with § 389-1 and Subsections A through D of this section. Manufactured refuse bins shall have a permanent identification of the name of the manufacturer and the date of manufacture or a code traceable to the date of manufacture.
(2) 
Retrofitter. It shall be the responsibility of persons who retrofit or modify in-service refuse bins to modify or reconstruct in-service refuse bins in conformance with Subsections A through D of this section.
(3) 
Owner. The owner's responsibility shall be as follows:
(a) 
It shall be the responsibility of the owner of refuse bins to ensure that in-service refuse bins are modified or retrofitted to meet the requirements of Subsections A through D of this section.
(b) 
It shall be the responsibility of the owner of refuse bins to ensure that only refuse bins which are in conformance with Subsections A through E of this section be used.
(c) 
The owner of refuse bins shall inform the customer of necessary safety precautions and requirements associated with the use of the refuse bins, including, but not limited to, the following:
[1] 
Refuse bins shall be placed on a hard, level, weather-resistant surface. Such surface shall extend at least two feet on each side of the container, and the unloading side shall be flush with the surrounding area.
[2] 
Refuse bins shall be loaded uniformly, with no refuse extending beyond the internal volume of the bin.
[3] 
All safety features for stability shall be used, such as fasteners, if fasteners are intended to secure the refuse bin to a stationary object.
[4] 
After the customer informs the owner of the refuse bin of any damage, defect, or malfunction of the refuse bin, it shall be repaired within 30 days.
(d) 
The owner shall train his/her employees in the handling and placement of refuse bins to be in conformance with Subsections A through D of this section.
(4) 
Refuse collector. The refuse collector's responsibility shall be as follows:
(a) 
The refuse collector shall train his/her employees in the use, handling and placement of refuse bins to be in conformance with the requirements of Subsections A through D of this section.
(b) 
The refuse collector shall inform the owner of refuse bins of any damage, defect, or malfunction of the refuse bins.
(c) 
The refuse collector shall notify the customer immediately, upon notification from the refuse collector employee, that no hard, level, weather-resistant area is available for placing a refuse bin.
(5) 
Refuse collector employee. The refuse collector employee's responsibility shall be as follows:
(a) 
The employee of the refuse collector shall return the refuse bins, after unloading, to their original location if this location is a hard, level, weather-resistant surface.
(b) 
The employee shall place a refuse bin only on a hard, level, weather-resistant surface. If such an area is not available, he must immediately notify his employer and the owner.
(6) 
Customer. The customer's responsibility shall be as follows:
(a) 
Be responsible for ensuring that a hard, level, weather-resistant surface is provided for the placement of refuse bins.
(b) 
Ensure that refuse bins used and placed on the customer's premises conform to the applicable requirements of Subsections A through D of this section.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Sec. 54-61, Subsection (f)(3), concerning training of employees, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
(c) 
Ensure that the refuse bin is loaded uniformly, with no refuse extending beyond the internal volume of the bin.
(d) 
Inform the owner of the refuse bin of any damage, defect, or malfunction to the refuse bin.
[Adopted 11-20-1995 by Ord. No. 217 (Ch. 54, Art. III, of the 1995 Village Code)]
For the purpose of this article, the words and phrases listed below shall have the following meanings:
CURBSIDE COLLECTION
The gathering by a hauler of designated materials placed by a customer within six feet of the curb or road's edge.
FRONT DOOR SERVICE
A service which collects designated materials on the exterior side of a residence which faces the street access for the residence.
GARBAGE
All waste consisting of or in general contact with putrescible animal and vegetable wastes resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food, and other small miscellaneous residential waste, such as consumer packaging used for food products.
HAULER
Any person involved in the business of collecting residential garbage generated within this jurisdiction.
LICENSING AGENT
The Village or a person or public agency designated by the Village to perform administrative duties specified in this article.
LOCAL UNIT
The Village.
ON-SITE COLLECTION SERVICE
Service provided to residential buildings of five dwelling units or more. Containers for such service generally shall be for common collection.
PERSON
Any individual, firm, public or private corporation, partnership, trust, public or private agency or any other entity or any group of such persons.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
Items which cannot be lawfully deposited in a type II landfill as defined by state law.
RECYCLABLE MATERIAL or RECYCLABLES
Waste materials which can be converted to a useful product and for which there is a market. Examples of recyclable materials include corrugated materials, cardboard, clear glass jars and bottles, and certain plastics and metals.
TRASH
All large rubbish and debris of a domestic or household character, except garbage, recyclables, and yard trimmings, or any other prohibited item. Recyclable containers containing trash shall be deemed trash for purposes of this article.
UNIT-BASED FEES
A fee system used by a hauler to charge for services based on the amount (weight or volume) of the material being collected from the customer. Fees progressively based on the collection container size shall be deemed unit-based fees for the purposes of this article.
YARD TRIMMINGS
Leaves, grass clippings, vegetable or other garden debris, shrubbery, or bush or tree trimmings less than four feet in length and two inches in diameter.
A. 
The purpose of this article is to protect and promote the public health, safety, and welfare of the inhabitants of the Village by regulating the collection of residential garbage and recyclables in a manner that will promote waste reduction.
B. 
This article does not prevent persons or organizations from marketing or disposing of collected materials where the persons or organizations choose, as long as the collected materials are marketed or disposed of in a manner which is consistent with local, state, and federal requirements.
This article is not intended to alter or delete terms or conditions of any existing contract or franchise or the Village's rights and abilities to develop other means of providing garbage, recycling, trash or yard trimmings service through, for example, but not limited to, collection services provided by municipal crews or private contractor(s).
A hauler who violates any of the provisions of this article shall be deemed to be responsible for a municipal civil infraction as defined by Michigan Statutes and shall be subject to a civil fine of not more than $500 along with costs. which may include all expenses, direct and indirect, to which the Village has been put in connection with the municipal civil infraction. In no case, however, shall costs of less than $9 nor more than $500 be ordered. Each day that a violation occurs shall constitute a separate offense. The foregoing sanctions shall be in addition to the rights of the Village to proceed under § 389-23 or at law or equity with other appropriate and proper remedies.
A. 
Available curbside collection services.
(1) 
A hauler shall offer the following four curbside collection services to its residential customers in buildings containing four dwelling units or less:
(a) 
Garbage;
(b) 
Recycling;
(c) 
Trash; and
(d) 
Yard trimmings.
(2) 
Customers shall be permitted to purchase any or all of the above services on either a regular or irregular basis.
B. 
A hauler shall not limit the amount of residential recyclable materials from each customer as long as the materials are generated by that customer.
C. 
A hauler shall offer at least three garbage collection container size options. The smallest option shall be no greater than a thirty-gallon container.
D. 
A hauler shall offer owners of housing structures with five or more units the opportunity for on-site collection of garbage and/or recyclables.
E. 
Haulers shall abide by local ordinances in effect which regulate days when materials are collected.
A. 
A hauler shall offer its regular curbside residential garbage-recycling customers a minimum of once-per-week garbage collection service and once-per-month recycling collection service. A hauler shall also offer irregular or as-needed collection service.
B. 
A hauler shall offer its regular curbside residential garbage customers residential trash and yard trimming collection services at a frequency of not less than four times per year. A hauler shall also offer irregular or as-needed collection service.
A. 
A hauler shall clearly and separately indicate on the customer's billing statements the fees for each of the following collection services purchased every time the customer is billed:
(1) 
Garbage;
(2) 
Recycling;
(3) 
Trash; and
(4) 
Yard trimmings.
B. 
Fees for residential collection services shall be unit-based, with the exception of recycling, which shall not be unit-based.
C. 
A hauler shall not charge an extra fee for front door or similar noncurbside service to elderly or handicapped customers who provide proof to the hauler of a disability which renders their household unable to place materials for collection at the curb or road edge. In a case of dispute between a customer and hauler as to the adequacy of the proof provided by the customer, the Village Manager shall make the final determination.
A. 
All haulers shall provide proof of minimum liability insurance when working in the Village as follows:
(1) 
Commercial general liability (including contractual liability, independent contractors' coverage, and broad form general liability extensions):
(a) 
Personal/bodily injury: $1,000,000 each person; $1,000,000 each accident.
(b) 
Property damage: $1,000,000 each accident; $1,000,000 each aggregate.
(2) 
Motor vehicle liability (including hired cars and auto nonownership):
(a) 
Bodily injury: $1,000,000 each person; $1,000,000 each occurrence.
(b) 
Property damage: $1,000,000 each accident; $1,000,000 each aggregate.
B. 
The insurance company(ies) providing the above insurance to the hauler must be licensed to do business in the state, recognized by the Michigan Insurance Bureau, and have a rating in the latest Best rating of B+ or better.
C. 
The insurance policy shall include an endorsement stating that it is understood and agreed by the hauler and its insurance company that 30 days' advance written notice of cancellation, nonrenewal, reduction, and/or material change of the insurance policy shall be sent to the licensing agent and Village.
A. 
Semiannual educational notice. On a semiannual basis, all haulers shall distribute to their residential customers, the Village and the licensing agent printed material which communicates the availability of and includes the details and procedures for the collection services regulated in this article. Haulers may distribute the printed materials with customer billings or appropriate leave-behind tags for its customers. A hauler shall notify its residential customers of any material changes in service that affect the customer on or before the next billing cycle.
B. 
Educating noncompliant customers. If a customer of the hauler does not properly prepare materials for collection, a hauler is not obligated to pick up the material if, by collecting the materials, a hauler places itself in a position of noncompliance with this article or other applicable law. In such cases, the hauler shall notify the customer of the potential violation and provide instructions to the customer on how to comply. The notification shall be: a leave-behind tag, a letter, telephone and/or direct personal communication.
In order to permit public evaluation of the waste reduction measures promoted in this article, all haulers shall file quarterly reports with the licensing agent by the 15th day of January, April, July and October of each year. The report shall contain a good faith estimate of the amount of residential recyclables collected by the hauler within: the City of Kalamazoo, the City of Portage, and that portion of Kalamazoo County outside the cities of Kalamazoo and Portage.
No person shall engage in the business of collecting residential garbage within the Village without first obtaining a hauler license.
A. 
The application will require: the name, local address, and telephone number of the hauler; the name, address, and telephone number of the hauler's main office, if the local office is a subsidiary or branch location; and proof of insurance. The application shall be signed by a duly authorized officer or employee of the hauler.
B. 
A licensee shall notify the licensing agent, in writing, prior to any substantial change in the information provided in the application.
A. 
Application or renewal licensing fees shall be paid by the applicant upon submittal of the application to the licensing agent. The application and renewal fees shall be set by the licensing agent. If the Village designates Kalamazoo County as the licensing agent under this article and one or more other municipalities do the same, a single application fee paid by the hauler to Kalamazoo County for a hauler license shall satisfy the application fee requirement for those municipalities. The fees shall be reasonable and shall not exceed the cost of administering this article.
B. 
A license shall expire on December 31 of each year.
A. 
Upon receipt of a completed application and the application fee, the licensing agent has up to 45 days to determine the accuracy of the information included on the application. If the information on the application is found to be accurate, the licensing agent shall issue a written notice of approval no later than 45 days after receipt of the application. If any inaccuracy(ies) become apparent, the licensing agent shall inform the applicant of the inaccuracy(ies) by certified mail and request a correction.
B. 
A hauler shall provide corrected information for the application, by certified mail, to the licensing agent within seven days of receipt of the original request or be subject to denial of the license by 12:00 midnight of the seventh day, if such information is not forthcoming.
C. 
Notice of denial shall be sent to the applicant by certified mail. The notice shall include the notification of the right of the applicant to request reconsideration of the denial and to have a hearing thereon before the licensing agent. Any such request for reconsideration shall be filed in writing with the licensing agent within 10 days from the date of mailing of the notice of denial. The hearing shall be noticed and conducted by the licensing agent in substantial accordance with the procedures set forth in § 389-23.
A. 
The Village may, acting in accordance with § 389-23, suspend or revoke a hauler's license to operate within the Village's jurisdiction.
B. 
A license may be suspended or revoked for the following reasons:
(1) 
The failure of the licensee to substantially comply with this article or any other applicable federal, state, county and local laws and regulations;
(2) 
Misrepresentation of any material fact contained in the license application; and/or
(3) 
The failure of the licensee to make payment of any municipal civil infraction fine(s) imposed for violation of this article.
C. 
If a hauler's license is suspended, it will remain suspended for such period of time as is set by the Village. If a hauler's license is revoked by the Village, the licensing agent shall not issue a new license until approval has been granted by the Village.
A. 
Written notice of a public hearing to consider suspension or revocation of a license shall be mailed by certified mail to the licensee at its last known address not less than seven days prior to the public hearing at which the suspension or revocation of the license will be considered. The notice shall indicate the date, time, and location of the hearing. It shall also include a statement of the tentative reasons for the proposed suspension or revocation.
B. 
The public hearing shall provide the opportunity for the hauler to present witnesses and question any adverse witnesses as may appear at the hearing.
C. 
Any suspension or revocation imposed by the Village shall be based upon a full consideration of the evidence presented at the public hearing.
D. 
The Village shall have 30 days from the date of the public hearing to make a determination. Written notice of the determination, along with a statement of the reasons for the determination, shall be mailed by certified mail to the last known address of the licensee no later than eight days after the Village's decision.
A license shall not be transferable or assignable to another.