Citrus Heights council votes to penalize residents who set out waste piles too early

By Sara Beth Williams–
In an effort to address blight and scavenging concerns, the Citrus Heights City Council on Wednesday approved an amendment authorizing Republic Services to issue penalties to customers who place bulk items out for collection too early.

The three present members of the council voted unanimously to approve the amendment on Wednesday. Councilmember Porsche Middleton was absent from the Nov. 13 City Council meeting, and the District 1 seat remains vacant until December.

No comment was made by council members about the item before passing as a consent calendar agenda item during the council meeting.

Currently, the Neighborhood Clean Up program allows residents to place out bulk items for collection three times per year. The dates of collection alternate between neighborhood zones throughout the city. Residents are notified seven days in advance through a door hanger and are currently allowed to put out materials early but are “encouraged not to do so more than 48 hours in advance,” according to the city. As of Nov. 16, no penalties are listed on the Neighborhood Clean Up website for setting out items prior to 48 hours before the scheduled pickup.

The approved amendment directs Republic Services to impose existing “Improper Large Item Collection” fees for piles placed out for collection in violation of the 48-hour set-out limits, according to the city.

When asked how much customers are charged for violating program guidelines, such as if a customer’s pile is larger than 10 cubic yards or if unacceptable materials are placed on the curb, a representative of Republic Services on Wednesday referred The Sentinel to Republic Services media relations. A member of Republic Services media relations team was not able to provide the requested information before press time.

According to a city staff report, fines will not be issued during the first four-month cycle in January 2025. During that time frame, Republic Services will identify items placed out prior to the 48-hour limit without issuing fines and instead “provide education” to the resident and account holder. After the first cycle of collection services, Republic Services will then be authorized to issue “Improper Large Item Collection” penalties.

“The NCU program has come under increased scrutiny over the past several years due to ongoing blight and other challenges resulting from various aspects of the NCU structure,” the city said. Several challenges associated with the collection program listed by the city include “extensive” scavenging, illegal dumping, which often comes from outside Citrus Heights, and conflicts with street sweeping schedules.

The amendment will reduce the potential for street sweeping schedule conflicts and reduce the window of time where holiday parking might be impacted on neighborhood streets, according to the city. In addition, the amendment includes language to avoid scheduling Neighborhood Clean Up dates for two days after holidays whenever possible.

Neighborhood Clean Up FlashVote survey results presented during an Aug. 28 City Council meeting showed a strong majority of Citrus Heights residents use and want to continue utilizing free Neighborhood Clean Up services offered by the city.

The city reports that the most common FlashVote recommendations for improvement included “enforcement of the existing 48-hour advance set-out requirements” as well as encouraging reporting of those who set piles out early.

City staff also plan to carry out “an extensive education and outreach campaign” to help make residents aware of the changes in the collection program, including using direct mailers, social media posts, revised door hangers, online and print newspaper ads, and through city events and neighborhood area meetings.

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