Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meaning of words and terms as used in this division shall be as follows:
Commercial waste.
All refuse emanating from establishments engaged in business, including but not limited to stores, markets, office buildings, restaurants, shopping centers, theaters, hospitals, governments and nursing homes.
Dwelling unit.
Any enclosure, building or portion thereof occupied by one or more persons for and as living quarters.
Garbage.
Waste resulting from the handling, processing, storage, packaging, preparation, sale, cooking and serving of meat, produce and other foods, and shall include unclean containers.
Multifamily unit.
Any structure containing more than four individual dwelling units.
Recycling center.
Facility where recyclable products are sorted and stored until sold.
Refuse.
All garbage and/or rubbish or trash.
Refuse collection transfer station.
A permitted facility that is used to deliver and transfer refuse into a trailer for delivery and disposal at a permitted landfill.
Residential.
Any structure containing four or less individual dwelling units, rooming houses having no more than four persons in addition to the family of the owner or operator, and mobile homes.
Rubbish or trash.
All nonputrescible materials such as paper, tin cans, bottles, glass, crockery, rags, ashes, lawn and tree trimmings, stumps, boxes, wood, street sweepings and mineral refuse. Rubbish or trash shall not include earth and waste from building operations or wastes from industrial processes or manufacturing operations.
Single dwelling unit.
An enclosure, building or portion thereof occupied by one family as living quarters.
Solid waste.
All non-liquid garbage, rubbish or trash.
(Ordinance 1999-5, sec. 5.01(a), adopted 6/8/99)
(a) 
Residential sanitation service.
(1) 
Sanitation service is collected twice weekly. Households on the north side of Highway 190 are collected on Mondays and Thursdays. Households on the south side of Highway 190 are collected on Tuesdays and Fridays. Brush pickup weekly, place brush with the stem toward the street for easy pickup and will be limited to one truckload without additional charge. Large items are picked up every Wednesday.
(2) 
Prohibited items include refrigerators, freezers, a/c units, car tires, hazardous materials, and liquids. The customer must contact city hall to be put on the list for pickup and to see what to do about prohibited items.
(3) 
Monthly rates are as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(b) 
Commercial sanitation service.
(1) 
Sanitation service provided for commercial purposes inside the city limits for a private business supplied at on delivery, billed under the commercial service rate. This schedule is not applicable to resale, breakdown, or standby services.
(2) 
Rates for commercial collection shall be as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(c) 
Special collections.
(1) 
Monthly pickup for large items as defined above and periodic pickup for limbs, brush, leaves, etc.
ln an effort to promote a clean, healthy community, the city will provide residential collection of rubbish and bulky waste each month. The customer must notify the city of items to be picked up. No additional fee will be charged for this service, unless refuse requires special handling, processing, or disposal (freon removed, etc.). In that case, cost will be passed to the customer. Rates shall be as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(2) 
Construction debris.
The city will furnish a dumpster for construction debris. Each time the dumpster is emptied, a fee will be charged as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(3) 
Tires.
a fee will be charged as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(d) 
The following rates on all vehicles, containers, trailers and trucks, commercial and private haulers, residents and nonresidents of the city, depositing municipal solid waste as defined in the Texas Municipal Solid Waste Act and more particularly as “solid waste resulting from or incidental to municipal, community, commercial, institutional, and recreational activities, including garbage, rubbish, ashes, street cleanings, dead animals, and all other solid waste other than industrial and hazardous solid waste,” shall be charged a fee as provided in appendix A of this code.
(Ordinance 1999-5, sec. 5.02, adopted 6/8/99; Ordinance 2008-02 adopted 1/14/08; Ordinance 2008-08 adopted 3/11/08; Ordinance adopting Code)
The city shall collect all sales taxes generated by this division and shall promptly pay all amounts so collected to the appropriate taxing authority.
(Ordinance 1999-5, sec. 5.01(s), adopted 6/8/99)
(a) 
All solid waste accumulated within the city shall be collected, conveyed and disposed of by [employees of] the city specifically authorized to collect and dispose of solid waste. Collection hours shall be from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Exceptions to these times shall be determined by the city manager, when an exception is necessary, in order to complete collection due to unusual circumstances. The city shall adhere to the approved pickup schedule, and may publish a post-holiday pickup schedule as needed. Holidays are determined by the city council on an annual basis.
(b) 
Collection routes for all residential, commercial and industrial service shall be established by the city in an efficient and business-like manner. Garbage and trash shall be collected, hauled and disposed of in the residential, commercial and industrial districts or sections of the city as often as it is deemed practical and necessary for the good health of the community.
(c) 
Pickup at the customer’s site shall be done in such a manner as to avoid spills whenever possible.
(d) 
All materials hauled by the city shall be so contained, tied or enclosed that leaking, spilling or blowing is prevented. Any spills that do occur shall be promptly cleaned up by city.
(e) 
All city residents are encouraged to participate in the city’s recycling program. A recycling trailer will be located at different locations throughout the city for the collection of recyclables, and the city’s recycling center is open to the public on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
(f) 
All complaints shall be made directly to the city manager, and shall be given prompt, courteous attention. In the case of alleged missed scheduled collections, the city shall arrange for the collection of the refuse not collected, in a timely manner, after the complaint is received.
(Ordinance 1999-5, sec. 5.01(b), adopted 6/8/99)
(a) 
The owner or occupant of every dwelling unit shall provide at his or her own expense a suitable container for the storage of solid waste as provided in this division.
(b) 
The owner or occupant of a commercial or industrial enterprise shall be provided bins by the city whenever customers request their use. Each bin shall be placed in an agreed outside location on a hard surface where it is accessible. All items shall be kept in good repair and appearance and in a sanitary condition at all times and will have appropriate signage.
(c) 
No owner or occupant shall permit to accumulate quantities of refuse or other waste materials within or close to any structure within the city unless the same is stored in approved containers and in such a manner as not to create a health or fire hazard.
(d) 
The owner shall place each container, bag and bundle at curbside for collection as close to the roadway as practicable without interfering with or endangering the movement of vehicles or pedestrians. Curbside refers to that portion of the right-of-way adjacent to paved or traveled city roadways.
(e) 
Verified handicapped customers may receive off-street pickup at no charge.
(f) 
When construction work is being performed in the right-of-way, the owner will place containers, bags, and bundles as close as practicable to an access point for the collection vehicle. The city may decline to collect any container, bag and bundle not so placed.
(g) 
The owner or occupant of every dwelling shall place all refuse in bags prior to being placed in any container which is provided for the collection of the solid waste, including but not limited to, kitchen refuse, putrescible items, any fecal matter from humans or animals, any items containing bodily fluids, blood, or excretions. When in doubt, bag it prior to placing in the collection container.
(h) 
No owner or occupant shall place or permit another to place any item that may pose a health risk in another dwelling unit’s collection container. Example: Animal feces while walking your animal shall be picked up and disposed of by picking the feces up with a bag and disposing of in your own collection container.
(i) 
Failure to adhere to subsection (g) and (h) above shall be unlawful and constitute a public nuisance.
(Ordinance 2019-04 adopted 6/11/19)
Residential containers shall have a capacity of not more than 30 gallons. They shall be of galvanized metal or other non-rusting material of substantial construction. Each container shall have a tightfitting lid and shall be leak-proof and fly-tight. All containers shall have handles of suitable construction to permit lifting. Plastic bags manufactured for garbage and refuse disposal may be substituted for residential containers. Plastic bags, when used, shall be securely closed. All garbage shall be drained of all liquids before being placed in bags or containers.
(Ordinance 1999-5, sec. 5.01(e), adopted 6/8/99)
On premises where excessive amounts of refuse accumulates or where cans or bags are impractical, bulk containers for the storage of refuse may be used. Containers shall have a capacity and shall be equipped with appurtenances for attaching mechanical lifting devices which are compatible with the collection equipment being used. Containers shall be constructed of durable rust- and corrosion-resistant material which is easy to clean. All containers shall be equipped with tightfitting lids or doors to prevent entrance of insects or rodents. Doors and lids shall be constructed and maintained so they can be easily opened. Containers shall be watertight, leak-proof and of weather-proof construction.
(Ordinance 1999-5, sec. 5.01(f), adopted 6/8/99)
Ownership of solid waste, when placed in containers by the occupants or owners of premises upon which refuse accumulates, shall be vested in the city and thereafter shall be subject to the exclusive control of the city, its employees or contractors. No person shall meddle with refuse containers or in any way pilfer or scatter contents thereof in any alley or street within the city.
(Ordinance 1999-5, sec. 5.01(g), adopted 6/8/99)
All garbage shall be drained of all excess liquid and wrapped in paper or other disposable container before being placed in solid waste containers.
(Ordinance 1999-5, sec. 5.01(h), adopted 6/8/99)
The city provides Wednesday pickup free of charge for large items such as appliances, mattresses, and related items, provided that all freon or other hazardous material has been removed. Brush, limbs, and trees (cut up) are picked up periodically by the city free of charge. Other items such as building debris, broken concrete, automobile frames, and other bulky, heavy materials shall be disposed of at the expense of the owner or person controlling same.
(Ordinance 1999-5, sec. 5.01(i), adopted 6/8/99)
(a) 
No person shall deposit in a solid waste container or otherwise offer for collection any hazardous garbage, refuse, or waste. Hazardous material shall include:
(1) 
Explosive materials.
(2) 
Rags or other waste soaked in volatile and flammable materials.
(3) 
Chemicals.
(4) 
Poisons.
(5) 
Radioactive materials.
(6) 
Highly combustible materials.
(7) 
Soiled dressings, clothing, bedding and/or other wastes, contaminated by infection or contagious disease.
(8) 
Any other materials which may present a special hazard to collection or disposal personnel or equipment, or to the public.
(b) 
A hazardous material disposal fee as set out in appendix A, fee schedule shall assessed by the city and applies to any waste that requires special or additional attention due to potential public health or personal safety.
(Ordinance 2020-14 adopted 9/8/20)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit solid waste in any container other than that owned or leased by him or under his control without written consent of the owner and/or with the intent of avoiding payment of the refuse service charge.
(b) 
Interfere in any manner with employees of the city or its contractors in the collection of solid waste.
(c) 
Bury refuse at any place within the city, except that lawn and garden trimmings may be composted.
(d) 
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to place, deposit, or throw any garbage, brush, refuse, loose waste, or rubbish of any kind on public or private property outside of any house, building, flat or tenement in the city unless the same has been deposited in accordance with the provisions of this division.
(e) 
No person, persons, or corporation shall burn, or cause to be burned, any garbage, trash, grass, or other refuse within the corporate limits, except in an incinerator that shall be approved by the city’s fire marshal, and a permit obtained from the state commission on environmental quality, and excepting such burning as may be required to be done by the city in conducting the affairs of the city.
(Ordinance 1999-5, sec. 5.01(k), adopted 6/8/99)
Manure from cow lots, stables, poultry yards, pigeon lofts and other animal or fowl pens, and waste oils from garages or filling stations, shall be removed and disposed of at the expense of the person controlling the same and in a manner consistent with this division.
(Ordinance 1999-5, sec. 5.01(l), adopted 6/8/99)
No person shall haul or cause to be hauled any garbage, refuse or other waste material of any kind to any place, site or area within or without the limits of the city unless the person is receiving sanitation service from the city or has an agreement with the city to use the transfer station to dispose of refuse.
(Ordinance 1999-5, sec. 5.01(m), adopted 6/8/99)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person, except an employee of the city specifically authorized for that purpose, to collect or transport any solid waste within the city.
(b) 
Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent a person from hauling or disposing of his or her own solid waste providing it is done in such a manner as not to endanger the public health or safety or not to become an annoyance to the inhabitants of the city, and not to litter the streets and alleys of the city.
(c) 
Private collectors outside the city limits may use the city refuse transfer station if an agreement has been made with the city, and payment for use of the facility is being made as agreed on.
(Ordinance 1999-5, sec. 5.01(n), adopted 6/8/99)
Any vehicle used by any person for the collection and transportation of solid waste shall be maintained in good mechanical condition. Vehicle shall be equipped with an enclosed covered body to prevent the contents leaking or escaping therefrom. Only tree trimmings or brush may be transported in open-bodied vehicles provided the material is securely tied in place to prevent scattering along the streets and alleys.
(Ordinance 1999-5, sec. 5.01(o), adopted 6/8/99)
The collection and transportation of trash and waste materials shall be at all times under the general supervision of the city manager or his or her duly authorized agent, who shall have the authority by and with the consent of the governing body to make additional rules and regulations not inconsistent with the terms and provisions of this section requiring that the collection and transportation of trash and waste materials shall be conducted in such manner as not to endanger the public health, or to become an annoyance to the inhabitants of the city, and providing for a proper fee to be charged to the customer.
(Ordinance 1999-5, sec. 5.01(p), adopted 6/8/99)
Where the owner or occupant of any premises is maintaining improper or inadequate refuse containers, according to this division, with respect to the location of refuse containers or the nature, volume, or weight of refuse to be removed from the premises, the city shall refrain from collecting all, or a portion of such refuse and will notify owner or occupant thereof within twenty-four (24) hours thereafter of the reason for such noncollection. Where the city is notified by an owner or occupant that refuse has not been removed from his premises on the scheduled collection day and where no notice of noncollection, or a change in collection schedule has occurred, the city manager shall investigate the matter and take appropriate action.
(Ordinance 1999-5, sec. 5.01(q), adopted 6/8/99)
(a) 
All materials collected within the city shall be dumped into a trailer at the city’s transfer station and delivered and disposed at a permitted landfill in a manner consistent with state and federal requirements.
(b) 
The refuse collection transfer station of the city and facilities thereon shall be under the control and supervision of the public works director or other officers or employees of the city appointed by the public works director. The public works director may adopt suitable rules respecting the care and keeping of the city’s landfill in a manner that meets federal Environmental Protection Agency and the state department of health agencies.
(c) 
The city manager shall cause to be assessed charges for dumping or depositing in the refuse collection transfer station as necessary.
(d) 
No person, persons, firm, or corporation, or their agents, shall be permitted to enter upon or use the city refuse collection transfer station for dumping operations except during regular business hours from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Exceptions to these times shall be determined by the city manager when an exception is necessary in order to complete collection due to unusual circumstances.
(Ordinance 1999-5, sec. 5.01(r), adopted 6/8/99)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to discard, deposit, or dump any heavy oils, asphaltic materials, or items containing natural or synthetic rubber which may produce unreasonable amounts of smoke at the city solid waste site.
(b) 
Any person, firm or corporation violating this article shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than $1.00 nor more than $200.00.
(Ordinance 1982-1, secs. I, II, adopted 3/9/82)