To establish refuse collection fees and charges of the unincorporated franchise collection areas within Merced County.
(Ord. 1759, 2005; Ord. 1790 § 2, 2006; Ord. 1832 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1853 § 2, 2009; Ord. 1872 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1882 § 2, 2011; Ord. 1892 § 2, 2012; Ord. 1902 § 2, 2012; Ord. 1914 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1926 § 2, 2015; Ord. 1940 § 2, 2015; Ord. 1946 § 2, 2016; Ord. 1957 § 2, 2018; Ord. 1987 § 2, 2020)
The charge to customers in each franchise area for refuse disposal service, other than for exempt refuse, shall not exceed the rates and applicable factors contained herein. The actual service cost shall be determined by applying the rate factors contained herein to the base rates indicated below:
Franchise Service Area
Base Can Monthly Rate
Recyclable Container Monthly Rate
Green Waste Container Monthly Rate
Base Bin Monthly Rate
1
$27.22
$7.30
$6.91
$19.57
2
25.64
7.30
6.91
18.40
3
24.88
7.30
6.91
17.63
4
27.22
7.30
6.91
19.57
5
28.15
7.30
6.91
20.20
6
17.10
N/A
N/A
14.07
7
17.10
N/A
N/A
14.07
(Ord. 1759, 2005; Ord. 1790 § 2, 2006; Ord. 1832 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1853 § 2, 2009; Ord. 1872 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1882 § 2, 2011; Ord. 1892 § 2, 2012; Ord. 1902 § 2, 2012; Ord. 1914 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1926 § 2, 2015; Ord. 1940 § 2, 2015; Ord. 1946 § 2, 2016; Ord. 1957 § 2, 2018; Ord. 1987 § 2, 2020; Ord. 2001 § 2, 2021; Ord. 2016 § 2, 2022; Ord. 2027 § 2, 2023; Ord. 2038, 4/23/2024)
A. 
To be applied against base can monthly rate:
Franchise Service Areas 1 through 5
Roadside Service
Backyard Service
1 64-gallon automated cart
1.0
1.7
2 64-gallon automated carts
2.2
3.2
3 64-gallon automated carts*
4.0
5.0
1 96-gallon automated cart
1.7
2.8
2 96-gallon automated carts
2.9
3.9
Notes:
*
For any service having over three carts, add 1.8 for each additional cart.
Franchise Service Areas 6 and 7
Roadside Service
Backyard Service
2 cans* (or less)
0.7
1.2
3 cans (or one automated container)
1.0
1.7
4 cans
1.3
2.2
5 cans
1.7
2.8
6 cans** (or two automated containers)
2.2
3.2
1 90-gallon automated cart
1.0
1.7
2 90-gallon automated carts
2.2
3.2
Notes:
*
For existing two can customers only; no new two can service will be started.
**
For any service having over six cans, add 0.6 to the rate factor for each additional can.
B. 
Increased Frequency of Collection. These rates shall apply to once a week service. For increased frequency of collections service, multiply the rate factor by the total number of collections per week. For example, four can roadside service collected three times a week becomes 1.3 x 3 = 3.9.
C. 
Backyard Service for Cans and Automated Carts (Pack Out). The rate factors for backyard service are limited to distances not exceeding 100 feet from the property line nearest a paved public road. On backyard service in excess of 100 feet, the rate will be set by the director of public works on a case-by-case basis.
(Ord. 1759, 2005; Ord. 1790 § 2, 2006; Ord. 1832 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1853 § 2, 2009; Ord. 1872 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1882 § 2, 2011; Ord. 1892 § 2, 2012; Ord. 1902 § 2, 2012; Ord. 1914 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1926 § 2, 2015; Ord. 1940 § 2, 2015; Ord. 1946 § 2, 2016; Ord. 1957 § 2, 2018; Ord. 1987 § 2, 2020)
To be applied against base bin monthly rate:
Size of Bin (Yd.)
Number of Collections Per Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
3.9
5.8
7.9
9.9
11.6
13.1
1-1/2
4.5
7.4
9.9
12.9
15.2
17.3
2
5.2
8.9
11.9
15.8
18.8
21.5
3
6.9
12.4
17.2
22.6
27.0
30.7
4
8.9
16.2
22.7
29.5
35.3
40.4
5
10.9
19.9
28.2
36.4
43.7
N/A
6
12.9
23.7
33.7
43.3
52.0
59.7
(Ord. 1759, 2005; Ord. 1790 § 2, 2006; Ord. 1832 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1853 § 2, 2009; Ord. 1872 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1882 § 2, 2011; Ord. 1892 § 2, 2012; Ord. 1902 § 2, 2012; Ord. 1914 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1926 § 2, 2015; Ord. 1940 § 2, 2015; Ord. 1946 § 2, 2016; Ord. 1957 § 2, 2018; Ord. 1987 § 2, 2020)
To be applied against base bin monthly rates:
Size of Bin (Yd.)
Number of Collections Per Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
5.4
8.8
12.0
15.4
18.2
20.8
2
7.6
13.8
18.6
25.2
30.2
34.8
3
10.4
19.6
28.2
36.4
43.6
50.2
4
13.6
25.8
37.2
47.8
57.4
66.2
5
16.6
32.0
46.0
59.2
71.2
82.2
6
19.8
38.0
55.0
70.8
85.2
98.2
(Ord. 1759, 2005; Ord. 1790 § 2, 2006; Ord. 1832 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1853 § 2, 2009; Ord. 1872 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1882 § 2, 2011; Ord. 1892 § 2, 2012; Ord. 1902 § 2, 2012; Ord. 1914 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1926 § 2, 2015; Ord. 1940 § 2, 2015; Ord. 1946 § 2, 2016; Ord. 1957 § 2, 2018; Ord. 1987 § 2, 2020)
A. 
A 10% discount shall be given to all eligible senior citizens and handicapped households. To qualify as a senior citizen, the head of the household or spouse must be 60 years or older. To qualify as a handicapped household, the head of the household must be afflicted with one of the following disabilities, supported by recognition from a legal source, such as a medical doctor, federal, state or local agency, or organization for the treatment of the disability. The disabilities listed are not meant to be exclusive and other disabilities may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the director of public works. However, they must be so severe as to cause restrictions to walking, carrying, lifting, or strenuous activity.
B. 
Disabilities.
1. 
Arthritis.
2. 
Blindness and visual impairment.
3. 
Cardiovascular disease.
4. 
Developmental disabilities, i.e., cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or mental retardation.
5. 
Neurological disabilities, i.e., stroke, meningitis, or encephalitis.
6. 
Orthopedic disabilities, such as loss of limbs or fusion of joints.
7. 
Renal failure.
8. 
Spinal cord conditions, i.e., paraplegics and quadriplegics.
(Ord. 1759, 2005; Ord. 1790 § 2, 2006; Ord. 1832 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1853 § 2, 2009; Ord. 1872 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1882 § 2, 2011; Ord. 1892 § 2, 2012; Ord. 1902 § 2, 2012; Ord. 1914 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1926 § 2, 2015; Ord. 1940 § 2, 2015; Ord. 1946 § 2, 2016; Ord. 1957 § 2, 2018; Ord. 1987 § 2, 2020)
A. 
Additional Fees. The following are additional charges that customers may be assessed:
1. 
Replacement Fee. A $115.80 service charge for each container that is lost or damaged.
2. 
Return Service Fee. A $30.88 service charge when, due to customer's fault, franchisee must return on the same day to customer's premises to service the residential or commercial receptacle.
3. 
Restart Fee.
a. 
An $18.17 administrative charge will be applied when a service restart is requested after the account has been closed due to non-payment or the customer voluntarily cancels service and a cart is NOT required for delivery (re-activation without delivery).
b. 
A $52.79 administrative charge will be applied when service has been cancelled and delivery of a cart is required (re-activation with delivery).
4. 
Finance Fee. N/A
5. 
Returned Check Fee, Credit Card Decline, and Collection Fee. A $38.61 administrative charge will be applied when banks return payment due to insufficient funds.
6. 
Activation/Delivery Fees.
a. 
A $23.16 activation charge will be applied when a customer orders a residential cart.
b. 
A $38.52 delivery fee will be applied when a customer orders a commercial bin.
7. 
Residential Extra Service Fee on Same Day Service. $8.45 per stop for the first dump and $4.89 for each additional dump.
8. 
Commercial Extra Service Fee on Same Day Service. $28.57 per stop, plus $3.30 per yard.
9. 
Non-Service Day Fee, Commercial and Residential. A $31.54 administrative charge will be applied when a customer requests service on a day other than the scheduled service day.
10. 
Additional Green Waste Cart(s). There will be no charge for a second green waste container. Any additional green waste containers will be charged to customer at the approved monthly rate.
11. 
Additional Recycle Cart(s). Each additional recycling container will cost $16.35 per month.
12. 
Contamination Fee. There will be a $38.61 contamination fee assessed to a customer on the third incident of contamination of either the recyclables or green waste. The customer will receive two warning tags before being assessed the $38.61 fee. Contamination occurs when customers place refuse in either their recyclable or green waste cart.
13. 
Long Walk. $15.99 per account allowed when a container is placed further than 10 feet but no more than 50 feet from where the collection vehicle has access.
14. 
Drive-In Charge.
a. 
$15.99 per account allowed for customers requiring collection trucks to service containers by driving up long driveways up to one-fourth of a mile.
b. 
$28.50 per account allowed for customers requiring collection trucks to service containers by driving up long driveways over one-fourth of a mile up to three-fourths of a mile.
c. 
Negotiable over three-fourths of a mile.
15. 
Insta-Bin. $231.98. This service is provided in a three cubic yards bin and will be on site for five days. Delivery/pickup and service included.
16. 
Locking Device. $63.63. One-time charge for fabrication and installation.
17. 
Key Charges. $4.63 per month allowed when container access requires driver to carry a key and unlock a lock to empty the container. Key charges are applied per month to each contractor. Key charges do not apply if customer's lock is left in the unlocked position.
18. 
Stand-By. $2.18 per minute any time driver is requested to wait for customer to prepare container for service, i.e., unlock, container not accessible, load or reload container, etc.
19. 
Live Agent or Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Assisted Payment Fee. $6.45 fee for over the phone payment with a live agent or IVR; no fee options: (a) auto pay; (b) online at www.wm.com; (c) U.S. mail; and (d) pay at local office.
20. 
Document Request Fee. $3.21 per page. Requests for copies of invoice(s), payments, etc., and request is made with a live agent or at the local office. No charge when customer prints documents themselves on www.wm.com.
21. 
Commercial Bin Cleaning Fee. $147.47 upon customer request, cost to clean customer bin, flat fee, one to six-yard bins.
B. 
Additional Services. Charges for services not specifically addressed will be negotiated between the franchisee and the customer requesting the additional service. In such cases where the customer is unsatisfied with the proposed charge for the additional services, the director will intervene. The director's determination will be final and binding upon all parties concerned.
(Ord. 1759, 2005; Ord. 1790 § 2, 2006; Ord. 1832 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1853 § 2, 2009; Ord. 1872 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1882 § 2, 2011; Ord. 1892 § 2, 2012; Ord. 1902 § 2, 2012; Ord. 1914 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1926 § 2, 2015; Ord. 1940 § 2, 2015; Ord. 1946 § 2, 2016; Ord. 1957 § 2, 2018; Ord. 1987 § 2, 2020; Ord. 2001 § 3, 2021; Ord. 2016 § 3, 2022; Ord. 2027 § 3, 2023; Ord. 2038, 4/23/2024)
If any provision of this chapter is held to be unconstitutional, preempted by federal law, or otherwise invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions of the chapter shall not be invalidated.
(Ord. 1957 § 2, 2018; Ord. 1987 § 2, 2020)