Beginning next month, get trash bins off the curb or face possible fines and other penalties; City officials adopt trash ordinance
By Ann Powers
Beginning March 1, residential and business trash-removal customers need to have their new Frontier Waste Solutions cart at the curb by 6:45 a.m. on collection days, must use Frontier’s containers and cannot leave them behind after their garbage is picked up.
If customers don’t abide, their trash may not be collected and they could face fines or even criminal charges (in extreme cases), according to a solid waste ordinance addressed by the Mineral Wells City Council at its regular meeting, Feb. 1.
To avoid garbage being strewn about, an amended city ordinance will require trash-removal customers to place garbage in Frontier Waste Solutions carts at curbs by 6:45 a.m. on collection days, and off curbs on non-collection days, or penalties may be imposed. Photo by Ann Powers
City officials focused on amendments to a section of the ordinance regarding what to do with the carts after they’re emptied.
“My personal thought is that if there’s not something in (the ordinance) saying that (the cart) needs to be taken back into the house, or wherever the storage is, that people will use it as a bin out there to put their trash in all the time,” said Councilman Glenn Mitchell.
Councilmember Doyle Light agreed, adding the city didn’t want to mandate unreasonable conditions.
“I want to be appreciative of people’s circumstances,” he said. “But, the whole idea of this is to improve the looks of our town and it’s going to require some personal responsibility of our citizens. And, I don’t want to put something in the ordinance they can’t meet.”
After a discussion aimed at time constraints and storage options, the council modified the ordinance’s Section 74-94 – Placement of Containers to read:
“Carts shall be removed from the curb and placed as close to the residential unit or place of business as reasonably practicable on any day that is not a collection day for that customer.”
Officials also stated carts may be set out the night before collection days.
Frontier secured the city’s trash-removal contract following the recommendation of a city committee working with an Austin-based consulting firm, Solid Waste Specialist. Frontier beat out the current provider, Waste Connections, with a majority of points awarded by the committee. The $23 million Frontier contract goes into effect March 1.
Frontier will start delivering residential carts and business dumpsters the week of Feb.14, according to Frontier’s Korey Medart. Commercial roll-offs (the large containers often used at construction sites) will be swapped out on an as-needed basis to avoid overcharges.
Residents will see a 45% boost on their bill, from $13.80 to $20, for twice-weekly trash pickup when Frontier takes over. Commercial price hikes vary depending on front load size, service frequency and extra lifts.
An informational flyer, in both English and Spanish, will be included in this month’s utility bills for residents. The literature lists the services, instructions, bulky waste/bundled item guidelines, contact information and a QR code to scan for pickup days. Those without a device to scan QR codes can contact city hall directly.
Frontier officials reached out to businesses in person to facilitate a seamless transition. They also circulated a brochure focusing on the commercial community. The company’s app has been updated to accommodate both residential and business customers in Mineral Wells.
Moreover, “Town Hall” meetings have been scheduled to provide information and answer questions. The residential meetings are scheduled to last about one hour. The commercial meetings are set up as a come-and-go format for approximately 45 minutes, according to city staff.
Upcoming meetings include:
• Feb. 10, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. at Lamar Elementary School, 2102 SE 12th St. This meeting will focus on residential customers in the southern part of Mineral Wells.
• Feb. 17, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the Mineral Wells Chamber of Commerce Community Room, 511 East Hubbard St. This meeting is aimed at commercial customers throughout the city.
A Feb. 3 meeting for residents in the northern portion of the city was cancelled due to inclement weather. Officials are working to reschedule that meeting. The Mineral Wells Area News will post the new date once it is confirmed.
In addition, city officials said Frontier will place stickers on carts belonging to individuals who require special assistance. Frontier has a list of those tagged carts and will notify drivers on collection days of customers requiring assistance. Those needing this service can contact the city at (940) 328-7720 to add their name to that list.
To learn more about the city’s solid waste ordinance, its requirements, fines, penalties and definitions, the document is posted with this article.
For all other questions or comments, contact Mineral Wells City Hall at (940) 328-7700 (to reach English and Spanish-speaking representatives), Public Works Director Scott McKennon at (940) 328-7777, Frontier Waste Solutions at (888) 854-2905, or visit the city’s website.
