Prince Albert will take another look at the large communal garbage bins that remain in some back alleys after a resident asked council why her neighbourhood still has them.
Dori Kaytor told Executive Committee on Monday that she has raised concerns about the large bins in her back alley several times over the past few years.
“Nobody takes care of the cans; it’s never anybody’s problem,” Kaytor told council.
She said most properties in the area already have individual garbage carts, while only a small number continue to use the larger shared bins. Kaytor said people regularly go through the communal bins and argued individual carts would make residents responsible for their own garbage.
Her concerns also extended to the condition of the back alley.
Kaytor said she had three pumps running during the spring thaw to keep water from reaching her house. City crews later rerouted the water, she said, but heavy rain brought drainage problems back. She questioned whether large garbage trucks travelling through the alley were adding to its deterioration.
Coun. Tony Head said he was surprised large communal bins were still being used in parts of the city.
Head asked administration to determine how many remain and what it would cost to replace them with individual cans. He said he hoped council could receive the information quickly enough to consider changes before winter.
Administration said it does not yet have a complete breakdown of where the larger bins remain or the cost of replacing them, but will develop options for council. Administration also said moving away from the larger bins is ultimately the goal.
Back alley conditions have already surfaced in another review ordered by council.
In August, council directed administration to examine Prince Albert’s snow removal system after a difficult winter. During that debate, Head specifically asked that back alleys and the frequency of residential grading be included in the review.
Coun. Blake Edwards said replacing communal bins will not solve all of the City’s garbage problems unless rules around individual carts are also enforced.
Edwards said carts are sometimes left in alleys instead of being returned to private property, with some overflowing and attracting birds.
“If we do move away from these bins, we also need to ensure enforcement,” Edwards said.
Council approved referring the issue to administration for further review.
arjun.pillai@paherald.sk.ca
