The City of Yakima developed “Clean City” as a program in which to address the chronic blight plaguing the City of Yakima. Under the directive of Public Works, a coordinated effort to execute a successful program is required utilizing Public Works, Codes, Yakima Police Department and Sunrise Outreach.
Attached for City Council review is a 2020 4th Quarter Report. Below is a summary of the accomplishments and cost over the 4th quarter period.
2020 4th Quarter (October – December) Report Highlights:
- Shopping Carts Removed 622
- Homeless Encampments Cleaned 72
- Garbage Removed (Tons) 34
- Homeless Individuals Contacted 3,700
- Abandoned/Junk Vehicles 18
Cost = $67,197.63
Also attached is a 2020 Annual Report outlining the activities and expenditures associated with Clean City over the course of an entire year. Below is a summary of the program for 2020:
2020 Annual Report Highlights:
- Shopping Carts Removed 1,569
- Homeless Encampments Cleaned 210
- Garbage Removed (Tons) 94
- Homeless Individuals Contacted 7,883
- Abandoned/Junk Vehicles 99
Cost = $259,292.96
The Clean City program experienced a few challenges in its first full year of implementation. The biggest being the COVID-19 crisis. Great care was taken for the safety of our employees and of the public. Some activities, such as community cleanups, were eliminated until the City moves into higher phases in accordance with the WA Safe Start Plan. In addition, the filling of vacant positions identified for the program were deliberately delayed due to the unknown effects COVID-19 may have on the anticipated revenue generated to fund the Clean City program from the commercial waste customers. In all, positions were filled and the program accomplished a significant amount of success in providing timely responses to many incidents of blight within the City of Yakima.
|