• SOLID WASTE ROUTE CHANGES: The City of Manteca’s continued growth and addition of homes and housing developments has prompted an increase in garbage collection on Wednesdays. The city normally operated nine residential collection routes each day Monday-Friday with the exception of Wednesday, when they operated eight routes. Thursday routes were getting unmanageable, so starting this past week, they switched some residents (mostly in the Del Webb area) over from a Thursday to Wednesday garbage collection day. The city now operates nine collection routes every day. City staff realizes this change is inconvenient for some of the residents involved in the change in collection day. The city appreciates everyone’s patience and cooperation during this collection date adjustment.

• SOLID WASTE INSPECTION: The Solid Waste Division was recently inspected by the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) to determine compliance with all E-Waste/Universal Waste collection requirements. There were minor noted corrections such as, some broken glass on the ground in the electronic-waste collection area and the e-waste collection cages were not labeled. Staff cleaned up the area, labeled all the cages and held a safety meeting regarding the proper handling of materials and broken CRT glass. Pictures of the noted corrections and a report were then e-mailed to the DTSC, so we should be cleared and approved for another five years.

• CITY MANAGER AT CONFERENCE: Last week, City Manager Karen McLaughlin attended the League of California Cities Conference. The League is an association of California City officials who work together to enhance their knowledge and skills, exchange information and combine resources to help influence policy decisions that affect cities. She attended a number of educational sessions, focused on open government and sharing of data for increased transparency, strategies for job creation and economic growth, increase use of volunteers, use of surveillance cameras, and increased use of technology to reduce costs. The conference also provides time to network with elected and appointed City officials from throughout California.