Unlimited overflow trash now allowed in De Pere with proper tags

DE PERE — Residents who have found themselves vexed with the dilemma of too much garbage for their allotted containers may take interest in the De Pere Common Council’s latest move.

The common council approved amending Chapter 82 of the De Pere municipal code pertaining to solid waste to relax the limit on overflow trash. 

It means that, instead of being limited to an extra 30-gallon, 50-pound bag or two four times a year, now there’s no limit to the number of bags that can be disposed per residence, as long as the bags are tagged with the proper tags. Tags are $3 each.

The previous limit on the number of overflow trash bags that could be placed alongside garbage carts proved problematic for those in multifamily residences, who weren’t able to get additional carts due to city ordinance limits, according to Tony Fietzer, street superintendent with the De Pere Public Works Department. 

Tracking the number of overflow tags used at an address each year also proved to be an issue for staff, according to Fietzer.

He said in a memo to the mayor and members of the board of public works that his staff believes that “if the resident is paying for the extra collection, it should not be limited.” 

The board approved the change to the ordinance Tuesday.

Tags can be purchased at city hall or the municipal service center.

Roadwork ahead

The city approved a state/municipal agreement for road improvements for Highway 32/Main and Reid streets from Third Street to Eighth Street, to include pavement replacement and preservation, with construction to begin in 2028. 

The project is estimated to cost $16 million, of which De Pere’s share will be $2.9 million, or about 18% of the total.

The other 82% comes from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

Pavement will be replaced on Main Street from Third to Eighth Street, and Reid from Sixth to just west of the intersection with Fourth Street. 

Reid Street from west of the Fourth Street intersection extending to the intersection with Third Street, as well as third Street from Reid to the Claude Allouez Bridge, will receive concrete pavement repair and curb ramp replacements. Water and sanitary sewer will also be replaced.

The $2.9 million that the city is responsible for includes items such as railroad shared-path crossing improvements, parking lanes, concrete sidewalk and terraces, slope improvements on Main Avenue at the CN railroad bridge, storm laterals, hazardous material cleanup, street lighting, streetscape items (such as stamped concrete, trees, plantings, landscaping, benches, etc.), a shared-use path, a planter bed on the median on Main Avenue near the intersection with Third Street, and design.

Related to the project, the board approved $148,849 to CORRE of Appleton for “acquisition project services including appraisals and right of way acquisition” services.

Other business

• Approved a contract for $1.45 million to Kruczek Construction for street work on Williams and N. Wisconsin streets. The city received four other bids for the project ranging from $1.49 million to $1.74 million. De Pere had budgeted $1.52 for the project, with $1.12 million reserved for construction work and $400,000 for utility work.
• Approved a resolution authorizing a development agreement with Valley Cabinet for 1840 S. Broadway, Parcel ED-F0101 in tax incremental district No. 10.  The agreement stipulates that if Valley Cabinet and its 86,000-square-foot expansion meet certain tax increment parameters, the city will pay the company a $375,000 developer incentive. The expansion includes 78,000 square feet of manufacturing space and 8,400 square feet of office space.
• Approved a resolution authorizing a development agreement with Washworld of De Pere for 2222 American Boulevard, Parcel No. WD-1136-1, for a 37,200-square-foot expansion at its facility in tax incremental district (TID) No.11. The expansion includes office, workshop, warehouse, and service space, plus exterior fencing, loading bays, and 37 parking stalls. The city agreed to pay Washworld a $200,000 developer’s incentive, equal to 75% of the yearly assessed increment revenue attributed to the project and paid in payments of no more than $25,000 per year.