The collection of solid waste within the City shall be only by collectors licensed by the City. Sworn law enforcement officers are exempt from this subsection, as they are authorized by the City to collect or pick up, or cause to be collected or picked up, any recyclable materials or solid waste based on Section 808.16 of the Code of Iowa, exception to search warrant requirement, garbage searches.

   Vehicles or containers used for the collection and transportation of garbage and similar putrescible waste or solid waste containing such materials shall be leakproof, durable, and of easily cleanable construction. They shall be cleaned to prevent nuisances, pollution, or insect breeding and shall be maintained in good repair. Collection vehicles, whether commercial or private, containing refuse, solid waste, or garbage shall not be parked in or within 500 feet of a residential area for a period exceeding two hours except in cases of mechanical breakdown or other emergency. Empty collection vehicles, whether commercial or private, shall not be parked in or within 100 feet of a residential area for a period exceeding two hours except in cases of mechanical breakdown or other emergency.

   Vehicles or containers used for the collection and transportation of any solid waste shall be loaded and moved in such a manner that the contents will not fall, leak, or spill therefrom, and shall be covered to prevent blowing or loss of material. Where spillage does occur, the material shall be picked up immediately by the collector or transporter and returned to the vehicle or container and the area properly cleaned.

   All solid waste shall be collected from residential premises at least once each week and from commercial, industrial, and institutional premises as frequently as may be necessary, but not less than once each week. Yard waste materials shall be scheduled for pickup at least once per week between April 1 and December 1.

   All licensed haulers shall provide the City with a description of the method they intend to use to separately collect and haul yard waste, and shall provide an annual written report accounting for the amount of yard waste collected and delivered for composting to the County composting facility.

   Licensed haulers shall keep an accurate accounting and submit an annual written report to the City detailing the amount of banned substances which have been collected and delivered during each month of the reporting year.

   Bulky rubbish which is too large or heavy to be collected in the normal manner of other solid waste may be collected by the collector upon request in accordance with procedures therefore established by the Council.

   Solid waste collectors are hereby authorized to enter upon private property for the purpose of collecting solid waste therefrom as required by this chapter; however, solid waste collectors shall not enter dwelling units or other residential buildings.

   No person, with the exception of sworn law enforcement officers, shall engage in the business of collecting, transporting, processing or disposing of solid waste or yard waste within the City without first obtaining from the City an annual license in accordance with the following:

   1.   Application. Application for a solid waste collector’s license shall be made to the Clerk and provide the following:

      A.   Name and Address. The full name and address of the applicant, and if a corporation, the names and addresses of the officers thereof.

      B.   Equipment. A complete and accurate listing of the number and type of collection and transportation equipment to be used.

      C.   Collection Program. A complete description of the frequency, routes, and method of collection and transportation to be used.

      D.   Disposal. A statement as to the precise location and method of disposal or processing facilities to be used.

   2.   Insurance. No collector’s license shall be issued until and unless the applicant therefore, in addition to all other requirements set forth, shall file and maintain with the City evidence of satisfactory public liability insurance covering all operations of the applicant pertaining to such business and all equipment and vehicles to be operated in the conduct thereof in the amount of $2,000,000.00. Each insurance policy required hereunder shall include as a part thereof provisions requiring the insurance carrier to notify the City of the expiration, cancellation, or other termination of coverage with an absolute notification clause of not less than 10 days prior to the effective date of such action. Said policies shall name the City as an additional insured for all policies and proof of such coverage must be sent to the City annually.

   3.   License Fee. A license fee in the amount of $100.00 shall accompany the application. In the event the requested license is not granted, the fee paid shall be refunded to the applicant.

   4.   License Issued. If the Council, upon investigation, finds the application to be in order and determines that the applicant will collect, transport, process, or dispose of solid waste without hazard to the public health or damage to the environment and in conformity with law and ordinance, the requested license shall be issued to be effective for a period of one year from the date approved.

   5.   License Renewal. An annual license may be renewed simply upon payment of the required fee, provided the applicant agrees to continue to operate in substantially the same manner as provided in the original application and provided the applicant furnishes the Clerk with a current listing of vehicles, equipment, and facilities in use.

   6.   License Not Transferable. No license authorized by this chapter may be transferred to another person.

   7.   Owner May Transport. Nothing herein is to be construed so as to prevent the owner from transporting solid waste accumulating upon premises owned, occupied, or used by such owner, provided such refuse is disposed of properly in an approved sanitary disposal project.

   8.   Grading or Excavation Excepted. No license or permit is required for the removal, hauling, or disposal of earth and rock material from grading or excavation activities; however, all such materials shall be conveyed in tight vehicles, trucks, or receptacles so constructed and maintained that none of the material being transported spills upon any public right-of-way.

   The City may, in its discretion, enjoin any operations by any person or licensed hauler who violates any of the provisions of Chapter 105 and Chapter 106. Licensed haulers may also be subject to a revocation of license to haul waste at the discretion of the City. Every violator of the provisions of these chapters shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day such violation occurs.