TO: COMMUNITY AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
FROM: JEREMY SWAN, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
DATE: OCTOBER 7, 2026
SUBJECT:
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APPROVAL OF AN OPTIONAL BEAR-RESISTANT SANITATION CONTAINER UPGRADE FEE
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SUMMARY
The City of Claremont is located adjacent to the foothills that provide habitat for local wildlife, including black bears. On occasion, bears are attracted to residential neighborhoods in search of food, including by scavenging from residential trash containers. This behavior can result in litter being scattered throughout neighborhoods and create unwanted wildlife interactions by encouraging bears to associate residential areas with accessible food sources.
To address these concerns, the City has been working with sanitation container vendors to identify a bear-resistant container suitable for residential curbside service. The City's objective has been to identify a container that utilizes a gravity-activated locking mechanism, allowing the lid to secure automatically without requiring residents to manually engage locks or manage keys.
A suitable model has recently been certified by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) and has undergone testing by the City. The Toter Automated Bear Resistant Cart has demonstrated satisfactory functionality during the City's testing and appears to provide a practical option for residents seeking additional protection against wildlife accessing their sanitation containers.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the Community and Human Services Commission recommend establishing an optional fee of $22.50 per month per container for residents who elect to upgrade their standard curbside sanitation containers to bear-resistant containers, with the fee structured to recover the additional cost of the containers over a 12-month period.
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request more information from staff.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The proposed fee is intended to recover the City's cost of providing and delivering bear-resistant containers and would be structured to avoid subsidizing the optional upgrade through standard sanitation service rates. The estimated additional cost is approximately $270 per container, including container purchase and delivery. The proposed monthly fee of $22.50 would be established based on the cost recovery period of 12 months.
The total cost of the program will be determined based upon customer demand. No estimates are currently available.
The staff cost to prepare this report and administer this program is estimated at $2,400 and is included in the operating budget of the Community Services Department.
ANALYSIS
The City currently has an exclusive, competitively bid contract with Toter for sanitation containers. The newly launched Toter Automated Bear Resistant Cart is designed to restrict access to waste by bears and other wildlife. The container features a recessed, gravity-activated locking mechanism that automatically secures the lid when closed, eliminating the need for residents to manually engage a lock or use a key. Its durable, rotationally molded construction incorporates a reinforced rim, double-walled lid, reinforced handle and hinge, sealed stop-bar components, and minimized pry points to resist attempts by wildlife to access the container. The carts are available in 64- and 96-gallon sizes and are certified as bear-resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC).
The City proposes to offer the bear-resistant containers as an optional upgrade to its standard curbside sanitation service. The containers would be available in the following colors and service types:
• Black: Trash
• Blue: Recyclables
• Green: Organics
Although residents may select any of the three container types, the City anticipates that demand will primarily be for trash and organics containers, as these waste streams are generally more likely to attract wildlife.
Proposed Fee Structure
The cost of a bear-resistant container is approximately $270 more than the standard container provided by the City as part of its existing sanitation service. To recover this increased cost, the City proposes establishing an optional fee that would be paid by participating residents over a 12-month period.
Due to the upfront cost of the container, the City would distribute the additional cost over one year, resulting in a monthly fee of $22.50 per month for 12 months. Participation in the program would require residents to agree to the full 12-month payment obligation. Following the initial 12-month payment period, no additional service fee would be charged for the container.
Container Ordering and Ongoing Replacement
If the proposed rate is approved, the City will promote the optional Bear-Resistant Container Program through the City’s website, social media channels, and the City Manager’s Weekly Update. In preparation for the program rollout, the City has established an interest list, and individuals who have expressed interest will receive information about the program directly.
To minimize freight and delivery costs, the City will place consolidated orders for bear-resistant containers throughout the year. Prior to each order, the City will notify residents on the interest list and provide an opportunity to opt into the program. The City will then place an order based on the number of containers requested during that ordering period.
The City will maintain an ongoing pre-order list so residents who do not participate in a specific ordering period may be notified of and participate in a subsequent order. Per the manufacturer, the minimum order of bear resistant carts is 20. Depending on the number of requests received, residents may experience a wait while the City accumulates sufficient orders to meet the manufacturer's minimum order requirement. Additional time may also be needed for production and delivery. Charges for the bear-resistant container will not be applied until the container is delivered to the resident.
Toter offers a five-year warranty on the Automated Bear Resistant Cart. Containers that experience damage meeting the manufacturer’s warranty eligibility criteria may be returned to the City for replacement under the warranty. If a container requires replacement due to damage that is not covered by the warranty, or after the warranty period has expired, the customer would be required to enroll in a new 12-month payment program to obtain a replacement bear resistant container.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: Council Priorities, Sustainable City Plan, Economic Sustainability Plan, General Plan, and the 2026-28 Budget.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Jeremy Swan Kristin Mikula
Community Services Director Community Services Manager