City Council Minutes 2013 07 16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes July 16, 2013 Page 6 of 25 Director Kowar stated Western Disposal will still charge the City according to the contract, which will reduce the fund balance between $2,000 and $5,000 per month. Mayor Pro Tem Dalton felt there should be discussion on the benefits of the contract when it expires next year and suggested conducting a customer service satisfaction survey. For those discussions he requested data on the following: the percentage of the residences using compost and the time of year they compost; the percentage recycled and diverted from the landfill. He favored going forward with the approval of the increase. Council member Keany stated the hazardous household waste charges when paid for by the general fund benefit the entire community. When paid for by the Solid Waste Revenue Fund the entire community benefits at the expense of those who use the City's single hauler. He felt those funds should be,returned to the Solid Waste Revenue Fund. He agreed there are fewer trash hauler trucks on the residential streets and less wear and tear on streets. He felt the fee charged by Western Disposal should be a pass through to the residents and any revenue received for recycling should be used toward the Admin fee or other programs. Mayor Muckle asked how much the rate increase would be affected if the household hazardous waste charges were taken out of the Solid Waste Fund. City Manager Fleming estimated about 4 %, with a projection for 2013 and future years of $39,000. If those fees are not covered by the fund it would be incorporated by the General Fund. Council member Loo asked for the cost of zero waste. City Manager Fleming stated $6,000 is budgeted. Council member Loo suggested if household hazardous waste is taken out so should zero waste programs. City Manager Fleming explained last year the Admin fee was increased from $0.50 to $.60 to provide the $6,000. It is a matter of how much the utility billing for staffing is attributable to the solid waste program. Another option is to reduce the Admin fee. Council member Keany asked for information on the rate Western Disposal actually charges the City. He felt the single hauler rate fees should be passed on to the residents, but not the cost for events or expanded programs. Mayor Muckle stated the benefit of zero waste events is a very small expenditure. He agreed it is a fairness question with regard to hazardous household waste. He proposed supporting staff's proposal for this year and next year the contract for single hauler will go out to bid. Mayor Pro Tem Dalton favored raising fees pursuant to the contract and discussing what events should be funded.