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In response to Councilmember Narum, Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins reported staff has <br /> recently hired a consultant to help navigate the City through SB 1383 implementation with every part of <br /> the action plan completed except for the enforcement component and the future outreach and <br /> educational plan. <br /> In response to Councilmember Narum, Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins confirmed the purchase <br /> of the cameras would be considered a one-time expense but there would be a per-truck annual fee for <br /> the software. <br /> In response to Councilmember Testa, Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins confirmed the buyback <br /> center is not a City-run program but rather one run by the State. She advised a buyback center is not a <br /> requirement of the Franchise Agreement with PGS. She confirmed it was never a City-run program or <br /> one covered by the Franchise Agreement. <br /> In response to Mayor Brown, Mr. Hilton confirmed PGS uses both natural gas and diesel-powered <br /> vehicles. <br /> In response to Mayor Brown, Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins noted there is a monthly meeting <br /> among staff from the five Tri-Valley communities to share ideas. She advised they all hold separate <br /> Franchise Agreements with waste collectors but share ideas on how to implement SB 1383, including <br /> the concept of vehicular cameras. She noted there is guidance in the regulations about potential <br /> enforcement measures. She noted that StopWaste will be handling the bulk of the City's commercial <br /> enforcement and staff will have to primarily handle residential enforcement starting in 2024. She added <br /> the City will be doing assessments and fines come after a series of notices and educational measures. <br /> Mayor Brown opened the public hearing. <br /> Gordon Galvan stated PGS agrees with the staff report and rate adjustment. He added the rates will be <br /> in line with neighboring communities. He encouraged the City Council to adopt the resolution. <br /> Mayor Brown closed the public hearing. <br /> Councilmember Balch stated SB 1383 is the focus of StopWaste as the State thinks long-term about <br /> landfills reaching their capacity. He noted there will be challenges to come relative to enforcement. He <br /> expressed concerns about the potentially large cost adjustment forthcoming in FY 24/25 and added if <br /> they try to smooth rates today it will only dig a hole through the remainder of the Franchise Agreement. <br /> He expressed support for the staff recommendation and expressed appreciation for PGS's <br /> transparency about costs incurred. <br /> Councilmember Balch moved to approve the staff recommendation. Mayor Brown seconded the <br /> motion. <br /> Councilmember Narum expressed her support for the motion. She stated she does not like raising <br /> rates, but the agreement needs to be honored. She noted the average cost to a resident is about $2.50 <br /> to have each 35-gallon barrel emptied which seems reasonable with PGS's cost to pick it up, haul it, <br /> and process the contents, including fuel and labor. She noted there is $3 million in the Reserve Fund <br /> and she has not heard plans for what to do with it. She does not support rate smoothing efforts <br /> because it only postpones the increase and makes it even larger in the future. She requested a list of <br /> one-time expenses the Reserve Fund can be used to help return the money to ratepayers. <br /> Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins agreed to put a list of potential one-time expenses the Reserve <br /> Fund can cover in a memo for the City Council. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 7 of 18 June 21,2022 <br />