CC MIN 06212022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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