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recycling ordinance as described in this report; (9) directing staff to survey PGS customers and conduct one or more public hearings to solicit customer input on variable refuse container sizes, greenwaste container sizes, citywide automated service, the residential recycling program, and compacted refuse rate by August 1996; and (10) requesting PGS begin delivery of the blue bags to the customers. The r011 call VOte was as follows: AYES: Councilmembers -Dennis, Michelotti, Mohr, Pico, and Mayor Tarver NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Mr. Tarver indicated we have been talking about these issues for two years and he is tired of it. He wants variable can sizes and a tiered rate structure that encourages recycling and reduction of the waste stream. People who are not generating waste should not be subsidizing people who are. Other cities have recognized that if you don't generate waste, you don't have to pay to have it collected. Most of the rate increase is going to land fill costs. If we are doing our job and taking out 45% of the material out of the waste stream, why is the bill for the land fill going up? He also felt the payback recycling program was far too complicated. Mr. Pico also had reservations about the garbage rates, the picking station concept and the long term franchise agreement. However, Pleasanton Garbage Service has been very cooperative in providing all the information we have asked for, including audit reports, detailed breakouts of financial statements, and meetings with the accountants to go over financial statements. In looking at the contracts, and all this information, he felt comfortable with the rate increase request and thinks that the Committee has recognized the issues with respect to can size, the cost, and the reality is that those who have the larger containers are really subsidizing those with smaller containers, who have to have them manually picked up. We really need to go to a totally automated system. We are considering major change with the green waste. He felt there should be more public notice and input. He felt the staff recommendations were appropriate. The company has generated surpluses in some areas that we are shifting to other sections of the contract. He again indicatexl his surprise and appreciated the openness of the garbage company in opening all of its records and books. It answered all the questions he and Ms. Mohr had. If the rates are deferred for six months, then we will have to collect additional fees retroactively to make up for it. Mr. Bocian indicated an article is being prepared for the city newsletter, there will be a short survey, and there will be two or three hearings on the matter: All that can probably be done in 120 days, or by August. Mr. Bocian also explained that the program at the buy back center has been changed, so that there is no longer a requirement to have 25 pounds of material. A person must just make one trip to the transfer station to get a refund. That will streamline the process somewhat. 04102196 -16-