CCMIN040709 - Laserfiche WebLink

Councilmember McGovern noted that the staff report states PGS will provide recycling containers at a discounted rate to commercial centers provided the containers fit into a trash enclosure and asked how much of a discount that would be. Mr. Bocian said it has not yet been determined and is primarily contingent upon interest from the commercial community. Councilmember McGovern suggested that the discount be substantial and well advertised via the educational program. She asked if it would be appropriate to automatically condition development approval on the construction of trash enclosures that are large enough to include recycling bins. Mr. Fialho agreed to look into the matter. Councilmember McGovern said she received several emails from people concerned about the number of cans that would be lined up on the street to interfere with parking and he confirmed that the recycling service schedule would be weekly. Councilmember McGovern asked for clarification on the recycling revenues that the city will receive. Mr. Bocian explained that PGS will receive 50% of the revenues while the remaining 50% is placed into a revenue pool that is used to meet operating costs. Councilmember McGovern confirmed that the Council would have the opportunity to decide how those funds are utilized. She asked how much in Measure D funds the City normally receives, how those are allocated, and if it has been eliminated. Mr. Bocian said that Pleasanton receives $260,000 annually. For the last four years those funds have been utilized to provide the food waste recycling program to the community at no cost. Now that the fund balance has been exhausted, it will be built back up and used for various initiatives. Councilmember Sullivan said that his role on the Waste Management Board has afforded him the opportunity to analyze the rates of other cities. He said that some have new and competitively bid franchise agreements with much higher rate increases than Pleasanton is seeing here and noted that Castro Valley just realized a 25-30% increase with no new programs offered. He said that with the exception of the anomaly that exists with the 96-gallon bin, which can be corrected over time, Pleasanton is actually quite well off relative to other cities' increases. Mayor Hosterman said it is also important to note the PGS now has to purchase new trucks, a new MERF, and hire more employees. She asked what sort of timeline the community can expect for realizing these services. Mr. Bocian said that PGS will provide a schedule in the next month or so as to how they will proceed, with the goal of having it implemented throughout the community by the end of the year. He noted that the recycling services rate increase will not go into effect until a resident receives their cart and begins service. Mayor Hosterman opened the public hearing. Ronald Marovich stated surprise that what he had presumed to be a fix for lower rates was actually implementing a rate increase. He strongly objected to any increase, noted that current monthly refuse rates at his condominium translate to $80 per unit, and suggested that these additional funds might be directly pocketed by PGS executives. Mayor Hosterman closed the public hearing. She assured the public that PGS maintains open books which have been reviewed by an expert consultant. These rates are the result of the City trying to provide the best possible services, address recycling issues, and keep rates as low as possible. She asked to meet with staff later to discuss how to address condominiums that are City Council Minutes Page 10 of 17 April 7, 2009