REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adoption of a Resolution Setting Rates for Overall Solid Waste Services, Annual Clean-up Campaign, and Household Hazardous Waste in the Exclusive Franchise Area; Report responding to Councilmember Chahal's Analysis; and Consideration of Council Action on a Rate Assistance Program, including Budget Amendment action [Council Pillars: 1) Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure; 2) Sustainability]
Report
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On June 23, after hearing the results of the legally noticed Public Hearing for the setting of overall solid waste services in compliance with Proposition 218, Councilmember Chahal made a presentation titled "Residential Rate Hike Analysis for Garbage." Upon discussion of the presentation, Council directed staff to analyze the presentation and present findings at the July 14 City Council meeting. This report responds to that directive and below are the findings of our review:
1. The record shows that the expected costs of the possible new programs have been a matter of public information since September 2019 and, since that time, have been circulated and discussed publicly. The rate increases were disclosed, including social media posts, City website posts, and legal notices to each household, etc. The community input provided clear evidence that residents preferred mixed waste processing (See Community Engagement & Disclosure of Rate Increases).
2. The presentation did not acknowledge that residents overwhelmingly supported the mixed waste processing option, along with the associated rates, both by the citywide community survey and Proposition 218 outcome. There is no valid evidence presented through the recent community meetings, citywide survey, or Proposition 218 process that shows that there is a majority number of households that reject the mixed waste processing option and related rate increases (See Proposition 218 Protest Trend Data).
3. The analysis did not factor in the ...
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