1987 MIN ADJ DEC 17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Moved by Councilwoman Cisneros, seconded by Councilwoman Garcia, to ap- prove Staff's recommendation as outlined. Unanimous vote. Sanitation Mr. Benest reported from his memorandum regarding allocation of funds for a Sanitation Study. Mr. Benest advised that the Utilities Commis- sion, at a meeting held December 7, 1987, unanimously recommended to the Council that it authorize a Sanitation Study to analyze the new cost of hauling refuse to the San Timoteo or Fontana landfills, and also to examine new alternatives for operating our Sanitation program. Mr. Benest advised the County -operated Colton landfill is scheduled to close June 30, 1988, and the City will then have to haul refuse to San Timoteo or the Fontana landfills, requiring additional equipment and staff. This problem is compounded by the fact that the waste -to -energy plant at the Milliken landfill looks like a dead issue, and that the City currently lacks funds in our Sanitation Enterprise Fund to rein- vest in upgrading our local program. Mr. Benest continued the Sanitation Study would consist of three essen- tial elements. First, it would identify new equipment and staff needs for hauling our refuse to San Timoteo or Fontana landfills and would recommend rates based upon the new costs if there were no other basic changes in the City's Sanitation program. Second, the study would xamine a variety of alternatives for minimizing rate increases if the City were to change its Sanitation program. Mr. Benest then outlined seven different alternatives. Third, the study would require that the firm work with an adhoc advisory committee composed of several Utility Commissioners, top management, and Sanitation workers. Also, as part of the Study, the firm would be required to provide some public aware- ness and community education regarding our local garbage crisis and what it would entail to overcome it. Mr. Benest stated the City is going to be forced to drastically increase the Sanitation rates given the closure of the Colton landfill, however, there are a variety of alternatives for minimizing the dramatic jump in rates. Staff estimates such a study of alternatives would cost $25,000 to $35,000 and suggest that the monies be taken from the Council's Contingency Reserve Fund. Mr. Benest concluded Staff supports the unanimous recommendation of the Utilities Commission that the City Council authorize the City to solicit bids on the proposed study. Mayor Gonzales asked how long the study would take. Mr. Benest responded approximately three months. Councilwoman Cisneros expressed her concern over raising the Sanitation again. 3