MANDATORY TRASH PICKUP IN EUREKA

If you think mandatory trash pickup is a really bad idea, come to the city council meeting Tuesday and express yourself, or you will be facing another $240 per year in fees.

The proposed contract with City Garbage is supposedly needed to attain a landfill diversion target, and to lock in lower garbage rates in an era of rising costs.  HOWEVER, NO ONE, NOT THE CITY COUNCIL, NOT CITY GARBAGE, NOT DAVID TYSON, NOT “STAFF” WILL GUARANTEE THAT THE DIVERSION TARGET WILL BE MET BY THIS PROGRAM.  THE CONTRACT HAS BUILT IN COST ESCALATORS, GUARANTEEING A PROFIT TO CITY GARBAGE, SO PRICES WILL PROBABLY GO UP ANYWAY.

JUST SAY NO! City council meeting Tuesday at 6:30!

Talkin’ Trash:

http://highboldtage.wordpress.com/2008/03/09/mandatory-garbage-pickup-talkin-trash/

From the Times-Standard:

Tuesday, the council also is expected to officially introduce its mandatory curbside garbage and recycling program ordinance, which has long been in the works.

In an effort to boost Eureka’s 45 percent waste diversion rate over the state-mandated 50 percent threshold, city staff is recommending the mandatory plan, which would bring curbside service to every Eureka household. City staff is estimating the new service would tack on $2.50 to existing garbage service rates, bringing the total for garbage and recycling to $19.70 per month.

Leonard said he thinks the proposed ordinance is fair.

”It’s much more equity-driven,” Leonard said. “It’s the fairest approach for rate payers. All the rate payers should pay the same rate for the same service.”

The proposed ordinance will be introduced Tuesday, then is expected to come back before the council May 20 for further discussion and again on June 3 for adoption, according to the staff report. If all goes as planned, the ordinance would become affective July 3.

http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_9156498