HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/28/2015 Study Session 245
k
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION
July 28, 2015
City Hall — Council Chambers
10 a.m. -- MINUTES
1. Roll Call
Council: Mayor Micah Cawley, presiding, Assistant Mayor Kathy Coffey, Council Members
Maureen Adkison, Tom Dittmar, Rick Ensey, Dave Ettl and Bill Lover
Staff: City Manager O'Rourke and City Clerk Claar Tee
2. Refuse & Recycling Rate Study Discussion
City Manager O'Rourke reported it has been eight years since Refuse rates have increased.
By comparison, Yakima Waste, which provides services in the County, has had two increases
since 2011.
Scott Schafer, Public Works Director, stated we need a rate structure that will support the
actual costs. With an inflation rate of 14% over this eight year period of time, and with no
increase for the service, reserves are down to $54,000. The fleet is aging, with over 40% of
the fleet past its life expectancy. They have been creative with the budget and keeping
services going; however, with the decrease of $300,000 in the budget last year they no
longer have the means to address illegal dumps, community cleanups and leaf pickup. If
Council wishes to keep those services it will need to be funded. Additionally, the recycling
program is no longer a means to offset costs, and Mr. Schafer believes they need a rate
structure that supports the ability to provide the services.
Loretta Zammarchi, Refuse and Recycling Manager, and Chris Bell of Bell & Associates, Inc.
conducted a rate study, which they presented as a PowerPoint to Council.
Council Member Dittmar asked how many people are not paying their bills. Mr. Bell
responded there is currently approximately $204,000 in delinquency.
Doug Lemon, City resident, presented an article from the Wall Street Journal and suggested
a "pay as you throw" system.
Mr. Bell noted he worked with two cities to change from this type of system. Silver City, New
Mexico and Boise, Idaho, had similar programs that they struggled with due to animals tearing
into the garbage or the bottom of the bag breaking open. He also reported the City of
Olympia has an every- other -week pick up and Bellevue has a senior discount.
246
Joe Dolan, City resident, stated he is a snowbird and feels it is unfair to pay for garbage
pickup when he doesn't use it part of the year.
Keith Kovalenko, District Manager of Yakima Waste Systems, offered their services for
recycling in the City of Yakima.
Robert Strader, City resident, spoke in support of making changes to this system to include
recycling.
After further Council discussion, staff was directed to review the Olympia refuse process and
Bellevue's senior discount program. Council suggested staff prepare a bundling rate option
and return to Council with a budget policy issue.
3. Legislative Issues
Randy Beehler, Communications and Public Affairs Director, briefed Council on the
transportation package recently approved by the Legislature. However, he noted there could
be a "poison pill" if the Governor imposes low carbon fuel standards as then the multi -model
funding would go away. Mr. Beehler requested Council's permission to send a letter to the
Governor if it looks like this may happen. The request was approved by Council consensus.
4. Adjournment
Motion: Ensey moved and Coffey seconded to adjourn to the next Council Business
Meeting on August 4, 2015 at 2 p.m. at City Hall. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
The meeting adjourned at 11:35.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
,„ , 467
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
CADUNdILIIVI BER DATE
ATTEST:
0/
kla A
• oirr Y A K�,y�� 1
CITY CLERK; ,!,' MAY R
sf / /tJ GI O \y1-