HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/16/2016 15B Council General Information 10 I
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 15.B.
For Meeting of: February 16, 2016
ITEM TITLE: Council General Information
SUBMITTED BY: Sonya Clear Tee, City Clerk
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
1. Notice regarding community vision open house for Comprehensive Plan 2040
2. Follow -up memo re City Refuse
3. 4th Quarter Municipal Court Statistics
4. Preliminary Council Agenda
5. City Meeting Schedule
6. Preliminary Future Activities Calendar
7. Newspaper /Magazine /Internet Articles:
* "Olympia explores temporary fix to downtown potty problem," The Olympian
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: Inter C Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
BOARD /COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
D Info 2/11/201 CAa' it Memo
Informational item
DATE: February 11, 2016
TO: Honorable Mayor, Members of the City Council, Interim City Manager
FROM: Scott Schafer, Director of Public Works
Loretta Zammarchi, Solid Waste and Recycling Manager
SUBJECT: Follow Up Memorandum Regarding Questions Raised on Privatization of
the City Refuse Collection
This is a memo in response to comments Mr. Jim Scoggins made during the Audience
Participation segment of the January 19, 2016 City Council Meeting regarding
privatization of the City of Yakima Refuse Division. This comment is tied to the recently
adopted refuse rate increase of 2015, therefore, the memo includes supporting
documentation presented to City Council in 2015.
BACKGROUND OF SERVICES PROVIDED
The mission of the Solid Waste and Recycling Division is to protect the public health and
safety of the City and all residents of the City by providing quality municipal solid waste
services that are efficient, cost effective, and environmentally responsible. The Refuse
Division is responsible for collection and disposal of all garbage, yard waste and other
debris for residential customers within the City of Yakima and from all City -owned
facilities. The approximate annual tonnage collected is 32,000 tons.
The City of Yakima provides refuse carts to approximately 25,647 residential customers for
weekly refuse collection. The customer has the option of using a 32 or 96- gallon cart. Carry
out service is available for those wishing to have their cart collected from a location other
than the curb or alley line.
Weekly yard waste collection utilizing a 96 gallon cart is available to City residential
customers from March 1st through November 30th of each year. The yard waste service is an
optional service and currently consists of approximately 6,462 accounts. During the winter
months, customers are encouraged to retain the yard waste cart for use in the spring.
Metal bins are available to City -owned facilities, multi - family residential units, and other
premises where large amounts of refuse accumulate and need to be collected. The bins
can be emptied multiple times throughout the week, depending upon the need of the
customer. Temporary bins in two, four and six -yard capacity are also available to any City
resident needing to clean up their property or to dispose of large amounts of debris that
normally cannot be collected with their regular refuse service.
The Refuse Division has several special event recycling containers available for use to
recycle plastic bottles and aluminum cans during special events, such as the Yak - Attack
Soccer Tournament, the Folk Life Music Festival and the Hot Shots Basketball
Tournament. The use of the recycling containers significantly reduces the amount of
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debris being taken to the landfill. In addition, the Division cleans and closes illegal
dumps when staffing is available and provides assistance in community clean ups.
The Solid Waste and Recycling Division is an Enterprise Fund that is required to
maintain an operating reserve of 12% or 45 days.
RATE INCREASE BACKGROUND PRESENTED TO COUNCIL ON NOV. 3, 2015
The City of Yakima's Solid Waste and Recycling Division has not had a rate increase
applied to its operational costs since 2008. Since that time, an inflation rate exceeding
14% has been allowed to deplete the Division's reserves. Collection rates regulated by
the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission in the unincorporated areas of
Yakima County were adjusted twice during this same period for Yakima Waste Systems
(YWS). The City's current refuse rates for waste collection services do not cover the cost
of service. In a work session in April 2014, City Council was notified of the issue when
the cost for residential services were presented for discussion.
In the fall of 2014, staff followed up by presenting a rate request to City Council. The
request was based upon a Rate Study conducted by Bell and Associates, Inc., that
illustrated an annual deficit of nearly $300,000 within the Solid Waste Division due to the
fact that rates have not been adjusted since 2008 and rates implemented over previous
years were not set at the costs of service. In addition to those findings, the results of a
small scale pilot project that was conducted in the summer of 2014 to test assumptions
and validate cost estimates for a recycling program were presented. The City Council
decided to defer any refuse rate increase until 2015 and directed staff to eliminate
approximately $300,000 from its 2015 budget which included its Refuse Code
Enforcement Officer position, abatement of litter and debris accumulating in alleyways
and in the public right of way; shopping cart collection and removal, illegal dump and
community clean up events and the Fall Leaf Bag Collection Program.
During a Study Session on July 28, 2015, the Solid Waste and Recycling Division
presented an updated rate increase proposal based on current cost of service and an
anticipated deficit of $321,000 for fiscal year 2016. The Division also presented a
bundled rate fee proposal for weekly garbage and every- other -week recycling and yard
waste collection.
It was discussed that in order to provide residential services that are fair and equitable to
all residents, collection rates needed to be established based upon cost of service to
ensure:
•3 Reliable and sustainable services
An operating reserve of 12% or 45 days
•S Fund capital replacement reserves sufficient to replace assets (trucks) when needed
to avoid service interruption
• Adjustments for inflation and increased operational costs
• Adhere to financial management policies and good stewards of public funds
The condition of the City's refuse fleet was also discussed. Staff emphasized their
concerns that currently 40% of its refuse collection trucks have exceeded their life
expectancy of 7 years; leading to significant maintenance costs. That number increases
to 55% in 2016. To avoid disruption in serving our customers, staff is evaluating renting
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or lease to own vehicles to improve the health of our fleet. The poor condition of the
refuse fleet is directly attributed to the lack of proper funding to this Division.
On November 3, 2015, the Yakima City Council approved a refuse rate increase.
However, the rate increase did not reinstate and fund the previous budget cuts made in
late 2014.
RESPONSE TO PRIVATIZATION ISSUES
All garbage is local. Because of the unique nature of each community and city, refuse is
handled differently. Some cities contract out collection services while some maintain
control over their collection services. The rate increase approved by Council in 2015
reflects rates set at the cost of providing the service.
• The City of Yakima only collects from residential customers. It does not collect
from the commercial class. This has always had a direct impact on revenue
collected for the City.
• The Refuse Division does not operate for a profit. Instead, reinvests back into
our community's infrastructure. As a utility, the Division is required by law to
maintain a 12% reserve. We do not have private shareholders, rather our
shareholders are our citizens. Every effort is made to provide safe, efficient,
affordable and environmentally sound collection service to our community.
• In the Annual Citizen Survey, the Refuse Division has been rated among the top
services provided by the City for the past three years.
• Privatization can equal Toss of flexibility in collection and planning. It can lead to
less service and longer response time.
• The 32 gallon cart did see a significant increase with the rate increase. The 32
gallon cart rate had been subsidized by the 96 gallon cart rate for many years.
The rate of service for the 32 gallon cart should have been $13.42 but was kept
at $10. This was an effort to keep costs down during the economic downturn of
2008. The recent rate increase adjusts the 32 gallon cart to reflect the cost of
providing the service and eliminate any subsidy. The majority of the residents of
the City utilize a 96 gallon cart.
• Our aging fleet is a result of deferring purchases and major repairs due to the
lack of proper funding of this Division. Postponing a rate increase for operations
and capital for over 7 years has had a significant impact on our fleet. The
Division will be rotating in new vehicles to replace the worn trucks that have
higher maintenance costs.
• Privatizing one City service would have a significant negative impact to the
remaining City services since City Departments are intricacy tied. Refuse is tied
to Utility Billing which is tied to Water, Irrigation and Wastewater. Refuse is also
tied to the Maintenance Shop which is then tied to Streets, Transit and other City
Departments. Public Works is a highly integrated system; making it difficult to
cut out one part without affecting the other Divisions.
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• In 2009, the Utility Tax charged to the Refuse Division increased from 9% to 15%
to fund additional YPD Officers. This was a simple pass through fee that did not
go towards Refuse operations or capital. The Utility Tax is an on -going tax
charged to all City Enterprise Divisions such as Water, Wastewater, and Refuse
to assist in funding the General Fund.
• The Utility Tax is incorporated and reflected within the refuse rates.
• Potential degradation of quality of service for lower rates. In 2015, the Solid
Waste Division cleaned and closed 245 illegal dumps; these clean ups were
funded by the Refuse Rates.
• In 2015, the Solid Waste Division conducted 1 community clean up.
RATES PROPOSED AND ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL
City Council approved the proposed Refuse rates as outlined in Table 1 and 3 below
with rates becoming effective December 6, 2015. The rate increase was necessary to
address past deferred operation and capital expenses and the pending deficit. This
option added $0.26 per cart into the rate structure for residential garbage to cover the
cost of tipping fees at the landfill associated with illegal dump and /or community clean
ups. It does not, however, fund a position that was lost in the 2015 Budget cuts and
does not allow the Refuse Division to effectively address illegal clean ups in a timely
manner. Illegal clean ups will continue to be addressed based on staff availability.
Table 1 - Proposed Residential Collection Rates Effective December 6, 2015
32 gallon 96 gallon
i
garbage garbage 6 4
gallon 96 gallon
Description g , g 9 g yard d debris yard debris
Current Rate $10.00 $17.02 $7.01 $12.82
Proposed Rate $16,02 $18.32 discontinue $14.82
$ Increase /month $6.02 $1.30 -- - - - --- $2.00
# of Customers 7,858 17,789 1,036 5,426
% of Customers 31% 69% 4% 21%
In an effort to ensure that refuse rates are fair and equitable to all, the rate for the 32
gallon cart has been adjusted to reflect the true cost of service. A majority of the rate
payers, 69% who utilize the 96 gallon cart, are subsidizing the rates for the customers
who utilize a 32 gallon cart. What appears to be a higher increase to the 32 gallon cart
is an adjustment to reflect the true cost of service. The two main cost contributors that
differentiate the cost of service is the higher disposal cost for the 96 gallon cart and the
cart replacement cost. As such, taxes also contribute to the difference in the overall cost
of service. All other costs remain the same for both cart sizes. Table 2 differentiates the
cost of service in more detail between the 96 gallon cart and the 32 gallon cart.
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Table 2 - Cost of Service Detail for Solid Waste Cart Collection
Cost 96 gal Cart 32 gal Cart
Labor Expense $2.93 $2.93
Collection Expense $2.56 $2.56
Admin Expense $1.63 $1.63
Inter -fund Transfers $1.02 $1.02
Disposal $3.46 $1.73
Truck Replacement $1.66 $1.66
Roll Cart Replacement $0.60 $0.43
Total Collection Cost $13.86 $11.96
471 Fund Replenishment $1.30 $1.30
WA Refuse Tax (5.1% of Collection Cost) $0.72 $0.62
Utility Tax (15% of Collection Cost) $2.18 $1.88
Illegal Dump / Com Clean -Ups $0.26 $0.26
Cost of Service Monthly Rate $18.32 $16.02
Table 3 - Proposed Bin Collection Rates Effective December 3, 2015
Description 2 Yd. Bin 4 Yd. Bin 6 Yd. Bin
Current Rate $18.88 $30.20 $41.53
Proposed Rate $21.53 $34.28 $47.04
$ Increase /month $2.65 $4.08 $5.51
# of Customers 278 13 21
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MEMORANDUM
February 9, 2016
TO: The Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
Jeff Cutter, Interim City Manager
FROM: The Honorable Susan Woodard, Presiding Judge
Linda Hagert, Court Services Manager
Debbie Baldoz, CPA
SUBJECT: 4th Quarter 2015 Municipal Court Office Statistics
The City of Yakima Municipal Court operation was created in late 1996 and has been an
independent judicial arm of the City since January 1, 1997. The Court adjudicates all traffic
infractions, misdemeanors, and gross misdemeanors cited in the City. The Court operates
with two full time Judges, one of whom presides over the Court's activities, and a part time
Court Commissioner. The City Council adopts the Courts budget annually; the Court is
otherwise independent from City Administration.
Following please find summary statistical reports for Municipal Court 4th Quarter activity
through December 31, 2015. Detailed reports are available from the Office of the Municipal
Court. Prior year totals for 2014 are included for comparison.
The following summary information for each quarter includes:
I. Municipal Court Infraction Statistics
II. Municipal Court Criminal Statistics
III. Public Safety Education Assessment (PSEA) Statistics
IV. Collection Statistics -- Municipal Court Outstanding Time -Pay Contracts
V. Outside Agency Collection Statistics
DB
2015 4th Qtr MuniCt
Page 1
Yakima Municipal Court -- 4th Quarter 2015
I. Municipal Court Infraction. Statistics
1
2014 2015 Prior 2015
Prior Year Qtrs. October November December YTD Total
Filings -- Proceedings
During Year:
Infractions Filed 13,324 9,907 977 1,092 717 12,693
Violations Charged ... 19,009 14,770 1,540 1,700 1,095 19 105 ... ......... - -- ... .. e... ,.,..... .... .e.
Mitigation Hearings 1,435 1,194 96 101 105 1,496
gs 308 294 34 22 32 382
Contested Hearin 0
,.. .,,,... ee..
Show Cause Hearings 143 104 I 9 16 135
.... �. eee �
hw ns �'.... 6 ... -- - - - - -- . .�... ... .e_
Other Hearings
On Record 1,627 1,305 I 147 123 173 1,748
Total 35,846 27,574 2,803 3,044 2,138 35,559
Dispositions During Year:
........... .� ._e w.. eee_
Infractions Paid 3,016 2,369 186 231 I 182 2,968
Failure to Respond 189 97 21 8 9 135
Committed 5,733 5,066 482 472 433 6,453
Not Committed 210 190 24 15 16 245
Dismissed 1,763 1,255 143 118 124 1,640
Amended 7 2 0 0 0 2
Total Disposed 10,918 8,979 856 844 764 11,443
Municipal Court Traffic
Infraction Revenues $1,084,145 $869,638 $128,310 71,273 $72,744 $1,141,965
Budget $1,070,000 $1,070,000
DB
2015 4th Qtr MuniCt
Page 2
Yakima Municipal Court -- 4th Quarter 2015
II. Municipal Court Criminal Statistics
2014 Prior 2015 Prior I 2015
Year Qtrs. October November December YTD
Total
Filings During Year:
Citations Filed 3,083 2,475 260 245 286 3,266
3,853 3,186 337 308 368 4,199
.w.. Violations Char�e........... e e..... 18 .... ....
Trial Settings
During Year:
Non Jury Trials Set 5 4 1 0 0 5
Jury Trials 1 7. 1,462 14 �,... 178 139 1 ...... ....... 1
1
m... �,._...
Proceedings:
Arraignments 2,611 2,129 193 239 237 2,798
Non Jury Trials 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Jury Trials 9 9 1 0 1 1 11
p 0 0
Stipulations to Record , 3 ...... 1 1 2 _._w. . i
Other Hearings , 3,713 7 392 4,904
..m ......... 5,113 472 32. ...
Dispositions:
Bail Forfeitures 0 0 0 0 0 0
Guilty 2,695 2,170 227 209 203 2.809
Not Guilty 1 2 5 2 0 0 7
Dismissed 1,214 1,001 112 114 95 1,322
Amended 84 131 12 0 17 160
I 1
Deferred /Driver 551 I 419 50 44 1 41 554
Prosecution Resumed 62 64 6 6 9 85
p 7
Total Disposition ... 4,608 ....... 3,790 409 373 365 4,937 .....
Criminal Fines Revenue:
DWI Penalties $95,792 $74,982 I $9,720 $5,136 $6,957 $96,795
Criminal Traffic 115,171 81,502 13,282 5,333 7,454 107,571
Non - Traffic Misdemeanor 108,270 57,739 8,618 3,047 4,627 74,031
Recoupments 112,935 79,800 12,857 6,897 7,720 107,274
Total Fines $432,168 $294,023 $44,477 $20,413 { $26,758 N $385,671
Total ®,. _,.....
Budget $475,000 $475,000
DB
2015 4th Qtr Munict
Page 3
Yakima Municipal , Court -- 4th Quarter 2015
III. Public Safety Education Assessment (PSEA) Statistics
2014 2015 Prior 2015
Prior Year Qtrs. October November December YTD Total
Public Safety $1,516,962 $1,190,696 $125,193 $113,777 $121,883 $1,551,549
Education Assessment
(PSEA) Payments *
* Required payments to State Public Safety Education. Revenue for these payments is included as part of the
total fine. Revenue figures presented are net of these payments.
IV. Collection Statistics -- Municipal Court Outstanding Time -Pay Contracts
As of
12/31/2015
Outstanding Municipal Court Time -Pay Agreements ** $2,158,571
* *After judgment the offender makes arrangements with the court to pay their outstanding fines. If the offender
does not make a payment in 30 days and does not make an effort with the court to make other arrangements to
pay, the account is considered in arrears. A final notice is mailed to the person in arrears. If ignored the account
is then turned over to collection.
The collection agency is mandated by the state of Washington to write off accounts still owing ten years after the
judgment date due to the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations covers all fines and restitution.
V. Outside Collection Agency Statistics
2015 and
Prior Years
Outside
Collection Agency: * **
Accounts Assigned in 2011 $5,801,101
Accounts Assigned in 2012 4,233,768
Accounts Assigned in ....
Assigned m 2013 3,554,759
Assigned in 2014 6,510,899
Accounts .... ................
Accounts Assigned in 2015 5,877,343
Total Assignments �' .................ee .., u.. ......_..W r.,
$25,977,870
Dollars Collected Since 2011 $4,114,589
Collection Performance Court Accounts 15.84%
* ** Net of cancellation
DB
2015 4th Qtr MuniCt
Page 4
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YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL "
STUDY SESSION 40 of
February 23, 2016
City Hall — Council Chambers
10:00 a.m. RE Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Plan
1. Roll Call
2. Audience Comments (allow 15 minutes)
3. The next meeting will be a Council Business Meeting on March 1, 2016 at 6 p.m. at City Hall
4. Adjournment
Any invocation that may be offered before the official start of the Council meeting shall be the
voluntary offering of a private citizen, to and for the benefit of the Council. The views or beliefs
expressed by the invocation speaker have not been previously reviewed or approved by the
Council, and the Council does not endorse the religious beliefs or views of this, or any other
speaker.
A Council packet is available for review at the City Clerk's Office and the Library. A packet is
also available on -line at www.yakimawa.gov.
The City provides special accommodations, such as hearing devices, wheelchair space or
language interpreters, for City meetings. Anyone needing special assistance please contact the
City Clerk's office at (509) 575 -6037.
I 100
0 .1 1' 7 1' 1111 11 1111111 1 1 1 1 1 11 1111
N I 1110
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
March 1, 2016
City Hall — Council Chambers
6 p.m. Business Meeting
BUSINESS MEETING
1. Roll Call
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Open Discussions for the Good of the Order
A. Presentations / Recognitions / Introductions
i. 2015 Yakima Valley Tourism Annual Report presentation
4. Council Reports
5. Consent Agenda
Items listed are considered routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion without
discussion. A citizen or Council member may request to remove an item from the Consent Agenda and, if
approved, it will be placed on the regular agenda for discussion and consideration.
A. Resolution authorizing an agreement with TEM Enterprises d /b /a Xtra Airways, LLC, a
Nevada Corporation, to provide chartered airline service from the Yakima Air
Terminal- McAllister Field
B. Resolution authorizing fourth admendment to the Block by Block agreement for
Professional and Ambassador Services in the Downtown Yakima Business
Improvement District (DYBID)
C. Resolution authorizing open cruising events to be held on June 11, June 18, July 9,
August 13, September 10 and September 17.
D. Resolution ratifying the declaration of an emergency and authorizing the City Manager
to execute the replacement of the engine for Transit Bus # 60.
6. Audience Participation
Community members are invited to address items that are not listed on the regular business meeting
agenda. A guideline of three (3) minutes per speaker is in place in order to allow as much opportunity as
possible for audience participation. A speaker's time may be extended at the discretion of the Mayor
and /or the consensus or vote of the Council. Written communication and e-mail messages are strongly
encouraged.
7. Other Business
8. Adjournment
CITY MEETING SCHEDULE
For February 15, 2016 — February 22, 2016
Please note: Meetings are subject to change
Monday, February 15
CITY OFFICES CLOSED
6:00 p.m. NAACP Council recognition ceremony — Southeast Community Center
Tuesday, February 16
10:00 a.m. County Commissioners meeting — Council Chambers
5:30 p.m. City Council executive session — Council Chambers
6:00 p.m. City Council meeting — Council Chambers
Wednesday, February 17
10:00 a.m. City Council study session — Council Chambers
11:30 a.m. Coffee with a Cop — South 1S McDonalds
5:30 p.m. Community Review Board — Council Chambers
Thursday, February 18
9:30 a.m. Hearing Examiner — Council Chambers
11:00 a.m. Bid opening — 1S Floor Conference Room
Office Of Mayor /City Council
Preliminary Future Activities Calendar
Please Note: Meetings are subject to change
Meating Organization Meeting Pur dse Participants Meeting Location
Date/'rime
Mon. Feb. 15
CITY OFFICES CLOSED
6:00 p.m. NAACP Reception Scheduled Event Open Southeast Community Center
Tue. Feb 16
5:30 p.m, City Council Executive Scheduled Meeting Council Council Chambers
Session
JM � inq Council Council Chambers
6 00 m. City Council meeting Scheduled Meet
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Wed. Feb. 17
10:00 a.m. City Council Study Session Scheduled Meeting Council Council Chambers
11:30 a.m. Coffee with a Cop Scheduled Event Open McDonalds - S. 1st Street
1:30 p.m. YVCOG Meeting Scheduled Meeting Adkison YVCOG
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Fri. Feb. 19
1:15 p.m. Investiture of Court of Scheduled Event Open Yakima County Courthouse
Appeals judge
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Sat. Feb. 20
2:00 p.m. Mayor speak at Good Scheduled Event A. Gutierrez Mt. Olive Church
Citizen ceremony
7:30 m. Encanto Concert
p Mayor y Scheduled Event A. Gutierrez Seasons
Speak
M WIMMARMANKIDEUM
Tue. Feb. 23
1.0 :00 a.m. City Council Study Session Scheduled Meeting Council Council Chambers
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Thur. Feb. 25
9:00 a.m. 911 Admin Board Board Meeting TBD Station 7
3:30 p.m. YAK -Corps Board Board Meeting TBD 2nd Floor Conference Room
Olympia explores temporary fix to downtown potty problem 1 The Olympian Page 1 of 3
LOCAL FEBRUARY 3, 2016 4:46 PM
Olympia explores temporary fix to
downtown potty problem
HIGHLIGHTS
City considers options for six -month pilot project
Council members criticize proliferation of porta - potties
Businesses among top supporters of public restroom options
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Sharon Holley, program manager for the Downtown Welcome Center and Downtown
Ambassadors, cleans up human waste at a fire entrance near Capitol Way and Legion
Way. it was a huge mess all over that doorway and people were walking through it,"
Holley told The Olympian. "When we talk about public bathrooms, its really about public
health." Courtesy - Olympia Downtown Ambassadors
BY ANDY HOBBS
ahobbs�Ja theo /ympian.com
Olympia is considering a six -month pilot project that will bring
more public restrooms to the downtown core.
A proposal to install three porta- potties is intended to serve as a
temporary fix while the city figures out a permanent solution to a
long- simmering problem — namely the lack of accessible public
restrooms at night.
As a result of the void, alleyways and business entryways have
become de facto receptacles for human waste. Many business
owners say that inadequate restroom access has become a
significant burden.
http: / /www.theolympian.com/news /local /article58297413.html 2/4/2016
Olympia explores temporary fix to downtown potty problem l The Olympian Page 2 of 3
Anna Schlecht, the city's housing manager, presented a detailed
report for public restroom options during the Jan. 29 meeting of
the General Government Committee. The overall goal is to create
a gender - neutral facility that serves more than the street
community.
The report explores the cost and impact of potential scenarios:
• A porta -potty such as the Honey Bucket at the Artesian
Commons costs about $9,000 for a six -month rental, plus costs to
monitor the unit. These are ADA- accessible and can be quickly
installed.
• Similar to the previous option is the "deluxe" porta -potty that
comes with a more attractive wooden enclosure. Cost is $15,000
for a six -month rental.
• Another option is a portable trailer latrine with the purchase cost
of about $30,000. The restrooms are mobile, but not ADA -
accessible. Maintenance costs are unknown.
• San Francisco -based Lava Mae makes buses that have been
converted to include restroom and shower facilities. The cost is
$75,000, but potential maintenance costs are unknown. The
mobile restrooms are not ADA - accessible.
• The Portland Loo would cost about $70,000 to buy and another
$100,000 to install. The stainless steel contraptions are ADA -
accessible, but must be connected to the water and sewer system.
• An "urban rest stop" would serve as a full- service hygiene
center, but costs could exceed $1 million and would require
staffing.
• A brand new public restroom facility with a full- service hygiene
center could cost at least $2 million to build and would come with
a long construction timeline.
The city estimates a six -month pilot project, with three deluxe
porta - potties and walking security patrol, will cost about $85,000.
Part of the "four- pronged approach" includes forging a
partnership with Providence Health and Services to provide a
hygiene facility for the street community at the future Community
Care Center. The center, to open this year in downtown Olympia,
will act as a social service hub with a focus on people with serious
mental illness.
Other options include requesting longer restroom hours for city -
owned park restrooms, state -owned facilities at Heritage Park and
the LOTT Clean Water Alliance -owned restrooms at East Bay
Public Plaza. The city will seek funding from Thurston County
Public Health.
City staff will finalize costs and a timeline before bringing the
matter back to the Olympia City Council in March, said City
Manager Steve Hall.
The topic surfaced at Tuesday's council meeting, where reaction
to the pilot project was mixed. Several council members balked at
the unsightliness of more porta - potties and expressed their
frustration about the lack of action.
"One more plastic box that looks like I'm on a construction site or
a campsite is not the future of Olympia that I hold," Mayor Pro -
Tem Nathaniel Jones said. "We need to find a way to solve the
problem."
http: / /www.theolympian.com/news /local /article58297413.html 2/4/2016
Olympia explores temporary fix to downtown potty problem 1 The Olympian Page 3 of 3
Sharon Holley, program manager for the Downtown Welcome
Center and Downtown Ambassadors, said her employees wear
protective gear whenever they are summoned to clean up human
waste.
"Most of the work we do is to try to alleviate pressure on businesses and
keep them from exposing themselves to a biohazard," said Holley, who
hopes the downtown sanitation plan will revise the program's contract to
address the cleanups and related health risks, "When we talk about
public bathrooms, it's really about public health."
Andy Hobbs: 360- 704 -6869, [u7andyhobbs
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COMMENTS
2 Comments Sort by oldest
Add a comment....
rte Jack Spratt
The only explanation I can come up with is the city is completely
insane, Someone needs to take these porta potties and lock the city
council inside one of them right towards the last day of0 lakefair.
They continue to pacify the filth and and waste money on sh. t like
this
Like Reply Ib 1 11 hrs
Tracy Miller
Maybe they can come over and use your bathroom,
Like Reply to 1 6 hrs
Tom Milo
More tire hydrants?
Like Reply 1 hrs
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http: / /www.theolympian.com/news /local /article58297413.html 2/4/2016