03-23-1999 - Special 2 Meeting - MinutesMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 23, 1999
• The special meeting of the West Covina City Council was called to order by Mayor Howard at 8:37 pm
in the Management Resource Center (Room 314) at City Hall, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina.
ROLL CALL City Council
Mayor Howard, Mayor Pro Tern Melendez, Councilmembers
Herfert, Touhey, Wong
Waste Management & Environmental Quality Commission
Chairman Santell, Commissioners Chan, Hedlund, Polich, and
Massarotto (arrived at 8:40 pm)
Others Present: Hobbs, Fields, Samaniego, Paul, Martyn, Berry
Steve Brekke-Brownell of Brown, Vence & Associates
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Mayor Howard stated that the speakers' cards would be held until
the discussion portion of the study session.
Commissioner Massaroto arrived at 8:40 pm.
REVIEW OF ATHENS SERVICES CURBSIDE RECYCLING PROPOSAL
Environmental Management Samaniego introduced Mr. Steve
Brekke-Brownell of Brown, Vence & Associates, Inc., the City's
third -party consultant hired to review Athens Services Curbside
Recycling Proposal. Mr. Brekke-Brownell presented his firm's
review and responded to Council questions and comments.
Public Comments Colleen Janssen, 224 N. Sunkist Avenue, felt the report was
missing some vital information. She understood that the funds col-
lected through the recycling program would be refunded to the rate
buyers. If the City adopts the three -container system, it doesn't
make sense to have anything larger than a 40-gallon container.
She suggested recycling the 90-gallon container in one fashion or
another, if the three -container system is approved.
Mike Mohaier, P. O. Box 992, West Covina, expressed concern
with the phrase "the proposed rates are reasonable." In his opinion
the rates could not be considered reasonable because the consultant
could not substantiate the figures. He was also concerned about
the very long term of the contract, suggesting that Council reduce
the evergreen clause to five years. He commented that the liability
to meet the requirements of state law rests with the City.
City Attorney Martyn clarified the requirements of SB
• 1344 in relation to the liability issue and that it contains a
grandfather clause. West Covina has a trash franchise agreement
that falls within that grandfather clause. In addition, the City has
an indemnification section of the contract.
Jean Arneson, 116 Donna Beth, favored the three -container
system. The whole idea of combining recyclables with everyday
trash was objectionable to her as she currently separates all
recyclables. She shared findings from other cities.
Council Minutes 3-23-99
Michael Miller, 735 E. Herring Avenue, favored a system fair to
all consumers and that would be the three -tiered trash container
program with a variable rate system. This method gives the
customer a way in which to control his/her trash bill. He
calculated that about 50 to 60% of the residents would use the 40-
• gallon can. He favored retaining the current eight -year term for the
waste collection franchise and the consideration of a separate
contract for the use of the MRF with a term of no less than eight
years. He strongly urged Council to educate the citizenry and hold
public meetings before deciding on the rates. He submitted his
comments to the City Clerk.
Discussion Councilmember Wong asked several questions, to which Athens
General Manager Dennis Chiapetta responded: a) the favored
nation rate is $42.98/ton for MRF processing, b) there is no credit
for an eight -year evergreen, but there is a one-time credit at the 15
year evergreen, c) evergreen terms in other cities range from 7
years to 15 years. Mr. Chiapetta said the value between the eight
and fifteen evergreen period is somewhere between $7.5 and $10
million to the residents and commercial businesses based on the
$50 snapshot credit currently offered by Athens.
Mayor Pro Tem Melendez noted that the consultant's Option No. 1
would achieve a 48% diversion rate, not 50%. Mr. Chiapetta
stated that Athens would guarantee 50%. It means they would
need to tweak a little more from the commercial or residential
waste streams.
Commission Chairman Santell stated that the Commission meeting
discussed this last week, concentrating on the environmental side
of the issue. Upon conclusion, the commission felt the City should
approve a three -can variable rate program.
Councilmember Touhey felt a large shift in the rates only serves to
increase the midnight trash service (folks dropping their excess
trash in commercial bins or other residential trashcans).
Commissioner Chan explained the importance for the education
and re -enforcement of a recycling program in West Covina.
Commissioner Massaroto spoke favorably for a recycling program.
He thought there might be a benefit in accepting the fifteen -year
evergreen program andagreed with Councilmember Touhey that
everybody should pay for the amount of trash they produce.
Mayor Pro Tem Melendez supported Option No. 1, the existing
program. That means the MRF does it all, that is the future. He
was not opposed to and educational program as long as it doesn't
interfere with moving forward with curbside recycling.
Councilmember Wong stated that he appreciated the commission's
recommendation for a variable rate, as an incentive for the citizens
to find ways to reduce their trash. He also favored a shorter
Amevergreen period, in the spirit of competitive bidding.
Councilmember Touhey favored Option No. 1
Councilmember Herfert commended the commission for their
environmental position. The City Council takes that into consider-
ation as well as the financial aspects of the issue. He stated that he
was unsure which option he favored.
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Commissioner Chan urged Council to survey the citizens.
Mayor Howard agreed with the Council favoring Option No. 1.
She was uncomfortable with extending the contract to a fifteen -
year contract. She stated that believes in recycling and practices
recycling, but felt the City was getting off track. The idea .is
diversion, not necessarily recycling. Council's job is obtain the
50% diversion rate, as mandated by state law. She said the next
step is to take it to the public and receive input from the public.
City Manager Hobbs stated that it would be appropriate for
the City Council to give direction to staff by a motion to proceed
with a particular option and an eight -year contract. Then staff
would bring the agreement to the City Council for approval at a
formal meeting.
Motion Motion by Melendez and seconded by Howard to proceed with
Option No. 1 and enter negotiations with Athens for an eight -year
J contract. Motion carried 4-1 with Wong voting no.
ADJOURNMENT Motion by Melendez and seconded by Herfert to adjourn the
meeting at 10:45 pm. Motion carried 5-0.
Attest:
Citv.Clerk Janet Berry
M or Kat oward
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