HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 03-12-96 - Adjourned w CDC 1. 0 29 Li
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL /COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 12, 1996
The City Council/Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an
Adjourned Regular Meeting at 4:30 p.m., March 12, 1996, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City
Hall, Mayor /Chairman Gary P. McCaughan presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members /Commissioners:
Gary P. McCaughan, M.D. Mayor /Chairman
Joyce L. Lawrence Mayor Pro - Tem/Vice- Chairman
Diane P. Boggs
Robert S. Brazelton
Barbara J. Riley
ALSO PRESENT: Gerald M. Caton, City Manager/Executive Director
Judith McDonnell, City Clerk/Secretary
Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager
Dick Redmayne, Director of Public Works
Kathy Simmons, Administrative Assistant, Public Works
CALSAN STUDY SESSION AND TRASH RATE PROPOSAL
Mr. Powell explained the proposal of Calsan contains three options: One, is to continue with the
existing program and increase the rates, which would be $14.31 for single family residential and $12.47
for a multi - family residential; the second is to retain the existing program for residential collection and
provide Calsan with an exclusive franchise for the collection of commercial trash, which is currently
being handled by multiple haulers, at a proposed rate of $13.10 for single family residential and $11.55
for multi - family residential; and the third option is for an automated type program that picks up trash
containers using a mechanical device at a proposed rate of $12.85 for single family residential and
$11.55 for multi - family residential. Mr. Powell then mentioned that after hearing Calsan's proposal, the
Council will have the option to either accept Calsan's first option proposal and update the existing
franchise agreement for the new rates; to re -hire the trash rate study expert used by the City to review
Calsan's costs and proposals and make a recommendation for a fair rate; to start the process of an
exclusive franchise for commercial trash and direct the City Attorney to revise the City's Ordinance to
provide for that; and lastly, to request and direct staff to negotiate a new contract with Calsan and
provide negotiation guidelines for the new contract.
When asked about the current commercial haulers in the City, Mr. Powell indicated there are
four with Calsan collecting 80 percent; Metropolitan Waste collecting 17 percent; Western Waste
collecting two percent, and Belart collecting one percent.
Mayor /Chairman McCaughan asked Calsan representatives to come forward and make their
presentation at this time.
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Mr. Jeff Duhamel, General Manager of Calsan and Project Manager for the new MRF famility,
mentioned the City's DART program and green waste tag program have been the thrust behind the
City's compliance with AB 939. With the aid of an overhead projector, he displayed graphs with charts
showing statistics on the residential curbside service, the City's recycling program, and projections for
the trash recycling program to the year 2000. He then displayed a map of Los Angeles County showing
the local landfills and noted that on September 15th, BKK Landfill will be closing its doors. With that
in mind, Calsan has negotiated a 10 -15 year contract with Irvine at a fixed rate. He reviewed the
change in landfill rates over the past ten years, which have seen a 219% increase during that period of
time. Mr. Duhamel elaborated on the options previously discussed by Mr. Powell, but noted that with "
the option of retaining the existing program, Calson would request the City to commit to an extension
of the contract coinciding with Calsan's agreement with the Irvine Landfill facility. He also discussed
and compared Calsan's contracts with other cities in the area.
Mr. Richard Haft commented on Calsan's intent to build a materials recovery facility (MRF) in
Downey and stressed the need for a 10 -15 year commitment from the City in order for Calsan to meet
the State's bonding requirements. He explained the benefits of a MRF in the City would be ensured
through its contract with Calsan. Also, the City will benefit from rate stabilization and AB 939
indemnities and guarantees, and in addition, with the automated system, the rates would be reduced per
household.
Council Member Riley asked if extra green waste containers would be provided upon request;
whether smaller containers were available for a person living alone; and inquired about the type of
automated trucks that would be used in view of the recent incident in the City of Los Angeles.
Mr. Duhamel explained additional green waste containers would be provided at no charge,
depending on lot size; however, the resident would be responsible for disposal of excessive size green
waste. Also, a smaller container can be provided at a reduced cost. He said the automated trucks
owned by Calsan are from the same manufacturer but they are not the same truck as the City of Los
Angeles. Calsan's vehicles are stronger, more durable, and maintained on a resular basis.
With the aid of slides, Mr. Mike Adnoff discussed the proposed automated three - barrel system.
He pointed out the containers would be fully guaranteed by Calsan and replaced at no charge.
Responding to questions of the Council, he explained Downey's program would be based on the same
program in the City of Bellflower. Mr. Adnoff estimated the MRF will be completed and fully
operational the end of this year or in January 1997. He concurred that the City's approval could be
conditioned on the MRF being completed by a mutually agreeable date, although he noted they are
currently involved in the conditional use permit process. Responding to further questions, Mr. Adnoff
noted that approximately 60% of the solid waste stream in the City of Downey is commercial;
residential is 40 %. He then went on to comment on Calsan's attempts to be creative with trash
diversion programs and incentives. He also explained representatives of Calsan have been negotiating
and submitted offers to the other commercial haulers in the City, but so far have not been able to reach
an agreement.
Council Member /Commissioner Boggs expressed her support for the third option as far as
residential. She also indicated she would like to see further information regarding commercial rates in
other cities, and in particular the City of Cerritos.
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Council Member /Commissioner Lawrence asked what is being done with the green waste, and
Mr. Adnoff replied that some of it is being composted. He pointed out that they are looking into
purchasing a composting business.
Council Member /Commissioner Lawrence then asked if there would be a problem with the
franchise fee if an initiative were approved by the voters.
Mr. Caton explained that if an initiative is passed in November the franchise fee could be
considered a new tax and require a vote of the people.
Mayor McCaughan feels the residents have been successful in diverting trash and would favor an
automated system. The City is bound by the AB 939 requirements and is responsible for the control
and accountability of trash diversion. He feels commercial needs to be brought into the diversion
program and that location of a MRF facility in the City will be beneficial to Downey residents.
It was moved by Council Member /Commissioner Riley, seconded by Council Member/ -
Commissioner Brazelton, and unanimously carried to direct the City Attorney to review the Commercial
Trash Ordinance in order to provide Calsan a franchise and indicate a preference for the automated
three barrel program for residential collection.
Prior to the foregoing vote, Council Member /Commissioner Boggs requested staff look at the
bonding needs to determine the length of the contract with Calsan, and noting the percentage of trash
created by commercial, she favored bringing commercial into the waste diversion program.
Council Member /Commissioner Brazelton suggested the proposed contract include a condition
that the MRF be constructed by a mutually agreeable date, and also incorporate all of the representa-
tions and guarantees made by Calsan in their presentation with regard to the extra barrel program and
that the City Attorney confirm that the franchise fees would be upheld if the program is approved.
Council Member /Commissioner Lawrence concurred and indicated she wants to make sure the
City's infrastructure is protected, in view of the wear and tear on City streets that will occur with the
MRF facility, particularly if they decide to expand.
Mr. Haft discussed the bonding process.
Council Member /Commissioner Boggs emphasized it is a major advantage for Calsan to have
obtained a contract with the Irvine Landfill.
The meeting recessed at 6:15 p.m.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
The meeting reconvened for Oral Communications at 8:10 p.m. with all Council Members/ -
Commissioners (see Oral Communications under Regular City Council Meeting).
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ADJOURNMENT: 8:12 p.m.
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Judith E. McDonnell, City Clerk/Secretary Gary P. McCaughan, MayorYchairjnan
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