5.1. SR 12-07-2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~~ /~ L111 •~~~` 1Ziver TO: City Council MEMORANDUM FROM: Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator DATE: December 7, 2009 SUBJECT: 2010 Garbage Budget Staff is proposing some changes to the programs that fall under the garbage budget. The first adjustment is to alter the fee structure to encourage more participation in the City's Source Separated Organics (SSO) program. It is proposed to increase the fee for the 90 gallon and 2-90 gallon cart by $3 and decrease the 32 and 32-bi-weekly carts by $2 per month. One comment that is often made is that there isn't enough cost difference between the large and small containers to encourage people to reduce waste consumption. Making these adjustments will encourage residents to go with the smaller size container and hopefully participate in the SSO and recycling programs. The second adjustment is in regards to the recycling rebate. Currently, residents who fill out the rebate form and commit to recycling at least four categories of items throughout the year receive a $25 credit on their garbage bill. In 2010, staff recommends the rebate be $25 for those residents who recycle and participate in the SSO program and $10 for those who only recycle. This hopefully will encourage more residents to participate in the SSO program. The SSO program is financed through a grant from Sherburne County. The grant is for a two year cycle. The first year (August 2008- August 2009) was to fund the pilot program in Trott Brook Farms. The second year (August 2009 -August 2010) was to allow the program to be opened up City-wide with the anticipation of 25% of the residents participating. There was money left over from the first year which has been rolled into the second year. The idea behind the program is to encourage residents to sign up during the grant cycle so they will not be charged for the cart and will pay a subsidized rate if they downsize their container. After the grant cycle, the residents will be required to pay for the cart ($50 value) plus pay the actual cost of the program ($4/month). Staff had included in the grant from Sherburne County a match of $77,700 from the City. Staff is proposing to continue offering the cart for free and subsidizing the rate through 2011. The contracts for the City's contract garbage haulers, Randy's Environmental Services and Allied Waste, expire on December 31, 2012. As part of the contract, every couple of years,.