HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-05-06 - AGENDA REPORTS - UNIT PRICING STUDY (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Smyth and Members of the Ci5Cr
FROM: George A. Caravalho, City Manager
DATE: May 6, 1997
SUBJECT: UNIT PRICING STUDY -VARIABLE CAN RATE
At the City Council Study Session on May 21, 1996, staff presented the BEYOND 50 PERCENT
WASTE REDUCTION BY 2000 report to Council. The purpose of the report was to explore
means to achieve the maximum waste reduction while stabilizing residential refuse rates. The
report emphasized, among other issues, that Santa Clarita had systematically established an
integrated waste management system including: residential curbside commingled recycling, yard
trimmings and oil collection programs. The final link needed to develop a convenient, equitable
residential infrastructure was a unit pricing system.
Accordingly, at the City Council Meeting on July 9, 1996, Council directed staff and the
franchised haulers to research a residential unit pricing system and prepare recommendations.
A unit pricing system will assist in stabilizing rates, provide residents' options to lower their
trash bills and increase the City's landfill diversion percentages. At the March 11, 1997 City
Council Meeting, Council directed staff to contract with Skumatz Economic Research Associates
(SERA) to conduct a study of a residential unit pricing system in Santa Clarita.
On March 25, 1997, SERA met with. City council members, franchise haulers and City staff to
obtain necessary research. On April 26, 1997, SERA and City staff held a meeting with key
stakeholders to discuss initial findings of the Unit Pricing Study and receive public input. SERA
and staff will hold two more public meetings on May 31, 1997 and June 5, 1997 and return to
City Council with recommendations on June 24, 1997.
Itmem"Tlu1 • •
Receive and comment on Unit Pricing Study -Variable Can Rate Presentation.
53CCAGENDAM597JE
Agenda I ern:_.
City Council Study Session
May 6, 1997
Call To Order: 7:00 p.m.
Roll Call: All Councilmembers were present with the exception of Councilmember
Heidt.
Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Mayor Smyth
Item#1 PRESENTATION BY GLEN BECERRA OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
EDISON - City Manager Caravalho introduced Glen Becerra of SCE who
briefed Council on the upcoming electric industry restructuring in California.
Mr. Becerra advised that restructuring was being done to bring costs down; he
then outlined the impact to customers.
Council discussion and concerns: No concerns identified.
Public Participation: There was none.
Item #2 CITY CODE ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS: REQUEST FOR POLICY
DIRECTION - City Manager Caravalho introduced Kevin Tonoian,
Management Analyst; Ruben Barrera, Building Official; Dave Horn, Assistant
Fire Chief, John Porter, County Environmental Health; and Mike Quinn,
Sheriffs Department. Mr. Tonoian and Mr. Quinn presented the report and Mr.
Barrera provided a Spanish translation for the audience.
Council discussion and concerns: complainants feel they become the nuisance
instead of the incident being the nuisance; need to see the Newhall community
services officer in the neighborhood; handling a repetitive nuisance through
small claims court; followup on illegal conversions; tightening up code
regulations.
Public Participation: Larry Bird and 5 unidentified members of the public
expressed concerns.
Direction provided for the City and law enforcement to arrange a community
meeting at the Community Center for citizens to express concerns and that a
Spanish translator also attend. Any action on the proposed ordinance is delayed
until after the community meeting with recommendations to be brought back to
Council after this meeting.
Council consensus to go with, option #2 to support a "Limited Proactive
Enforcement" Program as outlined in the interoffice memo dated May 6, 1997
including an additional code enforcement officer.
BREAK Mayor Smyth called a break at 9:12 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:19
p.m.
Item #3 UNIT PRICING STUDY - VARIABLE CAN RATE - City Manager Caravalho
introduced Dennis Luppens, Waste Management Coordinator, who presented the
report along with consultant Lisa Skumatz of Skumatz Economic Research
Associates (SERA) who displayed overhead projections.
Council discussion and concerns: being comparable to Seattle and San Jose; how
to get the idea across to customers; perceived higher cost and reduced service;
some support for weight based service; wanting to do what works.
Public Participation: Bob Lathrop and two unidentified women commented on
the options for service.
Mayor Smyth called for general Public Participation; there was none.
Motion by Boyer, second by Majic, to adjourn the meeting at 10:35 p.m.
Sharon L. Dawson, CMC, City Clerk