Lower rates sought for solid waste

New panel seeks contract reviews

The new Solid Waste Authority board hopped into the heart of contentious issues Wednesday during its first meeting, directing the authority to look at how to lower collection rates of Recology Del Norte and Hambro Group, the companies that handle collection and disposal.

The board also asked that certain items be placed on the next meeting’s agenda for clarification, including an audit and Recology Del Norte’s contract.  

Ideological differences surfaced as board members discussed how residences get free collection of fluorescent light bulbs while businesses have to pay.

“It appears as though the business community gets singled out for higher recycling rates, higher garbage rates and disposal of the items that are free for the general public, and yet the businesses are the people that employ the general public,” said board member and county Supervisor Gerry Hemmingsen.

Another board member and supervisor, Martha McClure, said the board chose to award a new collection contract to Recology because it kept price increases for residences low, considering that 40 percent of the county falls below the poverty line.

“For example, a senior household on a limited income needed to have as small of an increase as possible,” McClure said.

Hemmingsen responded by saying that businesses are struggling and their rate increase is unfair.

“You have no problem with having to lay people off because they have to pay their garbage bill?” he asked.  “It’s not okay to raise a dollar for the residential rate but it’s OK to raise it $500 for businesses?”

Board member and City Councilman Charles Slert suggested that the authority, Recology Del Norte and Hambro Group get together to discuss how they could lower rates.

Hemmingsen and Mike Sullivan, another board member and supervisor, agreed with that suggestion.

“But you’re asking these people to amend their contract,” McClure said.

“I’m not asking them to do anything,” Hemmingsen responded. “I’m asking them to see if they can help us out.”

McClure said that “for some businesses the rates went down,” noting that businesses can now opt for smaller Dumpsters than before, in turn saving money.

“So small businesses didn’t take a big giant hit” if they chose to take advantage of recycling options, she said, adding that she’s seen the savings herself at the school where she works, which went from a 4-yard Dumpster to a 1.5-yard Dumpster.

Sullivan asked how that was possible when the Del Norte County School District’s garbage rates increased by more than $87,000.

“The savings has to be at each individual site reducing the size of Dumpster that they need” and changing other practices like locked and gated Dumpsters, which cost more, McClure said.

“A lot of the schools aren’t recycling as much as they can and they’re looking at ways to improve that so they can lower their bill,” said board member and City Councilwoman Kelly Schellong.

School Superintendent Don Olson addressed why the district has not seen savings, at least so far.

“We greatly increased recycling but you don’t go from throwing most things in the garbage to a fully functional recycling program in a matter of months,” Olson said. “We’re improving each month.”

Recology is now offering free recycling to all schools in the district.

The board chose Councilman Richard Enea as its vice-chairman and Schellong as secretary.

Although Supervisor David Finigan and Hemmingsen were nominated to chair the new board, it was decided to wait to elect a chair until all the members were present.

Supervisors Finigan and Leslie McNamer were absent, as was Councilwoman Donna Westfall.

The Authority Board will hold its meetings on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 3:30 p.m

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