An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held Tuesday,
January 29, 2002 commencing at 7:06 a.m.

A. ROLL CALL

Present: Council Members – Hitchcock (arrived at 7:15 a.m.), Howard, Land, Nakanishi, and Mayor Pennino

Absent: Council Members – None

Also Present: City Manager Flynn and City Clerk Blackston

City Clerk Blackston reviewed the weekly calendar (filed).

C-1 "Solid Waste Contract"

Public Works Director Prima reported that staff has prepared an entirely new franchise agreement between the City and Central Valley Waste Services (CVWS). It is currently in draft form and any changes will be identified when the agreement is brought before Council for approval. The new agreement was restructured to eliminate the notion of commercial versus residential, and rates for service are now identical. A cap was imposed on the number of recycling carts that customers can have at no charge. Two recycling containers will be provided without cost to customers who have metal container service. Proposed annual rate increases of 1.5% will be in effect April 2002, 2003, and 2004. In addition, rates will be adjusted according to 80% of the San Francisco Bay Area Consumer Price Index. He noted that since the inception of the Index in 1967, the annual increase has averaged 1.91%.

Mr. Prima stated that the new agreement includes the recycling education awareness program, AB939 reporting services, and the annual curb-side clean up, and dump days. An illegal pick up program has been added to the agreement, as well as leaf disposal. A new annual voucher program has also been added, which will allow customers to take one load of garbage to the transfer station at no cost. Insurance coverage has been increased to $2 million for general liability and $5 million for auto insurance. A one-time fee for roll off boxes will be instituted for homeowners. Mr. Prima stated that a rate schedule will be provided to Council separately and noted that staff still needs to address low-income rates.

Council Member Howard commented that she was pleased to know that staff was reviewing low-income rates and ensuring that the fee will cover costs. Referencing Section 5, g, of the agreement she questioned whether it is the City’s current practice to prosecute for illegal dumping. Mr. Prima replied that it is not addressed in the current contract.

Council Member Howard noted that there is a fee when customers enter the transfer station and asked whether an increase in this cost is anticipated.

Tom Sanchez, Regional Manager of CVWS, explained that the transfer station is not included in the franchise agreement because it was built by private funds.

Council Member Land expressed concern about the ability for seniors and the disabled to get backyard service and asked that this be addressed in the agreement.

Mr. Prima reported that there is no charge to the disabled for backyard service, and others may purchase the service at $10 per month.

Referencing page 17, Section 36, Council Member Land requested that the agreement include language requiring that transfers in ownership to another entity be brought before Council for approval. He also requested that cost of billing reimbursement be reviewed.

In answer to questions posed by Council Member Nakanishi, Alex Oseguera, District Manager of CVWS, reported that the company is addressing oil spill problems by upgrading its fleet. Two new vehicles were received last October, two more will arrive in March, one in April, two in May, and three in July. There is a section in the agreement that relates to equipment and the City’s ability to inspect it. He also noted that CVWS has a procedure for handling oil spills, i.e., every truck has a spill kit and drivers are trained to properly contain them.

At the request of Council Member Nakanishi, Mr. Prima indicated that he would work out a vehicle monitoring plan.

Council Member Nakanishi requested that he be provided with historical information related to the franchise percentage, and its decrease in 1994 from 8% to 4.8%.

Mayor Pennino suggested that an annual voucher program be instituted for emptying overweight yard and garden containers. He asked that input be sought from commercial businesses in the community, prior to bringing this matter back to Council. He expressed concern about an automatic 1.5% rate increase without any incentive to reduce costs, and believed that the 4.8% franchise percentage was too low. He asked how credit for recycling is monitored.

Mr. Prima indicated that reporting on the recycling credit is needed.

In response to Mayor Pennino’s concern about the early start time for garbage pick up, Mr. Sanchez clarified that commercial collection begins at 5:00 a.m. and residential begins at 5:30 a.m.

City Manager Flynn believed that something needs to be done to reduce the problem of garbage and large items being dumped in rural areas and on east side properties.

Mayor Pro Tempore Hitchcock expressed concern about AB939 and the potential for fines if stipulated diversion rates are not met. Mr. Sanchez cautioned against adding language in the agreement requiring certain recycling programs, as it would burden the City with additional ordinances.

Mayor Pennino suggested that language be included stating that if the City does not meet AB939 goals, the two shall meet and confer to arrive at a solution.

Mayor Pro Tempore Hitchcock requested a copy of the current contract, rate methodology, and a 20-year history on the rates. She believed that the cost of truck replacement was included in the rate methodology.

Council Member Howard asked that the agreement include language specifying that time of waste collection not begin before 5:00 a.m.; with industrial trucks beginning at 5:00 a.m. and residential trucks at 5:30 a.m.

Council Member Nakanishi requested a comparison of rates between Lodi and surrounding cities. He commented that he serves on the San Joaquin County Solid Waste Management Task Force and Lodi is considered number one in the County.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Myrna Wetzel pointed out that leaves are not picked up until November, although many trees begin dropping their leaves earlier.

Mr. Prima explained that leaf pickup has been the responsibility of the City. It is a judgment call on the part of staff, as to when to switchover equipment for leaf pickup. He indicated that he would forward communication on this subject from Street Superintendent George Bradley to Ms. Wetzel.

COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

None.

No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 a.m.

ATTEST:

Susan J. Blackston
City Clerk