03/03/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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What makes Los Altos Hills different and the garbage rates higher? Angin explained that the reasons include: specialized service (backyard pickup) - an option that is offered in very few Towns; distance to the landfill, which is approximately 50 miles round-trip; the terrain of the Town and the length of the driveways necessitates smaller routes with fewer homes per route, and lastly, there is no commercial base to help subsidize the cost. Angin added that the Town's recycling program has been a resounding success. He explained that limited markets for recyclables are the main determining factor in what is included in the program. Materials need to have a consistent resale value to ensure that they are targeted for reuse and not put back into the landfill. In reference to the program in San Jose, Angin noted that they are developing markets for their materials, i.e. scrap metal on a residential basis. San Jose is also the host city for landfill which enables them to negotiate more favorable rates --$9.00 per ton vs. the Town's $35.00 per ton. New programs that LAGCO will be incorporating into our present recycling program will include a cardboard drop off site at the Purissima yard waste center with no additional cost except for minimal improvements to the site (concrete pads) and more plastics will be added to the acceptable list of recyclables. Residents will be able to drop these off at the same site. Angin added that this should be monitored closely to ensure there is no contamination from the new materials, i.e. detergent bottles. LAGCO is also looking at alternatives for our yard waste program and trying to develop something that would work within our present rate structure but be more accommodating to the residents. Siegel asked if it would be possible to offer compost from our yard waste materials to the residents under a similar program to Los Altos. Angin felt this was feasible and could be done perhaps on a monthly basis with a debris box of material available at the corporation yard with no additional cost to the program. Dauber questioned whether window envelopes and glossy paper could be included in our paper recyclables. Angin noted that it was an option being considered but because it down grades the value of the newspaper which is already suffering from a limited market these additions could eventually cost the program. Angin proceeded to explain the spreadsheet from LAGCO that was included in Attachment A referencing the categories and their breakdown into revenues, expenses, fees and Town costs, total costs and revised costs, revenue increase required, percentage rate increase, average cost per ton and average cost per container/annual. Mayor Tryon thanked the Council Sub -Committee and the City Manager for the hours they have expended in resolving this difficult issue. She noted that as a result of the Public Hearing the Council had directed changes in the original proposal and March 3, 1993 Regular City Council Meeting