RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Public Hearing Item 15.1 dominated the agenda at the Sept. 3 City Council meeting, as a large turnout of residents voiced strong opinions on proposed rate adjustments for trash collection.

“The current contract with Republic Services expires on Dec. 31,” said Public Works Division manager Steve Harriman, outlining the need for the rate adjustments. “On Jan. 17, 2023, the City Council instructed us to initiate a competitive procurement process for a new contract.”

City Council selected Atlas Disposal as the new provider, with the contract set from Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2034. The proposed rate adjustments for residential solid waste collection and street sweeping services are designed to accommodate cost increases in various areas such as labor, fuel, waste disposal and processing, insurance, and vehicle maintenance and replacement. These adjustments are capped at 5% annually and are calculated based on changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The rate table sent to residents outlines the maximum potential rates for the next five years, assuming a 5% annual increase.

The public hearing, required under Proposition 218, saw a significant response from the community. Proposition 218, approved by California voters in 1996, mandates that property owners and tenants be given the opportunity to protest proposed rate increases. If 10,680 valid protests are received, the proposed rates cannot proceed.

“We conducted an extensive bidding process and numerous public hearings,” said City Manager Micah Runner. “At the end of the day, the final two who were being considered were both the lowest cost providers.”

At the meeting, residents expressed a range of concerns.

Sheryl Putman, a retiree on a fixed income, expressed worry about the affordability of the new rates and questioned the council on the possibility of temporary holds on trash collection during periods of absence.

Theresa Aguilar also voiced her concern for residents on fixed incomes.

“Theres a lot of older people that live on my block and there is no way they can afford this,” Aguilar said. “We got to watch out for our people.”

Wendie Castleman raised issues about contamination charges, saying, “If my neighbor contaminates my bin, I shouldn’t be penalized. I don’t mind paying for my fair share but I really don’t want to pay for other people’s inefficiencies.”

James Garcia questioned the timing and rationale behind the proposed rate increases.

“This decision was made back in March but many of us were unaware of the planned increases starting July 1 and lasting for the next five years,” Garcia said. “It doesn’t seem reasonable to implement the maximum authorized rate increase from day one.”

Helen Bashaw highlighted specific problems she faces, such as illegal dumping near her home.

“If I am penalized because my bin is accessible and others use it improperly, that’s unfair,” Bashaw said. “And I’m concerned about Atlas Disposal’s reliability.”

Jeffrey Black and Nancy Copeland also voiced frustrations, with Black noting he had not received notification about the rate changes and Copeland questioning the lack of communication regarding street sweeping schedules.

City officials responded to these concerns, with Harriman noting that state law mandates weekly trash collection and that damaged cans should not incur additional charges if not caused by residents.

“There are so many mandates on us imposed by state law,” said Mayor David M. Sander, Ph.D.  “I don’t want that to sound like an excuse. It is just the reality of the situation.”

Harriman also noted that the city website provides street sweeping schedules and that a bank service is included in the contract to address illegal dumping and other issues.

“We pride ourselves in providing good customer service whether it’s through our vendors or our interactions,” Runner said. “If you do have issues and things aren’t working with the provider, we are always available here to handle those comments and questions.”

The city received a total of 1,604 ballot protests. With fewer than the required number of protests submitted, City Council chose to adopt the resolution approving the rate adjustments.