Curbside recycling once again took center stage at the Feb. 17 Medical Lake City Council meeting.
City Administrator Doug Ross informed the council and everyone in attendance that after calculating the costs, the residents would pay an additional $3 to the $14.70 they are already charged for garbage fees if the city adopts a curbside recycling program with Sunshine Disposal and Recycling. At the Feb. 3 City Council meeting, Ross estimated that the cost would be $3.50.
By charging residents $3, the city anticipates an ending balance of approximately $12,000 in the garbage fund, which is less than what it finished with in 2014.
Ross reiterated some of the benefits residents would receive if the city adopted the program. “Every resident will receive a 96-gallon cart and Sunshine will pick it up every other week,” Ross said. “If you are renting carts for $1 you will no longer be charged for that service.”
Ross explained curbside recycling would be a mandatory service and every resident will be charged the $3 whether or not they use it.
If the city adopts curbside recycling, the earliest it would start implementing it would be in June or July. Ross said he would notify residents about the change.
Another benefit of curbside recycling, according to Mayor John Higgins, is that the equipment outside of the maintenance shop could be stored in the recycling center if it is closed.
Councilwoman Shirley Maike was in favor of the city adopting curbside recycling.
“Everybody I’ve talked to has said ‘let’s do it,’” Maike said. “We’re not just looking at an increase, it’s a new service.”
Councilman Howard Jorgensen said business owners have approached him and asked about how the curbside recycling program would affect them. Ross explained that the $3 charge is only for residents and businesses would negotiate their own recycling service with Sunshine. Jorgensen asked if Sunshine could provide some rates for business owners and Ross said he would have a representative from Sunshine speak at the next City Council meeting.
Another concern of Jorgensen’s was the compost trailer and how curbside recycling would affect its operation. Ross said there are no current plans to close the trailer but residents can subscribe to a curbside compost service from Sunshine.
In action items, the council approved the city’s Commute Trip Reduction Implementation Plan update for 2015-19.
The city’s CTR goals include the following:
● To establish Medical Lake’s trail system as one of the best in the state.
● Provide alternate transportation modes for major employers within the city.
● Use the system effectively for all types of motorized and non-motorized transportation between the city and residents of neighboring communities.
● Improve pedestrian and vehicular safety along city streets and the State Route 902 corridor and provide alternative transportation to a large commercial district within the city.
● Maintain the existing transportation network including bike paths and sidewalks.
● Make public transportation available to all city residents and workers and advocate for support and service from Spokane Transit Authority to accomplish this goal.
Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].
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