Proposed changes to curbside trash pickup ordinance coming before county council

Whatcom County Council will once again consider proposed changes in billing and service levels in an ordinance sponsored by Tyler Byrd, county council member representing the Foothills district. The ordinance had appeared on the council’s October 27 agenda at the last minute as an introductory item but was re-scheduled after several council members said it should be first discussed in the public works and health (PWH) committee chaired by Carol Frazey.

The first committee review was held on October 27 by the finance and administrative services committee chaired by Byrd.

The proposed ordinance would accomplish two things; one, it would reduce the service mandate for curbside trash pickup from once every two weeks to once a month and would switch the billing for the service from property tax statements to the provider, Cando Recycling and Disposal.

The PWH committee meets virtually on Tuesday, November 10 (2:25 p.m.) and will include an update from the county health department reviewing solid waste management in Point Roberts. The committee will then discuss the request from the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee (PRCAC) to reduce service levels to once a month. PRCAC’s request specifically requested that those pickups occur at the discretion of the customer and that billing continue to be part of the annual property statements. (For the agenda, go to bit.ly/3p4oLf0. To view letter, go to bit.ly/2U0dnmq).

Originally, a review of the solid waste program was to be held in March but was delayed due to the pandemic. The health department has submitted staff reports that discuss the history and development of the current program and explain the reasoning behind mandatory minimums, pricing constraints and flexible pickups. The report states that the difference in pricing between once- and twice-monthly pickups would be minimal given the fixed costs of the solid waste program. As well, the department believes that variable pickup would not be “feasible for service less than twice per month pickup.”

In the March report, the health department addressed the issue of recycling and waste reduction, saying it was “not the assessment of staff that less frequent pickup of smaller cans promotes recycling and waste reduction. Rather, community education and outreach that changes behavior is what supports successful recycling and reduction goals.” Proponents of reducing the service levels have cited waste reduction as one of their aims.

Because the report was prepared before the ordinance was introduced, it did not address the ordinance’s proposal that billing should be the responsibility of Cando and not the property tax statement. (To view the reports, go to bit.ly/3oYYDSV). There was considerable doubt expressed by county council members at the last council meeting as to whether Cando could survive under the proposed billing scenario.

Following the PWH committee meeting, the proposed ordinance will appear at the council’s regular meeting under introduction items. At that time, it could be shelved or scheduled for public hearing. The next available date for a public hearing would be Tuesday, November 24, which already has a full slate including the 2021 county budget and Cherry Point zoning amendments. The county would be running out of time vis-à-vis certifying property tax rolls unless council agreed to pull it from property tax statements and place the onus of collection onto Cando. Trash pickup is regulated by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) and currently there is no tariff for once-a-month trash collection. It would take the WUTC at least a few months to come up with a tariff plan. In effect, the switch in billing responsibility could act as a Trojan Horse with unforeseen but possibly disastrous effects on the service provider.

To attend any of council’s committee or regular meetings, go to bit.ly/3l1GsJS. To find agendas and meeting times, go to the Legislative Information Center at bit.ly/2TWo218. If you would like to submit comments to council on the proposed solid waste ordinance or any other subject, email council@co.whatcom.wa.us. For the solid waste ordinance, cite AB2020-487 in the subject line. To contact Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu, email ssidhu@co.whatcom.wa.us.

In other business, council will adopt the 2021-22 budget for the Point Roberts Transportation Benefit District during the Tuesday, November 10 meeting. The budget calls for $40,000 to be used for roadside maintenance.