SAC MIN 1997-10-09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Senior Affairs Commission Page 2 Minutes of Thursday, October 9, 1997 The first Recycling Agreement was negotiated in 1988 and was for newspaper, glass and aluminum only. In 1989, AB939 passed which required cities to divert 25% of their solid waste by 1995 and 50% by 2000 or face possible fines of $10,000 per day or up to $3,650,000 per year. Rates are determined by a process that starts with an application filed with SBTSA by the provider (BFI). On behalf of SBTSA, the application is reviewed by HF&H and all operational and financial records are made available for inspection. Dollar figures in the application are reconciled to the audited financial statements to look for compliance, general accuracy, and reasonableness of costs. All costs are divided into the following categories: 1 . Direct Costs 2. Profit 3. Pass Through Costs 4. Revenues The profit is based on a certain percentage of all direct costs. More recently cities asked HF&H to prepare some additional cost accounting systems per City so that each City would be paying an appropriate share. Ultimately, the City Council of each jurisdiction is the party responsible for adopting the rate. Mr. Hilton reviewed comparative data for Redwood City versus other cities outside SBSTA which indicated our rates were among the lowest in the Bay Area. Mr. Hilton responded to the Commission regarding significant rate increases over the past five years; why it costs us more to recycle; how we will reach the 50% goal for solid waste reduction by the year 2000; and whether recycling marketing costs are included as direct cost of BFI. Mr. Hilton stated that the institution of the residential yard waste programs brings Redwood City to a 33% reduction (17% still needed). The areas of multi-family and commercial recycling will need to be explored to achieve an additional 17% reduction. He noted that Redwood City's current rate structure calls for a rate of $5.87 monthly for 20 gallons or less. Chairperson Walsh thanked Mr. Hilton for his presentation and indicated that their concern was primarily for senior citizens who because they are on fixed incomes are severely impacted by increases in the rates. He asked that the rate structure be communicated via senior centers to the rate payers. ITEM 2 — REVIEW WORKPLAN ACCOMPLISHMENTS PRESENTED AT THE SEPTEMBER MEETING Chairperson Walsh noted that comments made on the results for our 96-97 Workplan were included in the minutes and asked staff to comment on the best way to approach the topic. Commissioner Anthony spoke regarding his attendance at the City Council Utilities Committee meeting and his push for sliding fee scale for seniors with respect to water, sewer or garbage rates. It was the consensus of the Commission that Commissioner Anthony should represent the Commission at these meetings. Returning to the workplan, the group agreed to modify objective #1 under Youth, Children and Education concerning financing for Redwood City Schools to read that the Senior Affairs Commission will have a representative on the Measure A Bond Oversight Committee. All other objectives remained the same.