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From:KIRSTEN MCKAY <br />To:GRP-City Council <br />Subject:Against Proposed Solid Waste Rate Increase for 20 Gallon Bins <br />Date:Thursday, January 9, 2025 6:18:55 PM <br />You don't often get email from kmckay@mac.com. Learn why this is important <br />Dear City Council Members, <br />I am writing to strongly protest the proposed solid waste rate increases for the 20-Gallon <br />Bins recently announced by the City of Redwood City. For the last 3 years, if not longer, <br />the city has consistently and dramatically increased the rates, pushing the highest rate <br />increases to those who use the smallest bins/least garbage --- $8 for a 20-gallon user vs $5 <br />for a 96-gallon user. This is unfair and more over pushes us as a city in the wrong direction. <br />I am a 30-year resident of Redwood City and am dedicated to reducing, reusing, and <br />recycling my household waste as much as possible for the sake of our planet’s health. I <br />believe the reduction of waste is what our city needs to encourage and incentivize versus <br />penalize. Charging those who use the least the most, and making It cheaper for the largest <br />garbage producers incentivizes exactly the wrong behavior - along with placing an unfair <br />burden on those who use less. <br />I have worked hard to reduce my black bin waste to the point where I could easily get by <br />with 1 -20 gallon bin pickup once a month. I called the city to see if I could get a smaller bin <br />than 20 gallons or reduce my pickup schedule and I was told no such option exists. I wish <br />the city was contemplating unique/creative ways to encourage reduction versus making it <br />cheaper for the biggest consumers to just use more. <br />I understand that expenses/costs have increased, but, humbly request that you reconsider <br />this proposed rate increase to one that is more fairly allocated and incentivizes <br />conservation. After all, this is the model that other utilities use (water, electricity, gas). If I <br />use more water and don’t conserve, my bill goes up proportionally with each upper tier I <br />consume -same with electricity. <br />I respectfully ask that the City Council reconsider this proposed allocation of rate increases <br />and that my comments be recorded and given full consideration. <br />Thank you for your attention to this matter. <br />Sincerely, <br />KIRSTEN MCKAY <br />kmckay@mac.com