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cans weekly and the corresponding effect on labor, fuel, repair and pollution. He noted that there were more pickups in the last two weeks than ever before given the holidays. Fred Schernig questioned why the rates for the cities are different when it is the same company and supposedly the same contract. He asked where the difference in money is going to and asked about the 15 percent cost to Allied going away in the future. Mayor Ira said everyone has the same base contract, but that each city can have significant changes to their contract. He said there are many different and unique components for each city and one of the biggest components was the cost from Allied from 2010. Charles Green, a landlord for 35 years in Redwood City, questioned the raising the rate by 18 percent and cutting services by cutting the container size down from a 64 gallon to 32 gallon can. He questioned how this is good business and how it represents the citizens of Redwood City. Marie Etchebeherc, a landlord for property on Farm Hill Boulevard, said they are not happy with and concerned about the increase and being assessed a pullout charge per foot. She spoke about the difficulty in putting out the cans for various reasons, has spoken with Recology, and she wanted Council to know they have no recourse. Ray Torres, a resident for over 35 years, questioned the proposed increase. He also Y � Y �q p p spoke about the lack of any CPI (consumer price index) increases, increased costs for people who may have a hard time with it, and whether there will be any additional income for the city from the sale of recyclables. He suggested a thorough investigation on all internal operations and finances. Mayor Ira clarified that any revenues from recycling had already been factored into the rates. One Council Member shared information on the past history of garbage service in Redwood City where some people had received special side or backyard service versus those who had to put their garbage out to the street curb at the same garbage rate. The current contract rectifies this situation by removing "subsidization" of special services for side and backyard pick up. People may still choose to have these special services, but they must pay for it. . Mayor Ira said that revenues from recycling were and always is included in the rates. Rene White questioned management decisions, acknowledged that he has seen Recology staff work hard, and he proposed a 120 day moratorium on this increase to be based on measureable increases on customer service response levels. John Thivierge, a resident, spoke about several family members who also live in Redwood City on fixed incomes and how their waste stream will not increase, but their rate will increase 18 percent. He expressed satisfaction with the prior recycling system JOINT CITY COUNCIL /REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD January 10, 2011 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 8 MINUTE BOOK NO. 63 Page No. 252