TITLE
Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record; receive public comment pursuant to Proposition 218; direct City Clerk to tabulate the written protests and report the results of the tabulation to the Mayor and City Council during the June 20, 2023 hearing; and, if a “majority protest” is not established, conclude the public hearing and adopt resolution establishing Solid Waste Service Rates under a two-step rate adjustment. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach (City) last raised solid waste collection rates for cost of service on September 1, 2022. That increase was the first part of a proposed two-step rate adjustment proposed during a Proposition 218 hearing on August 23, 2022. As directed by the City Council on August 23, 2022, City staff are returning to the City Council with a recommendation to phase-in a second rate adjustment in two parts. The first part is proposed to be effective July 1, 2023, and the second part is proposed to be effective October 1, 2023. As discussed during the hearing on August 23, 2022, costs associated with solid waste collection continue to increase. Solid waste disposal costs have increased since the September 1, 2022 rate adjustment and City staff anticipates continued cost increases in the coming years. Costs of acquiring collection vehicles and maintaining a fleet are also continuing to increase. The City is adding eight refuse collection trucks this fiscal year to provide citywide commercial organics collection.
Additionally, over the past few years, the State has enacted legislation increasing each city’s requirement to recycle and provide waste diversion programs. In response to these and other requirements, the Public Works Department is currently working towards implementing a plan that will satisfy all of the State’s requirements. This plan will develop a path for the City’s compliance with current and upcoming legislation including, but not limited to, Assembly Bill (AB) 341 (manda...
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