LAKEPORT, Calif. – In a brief Tuesday evening meeting the Lakeport City Council approved an annual inflationary increase for Lakeport Disposal, the city's franchise hauler.
The city's contract with Lakeport Disposal, which began in January 2004, calls for an annual rate adjustment equal to 75 percent of the percentage change from the previous year in the US Department of Labor Bureau of Statistics Consumer Price Index for the San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose area, Public Works Director Mark Brannigan reported.
He said Lakeport Disposal recently had asked for the increase for its residential services, which include garbage, green waste and recycling. Lakeport has mandatory garbage services for all residents, and Brannigan explained that prices are volume based.
For this calendar year the increase is to total 2.78 percent, Brannigan said.
Based on the proposed resolution, increases would be as follows:
- One 20-gallon totter: Old rate, $13.70; new rate, $14.08.
- One 32-gallon totter: Old rate, $20.55; new rate, $21.12.
- Two 32-gallon totters: Old rate, $41.10; new rate, $42.24.
- One 95-gallon totter: Old rate, $61.64; new rate, $63.35.
City resident Mary Nolan raised issues about residents who only live in the city part of the year having to pay for garbage services they don't use all year round.
Nolan wanted the council to table the increase, pointing out that the economy is not good and city water rates were just raised significantly.
City Attorney Steve Brookes said the city has to honor the contract, which requires the CPI increase.
As to the matter of the universal garbage requirement for city residents, Brookes said it helps keep the environment cleaner.
Nolan said a lot of people are subsidizing other peoples' costs, which she didn't think was fair.
Councilman Kenny Parlet said he wishes there was universal trash collection everywhere in Lake County based on what it has done for Lakeport.
“I think it’s a wonderful program,” he said. “I think if we could do this countywide we'd all be better off.”
Parlet moved to approve the increase, with Councilman Martin Scheel seconding. The vote was 5-0.
Also on Tuesday, during public comment, Wilda Shock, who works with the city on economic development matters and is a member of the Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee, reported to the council that next week the Board of Supervisors will receive a presentation regarding a proposal to relocate the office of Child Support Services, currently located in Lakeport.
The board agenda says county staff is requesting board direction on finalizing a lease agreement. The matter will be discussed at 10:15 a.m.
Shock told the council that the county is proposing to move Child Support Services and about 38 employees to the Gard Street School campus in Kelseyville. Only part of the campus currently is being used by the district, and the county has been considering making it a location for county offices.
City Manager Margaret Silveira said she has talked to Supervisor Anthony Farrington about the matter. Scheel said he also has a meeting with scheduled with Farrington regarding the proposal.
“I always thought we were the county seat. I guess that’s changed,” said Mayor Tom Engstrom.
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