The rate increase is listed on the agenda among 18 consent calendar items. Consent calendar items are considered non-controversial and are usually approved in a single motion by the city council.
(Link to the Republic Services item: Republic Services rate hike - I7 on the consent agenda.)
When pulled from the consent calendar and put on the regular agenda, the council can discuss the rate hike as well as allow public discussion - if it so choses.
The Richmond City Council meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Services Building, 440 Civic Center Plaza.
The rate hike for Republic comes amid numerous reports of the return of noxious odors - similar to what Point residents have complained about since September.
Republic's ongoing composting operation has been identified by Bay Area air quality officials as the likely source of the foul smells.
Republic Services this fall held two meetings with Point residents, explaining that the company was trying to get rid of a massive pile of sour compost by trucking it to another Republic landfill near Pittsburgh.
By January, Republic said all of the suspect compost had been removed and the company had installed a new system for treating compost. Company officials assured people at both meetings that the new composting system was nearly guaranteed to be odor free for residents.
But in the past week residents have reported smelling the strong fumes again to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the Contra Costa County Health Department and City of Richmond Code enforcement.
The city council meeting comes slightly more than a week before the Point Richmond Neighborhood Council's scheduled meeting Wednesday Jan. 25.
Among a variety of items, the PRNC is expected to discuss the noxious fumes that have continued to plague Point Richmond, Richmond and are now drawing reports of bad smells from other neighboring communities.
The PRNC has Republic Services on the agenda to give an update about its transfer station and composting operation on Parr Road. Officials from Chevron have also been invited.
The PRNC meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Point Richmond Community Center and is open to the public.
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CONTACT INFORMATION:
Chevron company odor hotline: 510-242-2127
Bay Area Air Quality Management hotline - 1-800-334-6367
Contra Costa County's Lori Braunesreither, Department of Health
EMAIL: Lori Braunesreither. Direct Phone: 925-692-2528
Nicole Ewing, Richmond Code Enforcement (510-621-1591)
Bielle Moore, Republic Services community affairs managerPHONES: (510-262-7547 or 510-205-4908)
Email: Bielle Moore
2 comments:
Luckily only two members of the City Council take contributions from Republic Services (Myrick and Butt) so we get to have a process where the council looks at these fees without those contributions being a factor.
Well THIS is a win! Taking the Republic rate increase off the consent item agenda is first step in what must be a continuing citizen demand for cleaner air in our neighborhoods. Hoping there will be a large turnout at the PRNC on January 25. We must raise our voices in every possible forum. This is a big story!
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