Council Chair Tommy Waters discusses Ma'omai cleanup, green‑waste pickups and local tax bills

City Council Chair Tommy Waters addressed neighborhood concerns about storm damage, local cleanup logistics and several proposed tax measures.

Waters described heavy concentrations of bagged trash in the Boulder Basin near Ma'omai and said the city had been contacted about bringing a roll‑off container; he offered to help organize volunteer crews to clear trails and coordinate with the Department of Facility Maintenance and Brian McKee’s office. He also reminded residents of scheduled city green‑waste pickups on Aug. 22 and Aug. 29 that require appointments.

On taxation, Waters summarized a set of introduced local bills — numbered in the meeting as 45, 46 and 47 — that would increase homeowner exemptions (bills 45 and 46) and lower vehicle tax burdens (bill 47). "45 and 46 increases the homeowner's exemption for everyone. Bill 45 increases for up to 200,000, up from 180, and bill 46 increases the homeowner's exemption from 140 to 160," Waters said, framing the measures as attempts to keep exemptions aligned with rising property values.

Waters also described sending a letter to the Department of Emergency Management about localized flooding on 16th Avenue and Keanu Street and urged follow up before the next storm season. Board members asked him to share related correspondence and to continue coordinating on cleanup logistics and permit needs.