Solid Waste director outlines transfer-station renovations and proposed fee increases

Josephine Valencia, director of Solid Waste, described proposed investments in transfer-station renovations, additions of collection locations and operational changes to respond to storm cleanup and rising demand. Valencia said the department plans to open four additional collection locations next month and requested roughly $3.1 million to renovate a transfer-station warehouse so it can be used by the public.

Valencia also outlined proposed rate adjustments and permit fees intended to fund services and maintenance: staff described a 75-cent increment across rate tiers, a 25-cent environmental charge and a $2,250 annual permit fee for collector vehicles. She said some recycling market volatility has reduced revenue and that ordinance changes will be needed to require certain collector behaviors. "Vamos a proponer 75 centavos de incremento... El costo ambiental, 25 centavos... los vehículos que son recolectores con el permiso recolector, es de 2250 df3lares," Valencia said during her remarks. Council members acknowledged the department
s storm response and asked for follow-up data on costs and on whether a centralized transfer-station model would improve citywide efficiency.