Recology has applied to raise the rates for trash/recycling/compost pick-up. There will be a “Technical Hearing” February 28, from 4 to 6 p.m., Room 421 at City Hall, at which they will explain why they want to raise the fees, followed by a number of public hearings to receive feedback.
Public hearing dates are listed below in the text I have copied from the notice I received by email. Please direct feedback to the contacts listed in the text copied below rather than to this blog.
Refuse Rate Hearing Notice
The City’s Refuse Rate Board has received an application from Recology, the San Francisco refuse collection and disposal processing company, for an increase in residential refuse collection and disposal rates for trash, recyclables, and compostables (black, blue, and green bin services). Recology is requesting to rebate surplus revenues to ratepayers and to increase rates, for an effective increase of 16.40% in the first year (or about $5.70 a month for an average single family home), 4.98% in the second year, and 0.62% in the fourth year. Without rebates, rates would increase by an average of 22.96% in the first year. Recology is also requesting to modify the previously approved cost of living adjustment formula. If the increases are approved, the City and Recology anticipate that new rates would go into effect on July 1, 2017.
March 8 2017, 8 a.m. to noon, Room 400
March 15, 2017, 8 to 11 a.m., Room 400
March 22, 2017, 8 a.m. to noon, Room 416
March 28, 2017,8 a.m. to noon, Room 416
April 19, 2017, 8 to 11 a.m., Room 400
April 26, 2017, 8 a.m. to noon, Room 400
May 3, 2017, 8 to 11 a.m., Room 400
The hearings listed above are subject to continuation to later dates, rescheduling, or cancellation.
The Director will take public comment regarding the application at the conclusion of each hearing. The public may also submit written comments in advance of any of the hearings by electronic mail to refuserates@sfdpw.org or by regular mail to the Refuse Rate Hearing Officer, c/o Department of Public Works, City Hall, Room 348, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102.
If the Director’s Recommended Order is appealed to the Refuse Rate Board, the Rate Board will issue a new notice and hearing schedule. The Rate Board can be reached c/o City Administrator, Room 362, City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102.
The City has appointed a “ratepayer advocate” to assist the public during the rate application proceedings. The role of the ratepayer advocate is to provide the public with clear and accurate information regarding the application and to represent the views of the ratepayers. The ratepayer advocate can be contacted online via their website at www.ratepayeradvocatesf.org, by phone at 415-324-8477, or by regular mail at Ratepayer Advocate, c/o RDJ Enterprises, 1485 Bayshore Boulevard, Suite 201, San Francisco, 94124. Appointment of a ratepayer advocate does not preclude members of the public from offering testimony in writing or in person.
Copies of relevant documents, including the Recology application, updated hearing schedules, and related documents are available at City Hall, Room 348 for public inspection and online at www.sfpublicworks/refuserates.