Action Needed
The Board of Supervisors, our bears, and our trash-strewn streets and hillsides need your help!
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on garbage service rate increases at its regular meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, which commences at 9:30am. The new proposed rates include monthly surcharges for bear-resistant containers for residential customers in the Foothill Areas. The good news is that the rates for Foothill Area residential customers with the standard green, brown, and blue bins are not expected to increase. The rate schedule does, however, include a 10% to 70% rate increase for residential customers who want bear-resistant containers.
There are several potential issues with this proposed solution to our bear-related garbage challenges. If you have an opinion, you are strongly encouraged attend the Board of Supervisors meeting at 2800 West Burrel Ave., or email clerkoftheboard@tularecounty.ca.gov before 8am Tuesday morning. Put “Public Comment – December 17 2024 Agenda Item 5” in the subject line.
Potential issues that have been mentioned include the following:
1. There was no community involvement. On July 9th, “Supervisor Vander Poel directed staff to bring an agenda item for all SRA residents to have bear cans for their waste.” According to the Clerk of the Board, no agenda item has been brought forward yet. According to Guillermo Hermoso at Tulare County Solid Waste, RMA instructed Solid Waste to include “Bear-Proof Cans” in the Rate Adjustment Calculation. Accordingly, Solid Waste purportedly contacted Mid Valley Disposal, who purportedly provided the proposed rates.
2. The solution does not meet needs previously articulated by members of the community.
- The solution is not mandatory.
- There is no solution for STR and commercial customers. As many have observed, it is critically important that all the bear-accessible 1-6yd. metal curbside bins/dumpsters (including Mid Valley’s so-called bear-proof bins) be replaced, as a) they do not effectively deter bears and b) they have injured and killed bears.
- The solution is expensive for residents who need multiple bear-resistant cans. Many of us will need a can for garbage and one for recycling, and those who put food waste in the organics can will need a third can. The proposal entails a 10% increase for one can, a 40% increase for two cans, and a 70% increase for three cans. During a call this morning, Mid Valley Disposal was unable to explain how they derived the rates, and it is uncertain that the rates take into account volume discounts.
- The proposed rates purportedly do not take into account available grants.
- The solution does not include the critically-important education element.
- The solution does not include collaboration with the Community Services District, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and the Bureau of Land Management.
- It is unclear if or how the solution follows the best-practices proven effective in other communities. This morning, Mid Valley Disposal was unable to answer any questions regarding the manufacturer, model, features, and size of the cans. As many community members have noted, we need cans that have been proven effective against black bears and that automatically lock and unlock when tipped into a garbage truck.
- There is no provision to fine people who over-fill their cans or fail to use the bear-resistant containers.