TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Solid Waste Committee
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution No. 2024-45 adopting Solid Waste Management Policy C-25.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Good Governance; Welcoming and Livable Community.
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SUMMARY:
summary
The Solid Waste Committee has been working with staff on the creation of a council policy for solid waste management. The proposed policy is the result of a collaborative effort to solidify practices related to the rate setting process for solid waste services. The policy also recognizes the need for future discussion, consideration, and modification to include policy statements related to implementation of the City’s Climate Action Plan and other impactful initiatives such as the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (SB 582) on solid waste management in Salem.
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council adopt Resolution No. 2024-45 to adopt Council Policy C-25 (Solid Waste Management) as recommended by the Solid Waste Committee?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 2024-45 to adopt Council Policy C-25 (Solid Waste Management) as recommended by the Solid Waste Committee.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
During its meeting on October 10, 2024, the Solid Waste Committee (Committee) approved a recommendation to “forward to City Council with a recommendation to adopt the Solid Waste Management Council Policy, as amended.”
The policy centers around several important aspects of rate setting for solid waste services in Salem including:
• Basis for calculating rates,
• Allowable and unallowable expenses,
• Forecast factors,
• Allowable operating margin, and
• Low-income discount.
Future policy considerations may include initiatives that improve recoverability of waste or incentivize residents and businesses to reduce waste. City staff are working to implement the Salem Climate Action Plan which includes strategies regarding materials and waste. Additionally, SB 582 known as the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (RMA) will have a direct impact on recycling and recovery practices across the State, including Salem. These topics present Salem with the opportunity to consider integrating new programs and ideas with existing guidance and best practices. As City Council deliberates these topics, additional elements may be added to this policy through future updates.
BACKGROUND:
As described in Oregon Revised Statues 459 and 459A, Cities have the primary responsibility for solid waste management services. Salem Revised Code Chapter 47 provides further regulation of solid waste management in the City of Salem, with the purpose of protecting the public health, safety, and welfare.
During the August 22, 2022, Public Hearing for Solid Waste Rates, City Council approved a motion requesting “City staff to begin work on a [solid waste] policy for City Council review that considers the following elements: equitable service provision and rates, Climate Action Plan elements, Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act, and review service options of other cities and counties.” Without a formal policy, staff has relied on guidance from Salem Revised Code Chapter 47 and past precedence to set rates and review service options. To integrate new programs within existing guidance and
consider changes to that guidance, clear direction in the form of an adopted City Council Policy is needed as Salem re-thinks how it manages solid waste. To further this effort, Mayor Hoy approved the formation of a committee of the City Council to advise the City Council and City Manager on the initial creation of a solid waste policy, solid waste service rates, and ongoing solid waste management policy issues. The committee is known as the “Salem City Council Solid Waste Committee,” and is referred to as the “Solid Waste Committee.”
The Committee held its first meeting on July 14, 2023. Since then, the Committee has been learning about the integrated solid waste system in Salem and the surrounding county wastesheds. The Committee has toured solid waste system infrastructure (Garten Recycling, Marion Resource and Recovery Facility, Coffin Butte Landfill, and the Reworld waste-to-energy incineration facility), discussed current solid waste topics and concerns, reviewed proposed adjustments to solid waste service rates, and considered solid waste policy recommendations.
Ryan Zink
Franchise Administrator
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 2024-45
2. Resolution No. 2024-45, Exhibit A - Council Policy C-25 (Solid Waste Management)