Warden Patterson - "The Tax Man" ?

With the Provincial Election turning out to be a big yawn in our riding I came across an interesting article from our friends over at http://www.madhunt.com/ about Warden Cal Patterson attempting to push through that all households in Simcoe County go from 1 bag a week collection, to 1 bag every 2 weeks starting in 2013.

If Patterson's effort is successful that would mean that any additional bags that need to be picked up would require a tag which will cost $ 2.00 per bag. While we all have to do our best to recycle, I think moving from 1 bag a week to 1 bag every 2 weeks, with a cost of $ 2.00 per additional bag is a tax increase to me. However Patterson could pull a McGuinty and call it a fee!.

Here's a list of the motions....

MOVED BY: Councillor Collins
SECONDED BY: Warden Patterson

THAT staff be directed to implement a bi-weekly garbage collection program at the current volume and weight restrictions, consistently throughout the County as outlined in Option 5a of Item CS 11-140, subject to further refinements necessary in order to proceed with this option.

The staff report to Corporate Services notes on this option
Option 5A - Bi-weekly garbage collection Ð should approval be given to implement this option, Council should also provide direction on:
- Additional resources: this option would require additional full time equivalent staff in various areas including Customer Service and enforcement.
- Communication: this option would require an extensive promotion and education campaign.
- Timing: this option could reasonably be implemented concurrent with the new collection contract.

MOVED BY: Warden Patterson
SECONDED BY: Councillor Marshall

THAT subject to Council approving Option 5a as outlined in Item CS 11-140, the following direction be provided to staff to proceed with this Option:

a) THAT the bi-weekly garbage collection program's garbage limit be one (1) untagged bag or container per bi-weekly collection at the current volume and weight restrictions;

b) THAT under the biweekly garbage collection program, weekly dual stream recycling be implemented and weekly organics collection be maintained;

c) THAT on the first curbside waste collection day following Christmas Day, Victoria Day and Thanksgiving Day, an additional, single, untagged container, at the current volume and weight restrictions, be eligible for collection services at each serviced unit;

d) THAT under the biweekly garbage collection program, weather-related waste collection cancellations be rectified through returning to the affected area either on the following day or on the following weekend and collecting all missed waste;

e) THAT a system for medical exemptions be continued at a maximum of one free tag weekly upon request in writing per qualifying person as supported by a doctor's note (provided every five years), in allotments of 25.

f) THAT the cost of garbage tags used for additional bags over and above the eligible limit for curbside garbage collection services be $2 per tag and the cost per tag be reviewed on an annual basis.

g) THAT staff be directed to report back with respect to the resources which will be required as a result of implementing this biweekly garbage collection program;

h) THAT this biweekly garbage collection program be implemented concurrent with the start of the next waste collection contract anticipated to be in the Spring of 2013.

1. Uniform Collections - Seasonal

MOVED BY: Councillor Lloyd
SECONDED BY: Councillor Lawrence

THAT staff be directed to implement uniform collection services such that service levels in seasonal areas are consistent with residential service levels, where reasonable, throughout the County as outlined in Option 6a of Item CS 11-140 as follows:

a) THAT improved curbside waste collection services be provided to properties located in seasonal areas which have adequate road access such that they can participate fully in curbside diversion programs and their eligible garbage limit is consistent with residential garbage limits throughout the County;

b) THAT properties which are located on islands or on inaccessible roads are provided with an annual permit to dispose of garbage at County waste management facilities for no additional charge, to the same limits and restrictions consistent with the rest of the County, eliminating the use of common drop-off points and bins;

c) THAT the waste collection program changes for uniform collections in seasonal areas be implemented concurrent with the start of the next waste collection contract.

2. Industrial and Commercial

MOVED BY: Warden Patterson
SECONDED BY: Councillor Lloyd

THAT industrial and commercial waste collection services be discontinued under the new curbside waste collection contract.

3. Maximum Limits

MOVED BY: Warden Patterson
SECONDED BY: Councillor Burkett

THAT staff be directed to implement a maximum garbage limit of eight (8) containers per unit at the current volume and weight restrictions concurrent with the next waste collection contract.

4. Blue Box Expansion and Increased Recycling Container Capacity

MOVED BY: Councillor Lloyd
SECONDED BY: Councillor Burkett

THAT staff be requested to report back to the Corporate Services Committee on the implementation and funding considerations regarding the expansion of the blue box recycling program concurrent with the distribution of larger blue boxes.

5. Promotion and Education Campaign

MOVED BY: Warden Patterson
SECONDED BY: Councillor Collins

THAT staff be directed to implement suitable promotion and education campaign(s) to communicate waste collection program changes to affected areas.

Send Patterson an e-mail at mayor@wasagabeach.com to express your concerns.

Until next time!