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1. 1. Why are my trash rates changing?

All current trash rates are increasing as a result of the expiration of the expiring solid waste franchise agreement and the negotiation with Athens Services of a new franchise agreement.  The new agreement is in compliance with all State mandated solid waste programs, including SB1383. SB1383 is intended to reduce the emissions of climate pollutants (greenhouse gases) by 1) diverting 75% statewide disposal of organic waste from landfills; 2) recovering at least 20% edible food instead of throwing in the trash by commercial food generators by 2025; and 3) procuring recycled organic waste products for use within the City. In order to achieve these requirements, the law imposes obligations that will affect trash collection in the City of Santa Paula, its franchised hauler operations, City program compliance reporting, and therefore increases costs for all residents and businesses.

To find out more about SB1383 watch this video:  

2. 2. Is SB1383 a State mandate?

Yes, as a result of SB 1383, the City must require residents and businesses to separate organic waste (food waste and green waste) from other trash to be managed at a facility other than the landfill. To accomplish this, all property owners, residents, and businesses, will be required to enroll automatically in collection services for trash, recycling, and organic waste. Failure by the City to comply with the law can result in penalties of up to $10,000 per day.  In order to facilitate these new requirements, a new franchise agreement with new service rates has been negotiated.

 

If a business believes they qualify for an exemption from this requirement please contact City’s solid waste consultant at (805) 495-7521 or by email at info@sws-inc.com, or contact Athens directly at 888-336-6100. The City’s solid waste consultant will review the form and determine if your business is exempt from the requirement of AB 1826/SB 1383.  The City will follow up with an e-mail notification of the review and advise if the waiver is approved or if organics program enrollment service is required.

3. 3. When will residents and businesses be required to separate organic waste?

In October 2022, every resident and business will have three trash carts or bins --- trash, recyclables, and organics (landscape/food scraps).

4. 4. When will the new trash rates go into effect?

Effective October 1, 2022, all trash monthly rates will increase.

5. 5. What will my new trash rate be effective October 1, 2022?

TABLE 1
Service Level	Proposed Rate:
32-gallon Single Family Residential Cart Service	$26.65
64-gallon Single Family Residential Cart Service	$29.55
96-gallon Single Family Residential Cart Service	$33.39
32-gallon Multi Family Residential Cart Service	$57.95
64-gallon Multi Family Residential Cart Service	$61.25
96-gallon Multi Family Residential Cart Service	$64.55
Multi-Family Commercial Bin Service 3-yd bin, collected 1x/wk	$279.47
32-gallon Commercial Cart Service	$54.76
64-gallon Commercial Cart Service	$57.90
96-gallon Commercial Cart Service	$61.04
Commercial Bin Service 3-yd bin, collected 1x/wk	$265.88

6. 6. What new services are residents entitled to?

In addition to normal waste collection services, the new agreement will fund new colored carts for residents and new bins for the commercial sector, electronic waste collection events, bulky item drop-off events, and two free bulky item pickups per household per year.

7. 7. What new services will benefit the community under the new franchise agreement?

• Abandoned bulky waste pickup in the public right of way;
• 10 City Clean-up events;
• Downtown City can collections;
• Edible food recovery program support;
• Newer eco-friendly CNG-powered waste trucks which can never be older than 13 years to help save our roads and support clean initiatives;
• A portion of franchise fees will be used to fund street improvements and pavement maintenance projects throughout the City;
• An allocation of at least $50,000 to school and/or community projects on an annual basis;
• No cost to the City for roll-off containers to assist during community cleanups, homeless encampment support, illegal dumping, etc.

8. 8. Can Athens automatically assign or sell off this agreement to another hauler?

Unlike our old agreement which was sold automatically on three separate occasions, to do so under this new agreement would require City consent. 

9. 9. How do I protest?

If you wish to protest any of the above increases, you must submit a written protest, signed and in writing, by including your name and service address or assessor parcel number to the City Clerk of the City of Santa Paula at 970 Ventura Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060, provided written protests are received prior to the close of the Public Hearing, which will occur when the public testimony on the proposed increases and adjustments is concluded. Any written protest must: (1) state that the identified property owner or tenant (i.e., customer of record) opposes the proposed fee increases to the Solid Waste Collection Rates; (2) provide the location of the identified parcel (by street address or assessor’s parcel number); and (3) include the name and signature of the property owner or tenant submitting the protest.  On the envelope please note:  Attn:  Public Hearing of Solid Waste Rate Changes. A protest letter can be done by any property owner or tenant (i.e., a customer of record) directly responsible for the payment of solid waste collection fees. Only one protest will be counted per identified address/parcel.

10. 10. Is there an opportunity for public comment?

At the public hearing to be held on September 28, 2022, at 6:30 PM at 970 Ventura St., Santa Paula, CA 93060 (Council Chambers), public testimony may be shared.

11. 11. What happens if 51% of property owners oppose the Prop 218 process?

If 51% of property owners oppose the Prop 218 process, then the City Council cannot act on the proposed rate change. In the event that the City is unable to approve the proposed rate change, Athens will have the right to request that City negotiate in good faith regarding reductions in programs, services, or fees to compensate for any negative impact from the unapproved or invalidated rate increase. If City fails to commence negotiations in good faith or negotiations are not completed within forty-five (45) days following the date of receipt of Athens's request, either party may terminate this Agreement no earlier than one hundred and eighty (180) days after written notice to the other.

12. 12. Why a 25-year agreement? Why not 10 or 15?

Rates for 10 to 15 year agreements were unsustainable and would come with severely high cost burdens to the residents and the committee found that unacceptable. With SB1383, major investments will be required to meet State mandates and recover costs for initial investments. A longer agreement allows large initial capital costs associated with the new agreement services, including unfunded SB 1383 state mandates, to be spread out over a longer period of time.

13. 13. How will the City ensure high customer service levels?

The City will conduct monthly performance meetings and an annual evaluation with Athens focusing on the following items: vehicle safety, solid waste volume, street sweeping service, public complaints and concerns, customer service call volume, diversion rates, AB341 & AB1826 compliance, community outreach and education efforts.

14. 14. How will the City ensure rates stay relatively low compared to other cities?

Beginning on the 10th anniversary of the agreement, and each year thereafter, the City may conduct a survey of rates in Ventura County.  If the City finds that net rates for similar services are greater than the fiftieth (50th) percentile within Ventura County, the City may meet and confer with Athens Services to negotiate competitively similar rates as those for other agencies in Ventura County.