Rocky rollout of cart program
Local politicians in Summerland are due to receive an update tonight on the district’s beleaguered new automated residential waste pickup program.
After a one-month delay in delivery, new carts for recycling, yard waste and garbage were distributed beginning July 12.
“Since that time, staff have been inundated with calls, emails, and walk-ins with concerns and questions about the cart delivery,” Summerland sustainability co-ordinator Tami Rothery writes in her report to council.
“The vast majority (80-90 per cent) of the questions/comments are related to missed deliveries by the contractor, the wrong sizes being delivered, and misinformation being given to residents by the delivery drivers.
“Staff have been sending daily updates to the contractor outlining these problems and working closely with them to address all complaints, including scheduling an in-person meeting with their project lead.”
Rothery reports the contractor has guaranteed deliveries will be complete by July 28, while requests to swap carts for difference sizes are being handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Overall the response to the carts has been positive, although many residents have raised concerns about the decrease in the maximum amount of garbage and yard and garden waste covered by their base program fee,” she adds.
Still on the topic of waste, council is also expected to hear a request from staff for authorization to explore a new grant program to help with the cost of creating a proper composting facility at the Summerland landfill.
A report from solid waste manager Candace Piling suggests such a facility would only service local needs, rather than those of the region, as was envisioned by a controversial proposal that was killed earlier this year.
Piling’s report explains the provincial and federal governments have made $20 million available for local governments that wish to build “organics infrastructure” that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
She also notes the existing composting operation at the landfill was inspected by the B.C. Environment Ministry in November and found to be “out of compliance” with provincial regulations.
Also on tonight’s agenda is a proposal to send to a public hearing in August a request from Hunter’s Hill Development to lift a restrictive covenant that limits to 67 the number of lots allowed in the subdivision.
The regular council meeting starts at 7 p.m. at Municipal Hall.
Council also convenes at 9 a.m. for committee of the whole, the lone agenda item for which is a quarterly update from Summerland RCMP Sgt. Terry Faulkner.