Fairfax Town Council Approves Solid Waste/Resource Recovery Agreement with Marin Sanitary Service
Resource Recovery Agreement
The Council approved a ten year franchise agreement with Marin Sanitary Service (MSS) on November 2, 2011. The Agreement covers all aspects of resource recovery, getting to zero waste, and other special programs such as household hazardous waste, medical waste, paper shredding and many other programs. The current Solid Waste, Recycling and Resource Recovery Agreement was written and approved on April 19, 1993 and was with a different garbage hauler. MSS took over this Agreement without any changes. Much has changed in the solid waste, recycling and resource recovery world since 1993 and the Town Council and MSS felt it was time to create an Agreement that better reflects the services that are being provided and can be provided today that were not possible in 1993 such as the pilot food waste recycling program started in Fairfax last year.
This Agreement offers the following new services:
Brush Clearing/Fuel Reduction Program: This involves removing, chipping and redirecting heavy brush that may pose a fire threat to the Town. Town will determine, based on need for creating defensible space, which areas of Town will receive the brush clearing each year, as there is limited funding
• Free Compost for Residents: Marin sanitary Service (MSS) shall distribute 15 tons of compost three times per year, spring, summer, and fall. Town will come up with designated location and will provide bunker. A list of compost bin suppliers may be found at: www.calrecycle.ca.gov/organics
• Food Waste Pilot Program: MSS will develop a food waste pilot program at three multi-family complexes in Town. Locations will be mutually agreed upon by Town and MSS.
• Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) On Call Pick-Up Program: MSS shall provide residential customers (businesses are excluded from this program) HHW on-call pickup each calendar year at no additional charge by prearranged appointment on their regularly scheduled collection day. There will be no charge for the following items: household batteries; latex paint in sealed containers (limit of 3 gallons); motor oil in sealed or capped containers (limit of 2 gallons); oil filters; pesticides (limit of 3 gallons); fluorescent lights or tubes; aerosol cans partially filled (empty cans may be placed in dual sort cart); computers and monitors; printers; televisions; and cell phones. No flammable, toxic, or hazardous material will be accepted. All items must be contained in boxes or bags. Customers must call Monday-Friday during normal business hours at least 24 hours in advance to schedule an appointment. MSS shall implement the program no later than January 1, 2012.
At the next Town Council meeting on December 7th the Council will consider the solid waste and resource recovery rates. The new franchise agreement calls for new programs and will require additional funding to implement these new programs.
Other actions taken at the Town Council November 2, 2011 meeting:
• Approved the Town Council meeting schedule for 2012
• Closed Town Offices from December 27 to December 30. All emergency services will be provided during this time. Police and Fire will work their normal schedule.
• Adopted Resolution 11-56 in support of establishing a State of California Investment Bank;
• Adopted Resolution 11-57 in support of HR 192, Gulf of the Farallon and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Modification and Protection Act (Congresswoman Woolsey);
• Adopted Resolution 11-58 in opposition to Department of Justice Crackdown on Medical Marijuana Clinics;
• Approved a Proclamation honoring Sharon Sagar for her contributions as a member of the Ross Valley School Board
• The Mayor gave a status report on the Fairfax Bike Spine Project which was approved by the TAM Board. This grant awards the Town $110,000 to install signage and street markings for identified bicycle routes to school. The overall goal is to improve the safety of our Town streets for student bicyclists and increase awareness of motorists who share the road with them. The street markings would include colored thermo-plastic markings for maximum visibility.
Other notes and announcements:
• Fairfax Food Pantry – Saturdays 9-12 Noon at the Fairfax Community Church,1000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
• Vacancy on the Fairfax Youth Commission for Ross Valley youth between 14 and 19 years of age
• Vacancy for a Fairfax Representative by the Marin Commission on Aging to June 30, 2012
• SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, December 4th, Deer Park Villa, Appreciation Dinner for Lew Tremaine
The next Town Council meeting will be December 7, 2011 at 7:00 PM at the Women’s Club.
