MISSION VIEJO : Trash Service Polls’ Findings Conflict

Mission Viejo residents are either very satisfied or just marginally happy with their trash service, according to conflicting poll results released by the city and its waste hauler this week.

Details of the polls were released during a special meeting held to discuss a dispute over the city garbage contract.

According to Dewey’s Rubbish Service Inc. officials, a Gallup Poll contacted 500 households by telephone last month and found that 73% of Mission Viejo residents were pleased with their trash service. Officials from the Irvine-based refuse collector praised the accuracy of the survey, pointing to the national reputation of the Gallup Poll.

However, the city said about 3,700 people responded to a mailer asking about garbage service, and only 51% reported being satisfied.

“I think the 51% who were satisfied were just talking about their trash pickup,” said Damian Hopp, assistant to the city manager. “The most significant thing about our poll is that 30% of those people added comments saying they were not satisfied with some other important aspect of the contract, like the rates or recycling.”

The dispute centers on the waste hauling contract Dewey’s has with the city.

Residents have complained about being charged $2.51 monthly for the pickup of recyclables, and many have said they are angry about being billed for a service they believe Dewey’s is making a profit on.

David Ross, general manager of Dewey’s, declined to say whether the firm is realizing a profit from Mission Viejo recyclables. Dewey’s is owned by Waste Management Inc., a national waste disposal firm.

City officials also say that the firm grossly overestimated the amount of trash it would pick up from Mission Viejo homes when the franchise agreement was being negotiated.

The company has hauled 33,000 tons to county landfills in the past year instead of the 48,000 tons estimated, saving Dewey’s about $250,000, city officials said.

But Ross points out that 48,000 tons was only an estimated figure, and that the contract is adjusted annually according to the actual amount of trash collected.

The firm has proposed increasing rates from $11.85 monthly per household to $12.98, an increase that was blocked by the city last month. Ross said the proposed rate does reflect the smaller, 33,000-ton figure. The $1.13 increase is needed because of increases in the consumer price index and county landfill fees, Ross said.

Both sides have prepared for a protracted legal battle over the franchise agreement.

The city has set aside $500,000 to pay for legal fees and hired an environmental attorney to inspect the contract.

Since the dispute began last year, Dewey’s has contracted with a public relations firm and sent a stenographer to record a series of meetings on trash issues sponsored by the city.

The City Council voted 3 to 2 to approve a five-year contract with Dewey’s in August, 1990, without competitive bidding, despite the presence of a room full of angry citizens. But three months later, three new council members were elected and the new majority agreed to look into voiding or renegotiating the contract.

Although company officials say they are willing to talk with the city, they point out that they have a valid contract.

“We just want to get on with the business of hauling garbage,” Ross said.