SANTA PAULA : City’s Trash Program Is Made Mandatory

The Santa Paula City Council approved a new trash ordinance Monday that makes refuse collection mandatory in the city for the first time and creates a curbside recycling program.

Before the council approved the measure unanimously, Public Works Director Norman S. Wilkinson said adoption of the ordinance was necessary because as many as 1,000 of the city’s 8,000 households have not signed up for trash service.

“Trash collection is no longer a simple service, but a major attempt to change people’s lives and habits,” Wilkinson said. “Everyone will have to participate.”

As approved, the ordinance allows exemptions to residents who can prove they recycle and discard all of their household trash without burning it or disposing of it in someone else’s trash container.

Sensitive to criticism of the city’s $18 monthly trash collection fee, the council also agreed to waive fees for vacant parcels and lots where no trash is generated.

The council also agreed to have the city-operated trash service continue to pick up oversized items and extra containers, a practice that city officials have said will help reduce illegal dumping.

For the time being, the city will continue providing residential trash service, but the council agreed to consider possible franchise agreements with private haulers at a later date.

With approval of the new ordinance, Santa Paula becomes the sixth of the county’s 10 cities to adopt mandatory trash collection. Officials in Thousand Oaks and Fillmore say they may also adopt compulsory trash service in order to meet the state requirements.