LAKE FOREST : Recycling Issue Left in Trash Pact Talks

Negotiations for a new trash disposal contract are nearly complete, with one issue remaining before an agreement is reached with the city’s current waste hauler, according to a report that will be presented to the City Council today.

The only issue left is deciding who should be responsible for making sure Lake Forest can comply with a state law requiring cities to reduce the amount of trash delivered to landfills by 1995.

In the past, Waste Management of Orange County, formerly Dewey’s Rubbish Service, has paid for starting and maintaining the city’s recycling program.

Negotiators for both sides met March 23 but were unable to settle the issue.

City officials pointed out in the staff report that several cities, including Mission Viejo, have contracts that require Waste Management to pay for future recycling costs.

The company was awarded an exclusive waste disposal franchise by the county before the city incorporated in 1989.

Reviewing the contract two years ago, the council told city staff to begin negotiating a new deal with Waste Management before the current pact expired.

The city has asked for a five-year contract with a two-year option based on a performance review.

The residential rate would be $12.75 per month for each household, with increases subject to the Consumer Price Index.

Lake Forest residential trash customers currently pay a $13.78 monthly fee per household.