LAGUNA HILLS : Conditions Still Being Set for Trash Service

Council members considered a handful of suggestions for improving trash service this week as they prepare to send out the city’s trash services contract for competitive bidding.

Pushing back the 6 a.m. starting time for trash trucks, including county landfill fees on bills and enacting an anti-scavenging ordinance were among the ideas before the council.

Assistant City Manager Don White said he will use the council’s ideas in developing a final list of requirements that will be sent to several trash haulers competing for the city trash franchise over the next few months. White will bring back the list, known as a request for proposal, for approval at a later meeting.

City officials said the winning company will have to provide an automated pickup system and state-of-the-art recycling service.

Although it won’t be included on the requirements list, the council indicated it wants an anti-scavenging law in place before a city-wide recycling program gets underway. Only a small portion of Laguna Hills homes now have curbside recycling.

As for listing county landfill fees on bills, White said, “we think it’s in the hauler’s and the city’s interest to have the fee itemized.”

“So many times the major increases are going to be in the landfill fees,” he said.

Out of the $15.84 monthly bill for residents, “probably $7.50 or $8 are county landfill fees that go directly to the county,” said White. “The hauler doesn’t see a cent of that.”