MISSION VIEJO : Council, Already Suing Trash Firms, Sets New Rules

In an effort to get unwanted trash haulers out of town, the City Council has decided to require them to carry at least $10 million in liability insurance and to get a $7,500 city permit.

The ordinance passed Monday is aimed at haulers who have refused to abandon their accounts after the city awarded exclusive rights for commercial garbage pickup to Western Waste in June.

The city filed a lawsuit against the haulers in September and is still waiting for a court date.

In addition to requiring $10 million in liability coverage, the city will require all haulers to get a permit to operate in Mission Viejo. The permit will cost $7,500, and operating without one will be a misdemeanor.

Western Waste’s contract calls for the company to carry insurance to protect the city against a variety of legal entanglements, from accidents to toxic waste removal.

“The current and future operations [of the small haulers] would erode the protections we’ve secured from Western Waste,” said Danian Hopp, assistant to the city manager.

But at least one of the commercial haulers still operating in the city said they have no intention of obeying the new ordinance.

“I don’t believe I intend to comply with it,” said Madelene Arakelian of South Coast Refuse. “It’s absolute harassment. Why would I comply with this while they’re taking me to court?”