Arvada council approves solid-waste code changes, opens review of single-hauler program

The Arvada City Council on March 4 approved an ordinance amending several sections of Chapter 90 (Solid Waste) of the Arvada City Code to give the council greater discretion over how the city's minimum service, or "opt-out," fee is applied and to clarify fee types and licensed hauler requirements. The ordinance, CB25-005 (Ordinance No. 4891), passed 7-0.

Council members said the change responds to questions about how fee increases are allocated among program participants, opt-out households and the citywide program that funds bulky-item and yard-waste events. "What we were attempting to do with this ordinance modification is adjust some of the language ... to add language that gives the city council a bit more discretion in the allocation of the minimum service fee," said Jessica Morales, the city attorney, during the public hearing on the ordinance.

The council followed the vote with an extended staff-led workshop on the single-hauler contract with Republic Services, program participation and possible next steps. Staff and Republic Services representatives outlined the contract timeline and current fee structure: the hauler portion of the negotiated opt-out fee is $4.55 per month; the city program fee that funds bulky-item events and yard-waste drop-offs is currently $1.50 per month; and the…