Council reviews mandatory residential recycling policy; staff cites gaps in hardship process

The City Council discussed Resolution 07-14-2025B, which would require compliance and mandatory participation in household recycling services for residential customers.

Dan, speaking for staff, explained the city historically held separate contracts for recycling and sanitation and that when the contracts were combined some customers were not charged a recycling fee. Dan said hardship exemptions were supposed to include income consideration and an annual reapplication but "that does not happen," and he reported the city currently has 33 people on the hardship list.

Council members discussed how the city has historically provided adjustments by telling the contractor (Waste Connections) how many customers were eligible for deductions, and staff said reconciling those adjustments has required additional administrative time. The transcript does not include a recorded motion or final vote on Resolution 07-14-2025B during the captured remarks.