Supervisors press Public Works on trash‑can pilot and asphalt plant during budget review

Public Works Director Fredabadi told the Budget and Finance Committee on June 28 that his staff largely agreed with the budget analyst but recommended keeping the city's asphalt plant open and cost neutral because of geographic constraints affecting supply. "Our recommendation was to keep the asphalt plant open, to monitor its performance and keep it cost neutral," he said.

Supervisors raised constituent concern about a pilot program to remove or reduce public trash cans. Supervisor Ross Mercarimi said, "I really dislike the idea of us removing our trash cans," and urged a phased or neighborhood‑sensitive approach. Fredabadi said the department is preparing a report to the board and that some locations are receiving additional cans; he noted a hearing had been called to present pilot results.

Supervisor Ellsberg questioned the disapproval of four new sewer‑maintenance worker positions on page 20 of the analyst's report given large capital needs for sewer repair. Public Works explained the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) did not increase work orders that had been anticipated, removing the immediate need for the additional DPW positions; the office said it stands ready to staff up if PUC work increases.

On permit fees (item 8), a public commenter recommended that photographs of approved sidewalk seating and encroachments be made visible so the community can easily see permitted configurations. The committee closed public comment and voted without objection to send item 8 (amendments to public‑works permit fees) to the full board with a recommendation.

Next steps: Public Works will provide a report and participate in a hearing on the trash‑can pilot; the committee requested follow‑up with PUC on sewer staffing and sent the public‑works permit‑fee ordinance to the full board.