Ross council approves sanitation rate cap and clears 40 Upper Road design review

At a Dec. 12, 2024 meeting, the Ross Town Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 2442, authorizing the maximum rates charged by Marin Sanitary Service (MSS) to be effective Jan. 1, 2025, and to approve Resolution 2441, granting design review and a hillside-lot permit for improvements at 40 Upper Road subject to conditions.

Town Manager Krista Johnson and consultants presented the MSS rate application and the methodology used under the town’s franchise agreement. Jim Howison, senior managing consultant at R3 Consulting Group, explained the methodology and what drives rate differences across jurisdictions: “The driving factor of any rate application is really impacted primarily by the territory, the difficulty of the roads of any specific agency, the types of services,” he said. Using the franchise methodology, R3 recommended that MSS’s requested 3.61% adjustment for residential rates was appropriate. Johnson told the council the 3.61% change equates to a $1.77-per-month increase for a residential 32‑gallon cart, raising that service to $50.88 per month. The resolution also determined that the town’s franchise fees are justified by the town’s costs and are in compliance with Proposition 26.

Patty Garberino, representing MSS, described outreach and operations and noted the company’s statewide diversion performance: “We sustain the highest diversion rate in the state,” she said, and invited council members to future facility tours.

On the planning item, town planning staff described the 40 Upper Road project, which includes a pool, landscaping, a wooden deck and retaining walls. Staff said the applicant revised plans to merge an adjacent lot and reduced retaining wall heights, removing a variance request, and the Design Review Board recommended approval following that revision. The applicant attended the hearing and answered questions. Councilmember motioned and the council adopted Resolution 2441 approving the project with the stated conditions.

Votes at a glance • Consent agenda: approved 5–0. • Resolution 2441 (40 Upper Road design review and hillside-lot permit): approved 5–0. • Resolution 2442 (Marin Sanitary Service maximum rates, effective 01/01/2025): approved 5–0.

The town clerk recorded unanimous roll-call votes for the consent agenda and both resolutions. Resolution 2442 takes effect Jan. 1, 2025; Resolution 2441 was adopted subject to the conditions listed in the staff report and the town’s standard permit requirements. The council indicated staff will continue coordinating implementation details with the applicant and with MSS as appropriate.