Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Works Report topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public Works director outlines maintenance, composting and fleet electrification progress
Summary
Public Works Director Rocio Latour reported on fall maintenance, LED and solar upgrades, curbside compost enrollment (328 homes) and fleet plans, noting staffing shortages and that tipping-fee savings from composting have not yet appeared.
Rocio Latour, director of public works, told the Mount Rainier council during the Nov. 18 work session that her department completed routine maintenance and several green-infrastructure upgrades in the July–September quarter and is preparing for winter operations.
Latour said recent work included replacing roofs at the police department and Pots Hall, pothole repairs, roadside mowing, storm-drain cleaning, completion of rain-garden maintenance in September, and scheduled tree maintenance. The department also continues preventative fleet maintenance, including prepping salt spreaders for winter, and is piloting FlexiPave on sidewalks to protect tree roots.
On sustainability, Latour said facility lighting has largely been converted to LED and solar panels have been installed on facility rooftops. She described efforts to contract renewable energy and explore carbon-offset options to meet municipal greenhouse-gas targets.
On waste collection and composting, Latour gave the quarter’s key metrics: "the final tipping fee for this 0.25 is $20,967.50" and "homes that have been enrolled in the compost program is 328," and staff have collected about 60 tons of compost in the quarter. She cautioned the program’s effect on overall trash tonnage is not yet clear because participation is still limited. "This type of program ... just takes a while," she said.
Councilmembers praised the work and asked follow-up questions. Councilmember Jenny asked about adding more lighting around the circle; Latour said the circle is an SHA right-of-way and staff will coordinate with Pepco and SHA about options, and noted the city recently replaced a main panel box for city-owned lights with work by Hawkins Electric. Councilmember Daniel Joseph pressed why tipping fees have not fallen given composting participation; Latour said various factors — program size (328 homes), population changes and bulk items — can affect tonnage and that additional time and outreach may be needed.
Latour also listed priorities for the coming months: curbside leaf collection, winter readiness, annual facility and safety inspections, safety training, and a rehabilitation plan for Spring Park.
The council thanked the public-works team for ongoing work amid staffing limitations and asked staff to continue outreach to grow compost participation.
