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Council certifies Prop 218 tally, adopts revised Athens solid-waste rates after protest hearing
Summary
After a Proposition 218 protest hearing that produced 56 valid protests of 7,624 assessable parcels, the San Gabriel City Council approved a resolution adopting new Athens Services solid-waste rates and a change in the annual adjustment formula; staff and Athens committed to expanded outreach and business 'rightsizing.'
The San Gabriel City Council validated the public-protest process required by Proposition 218 and adopted Resolution 26‑39 to implement amended solid-waste rates tied to a new 'trash CPI plus 1%' annual adjustment formula.
Chief City Clerk Sharon Clark reported the certified protest tally after a recessed count: "Valid protests received are 56. Therefore, a majority protest does not exist," meaning the council could proceed. City Manager Mark Lazaretto and Athens representatives said the rate methodology was driven by state recycling mandates (SB 1383) that require increased organics diversion. Athens' John Harrington described the residential impact as modest this year, saying, "That's gonna be about 50¢ a month for this year," while cautioning that commercial accounts face larger, variable increases depending on dumpster size and prior waivers.
Council members pressed Athens and staff on long-term impacts of the contract's rolling renewal and asked for stronger outreach to affected businesses and multiunit properties. Athens pledged targeted rightsizing visits and language-access outreach; staff said the city's long-term contract helps secure landfill capacity. The motion to adopt Resolution 26‑39 establishing the new rates and rate-adjustment methodology passed (tally reported in the clerk's certification as 4 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention).
