Title
SUBJECT: Second Reading and Final Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Section 8.04.640 “Commercial Recycling Rates and Charges”, Section 8.04.800 “Commercial Green or Organic Waste Rates and Charges”, and Adding Article V of Chapter 8.04 “Commercial Waste Generators” to the Merced Municipal Code
REPORT IN BRIEF
Second reading and final adoption an ordinance to amend Section 8.04.640 “Commercial Recycling Rates and Charges”, Section 8.04.800 “Commercial Green or Organic Waste Rates and Charges” and adding Article V of Chapter 8.04 “Commercial Waste Generators” to the Merced Municipal Code to aid in compliance with California State regulations for mandatory recycling and green or organic waste diversion.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion adopting Ordinance 2533, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, amending sections 8.04.640 “Commercial Recycling Rates and Charges”, and 8.04.800, “Commercial Green or Organic Waste Rates and Charges” and adding Article V, “Commercial Waste Generators,” to Chapter 8.04, “Garbage and Rubbish” of the Merced Municipal Code.
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ALTERNATIVES
1. Adopt the ordinance as recommended by staff; or,
2. Deny; or,
3. Refer to staff with specific direction; or,
4. Continue action to a future City Council meeting, specify date.
AUTHORITY
Article II, Section 200 of the Charter of the City of Merced, California State regulations AB 341 Mandatory Commercial Recycling, AB 1826 Mandatory Commercial Organic Recycling and SB 1383 Short-lived Climate Pollutants (SLCP): Organic Waste Reductions.
Amends Merced Municipal Code (MMC) Sections 8.04.640 and 8.04.800 and adds Article V to Chapter 8.04.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2021-22 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
A statewide waste characterization found that nearly three-quarters of the solid waste in California was generated from the commercial sector. Due to the volume of waste generated from the commercial sector that can be recycled, the State of California enacted Assembly Bill (AB) 341 Mandatory Commercial Recycling and AB 1826 Mandatory Commercial Organic Recycling. Both of these regulations focus on required waste diversion participation from the commercial sector, including multi-family dwellings, through recycling and organic recycling programs.
To strengthen these efforts, in 2016, Senate Bill (SB) 1383 was established to grant CalRecycle the regulatory authority required to achieve the organic waste diversion targets and sets an additional goal by adding an edible food recovery program to waste diversion efforts.
To meet California’s aggressive recycling and Green House Gases emission goals, the Public Works Department drafted language to be adopted into the Municipal Code to aid the City and commercial sector in reaching program and compliance standards.
Staff is seeking to amend Section 8.04.640, “Commercial Recycling Rates and Charges,” and 8.04.800, “Commercial Green or Organic Waste Rates and Charges” and to add Article V, “Commercial Waste Generators,” to Chapter 8.04, “Garbage and Rubbish” of the Merced Municipal Code.
This ordinance was introduced at a duly noticed Public Hearing on October 4, 2021.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds is needed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance 2533