Panel to Hold Trash Talk

Should trash and recycling be collected separately or should the city consider a "single-stream" collection?

Should trash collection cost a single flat rate or be "pay as you throw"?

What is "green" waste collection?

These questions and others are to be addressed during a Hermosa Beach Public Works Commission meeting Wednesday as commissioners evaluate the city's solid waste and recycling services contract.

Hermosa residents are invited to attend the meeting and give their feedback on trash-collection services. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in council chambers.

All input will be sent to the Hermosa Beach City Council to discuss. So far, locals appear to be split on what's expected in the curbside service.

Hermosa Beach resident Patrick Copeland told commissioners in a meeting last month that he has noticed trash left on local roadways after trash pickup, and that during the holidays, is an issue.

He said that with the city's contract due for bid, the city should complete a request-for-proposal process to show residents what other service options could be available.

Other locals have argued that nothing needs to change.

"In simple terms, renew the existing contract, in its current form," wrote 30-year Hermosa Beach resident Lawrence Fordiani in an email to city staffers Thursday.

Fordiani pointed out that an "important item in the current contract is the unlimited trash collection flat rate, [which] saves the city time and money."

Consolidated Disposal Services now collects residential and commercial trash in the city under a contract that was written in 2001.

The City Council in May requested that the Public Works Commission help with studying new solid waste and recycling service options as well as revamping the franchise agreement.

HF&H Consultants last month presented the commission with a report on key issues associated with the trash and recycling contract, which includes the collection of recyclables, trash fees and environmentally friendly waste options.

Commissioners plan to use Wednesday's meeting to develop a scope of services that will serve as the basis for the city's next solid waste and recycling franchise agreement.