The current rate is $13.35 a month, which would increase to $16 — a 19.9 percent hike — by the end of the five-year deal.
Mayor Pat Moeller said the ordinance review committee made up of three council members presented the concept of providing residents with 65-gallon recycling carts and 96-gallon trash carts to Rumpke. Moeller said council has taken into account resident input from the public hearing in May.
“We’ve had some feedback, mainly from senior citizens who may be alone, are worried about the size of the carts, and the recycling amount,” Moeller said.
Further options are being explored as residents express concern for the large size of carts and not having the option to decline or choose size.
“We’re having ongoing discussions with Rumpke but it’s up in the air until council gives direction,” said Richard Engle, acting director of public works.
“The cost was too high to start with,” said Eugene Plummer of Elmont Avenue. “You take $11 or $12 here, and here, and here and the next thing you’re running out of $12.”
Rate increases aren’t new for Hamilton residents, who experienced a 15.8 percent increase from the 2000-05 contract; a 39.8 percent increase from the 2005-10 contract; and will see a 19.9 percent increase during the duration of the 2010-15 contract including a 10.8 percent jump in the first year.
“The cost of doing business for Rumpke has gone up with gas and labor,” Moeller said.
If the contract is accepted as it currently stands, the fee increase includes $1 for cost of trash cart — or $60 over the five years; 30 cents for inflation; and 15 cents for Rumpke staff to collect solid waste from 150 cans in city parks and streets — a service done previously by the city’s streets and sewers division, said Adam Helms, the city’s performance and information services administrator.
“Our guys are busy with street and alley maintenance and things more directly related to our objective, which is streets and sewers, not garbage,” Engle said.
Engle added the city’s vehicles are insufficient for collecting trash; they have only a dump truck and no hydraulic trash compressor. Engle said it made sense because Rumpke is already set up to pick up trash.
Additional options include eliminating the 96-gallon trash cart; making the 96-gallon trash cart optional; letting residents choose trash and recycling cart sizes of either 35-, 65-, or 96-gallon; and letting non-Rumpke trash carts be used if compatible with the semi-automated equipment, Helms said.
Larger carts would allow recycling to be collected twice a month, instead of weekly.
Pat Fowler of Ridgelawn Avenue said the current 18-gallon recycling bin suffices for her household of two.
“I like them coming to get it once a week; get rid of the junk,” Fowler said.
Fowler said she already recycles everything she can, so she wouldn’t be able to fill even a 35-gallon cart bimonthly.
Moeller said the option of a smaller 35-gallon cart would resolve some issues, such as those affecting older residents. There also is the option of allowing residents to use already-purchased trash receptacles.
“There ought to be some way you can use those; I don’t want to see people lease a cart if they already own one,” Moeller said.
Plummer said he likes having his smaller recycling bin and isn’t interested in a larger one.
“It’s a headache to the older generation,” Plummer said of recycling.
But Plummer said he would like a larger solid waste cart because of his high volume of garden waste.
Resident Jim Blount is strongly against the original one-size-fits-all recycling plan.
“It didn’t consider that Hamilton citizens have different needs and situations in regard to recycling,” Blount said. “Physically and health wise, some people can’t handle it.”
Blount, who lives in a condominium community on the city’s West Side, said he’s required to keep garbage and recycling containers out of sight. He said a 96-gallon cart would be hard to conceal and to fill, as his household shares a 65-gallon garbage cart with neighbors.
“We’ll use a 35-gallon container, but not the larger versions,” Blount said. “If we’re forced to accept the larger size, it will be tucked away in the back corner of our garage and used for storage.”
The monthly fee increase depends on which option council adopts. Engle said Hamilton’s rates are one of the area’s lowest — behind Fairfield, which subsidizes part of the rate.
“Rumpke and the city have been partners for more than 25 years,” said Tom Turchiano, municipal and public sector manager for Rumpke. “We’re excited and happy to be part of the Hamilton community and hope to be for a long time.”
A focus of the new contract is increasing the city’s diversion rate — the amount of recyclables kept out of landfills — from 8 percent to 13 percent over five years, Helms said.
Once the contract is approved, the city will increase efforts to educate residents about recycling through school education programs, direct mailings and an informational spot on TvHamilton.
“Unfortunately, we can’t force people to recycle,” Helms said.
The contract is up for a vote today, but City Council is likely to table the option until June 15 due to staff recommendations, said Helms. Council hopes to reach a decision soon, as the city is in its second 90-day extension of the current contract which expires at the end of the month.
“There are still a lot of question marks floating around the air,” Moeller said. “It’s not a finished product yet.”
City Council meets at 6 p.m. today in first floor council chambers, 345 High St.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2179 or hpoturalski@coxohio.com.
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