Sherman R. Frederick
Novato Advance
For the last two years the idea of the City of Novato taking over garbage collection in the city languished under the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now that the pandemic is over, the idea got a closer look. The judgment of the City Council at this time is “no, yes and maybe.”
At the March 22 City Council meeting, City Manager Adam McGill told the Council members that if the City took over the job (now currently being done by Recology) it would likely cost the city more than it would get in revenue, thus resulting in garbage fee hikes for residents.
Staff research on the topic shows the idea is complicated and poses “significant challenges,” McGill said.
Councilmember Mark Milberg said did not favor taking on the project because of the many unknown risks at this time.
Councilmember Pat Eklund said it bothered her that she doesn’t see any “receptiveness” from the Novato Sanitation board. She said she’d like to see the city take on this responsibility, but is convinced it will be an “uphill battle.”
The Council voted 4-1 to accept staff’s recommendation end the takeover idea. Mayor Eric Lucan argued that the city was “missing an opportunity” and should at least keep the idea alive.
“If we just stop here,” Mayor Lucan said, “then it’s going to be that we never formally asked.”
So, in a second vote, the Council voted 3-2 (Councilmember Denise Athas and Mayor Pro Tem Susan Wernick voting against) for Mayor Lucan to send a letter to the Novato Sanitary District board expressing an interest in exploratory talks.
Councilmember Athas called the letter an exercise “in futility right now” and promoting a “conversation we’re not prepared to do.”
Councilmember Wernick echoed that. “Right now this is not the direction to move in.”
Eklund, however, said she supported the idea of sending a letter to keep the topic alive. It’s a big move that may require moving in “small steps.”
If the Sanitation Board rebuffs the idea this time, “then we just drop it,” she said.
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