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Council renews hazardous waste agreement
By Kenny Green, kgreen@starlocalnews.com
The city council approved an extension of an interlocal agreement for household waste collection with Dallas County to participate in the Dallas Area Household Hazardous Waste Network (DAHHWN). The city has been part of the network since 1993. The city last renewed the agreement in 2007. The city is required to provide household hazardous waste collection to maintain its storm water permit with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
"The storm water permit requires us to manage these materials," said Matt Holzapfel, city engineer.
The city's portion of the DAHHWN operational budget is 7.24 percent, $43,560. There is an additional cost for the collection/disposal of hazardous material received from Mesquite residents throughout the year. The disposal amount for the upcoming year is estimated at $44,711. The estimated cost for the upcoming fiscal year is $88,271.00. The cost is funded from the Storm Water and TPDES operating budget for continued participation in the DAHHWN.
During the council's work session councilmember Greg Noschese expressed concerns over the city's cost to participate in the program.
"Is there not another way to [divide the costs of operation]?" Noschese questioned. [As part of the DAHHWN], we have got Highland Park and University Park, who have a higher taxable value."
"It's based on the number of homes," said Tim Timulty, director of public works. "Whether they participate or not is an unknown [component]."
Noschese asked if the city could establish a collection point for the materials to reduce the costs.
"The cost to establish a collection center was too much," Timulty said.
When residents use the household hazardous waste disposal facility, located at 11234 Plano Road in Dallas, they are required to show proof of residency to determine whether the city they live in is part of the network and if so, which city will be charged for the disposal cost. The number of Mesquite citizens using the facility the last four years has varied between 1,085 and 1,160 per year.
The council asked the city staff to prepare some information about alternatives that could be used in the future to reduce cost including proposing changes to the way the operating costs at the facility are divided among participating cities.
"The storm water permit requires us to manage these materials," said Matt Holzapfel, city engineer.
The city's portion of the DAHHWN operational budget is 7.24 percent, $43,560. There is an additional cost for the collection/disposal of hazardous material received from Mesquite residents throughout the year. The disposal amount for the upcoming year is estimated at $44,711. The estimated cost for the upcoming fiscal year is $88,271.00. The cost is funded from the Storm Water and TPDES operating budget for continued participation in the DAHHWN.
During the council's work session councilmember Greg Noschese expressed concerns over the city's cost to participate in the program.
"Is there not another way to [divide the costs of operation]?" Noschese questioned. [As part of the DAHHWN], we have got Highland Park and University Park, who have a higher taxable value."
"It's based on the number of homes," said Tim Timulty, director of public works. "Whether they participate or not is an unknown [component]."
Noschese asked if the city could establish a collection point for the materials to reduce the costs.
"The cost to establish a collection center was too much," Timulty said.
When residents use the household hazardous waste disposal facility, located at 11234 Plano Road in Dallas, they are required to show proof of residency to determine whether the city they live in is part of the network and if so, which city will be charged for the disposal cost. The number of Mesquite citizens using the facility the last four years has varied between 1,085 and 1,160 per year.
The council asked the city staff to prepare some information about alternatives that could be used in the future to reduce cost including proposing changes to the way the operating costs at the facility are divided among participating cities.
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