City Council Work Session 07/16/2024

The City Council Work Session for the City of Milwaukie, Oregon, held on July 16, 2024, focused primarily on the discussion of solid waste rates for the upcoming year. The finance director and council members reviewed the current waste management landscape, including the consolidation of haulers and the impact of rising disposal and labor costs on rate increases. Key points included the significant increase in Metro disposal fees, union labor contract escalations, and the complexities of recycling and organics processing costs. The council discussed the proposed rate adjustments effective September 1, 2024, and the upcoming expiration of franchise agreements in March 2025, with options to extend, renegotiate, or issue a new RFP. Questions were raised about the cost structure, disposal facility choices, and potential contract modifications. The council agreed to place the rate proposal on the August 6 agenda and expressed interest in further exploring franchise agreement options and comparative rates in neighboring jurisdictions.