Amid a flurry of backlash from residents about the privatization of garbage pickup, two White Rock city councillors have requested a special council meeting to discuss the controversial issue.
Couns. Helen Fathers and David Chesney formally requested last week that Mayor Wayne Baldwin call a meeting to “deal with issues raised by the community on the solid-waste decision.”
Fathers told Peace Arch News Monday it was necessary to hold a special meeting – scheduled for April 7 at 1 p.m. – because the next regular council meeting is not set to take place until April 13.
“I’ve been hearing from residents that they’re in the midst of signing contracts with waste-management companies,” Fathers said, noting the issue is time-sensitive and needs to be addressed soon.
At issue is the cancellation of city solid-waste pickup to multifamily residences and businesses set to take effect July 1, a decision that was first announced by the city in January.
Last week more than 100 condo residents rallied at city hall, calling for the city to rescind its decision to privatize garbage pickup.
Fathers admitted she was surprised at the public’s reaction to the decision – made at an in-camera meeting in December – but is happy to open up discussions on the matter.
“I think when you’re presented with ideas and concepts and numbers, what I thought seemed reasonable at the time, when we hear back from the community that it’s unreasonable there is a disparity between the decision and the community,” Fathers said. “We have to listen to what the community is saying to us.”
Several residents credited with spearheading the March 23 rally met with Baldwin and the city’s chief administrative officer, Dan Bottrill, last week to discuss the issue. Another meeting between the group and the mayor was scheduled to take place after PAN press deadline Monday.
While Fathers lauded the efforts by the group of residents and the mayor to discuss the issue, she pointed out no official changes can be made to the decision without a council vote.
“It was a council decision, so it has to go back to council as a whole,” she said.
On Wednesday the city is hosting a public information meeting on ‘understanding solid waste for multifamily complexes,’ 6:30 p.m. at the White Rock Community Centre, 15154 Russell Ave.