Landfill fee waiver rejected for homeless camp clean-up

Jun 17, 2021 | 5:00 AM

A Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) request that the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) waive landfill disposal fees for the clean-up of homeless encampments on highway right-of-ways, has been denied.

“I’m kind of thinking that the Ministry of Transportation has the funds and should probably pay this, given that it is really a download to us if they don’t,” Area B Director Bob Fleming said.

The work is usually done by AIM roads, the local MoTI contractor or a third party like Venture Training.

Transportation staff did not have exact numbers available for how many clean-ups have been undertaken, but RDNO staff can track landfill fees paid by the highway contractor and sub-contractors.

Landfill fee graph (photo credit: RDNO)

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MoTI staff indicated antidotally that they had dealt with approximately ten camps through AIM Roads or AIM subcontractors over the past three years.

Four on the highway right of way off 48th Avenue in Vernon, three on the north side of the 27th Street overpass, two behind the BCAA building and one on the new frontage road between Stickle Road and 53rd Avenue.

MoTI staff indicated that they are currently awaiting quotes from AIM Road to remove three more camps in the Vernon area. Staff indicated AIM Roads often engages Venture Training crews to carry out the clean-ups.

A RDNO staff report recommended not waiving the fees.

“RDNO staff does not understand how these tipping fees would be having a significant impact on MOTl’s budget for homeless camp cleanups. The total cleanup costs would likely far outweigh the amount spent on disposal fees,” Dale Danallanko, RDNO Operations Manager of Disposal and Diversion Facility, said.

There is a $2,000 annual discretionary budget that community groups can apply for when cleaning up illegal dumping sites.

The board did indicate that fees charged to any organization involved in homeless camp clean-up should be the lowest rate charged ($105/tonne) at disposal and diversion facilities.

by Kevin Rothwell

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