New 240 litre automated waste bins (Photo courtesy of the City of Vernon)

By Liam Verster

$3 to $4 increase to fees

Vernon hiking garbage fees to buy smaller bins for trade-in program

Sep 9, 2021 | 5:00 AM

The City of Vernon is increasing its user fees for garbage collection by $3 to $4 in 2022 to purchase 500 smaller garbage bins for a trade-in program.

During the city council meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 7), council discussed how the city has received roughly 100 complaints that the new automated bins were too big for some to manage and manoeuver.

Councillor Scott Anderson, who stated that he would not be bidding on the next garbage program and that his company would not be putting forth any quotes on any related issues in order for him to sit in on the discussion, was the first to address the issue during the meeting. Anderson said he struggles with moving the bin, especially when going up a slope, and that this issue will be especially prevalent for elderly residents.

Following a few comments from other councillors backing up Anderson’s point, Mayor Victor Cumming proposed setting up a trade-in program for the bins. His initial point stemmed from the fact that Vernon is growing, and they will need the garbage bins in the future when further dwellings are built and the population increases, so they should have some bins in stock right away.

Councillor Kari Gares was the only member of council to disagree with going ahead with this program and purchase straight away. She stated that a potential trade-in program will likely be needed in the future, but because the new bigger bins had only been in use for a week they should wait a few weeks until they hear from more residents. Her main point revolved around the fact that there are a lot of stratas in the city and she doesn’t want them to all come forward later asking for smaller bins after the 500 had already been distributed, meaning the city would need to buy more, and people would have to wait for them to be delivered while others had already received the smaller containers.

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Administration noted during the meeting that the city could be directed to purchase 120L garbage cans immediately, which turned council’s attention towards paying for the bins. Administration told council that the city would need to increase garbage collection fees by approximately $3 to $4 per household for one year in order to fund the purchase of 500 bins.

Cumming said once these bins were bought, it would mean the city would have a stock of bins. Administration told council that the 240L bins returned in the program could be used for other residential garbage or organics collection in the future if there were a surplus.

This led to council voting on an amended motion:

“That council receive the memorandum titled ‘Automated Waste Collection Update’ dated August 30, 2021, respectfully submitted by the Manager, Roads, Drainage and Airport, for information;

“And further, that council authorize administration to purchase 500 120L waste collection bins at a cost not to exceed $50,000 to be funded by residential garbage collection user fees;

“And further, that council direct administration to bring forward subsequent amendments to the Fees and Charges bylaw number 3909 and Waste Collection bylaw number 3148 for council’s consideration;

“And further, that council direct administration to provide 120L waste collection bins to residents who request a smaller bin size than the standard 240L waste collection bin.”

Ultimately, Gares joined the other councillors, and the motions were passed unanimously .

Administration told council that it could take between six to eight weeks to receive shipment of the new bins, though they may be able to expedite that process and city staff will investigate that possibility.