To be discussed at today’s environment, utilities and corporate services committee meeting is the “pay as you throw” utility program. Last week the city released details on how changing the curbside collection from property taxes to a monthly bill would work. The recommended option from administration is a “phased waste diversion” pricing strategy which would start with a base price of $18 dollars a month for the smallest bin with no increases for the first three years. Then for the medium sized and large sized bins, an initial price would be $19.70 and $22.80 per month with increasing prices over the first three years. If committee approves the reports today, the topic will be considered at the September 24th council meeting.

Another topic to be discussed includes a letter from former mayor, Henry Dayday as he would like the current city council to let residents vote on a proposal for bike lanes on Idylwyld Drive. He says he would like to see a referendum on the bike lanes be included on the 2020 civic election ballot. City administration has proposed permanent bike lanes on Idylwyld, 23rd Street, Fourth Avenue and 19th Street. Dayday says he believes removing a lane of traffic on Idylwyld Drive to install a bike lane will impact emergency response times in a negative way. Dayday served as mayor from 1988 to 2000 and his letter will be considered at today’s transportation committee meeting.