Moses Lake may add return trip garbage fee
The Moses Lake City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance adding a $10 fee for the city to make return trips to pick up trash.
MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake residents forgetting to put their garbage on the curb may be charged if the city has to come back to pick it up.
The city council unanimously passed the first reading of an ordinance establishing a $10 fee for a return trip to collect garbage.
Finance Director Ron Cone wrote the city has made return trips for free for many years, and some people habitually don't have their carts out by 6 a.m.
"We are asking that the return trip fee be established," he stated. "This would allow us to charge the individuals that habitually do not have their carts out on time."
Councilmember David Curnel asked if the charge for return trips would only apply to people who call regularly, or would it apply to everyone.
"It seems to me if you're going to have a return trip because someone didn't put their cart out at 6 a.m. it ought to be for everybody, whether it's the first time or the 10th time," he said.
City Manager Joe Gavinski said the charge applies to all return trips where people forget to put out their garbage.
"Ron was, in his letter, just trying to give some description to what in effect we are seeing," he said. "There are some people who, habitually, do not get their carts out."
Councilmember Karen Liebrecht said in the past 36 years, the city missed picking up her can once.
"It happens, and one out of 36 years is not too bad, but it does happen," she said. "I'll admit this last week I forgot to put my garbage out. Well, I just have to grin and bear it and wait until next week. I do hate to see people charged for things. I can see someone, if they're a habitual offender, doing something like that, but I hate to see when it can be an error on someone else's part."
Gavinski said if it's the city's error, the person wouldn't be charged.
"The issue is if you don't have the cart out and we go by and then you put the cart out and call us to come back, but if we've missed you, which does happen, you would not be charged," he said.
Liebrecht said it would be difficult to prove the can wasn't out.
"Those guys are pretty good with running those routes," Gavinski said. "They're pretty good at what they do. They know."