State news briefs
State mandates business recycling
Provisions of AB 341, a new California law directed by CalRecycle, mandating commercial recycling in California goes into effect July 1 this year.
Locally, the Town of Mammoth Lakes will provide education and outreach to help the community comply with the new regulations.
Directed by the CalRecycle state agency, AB 341’s stated goal is to increase the statewide recycling rate to 75% by 2020.
Starting July 1, businesses and public entities that generate four cubic yards or more of waste per week, including multi-family units of five or more will be required to recycle. The purpose of this new law is to “reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting commercial solid waste to recycling efforts while expanding opportunities for additional recycling services and recycling manufacturing facilities in California.”
Introduced in the legislature in February of last year by author Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro (D-1st District), the bill passed both the Senate and Assembly in September (along mostly partisan lines) and was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in October. Not surprisingly, it had support among numerous recycling industry lobbying groups and conservation organizations. Agencies supporting it included the cities of Oakland and San Jose, and the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
The Town of Mammoth Lakes (TOML), Sierra Conservation Project (SCP) and Mammoth Disposal (MD) are taking active steps to assist businesses and multifamily residences to comply with the new regulations.
According to Johnny Goetz, Town of Mammoth Lakes Senior Building Inspector, “Now is a great time for local businesses to take advantage of the numerous recycling opportunities we have available in Town. Condominium complexes can also take advantage of the TOML and SCP’s recycling programs, which are currently providing start-up infrastructure to the complex at no cost, while supplies last.”
Goetz will brief businesses on the new laws as the guest speaker at the upcoming Mammoth Lakes Chamber Luncheon at Z-Ranch starting at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Meanwhile, the Town and SCP have applied for additional grant money to help to offset startup costs for Mammoth businesses.
The following recycling programs are currently available within Mammoth Lakes: commercial cardboard, restaurant and bar, lodging and hospitality, general business/office recycling, residential, aluminum, plastic and glass, e-Waste, and used oil and batteries.
For more information regarding recycling programs and opportunities within the Town of Mammoth Lakes, contact Johnny Goetz at (760) 934-8989 ext. 244 or jgoetz@ci.mammoth-lakes.ca.us. –Press Release
Mendocino Supes cut own salaries
Earlier this month, Supervisors in Mendocino County permanently reduced their own salaries by 10% in what was described as “an attempt to cut costs,” supervisors’ salaries will fall from $68,000 to $61,200.
The County’s First 5 Executive Director, Anne Molgaard, was critical of the pay reduction, arguing it’s not sufficient for retaining or attracting qualified officials. “You have to deal with air quality regulations and the complexities of pensions and bonds and retirement systems, and you think you’re going to get that for $60,000 [a year]. And you will, but it will only be … people who grew up with money, inherited money or made it big, and that’s going to mean that you have only one type of opinion on the board,” Molgaard commented.
Supervisor Carre Brown noted that in light of pay cuts other county employees experienced, it was only fair that the board of supervisors suffer the same fate. “I really feel that it’s supported by the community. In my opinion, I cannot ask county employees to do something I’m not willing to do myself,” Brown stated. –California County News
Chiang warns of state cash crisis
In a Jan. 31 letter to state lawmakers, State Controller John Chiang announced that California could run out of cash in March if $3.3 billion in cash solutions are not arranged soon. While many thought that the state would be able to cover its costs this fiscal year, revenues are still $2.6 billion less than what was projected by last year.
A Sacramento Bee report last month said that Chiang is “seeking about $2.4 billion in delayed payments to universities, counties and Medi-Cal, as well as additional borrowing from outside investors.” Chiang’s letter also points out that expenditures are $2.6 more than assumed. In the letter, Chiang told legislators that, after studying updated cash flow figures, if left unaddressed, the state would fall below the minimum safety level on Feb. 29. “On the following day, cash will be exhausted, and continue to decline until hitting a low of -$730 million on March 8,” Chiang forecast.
Chiang cited a miscellany of factors including attempts to lower borrowing costs, overly optimistic assumptions coupled with a economic uncertainty and high market volatility, the challenges of accurate cost saving predictions during realignment and elimination of Redevelopment Agencies, federal delays and adverse court rulings.
As of press time, there were no further updates to this story.
–AG/Sacramento Bee
