Assembly votes to temporarily waive dump fees

PALMER — The Mat-Su Borough Assembly approved resolution 18-081 by a 5-2 vote on Tuesday at its joint meeting with the Mat-Su Borough School Board. The resolution waives dump fees until Dec. 16, but states that it does not apply to commercial accounts.

Assemblymen George McKee and Jesse Sumner both opposed the measure. Instead, Sumner approved a substitute resolution that would instead create an account for charitable donations towards paying landfill fees for those affected by the earthquake, using the Orion database that was set up for claims following the earthquake.

“I think it’s completely irresponsible to operate something that is supposed to be fee based without fees,” Sumner said.

Sumner argued that the borough’s business was not to commit acts of charity. Assemblyman Dan Mayfield cited his long history of dealing with disaster recovery and a poll he saw on Facebook where the majority of voters were in favor of free dump days for earthquake debris. Sumner argued that if there was a depletion of funds from the landfill, it would only result in an increase in rates later on. Sumner argued that an untargeted measure was susceptible to being used to the advantage of people who are not in dire need of the relief, and that a targeted measure would be better. Sumner said that the landfill is not turning a profit and had payments to make. He said that if Mayfield were to donate to the fund, he would match his donation. Assemblyman Jim Sykes noted instances of flooding in Sutton where fees were waived, as well as dumpsters in Williwaw. He noted that Terry Dolan, the Director of Public Works, had told the assembly at their emergency meeting that it would not cost much to allow for free dump days.

“I don’t think it’s illegal, first of all, and second of all I think it’s good public policy to make things available,” Sykes said.

Borough Attorney Nick Spiropolous answered questions over how the funds could be replenished, clarifying that general funds could not be used, but the $3 million set aside for emergency earthquake relief could be used.

“I don’t think this is a charity that the borough has the responsibility, and to me, a right to help our citizens as they’re going through an actual disaster,” Assemblyman Ted Leonard said.

The assembly voted on the substitute measure sponsored by Sumner first, which failed 5-2 with Sumner and McKee in favor. The original resolution passed with Sumner and McKee opposed. Following the vote, Leonard added on to the resolution.

“I would move to direct the Borough Manager to estimate the lost revenue and cost due to the landfill fee waiver and to reimburse the solid waste enterprise fund for the estimated lost revenue and cost as part of the disaster recovery efforts,” Leonard said.

The motion passed without opposition. The assembly will hear a report from John Moosey on the amount of funds to be reimbursed and how the calculation was determined on Jan. 15, 2019.