The Normandy Park City Council met on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024 to discuss concerns about Waste Management’s performance, an update to the city’s fireworks penalties, and an increase to the stormwater utility fee.
Public Comment
One member of the community spoke during the public comments period, speaking on behalf of the Normandy Park Farmers Market. She asked the council to add a line item in the budget to support the market. She explained that the farmers market had recently been given a liquor license, and would soon be able to accept EBT cards, though they would not have the machines in time for this year’s market. She said they were asking for $30,000 to support the market.
City Manager’s Report/Waste Management Performance
City Manager Amy Arrington mentioned an upcoming Town Hall meeting, which is tentatively set for 7 p.m. on Nov. 13, 2024. This is an opportunity to share your thoughts on city services, get your questions answered, and have an impact on your community.
City Manager Arrington also explained that Waste Management (WM) has not been meeting their end of the contract with the city, mainly in the form of poor customer service. For their failure to comply with the contract, WM has been paying a series of “performance fees” which the city has collected, totaling around $50,000.
She suggested that the city should amend their contract with WM, return the money to them, and have WM use the money to lower their fees for each customer during 2025. This would amount to about $25 in bill reduction per household in the coming year. She went on to say that in 2026 rates would go back to normal, along with an additional annual increase, so customers may be shocked by bills increasing by more than usual after the reduction in 2025.
Councilmember Mike Bishoff balked at that plan. He said it didn’t seem right to return the fees to WM and have them reduce rates in the future, and that this would not effectively fix their poor customer service. He thought the performance fee money should have another purpose. Councilmember Jack Lamanna agreed, saying the city should use the money to replenish the general fund for the staff time as well as a consulting fee already spent on this issue.
It was agreed that this topic warranted further discussion, and would be added to the next study session.
Change To Fireworks Penalties
Council voted unanimously to update the penalty for the fireworks code, without actually changing the regulation itself. The change to the penalty is thought to make policing more effective. Formerly, it was a misdemeanor for the first offense. Now, it will be a $250 fine for the first offense, a $500 fine for the second, and a misdemeanor for the third
Councilmember Shawn McEvoy said the city should collaborate with The Cove to get the word out, since that has been the main area of fireworks violations during previous 4th of July celebrations. However, Police Chief Dan Yourkoski said last year The Cove had their quietest year, as they enacted a one-time ban on all fireworks. He does not know what their plan is for future 4th of July celebrations.
Stormwater Utility Fee Increase
Council voted to increase the stormwater utility fees by 3% in 2025 and 2026. Councilmember Bishoff abstained from the vote, having issues with the current method for charging stormwater fees. He said the fee for his property went from $25 to nearly $800, and he would not agree to an increase until this issue is resolved. He said he would be fine just paying the fee if he was the only one affected, but he knew of 11 other households faced with such large bills, including Councilmember MacAvoy.
For his part, MacAvoy said he trusted that this would be resolved now that staff knew of the strangely high fees some residents were paying. Mayor Eric Zimmerman said that, as this is the last opportunity to adjust the rates for 2025, it was reasonable to increase the fee considering it had never been raised before.
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