Hayward's talks with Waste Management bogged down over rate increase; County Supervisor Valle's company is city's recycling vendor
Newark councilmember speaks out about Fremont’s city manager scandal
CITY & COUNTY NEWS
HAYWARD
—TRASH TALKS—Negotiations between Hayward and Waste Management are moving at a torpid pace. The garbage contract expired on Mar. 1, but the Hayward City Council approved a one-year extension last January, which allowed negotiations to continue. The exclusive negotiating period runs through June 30. “While negotiations have proceeded at a slower pace than anticipated, staff and WMAC have increased the frequency of meetings in 2022 and are making swifter progress,” according to a city staff report.
—The city and Waste Management have tentatively agreed to significantly lower landfill diversion rates from 74 percent for this year to 36 percent in 2023. Items under discussion include the only matter most residents care about—whether or not they will receive an overall rate increase. In addition, potentially closing Waste Management’s Hayward office on Main Street could be a cost-savings move for customers. The office has been closed since the pandemic.
—The city’s garbage contract also highlights yet again the uncomfortable nexus involving Richard Valle, who represents Hayward on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and Tri-CED, the Union City recycling company he operates. Tri-CED is a recycling subcontractor for Waste Management’s garbage contract with Hayward.
—I wrote about Valle’s dual allegiances—to his constituents in Hayward and his recycling company, where he serves as CEO and president—in an East Bay Express article three years ago.
—“Valle’s dual allegiances appear rife with potential ethical conflicts, primarily that of a powerful county supervisor lobbying cities in his own district on matters that affect his company’s financial interests. As supervisor, he frequently casts votes that could benefit or penalize the cities he also appears before as CEO. While there is no evidence that he has used his power illegally or inappropriately, his oversized role in funding city safety services and affordable housing grants is clear.”
—When asked about his dual interests, Valle said, “If I worried about what other people thought, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing.” Read the East Bay Express article HERE.
MORE IN THIS ISSUE: Alameda County has 4 major department openings | Wilma Chan Highland Hospital | San Leandro’s 41 Eyes in the Sky | Emeryville Adeline Sites Discussion |
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