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A MOTION declaring an emergency and authorizing an extension of temporary free disposal of flood-related debris resulting from the January 2009 flood event.
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WHEREAS, King County experienced unusually destructive rain, flooding and other secondary hazards ("flood") beginning early January 2009, causing significant damage to homes and other property, and
WHEREAS, the executive, on January 8, 2009, declared a flood emergency for King County, and
WHEREAS, disposal of solid waste material resulting from the flood at normal disposal fees would cause financial hardship for many property owners and could delay the cleanup of debris, and
WHEREAS, all of King County will benefit from the prompt cleanup of debris caused by the flood, and
WHEREAS, the executive, on January 8, 2009, called for a temporary waiver of solid waste fees for the disposal of flood-related debris at county disposal sites beginning January 10, 2009, through January26, 2009, and
WHEREAS, pursuant to K.C.C. 10.12.050.B, actions taken by the executive to temporarily waive solid waste disposal fees that continue beyond the date of the next regularly scheduled council meeting require council approval by motion, and
WHEREAS, council adopted Motion 12913 on January 12, 2009, approving waiver of fees through January 26, 2009, and
WHEREAS, the estimated loss of revenue resulting from the temporary solid waste disposal fee waiver for that period was approximately $100,000, and
WHEREAS, due to the extent and severity of damage many residents have been unable to dispose of flood-related debris within the time period of the initial waiver and require additional time to do so, and WHEREAS, the executive has requested that the period for waiver be extended and has had a reasonable opportunity to comment upon this waiver extension motion;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. The early January 2009 flooding is hereby declared to be an emergency and it is deemed in the interest of King County to waive solid waste disposal service fees for flood-related debris related to damage from the flood through February 26, 2009;
B. Loads of flood-related debris from commercial haulers will not be accepted at no charge without prior authorization by the division director of the King County solid waste division;
C. This temporary fee suspension is only authorized through February 26, 2009;
D. The following special conditions apply to the temporary suspension of the disposal fee for flood-related debris:
1. All King County residents are eligible, except those who live in the cities of Seattle and Milton, which are not part of King County's solid waste handling system;
2. King County residents must provide acceptable proof of residence such as a current utility bill or other piece of mail containing the resident's current address;
3. All loads must be properly secured; unsecured loads will be subject to unsecured load fees in accordance with K.C.C. 10.12.040;
4. Loads of flood-related debris may be inspected by King County solid waste division staff, and division staff reserve the right to limit quantities disposed without charge;
5. Only flood-related debris may be disposed at no charge; split loads of mixed flood-related debris and regular solid waste will be charged at the regular solid waste disposal rate;
7. Eligibility to participate in this emergency flood-debris disposal opportunity is conditioned upon strict compliance with the solid waste handling procedures provided by the King County solid waste division.