Fresno trash rates will increase by as much as 114% for some households over the next five years.

The Fresno City Council voted 5-2 on Thursday to raise rates. For users of the 64-gallon gray bin, rates will rise from $19.20 to $41.21 by 2029. Those using the 96-gallon container will see their monthly charge go to $45.24 from $30.87.

The vote took place on the consent calendar, without discussion. The council held a two-hour hearing last week, where members spoke.

Annalisa Perea, Mike Karbassi, Miguel Arias, Tyler Maxwell, and Nelson Esparza voted in favor.

Luis Chavez and Garry Bredefeld voted against. Both are running in separate races for the Fresno County Board of Supervisors in November.

The increased rates start July 1 and will be reflected in the August bills.

The public utilities department said that without the increase, the city would be $50 million in the hole.

Consequences of not raising the rates, department director Brock Buche said, included cutting services such as Operation Clean-Up, and reducing the frequency of the blue recycling bin and green bin pick-ups. By law, trash must be picked up weekly.

Related Story: Fresno Trash Rate Protest Fails. Decision Rests with Council Next Week.

Zoom Comments No More

The Fresno City Council voted 4-3 to no longer accept public comment by Zoom. That means a person who wants to share an opinion about city business in real time has to show up in person at council chambers.

Voting in favor: Mike Karbassi, Miguel Arias, Luis Chavez, Garry Bredefeld. Voting against: Annalisa Perea, Tyler Maxwell, and Nelson Esparza.

IT director Bryon Horn said any costs savings would be about $4,000.

The city council did take Zoom comments for public comment on items not on the agenda after the vote, perhaps the last time Zoom will be used.

The move did not sit well with the ACLU of Northern California. They said remote participation increases civic engagement.

“For some reason, Fresno is poised to terminate their successful remote program and revert to a dated system that is less inclusive, less accessible, and less democratic. It’s a bewildering move that deserves pushback,” Angelica Salceda, ACLU’s democracy and civic engagement director said. “Lawmakers should want to hear from their constituents – it’s good for democracy and leads to better decision making.  People shouldn’t have to choose between their personal and civic life.”

The city council’s new rules regarding signs in chambers also went into effect, with a hiccup. People can carry signs in chambers, restricted to 8.5 inches by 11 inches, and they cannot be held up high. Signs are OK at the back of the room, or on the balcony area.

A frequent city critic known as “Miss 5250” displayed the signs in the front of the balcony. The city told her that only they could only be at the back of the balcony as well. Security guards removed the signs, as “Miss 5250” shouted obscenities to the city council.

Related Story: Will Fresno City Council End Public Comments Via Zoom?

New Planning, Parks Commissioners Approved

The city council approved by a 7-0 vote Mayor Jerry Dyer’s nominations of Gurdeep Shergill to the planning commission and Rose Caglia to the Measure P parks commission.

Shergill is a real estate agent and Central Unified educator. The Fresno State graduate also hosts a show on KBIF AM900 Punjabi Radio. He replaces Haley Wagner, whose term expires at the end of June.

Wagner said her ever-demanding travel scheduled led her to ask not to be reappointed.

“I do not feel right holding a seat if I cannot be present,” Wagner said.

Caglia serves on several nonprofit boards and is a retired music teacher. She replaces Mona Cummings, whose term expires at the end of the month. The term of parks commission board member Harman Singh also expires at the end of the month. Board members can serve until their replacement is approved.

Cummings tells GV Wire she is leaving voluntarily.

Arias Has a New Son

Councilmember Miguel Arias announced he missed last week’s city council meeting to welcome his newborn  son Joey into the world.

Arias said he plans to reduce his public schedule in the coming weeks.