Tell the City: Stop reckless landfill privatization

Vote scheduled tomorrow at Rules Committee despite unanswered concerns

More than 70 community leaders and residents will urge the San Diego City Council’s Rules committee tomorrow to halt the reckless push to privatize operations at Miramar Landfill.

 Rules committee meeting – 1st item

9 a.m. Wednesday, July 13

12th floor, 202 C St., San Diego

 Mayor Jerry Sanders is asking the committee to approve managed competition of the landfill – which would allow private contractors to bid to take over the operations – despite growing concern about legal, financial and environmental risks.

The committee delayed the vote in May to get serious questions answered, and the responses have only amplified concerns:

•  The Navy, which owns the land, declined to provide written approval of the plan.

• The City Attorney said the City cannot escape financial liability for any harm or violations of state and federal standards by contractors.

• There is nothing to show for the $500,000 paid to a landfill privatization consultant last year.

The Center on Policy Initiatives has cautioned for the past year that privatizing the city’s only public landfill could increase environmental risks and long-term costs for taxpayers. A recent CPI op-ed explains the hazards and costs of outsourcing a complex, sensitive and essential service like the landfill, especially with San Diego’s dismal record of managing private contractors.

A number of neighborhood associations, environmental organizations and other community groups will be among those urging the committee to reject the privatization plan.

 The Center on Policy Initiatives is a San Diego research and advocacy center dedicated to the needs of working families.