Council Ignores Nutter's Request On Killing New Trash Fee

City Council's Committee on Streets and Services just pushed passed Mayor Nutter's request to hold off on legislation to eliminate a new $500 fee for small businesses that have their trash picked up by the Department of Streets.  In a hearing this afternoon, it became clear that Council members are frustrated that Nutter's administration did not work with them on the issue over the summer.  The fee, which Council unanimously approved on May 21, is ready to be implemented and is expected to bring in $7 million from 15,000 small businesses.

The committee approved the legislation killing the fee, despite testimony from Streets Commissioner Clarena Tolson that it was "essential to address the city's unprecedented budget crisis."  Councilman Frank DiCicco, who introduced the bill to repeal the fee, repeatedly spoke about how "unfortunate" it was that Tolson's department didn't address his concerns over the summer.

Councilman Bill Green pressed Tolson, asking if she had been "instructed not to work with Councilman DiCicco."  Tolson said she was busy with the city budget during the summer but ultimately held off Green by saying: "I think you're asking me for an answer that I don't have to give."

Today's committee vote means Council could give final approval to the legislation to kill the trash fee by Oct. 29.  After the hearing, DiCicco said that gives Nutter and his staff a couple of weeks to come up with information the committee wants.