• The Board conducted a Proposition 218 hearing to approve Solid Waste service fees for the next five years. Fees are projected to reflect nominal increases of no more than 2% per year from FY23-24 through FY27-28. For FY23-24, based on the lowest refuse rate, a 2% increase equated to an approximate increase of $1.50/month or $18/year, less than the cost of a cup of coffee per month.
• TCSD ordered two new refuse trucks for delivery in Spring 2024. The new vehicles will allow us to surplus our 2006 and 2007 trucks which are used as back-up vehicles. These two older back-up trucks are 6 times more expensive to maintain than the newer 2020 trucks. The life expectancy for a refuse truck is approximately 10 years.
• In 2023 through November, we received approximately 730 calls/requests for refuse services. This doesn’t include residents who stop by the office to drop off e-waste, printer cartridges, batteries, CFL/LED bulbs, sharps, and/or unused medicines. In case you didn’t know, there is a battery bucket outside the office during business hours, so there is no need to come into the office.
• We collected approximately 10,100 lbs or 5 tons of e-waste in 2023. Thanks for keeping that stuff out of your trash cart.
• You may have received a letter from Zero Waste Marin regarding SB 1383 (state law). Beginning January 1, 2024, all agencies who provide refuse services must begin education/outreach and compliance activities pursuant to SB 1383. The goal of SB1383 is to keep compostable waste out of landfills. TCSD led and coordinated a regional effort of seven Marin Special Districts to apply for $525,000 SB 1383 grant from CalRecycle to help fund compliance activities for all the participating districts. We’ll receive the grant award in March 2024.

• The Board awarded the contract for the Sewer Improvement Project Phase D. Phase D is the replacement of approximately 2,500 linear feet of sewer main pipeline along Eastwood Way, Eucalyptus Way, and portions of Glenwood Ave. As the project was nearing completion, the Board decided to amend the contract to replace an additional 1,300 linear feet (approx.) of sewer main pipeline on Northern and Glenwood Avenues and Springfield Way.

• We have been working to bring our Parks back up to the pre-COVID maintenance standards such as regrowing the grass in Eastwood and Kay Parks. Of course, all the rain helped a bit 😊
• We installed a new door locking system and painted the interior of the Eastwood Park restroom. 
• We replaced the pedestrian bridge at the bottom of the Carrera Dr. steps.
• We worked with Southern Marin Fire District on vegetation management including clearing brush in Eastwood Park along the path and removal of dead and dying trees on various TCSD properties. The tree removal/trimming work will continue throughout the winter.
• We collaborated with our private and public partners to use goats on public owned lands.
• The Board approved the creation of a new Parks & Recreation Commission (PARC). PARC’s inaugural meeting was in April 2023. PARC’s regular meeting day is the second Friday of the month at 3:00pm in the Tam Valley Community Center.

• In addition to bringing back cherished TCSD events such as Spaghetti Bingo, we also coordinated new events such as the “Creekside Unplugged.”
• The Board authorized the remodel of the Tam Valley Community Center restrooms. This was a long time coming, we’re guessing the last major restroom remodel was over 30 years ago. The project is out for public bid with bids due January 4, 2024.
• The Board approved a contract to replace the perimeter fencing around the Community Center and the parking lots. The work has started and should be completed by Spring 2024. Approximately 50% of the funding comes from the State’s Proposition 68 Park grant.

• The FY23-24 budget reflects new financial features for better transparency and fiscal planning, The budget now includes 5-year operating budget forecasts and 5 -year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) which allow for better planning of financial resources. We also adopted new operating and capital reserve policies and created more designated capital reserves for future vehicle purchases and TCSD facility improvements.
• We revamped the TCSD website to make it more user friendly and to create a document archive (e.g., meeting agendas) for the public to access. It continues to be a work in progress.
• The Board held 20 public meetings during which they adopted 21 resolutions and 2 ordinances. Many of the resolutions reflected the approval of revised/new administrative or personnel policies needed for operations. One ordinance created the newly formed Parks and Recreation Commission (PARC). The other ordinance updated the regulations and requirements for private sewer laterals.

• Your cooking oil, fats, and grease can be dumped into your green cart as well as soiled napkins, tissues, and paper towels. No need to come to the office to dump your cooking oil unless you have gallons and gallons of oil to dispose of.

• Wrapping paper and tissue paper are not recyclable, unless it is just plain white/brown paper used for wrapping.

• Clean cardboard can be placed in the cardboard dumpsters outside of the Corporation Yard gate. Please remember to remove all packing materials such as plastic, “packing peanuts,” and styrofoam since that will contaminate the cardboard. For safety reasons, we do not remove the non-cardboard materials and would be required to treat the load as trash. You enter the parking lot at 203 Marin Ave and drive to the gate where you’ll see the dumpsters.

• Broken toys are not made of recyclable plastic.

• Top Holiday Safety Tips To Keep You and Your Family Safe This Winter Holiday Season
• Donate To This Year's Holiday Toy Drive 2023