Free usage of qathet Regional District’s dishwashing trailer to all events or functions in the regional district has been endorsed by the regional board.
At the regional district board meeting on Thursday, August 22, regional directors passed a motion to allow for free usage of the dishwashing trailer, as well as an amendment to the fees and charges bylaw to allow for use of the trailer with a refundable $200 damage deposit.
The motion came from the Thursday, August 15, committee of the whole meeting, which made the recommendation for free usage of the dishwashing trailer.
According to a staff report, at the June 28, 2018, regional board meeting, the board passed a motion to charge a $50 user fee to private events for use of the dishwashing trailer. Upon reconsideration, staff indicated a desire to remove any barriers to accessing zero waste resources and thus remove the $50 charge for private events.
At the committee meeting, Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne said having a $50 flat rate may discourage smaller events from making use of the trailer.
“I do think we should have some type of fee in place but maybe have it based on how large the event is,” said Gisborne.
City director George Doubt said there is a $50 charge for rental of the unit and the regional district is budgeting about $1,000 per year for asset replacement cost of the trailer. Doubt asked if there was any information about how much revenue is generated from the rental.
Let’s Talk Trash team member Abby McLennan said the $50 fee was originally only for private events and so far, only public events have made use of the trailer.
“We haven’t collected any $50 fees,” said McLennan.
She added that since the income was going to be so negligible and there is an administration cost to collect the fee, the suggestion was not to collect the fee.
Doubt said there was no revenue being generated from private use of the trailer and more people might use it if they don’t think they will get stuck with the $50 fee. He said he was in favour of allowing free usage.
Board chair Patrick Brabazon said the regional district was never going to get enough $50 rentals to replace the trailer.
“I think from a public good point of view, put it out and get it used,” added Brabazon.
Electoral Area C director Clay Brander said collecting the $50 had more hassle associated with it than not charging for use of the trailer.
Let’s Talk Trash (LTT) team member Abby McLennan said after the meeting that the mobile dishwashing trailer has some logistics that goes along with its use. Since it is a commercial dishwasher, it requires a 220-volt power source that can be supplied through a hardwired source or through renting a generator. Greywater management is also a consideration by either taping directly into a sewer source or using the supplied small RV holding tank that can then be transported and disposed of properly.
McLennan said for questions and inquiries, contact LTT for more details or to book. She added that the dishwasher can be combined with LTT’s supply of community dishes.
