A day before the county’s decision, the Coconut Creek City Commission votes against a $2.5 million landfill expansion agreement
Coconut Creek, Florida – Following a contentious debate in which the mayor of Deerfield Beach accused his supporters of betraying his city, the elected officials of Coconut Creek unanimously rejected millions of dollars from the Monarch Hill Landfill’s owner on Monday in an agreement intended to restrict the landfill’s future growth.
The five-member commission chose to continue opposing the landfill owner, WM, and the county, who are attempting to expand the landfill just outside the city limits.
WM’s request to extend the landfill onto around 24 acres where a now-demolished power station had stood and to permit it to pile waste up to 10 stories higher, from the existing 225 feet to 325 feet, is set to be heard by the Broward County Commission, which oversees the landfill, on Tuesday.
A revision to an existing 2015 deal with WM that would have paid the city $500,000 annually for five years, or $2.5 million, if the county votes to approve the company’s current expansion proposal was discussed at an emergency meeting convened by city leaders on Veterans Day.
Additionally, the deal would have required the corporation to pay the city $10 million if it had ever filed to grow the landfill’s 500-acre area, change its slope, or raise its height.
Sheila Rose, the city manager of Coconut Creek, referred to it as a “poison pill” to prevent the firm from extending the dump.
Bill Ganz, the mayor of Deerfield Beach, accused Coconut Creek of holding confidential talks with WM that have an effect on the citizens of his city.
He stated at the Coconut Creek commission meeting, “The city of Deerfield Beach doesn’t have a similar agreement with Waste Management for a simple reason.” “We don’t assign a value to the devastation of our citizens’ standard of living.”
Residents of Coconut Creek spoke both in favor of and against the arrangement. In a losing battle, some people are backing the city’s efforts. Others urge them to fight on, accusing the county commission of being responsible for any landfill growth.
Joshua Rydell, a commissioner for Coconut Creek, described the remarks that questioned his ethics—as well as those of the other commissioners and staff—as disrespectful. Where have the leaders of nearby cities been during their years-long conflict, he asked?
“We are the only city there, and I have attended a dozen county commission meetings, planning meetings, council meetings, and staff meetings,” he remarked.
Before the city commission, he referred to the deal as a WM payment.
“Is this a chance to buy off?” During the meeting, Rydell said. Let’s call it that. Yes, without a doubt. This is a buy-off in waste management. That’s what it is. If we don’t say that, we are lying to ourselves. Does it provide us with some comforting safeguards? Yes. Nevertheless, it is what it is.
Before voting against the deal, Rydell’s commission colleagues likewise talked fervently about not giving up on their landfill battle.
Following the vote, WM spokeswoman Dawn McCormick stated that the business is eager for the county commission to review its proposal, “which will allow for the full capacity of Monarch Hill Landfill to be utilized for the disposal of local, post-recycled construction debris and bulk waste.”By doing this, the negative environmental effects of hauling that material about 100 miles outside of the county for disposal will be avoided, as well as higher expenses for businesses and residents in Broward County. Additionally, it will enable the landfill-gas-to-energy facility on the property to continue operating, which now generates enough electricity to power over 9,000 households every day,” she stated in an email to TAPinto Coconut Creek.
To protest the proposed landfill expansion, the city intends to bus locals to the county commission meeting.
The matter is scheduled to be heard at 1:30 p.m. in the Broward County Governmental Center, located at 115 South Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, in Room 422 (Commission Chambers).
