Proposition #1: Why It Matters:
City of Cordova Refuse Division staff work daily at the 17 Mile Landfill. In recent years, brown bears have been regularly drawn to the active waste area. This creates unsafe working conditions for staff.
When bears access garbage, there is a higher risk of close and dangerous encounters. This risk affects City employees, as well as contractors, and members of the public who use or visit the landfill.
Current conditions make it difficult for staff and visitors to safely perform essential job duties. They also increase stress, disrupt operations, and raise the chance of incidents that could result in injury to people or harm to wildlife.
Installing an electrified bear fence around the active waste area will prevent bears from accessing garbage. Removing this food source is expected to significantly reduce bear activity at the landfill. This will improve safety for staff, contractors, and the public, and allow landfill operations to continue in a safer and more controlled environment.
To fund this project, the City applied for assistance through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) Program, which offers low-interest loans for essential infrastructure projects.
The City was approved for a loan of up to $870,000. Of that amount, $500,000 is forgiven and does not need to be repaid. This means the City would be responsible for $370,000, plus interest, even if the full loan amount is used.
A yes vote on Proposition #1 allows the City to move forward with this project, improve working conditions for City staff, and support safe and reliable landfill operations.
Early voting begins February 10th, election day is March 3rd.
Please Contact Kevin Johnson, Public Works Director, for additional details at publicworks@cityofcordova.net or 907-424-6220