CITY WILL RECYCLE DIAPERS $100,000 REBATE OFFER GETS COUNCIL'S SUPPORT.

Byline: Heather MacDonald Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - A last-minute offer from a company seeking to begin recycling the city's dirty diapers paved the way for the City Council's endorsement of the program.

A promise from Knowaste Inc. to give the city a $100,000 rebate if the six-month pilot program is unsuccessful and no other cities join the program - along with $20,000 for a public education campaign - was enough to win the support of four council members Tuesday night.

The city is expected to sign an agreement with Knowaste and the city's two trash haulers, Santa Clarita/Blue Barrel and Atlas Consolidated Services. The program could start early next year, after many questions are answered.

Councilman Bob Kellar voted against the project, saying it was too risky.

``We need, as a city, to recognize our limitations,'' Kellar said.

The city staff had recommended that the City Council reject the plan because the cost of the program is unknown and could be much higher than expected, Environmental Services Manager Jill Fosselman said.

``The net potential unfunded start-up costs could range from $300,000 to $900,000,'' Fosselman said.

Assemblyman George Runner, R-Lancaster, set aside $250,000 in last year's state budget for the program, which will be matched with city funds.

Knowaste has not found a location for the processor during the pilot program. If successful, the processor would be permanently located at the city's materials recovery facility, which is expected to open in about two years.

``We also need to sit down and determine the standards of success,'' Councilman Frank Ferry said.

Cam Noltemeyer, a frequent critic of the council, labeled the City Council's action a ``good old boy'' deal.

``This City Council is in desperate need of an ethics commission,'' Noltemeyer said.

Knowaste, a local company, is represented by Hunt Braly, who helped Mayor Laurene Weste win re-election to the City Council in 1998. He represents many companies and organizations with issues before the City Council.

Councilman Cameron Smyth said he and Frank Ferry spoke with Braly about the city staff's concerns about the program's unknowns, prompting the last-minute offer to the council.

Knowaste gave Weste and Ferry $250 each at a November fund-raiser.

Weste said the diaper recycling program was crucial if Santa Clarita was going to reduce its reliance on landfills. Six years ago, city officials and residents banded together to defeat a proposed landfill in Elsmere Canyon.