Will county finally embrace single-stream recycling? Expect plenty of trash talk

By Conor Shine

Monday, Feb. 4, 2013 | 2 a.m.

A shorter agenda than usual awaits the Clark County commissioners this week, but one contentious item looms large and could result in a marathon meeting.

Whether to implement a single-stream recycling program throughout Clark County is sure to generate plenty of public comments when the commissioners meet at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday at the County Commission chambers, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway. On Wednesday, the commissioners will reconvene to hear items as the zoning commission in the morning and as the University Medical Center board of trustees in the afternoon.

Going green

Whether to follow the lead of Henderson and North Las Vegas by converting to a single-stream recycling program has dogged the commission for years.

The program has been the subject of endless debate and several studies since it was proposed in 2005.

Proponents for the program argue using a single, garbage-can-size cart for all recyclables is easier and more convenient than the current three-bin sorting system.

But concerns linger about the trade-offs, which include the loss of twice-weekly trash pickup in exchange for weekly recycling pickup.

Expect a packed house at Tuesday’s meeting, which could be the only chance for the public to weigh in on the matter before the commission votes on it.

Road hazard

The commission will likely approve a $32,500 settlement as part of its consent agenda Tuesday with a man who sued the county after a 2009 motorcycle accident.

Ronald Bishop was riding his Harley-Davidson near Decatur Boulevard and Reno Avenue on June 12, 2009, when he crashed into a concrete divider and was thrown from the bike.

In the lawsuit filed against the county, Bishop contends that the divider was in the travel lane he was driving in and that it was not marked properly with a reflective yellow pylon.

According to supporting materials provided by the commission, Bishop incurred $90,000 in medical bills from his injuries and initially sued the county for $100,000.

The District Attorney’s Office and outside counsel support the $32,500 settlement to avoid the costs and expenses of further litigation.

Gold rush

Efforts to restart operations at the century-old Coyote Mine near Searchlight surfaced in November.

Needed permits and waivers to begin mining gold at the location west of U.S. 95 in the Opal Mountains since have been delayed several times in order to finalize details about the size of the mine and the scope of its operations.

On Wednesday, the zoning commission will hear two items as part of the consent agenda that, if approved, would clear the way for mining to start.

According to Nevada Milling and Mining LLC, the company that owns the mine, the operation could create 40 to 60 jobs and an $8.5 million economic boost to the state.