Concerned Inland Empire residents lost a fight to stop a garbage processing plant from opening in their neighborhood.

The Pomona City Council on Monday night approved a 10 and a half acre, $14 million dollar waste transfer station. A large crowd of opponents protested the vote, accusing supportive council members of selling the community out. Most hailed from the city's low-income third district where the proposed site is scheduled to be built. 

Pomona officials say the garbage plant will generate 50 full-time jobs and generate over a million dollars in annual revenue for the cash-strapped city. Critics say it will lead to a more toxic environment in a neighborhood already reeling from serious health issues.

KPFK reporter Agnes Radomski was at the very contentious city council meeting. She files this report from the Inland Empire. 

Emotions ran high as several longtime Pomona residents pleaded with council members during public comment to reject a proposed garbage plant. The final vote to approve the franchise agreement, allowing Valley Vista to move forward with the 10.5 acre plant in Southeast Pomona, left the crowd disappointed and angered.

The two council-members who voted in opposition to the ordinance were Cristina Carrizosa and John Nolte. Council-members Adriana Robledo, Paula Lantz, Ginna Escobar and Debra Martin voted in favor of it.

The proposal to build the plant was approved by Pomona’s City Council a year and a half ago, but criticisms of the plan led to a deadlock and delay in the project. This, in turn, resulted in a lawsuit against the city by Valley Vista, the plant’s operators.

During public comment, opponents expressed environmental concerns and health risks for southeast Pomona residents. Some said that they didn't want their city to become a dumping ground. 

But others spoke in support of the plant.

Valley Vista claims that the plant would produce annual revenue of one million dollars and would remain environmentally friendly. Because it’s state law, no hazardous waste would be accepted. Valley Vista could not be reached for comment.

Councilmember Martin assured critics of the plan that she supported their concerns but said potential ongoing litigation with the operator would be devastating to the city’s finances.

Council member Carrizosa, who represents the third district, said the lawsuit was an attempt at intimidation and vowed to support those who live in the low income neighborhood surrounding the proposed plant. She pushed for a motion to table the matter, allowing the City Council to re-convene at another time.

The second opposing Councilmember, John Nolte, spoke at length about the need for further investigation into the effects of the station, before making any critical decisions.

Arturo Jimenez, president of the Pomona Valley Democratic Club, exchanged words with Council-member Adriana Robledo as she exited the chambers.

Valley Vista can now move forward with obtaining permits to begin construction on the plant immediately.