THE SALINAS CITY COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A RATE HIKE FOR REPUBLIC SERVICES TRASH PICK-UP IN THE CITY. THE COUNCIL VOTED 6-1, WITH JOSE CASTANEDA DISSENTING. THE JUST-UNDER-2 DOLLAR INCREASE-PER-BILLING CYCLE (FOR A STANDARD 32-GALLON CONTAINER) IS EXPECTED TO GO INTO EFFECT AUGUST 1ST.