Waste Reduction & Recycling Board

CITY OF ANOKA WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING BOARD Meeting Minutes December 11, 2024 Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Jones at 5:00 p.m. in the Committee Conference Room of Anoka City Hall. Roll Call Board Members Present: Chairperson Knapek (arrived at 5:30 p.m. – Vice Chair Jones continued as acting Chair), Vice Chair Jones, members Brenda Belland, Jan Call, Sue Dergantz, Marijo Hain, and Eileen Rathbun. Staff Present: Pam Bowman, Recycling Manager Others Present: None Approval of November 13, 2024 Meeting Minutes A motion to approve the November meeting minutes was made by Member Hain, seconded by Member Belland. Member Rathbun noted on page 2 the typo of the word “disappoint” should be “disappointment”. 7 ayes – 0 nays. Motion passed. Old Business Subcommittees Reports ● Multi-Unit Program 1 Bowman reported she finally received the tonnage information from Republic Services for the three Walker buildings. She had been waiting since July. She said she hadn’t had a chance to review it, but the tonnage will be added to the yearend report. Member Rathbun said her mother lived at Walker and at the independent housing they recycle, but at the assisted living they do not. Bowman said the assisted living may be considered a business, but that they should still offer recycling, unless they cancelled the service with Republic Services.  Organics Program – Bowman reported that the large amount of contamination was an isolated incident; renters moving out of a house adjacent to the site. Identifiable evidence was collected at the site. Public Services cleaned up the site. Police contacted and fined the person(s) responsible. Very supportive feedback via email from participants. They love the program and want it to be sustainable. Thank you to Member Belland and Vice Chair Jones for the latest monitoring duties. Should Bowman look into a trail cam/bird house-type camera system? Yes, and VC Jones will ask a family member who is very familiar with the trail cams industry. Member Belland said to find out the length of batteries for a trail cam. VC Jones asked if the site has a sign specifically indicating no garbage allowed. Bowman said it is referenced, but there may not be a specific sign just noting that. She will check on Thursday morning. Member Dergantz said the large gate was open this morning and another huge pile of flowers was in the dumpster. Bowman reported after the contamination clean up, she did find some Styrofoam peanuts in a large compostable bag with flowers. She tried to pull out as many as possible. VC Jones said Styrofoam peanuts are accepted at the Coon Rapids Recycling Center. The program now has 242 participants. 2  Each member will come back to the January meeting with at least one idea on how to boost participation.  Little Free Library – Members Belland and Hain recently added more books to the library. Member Hain did not see any contamination.  Soles4Souls Program – Bowman will be requesting tonnage information in early January for yearend report. Member Rathbun had nothing new to report. Members agreed this is a great partnership. ACE Solid Waste’s Annual Report Update. Bowman reached out again last week suggesting to meet in February or March. The rep was out of town. Still waiting on response. Still waiting on word of a meeting with Anoka County and ACE regarding the huge tonnage discrepancy. Anoka County Booth of Farmers Market on the Rum. Bowman reported that Heidi Blum from Anoka County would like to host the booth once per month (June, July, Aug. Sept.). Bowman suggested to the members letting her choose her dates and the WRRB host additional dates as needed. Member Rathbun suggested Ms. Blum host the second Wednesday of each month since the WRRB members would be at their meeting. 2024 Accomplishments and 2025 Goals. Members reviewed both categories and determined the following: Bowman informed the members that goals are not due until March because Council will be determining their goals first in February. Boards & Commissions will then know the Council’s goals and can align with any as they fit. Vice Chair Jones asked if there were any suggested changes. Member Rathbun said the annual events should be included. VC Jones said anything about the spring and fall events that we would claim – like head count or tonnage collection. #5 was added below. Member Hain and Chair Knapek suggested adding reuse events; citywide garage sale with reuse event, Little Free Library and Souls for Souls. 2024 Accomplishments revised: 3   Expressed interest to City Council of a potential recycling center in Anoka; toured local facility to conduct research.  Proactive community engagement at the Farmers Market on the Rum to promote recycling and organics programs. (Member Dergantz said to change to “Engaged proactively with the community at the Farmers…”)  Provided educational information to residents about proper battery and e-waste recycling.  Grew the organics drop-off program to more than 240 participants.  Continued annual residential recycling events; spring & fall, curbside, drop-off, and the pumpkin smash. 2025 Goals revised:  Boost participation to 300+ participants and continue education in the organics recycling drop-off program. Chair Knapek asked to please include continue education.  Host and monitor an organics/compost recycling station at the Farmers Market on the Rum.  Continue to share information about safe battery recycling, especially lithium batteries.  Host at least one swap event and one reuse event.  Focus on education as it relates to recycling of plastic cups during the Anoka Social District season.  Offer a variety of topics for the RAW newsletter targeting both beginning and experienced recyclers. New Business Recycling Rate Increase. Council approved (1st reading) a 40 cent recycling rate increase and will vote on the 2nd reading on December 16th. This will raise rates to $5.15 and $4.40 effective January 1. Bowman reminded members that at the Annual Report to Council in April, we relayed to them that there would be an increase in 2025, but that we didn’t know that amount yet. She said between the Finance Department and her, they didn’t get the increase in the master fee schedule before Council approved it, so this is going back to Council as an amendment to the master fee schedule. 4 This is for administrative fees which will help to fund a part time employee to take over much of the recycling duties to allow Bowman to focus more on her main role with city communications. Spring & Fall Recycling Events. Bowman reported that the Alpine Ski Team has chosen not to participate in the drop-off events in the future. She asked members if they wished to continue collecting clothing and if so, did they have any suggestions on who to contact. Bowman suggested the Disabled Veterans, nothing they may be able to staff it. She prefers finding a group that can provide its own volunteers. Member Rathbun suggested Stepping Stone, Vice Chair Jones suggested a high school organization – another sporting group – or the National Honor Society. Bowman said she will contact the Disabled Veterans. Vice Chair Jones said she will look into the school organizations if needed after hearing back from the Disabled Veterans. Bowman asked if there are additional items members want to consider collecting at the 2025 events. A book collection was discussed again, but based on volume and storage needs, it was decided against. Member Rathbun said Three Pesky Penguins and R Marketplace have book shelves. Chairpersons Communication Board Meeting. Bowman reported the Chairpersons met on December 4th. The hot topic was Advanced Metering Infrastructure. She said the meeting notes would be distributed soon to all Boards & Commissions. Communications 2025 Meetings & Activities Schedule. Members reviewed. General Recycling Questions Member Rathbun asked if plastic lids should remain on chicken broth containers for recycling. Yes. Chair Knapek asked about the wrapping around Fairlife milk. It was determined that is a “label” and can stay on the container. Member Rathbun asked if we are following up with Ridwell. Bowman said because they do not yet service the Anoka area, it may be best that Ridwell reach out to Anoka County and start with the Recycling & Resource Solutions department. 5 Member Call asked about deli meat wrappers. Member Dergantz said cut off the zipper and remove the labels prior to recycling. Member Call asked about pill bottles. Member Dergantz said put small pill bottles inside larger #1, #2, or #5 plastic for recycling. January Meeting Agenda – This is the annual meeting so it will follow general review items and follow up on old business. Black plastics will be added to the agenda per Vice Chair Jones. Adjournment - The meeting adjourned at 6:18 p.m. 6