Sustainable BC Committee

City of Battle Creek Sustainable BC Committee 10 N. Division St. Conference Room 302A Battle Creek, MI Wednesday, November 13, 2013 4:00 p.m. Members Present: Kathy Antaya, Susan Anderson, Michael Myszka, Devon Gibson, Tiffany Eichorst, Comm. Andy Helmboldt, Christine Kosmowski, Randall Champlin, Ken Kohs Members Absent: Chris Simmons and Becky Spicer Others: Vicki Houser, City Clerk Call to Order: Kathy Antaya called the meeting to order at 4:05 PM. Ms. Antaya noted that a quorum was present. Public Comment: There were no public comments. Approval of Minutes: Kathy Antaya asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes. A motion was made by Mike Myszka, supported by Randall Champlin, to approve the minutes of the October 2, 2013 meeting. All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: None Old Business: 1. Waste Management Recycling Contract Changes Ken Kohs, Utilities Director, stated the City was looking to reduce the amount of refuse that goes to landfills, while increasing recycling throughout the City. Mr. Kohs further stated the garbage pickup is mandatory in the City per ordinance, due to resident concerns with trash at residential properties in the past. Mr. Kohs stated the service has been bid several times, noting the last contract was in 2009, ending the first 4 years at this time. Mr. Kohs stated that although Waste Management provided the lowest bid, the level of service and reliability they provide are most important. Mr. Kohs noted the current contract with Waste Management included a 3% cost increase to residents per year, the same increase the new proposal contained. Mr. Kohs introduced the guests in attendance: Kevin Boyce, Public Sector Representative, Tim Lucas, Local District Manager and Bruce Brotherton, Regional Manager, all from Waste Management (WM), and Kimberly Newman, Recycle Bank. Mr. Boyce made a presentation to the Committee, “Moving Towards Zero Landfill Contribution,” presenting Waste Management’s sustainability goals. Mr. Boyce stated their goals were to triple the amount of recyclables collected, to double the amount of electricity they generate for local communities, to develop alternative uses for waste streams, to decrease emissions by 15% and to improve fuel efficiency 15% by 2020. 1 Mr. Boyce discussed their proposal to the City to alter the pick-up of recyclables from weekly to bi- weekly, noting the benefits to the residents, the City and Waste Management. Mr. Champlin expressed a concern that residents may have difficulty remembering which week to put out their recycle totes. Mr. Boyce stated the company provided newsletters and a calendar with the municipality pick up dates. Mr. Myszka asked how the program would be enforced for apartment complexes. Mr. Kohs stated service through Waste Management was mandatory for multi-units with 4 units or less. Mr. Kohs noted participation in recycling programs tended to be lower in high rental concentration areas, stating he was hopeful the new totes would encourage more participation. Mr. Brotherton noted homeownership vs. rental has a different impact on refuse and recycling participation. Mr. Brotherton stated the new recyclables totes have shown increased participation in other municipalities. Mr. Brotherton stated Waste Management also partners with the local media and schools to educate and encourage recycling. Mr. Lucas noted the new single stage recycling program has also shown increased participation. Mr. Brotherton noted the 3% cost increase per year was based on the full package, including recycling carts and future Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) truck utilization. Kimberly Newman, Recycle Bank, discussed the organizations benefits to local communities, noting they are a leader in education, outreach and engagement, with a primary focus on improving recycling. Ms. Newman stated the Recycle Bank program helps to change residents’ behavior by providing information on ways to be more eco-friendly. Ms. Newman also discussed Recycle Bank’s “Green Schools” initiative, providing grants to promote environmental education in local schools, thereby encouraging the next generation to be eco-friendly. Ms. Newman stated members were incented to recycle on a community basis, not on an individual basis. Comm. Helmboldt asked if Recycle Bank would need a separate contract. Mr. Brotherton stated the Recycle Bank program would be part of the contract negotiations, stating Waste Management realized Recycle Bank was more successful, stating they were investing in Recycle Bank. Mr. Boyce stated WM’s platform was built around increasing recycling through education, keeping information in front of residents, stating they can build sustainability with Recycle Bank’s web site program, driving education through schools and community events. Mr. Lucas stated they could provide different programs based upon amount disposed, noting other communities’ problems with new “Pay as you Throw” programs, citing one issue has been people dumping in other residents waste so that they do not have to pay for dumping. Mr. Lucas stated the current proposal demonstrates Waste Management’s investment in the sustainability initiative, stating it would be a partnership with longevity. Mr. Kohs stated the City did not need to take bids on a new 10 year contract, they simply needed to approve an ordinance amendment for the biweekly pick up of recyclables. Mr. Kohs noted the uniform 2  container helps to educate and encourage participation in the recyclable program. Mr. Kohs also noted the requirement to convert to CNG vehicles would not be part of the agreement. A motion was made by Kris Kosmowski, supported by Mike Myszka, to make a recommendation to the City Commission to amend the refuse ordinance to include bi-weekly pick up of recyclables, to include new recycling carts and a 10 year contract extension. All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. Ms. Eichorst stated the Recycle Bank website provides a lot of information on their program and community statistics, noting there is not a fee to register. Mr. Kohs stated the previous Green Rewards program was not very successful, stating he was more interested in the education and information, than the rewards. Mr. Kohs also noted Waste Management has been a tremendous partner to the City, continuously providing public education assistance. Mr. Champlin asked if Waste Management could assist with battery recycling. Mr. Kohs stated the City would need to look at other programs for battery recycling. Comm. Helmboldt asked if they could request a fee adjustment on the new contract extension, stating the 3% is a good rate, noting again it is not more than the current increases, but requesting Mr. Kohs inquire as to a lower annual increase as the contract would be for 10 years.. Ms. Eichorst noted the current service includes 3% increases every year, stating the new contract extension is not more than the current 3%. Mr. Kohs noted he could ask Chris Huff of the Purchasing Department to negotiate the contract, cautioning that this may impact the services provided. Ms. Kosmowski asked if WM gives businesses, churches or schools any type of incentive to contract with them, stating higher rates may be an obstacle to recycling. Mr. Kohs stated he would ask WM if they can provide more favorable rates to businesses within the City. Mr. Myszka expressed his concern this would appear that the City was promoting a vendor through incentives, disenfranchising other refuse vendors. Ms. Anderson asked if the new contract extension could encourage a commitment from WM to convert to CNG within the term of the contract. Mr. Kohs concluded that he would discuss the Committee’s concerns regarding possibly lower annual increases, encourage a commitment to convert their vehicles to CNG use, performance data information and educational programs and information. Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 4:00 PM in Room 302A. Adjournment Ms. Antaya adjourned the meeting at 6:11 PM. 3