Committee for a Better Environment

Approved; 042017 Pay as you Throw/SMART Committee Meeting City Hall - Council Chambers March 15, 2017 Present: Suchitra Balachandran, Janis Oppelt, Matt Dernoga, Bob Stumpff, Gemma Evans, Todd Larsen Absent: Christine Nagle Guests: Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary (via telephone) The meeting started at 7:35 pm. 1. Discussed the writing and presentation of the brochure which will outline SMART. a. Verbiage needs to be kept simple and every document on SMART should contain the exact information. b. Need to address the most frequently asked questions. c. Define SMART and what it is. Why does SMART work? d. Where does trash go? How much will it cost me? Who else is doing this program? What about bulk trash? e. Add in actual statics. f. Put in comparison information/questions such as, “How would you feel if you paid for someone else’s water or gas bill?” All utilities are billed based on usage; why shouldn’t trash be the same? g. Put in photos of the landfill sites. h. Must educate the Council and the public. CBE could host an educational workshop. 2. City Council will review the report prepared by the SMART committee in a work session. The work session will be broadcasted, but no public input will be taken. All Council members need to understand the program. 3. Mr. Stumpff mentioned that he tried to speak with MES today. The Western Branch not only takes in trash from Prince George’s County, they are also taking it in from Takoma Park, which is in Montgomery County, and Arlington, Virginia. He raised the question as to why we are taking trash from out of the county and out of state, but he hasn’t received an answer yet. He also indicated that MES is still trying to open up a site in the northern part of Prince George’s County, but it may be another two years. Neither site will take food waste. 4. Mr. Dernoga indicated he will work on the landfill section and State of Prince George’s County section of the report and have it completed by the end of the week. Mr. Stumpff said he is finalizing the revenue piece. 5. Dr. Balachandran will put the report on the Google share drive for the committee to read and make comments and suggestions.  6. If the Council votes for the SMART program, most likely it will start 6-9 months after the vote. The committee members will need to distribute the brochures and speak to all civic associations in College Park. 7. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, April 5 at 7:30 pm in Council Chambers The meeting concluded at 8:30 pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.