Appointed Committees

RECYCLING AD HOC COMMITTEE May 16, 2016 5:15 pm Page 1 Committee Members Present: Borgi Beeler, Kevin Connole, Julie Haro, John Reynolds, Miranda Schuler, Dave Schwengler, Dave Shomento, Jason Sorenson, Shannon Straight, Sean Weeks Members Absent None Others Present: Kelly Matalka, Donna Bye, Nancy Simpson, Mia Dillard, Josh Wolsky, Jill Schramm, Lee Staab Chairperson Schuler brought the meeting to order at 5:15 pm Review and Accept Minutes Jason Sorenson moved to approve the minutes from the May 5, 2016 Recycling meeting, seconded by Dave Shomento and motion carried. Review Suggestions from Public Presentation Chairperson Schuler called the meeting to order and began by distributing the comment cards from the public meeting for the committee members to review. According to public input, there was a great deal of concern over the size of the trash bins. Mr. Reynolds explained, the bins come in 48 gallon, 68 gallon, and 95 gallon options. Once automation is approved by City Council, a card can be sent out with the water bill allowing the residents to choose which size bin they want. If no selection is made, they will automatically receive the 68 gallon tote. There was discussion of implementing a pay as you throw program where an incentive could be used to produce less garbage. Households using a smaller can could pay a lower rate than households using the larger can. Mr. Reynolds stated, the exact costs are difficult to determine since there are still too many unknown factors such as the number of cans to purchase, which company they will be purchased from and possible funding sources. Mr. Sorenson stated the City can implement automation in 2017 without increasing any costs but the sanitation department will still operate at a deficit. Chairperson Schuler said, at some point the issue needs to be addressed. The group agreed that tipping fees should be increased at the landfill to prevent abuse of the dumping policies. It was determined the Code of Ordinances could be amended to resolve the issue. Mr. Staab entered the meeting and responded to questions regarding how specific the recommendation to City Council should be. He explained, the recommendation should lay out a time line like the committee has discussed and afterwards, during the budget review process, he will work with the department to determine cost estimates and funding sources. The committee decided automation should be included in the 2017 budget as well as the costs for the design of a transfer facility and required infrastructure. The costs for constructing the transfer facility will be included in the 2018 budget once those costs are identified and after the facility is complete, the City RECYCLING AD HOC COMMITTEE May 16, 2016 5:15 pm Page 2 can roll out recycling. The committee determined the plan should take effect incrementally which gives time for the automation process to be learned and to spread the educational aspect to the public. They also discussed different funding options such as MAGIC Fund, Community Facilities grant, and using sales tax 1/3 penny. Upon questioning by Mr. Shomento as to what happens to the trucks that are currently used, Mr. Reynolds responded by saying they could be repurposed and used in other areas or it could be an option to sell them. Chairperson Schuler reminded the group that the plan hasn’t been approved yet. The final budget will be approved in September so until then, the idea needs to gain as much support as possible. Mr. Straight stated how important it is to make sure the public knows where funding will come from. The residents know that nothing comes for free so they need to understand how this will affect them financially in order to get on board. Mr. Staab suggested the committee leverage the Public Information Officer to spread awareness and educate the public. Mr. Sorenson stated the education aspect will be two-fold, first to ensure residents know how to place the bins for automated collection and secondly, when curb side recycling takes effect, how to properly sort items. He continued by saying, the Public Information Officer can post videos on social media and on the City website. Mr. Reynolds stated the sanitation department will be adequately staffed to handle the increase in phone calls when the bins are distributed. Mr. Connole made a motion to include automated trucks and the necessary trash receptacles in the 2017 budget; include the design phase for the transfer facility and required infrastructure in the 2017 budget; send mailers requesting residents choose a can size in late 2016 and early 2017, with the default size for no response being 68 gallons; include construction costs of the transfer facility in the 2018 budget; roll out recycling in 2019; and implement two, city-wide trash collection events per year, one at the end of May and one in mid-October for residents to dispose of larger sized trash. Motion seconded by Mr. Shomento and carried by the following roll call vote: ayes: Borgi Beeler, Kevin Connole, Julie Haro, John Reynolds, Miranda Schuler, Dave Schwengler, Dave Shomento, Jason Sorenson, Shannon Straight, Sean Weeks. Nays: none Mr. Staab stated, if the recommendation is approved by Council, he will request quarterly updates from the Public Works Department on the project in order to keep citizens involved. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:16 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Kelly Matalka City Clerk