City Council

November 1 2021 Regular City Council Meeting Mon, 11/8 11:30AM • 52:24 SUMMARY KEYWORDS recycling, questions, council, human relations commission, bid, community, facility, alderman, liaison committee, Evans, starting, project, maps, comments, city hall, numbers, review, issues, motion, move SPEAKERS Harold Stewart, Paul Pitner, Lisa Olson, Steve Podrygula, Lance Meyer, Carrie Evans, Kelly Hendershot, Mayor Sipma, Tom Ross, Mr. Hofer, Mark Jantzer, Jason Sorenson, Kelly Matalka Lisa Olson 04:51 I call to order the November 1, Minot City Council Meeting. As just a reminder to everyone in our audience please silence your cell phones or devices so they will not disrupt us during the meeting. Roll call please. Kelly Matalka 05:03 Evans, Carrie Evans 05:04 Here Kelly Matalka 05:04 Jantzer, Mark Jantzer 05:05 Not Available Kelly Matalka 05:05 Olson Lisa Olson 05:06 here, Kelly Matalka 05:07 Pitner. Paul Pitner 05:11 -1- Transcribed by https://otter.ai Here, Kelly Matalka 05:12 Podrygula. Steve Podrygula 05:13 Here, Kelly Matalka 05:13 Ross Tom Ross 05:14 here Kelly Matalka 05:14 and Sipma Mayor Sipma 05:15 Not Available Lisa Olson 05:16 Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 05:32 Lisa Olson 05:38 Item number three is our city manager report. Harold Stewart 05:45 Evening Council, uncharacteristically, I do have a few items to cover here briefly for the benefit of the council and the public. But before I get into that, I wanted to see if there were any questions or follow up with regards to the city manager report that's included in the packet. Seeing or hearing anything, so there's a few things first one is I just want to give a brief legislative update as we continue to work with our partners with regards to progress of the different committees with regards to the state legislature, particularly with regards to the ARPA funding and how that will be distributed. So far, it does seem that the proposals do look favorably upon some of the requests that might not have made, including some potential funding for flood mitigation and some other aspects like that. So those do to continue to move forward positively, as well as reinstatement of funding for the port and the Children's Museum. The Discovery Center looks like both of those have unanimous support going forward. So those projects that continue move forward positively for our community, assuming that all the politics play out as anticipated here over the days that they meet. With that, I do want to invite a couple of staff to come forward and give some updates as well. And including the city clerk, Kelly Matalka, with regards to just a brief update on the auctioning of the liquor licenses that was closed out recently. And then I've also asked Lance Meyer, our city -2- Transcribed by https://otter.ai engineer to give an update with regards to some meetings we've had with FEMA regarding flood mapping and those types of things. City Clerk Kelly Matalka 07:30 Mr. Stewart and the city council. The bids for liquor licenses were opened on October 26. We had four bids received. They were submitted by STL of North Dakota doing businesses target Wine and Spirits in the amount of 210,000 served more for my not doing business as Safari fuels 104 and the amount of 130,000. Terry Peterson doing business as the blue rider for 101,998. And M&S concessions doing business as the tracks for $100,005. So those applications were sent to the police department, they'll conduct the background checks and ensure that the applicants qualify for the license. And then the recommendations will be brought to the City Council at the next meeting November 15. Lisa Olson 08:15 Thank you, are there any questions for the city clerk? All right, thank you, Mr. Meyer. Lance Meyer 08:31 Good evening, Madam President, members of council, I wanted to provide an update to our FEMA for map remapping process that if those that aren't familiar with it have been going on since starting in 2007. So just to back up in time a little bit. We received our preliminary maps back in June of 2017. And for the next couple of years, we work with FEMA to review those maps and provide technical comments to them up until December of 2019 when FEMA took those preliminary maps, and in put them in the queue to become effective. So that was slated to happen in the in the summer or excuse me in the fall of 2020. Pending minus appeal. In October of 2020. We did officially appeal those floodplain maps. And those comments that we had sent to FEMA went to their headquarters for review. We heard back here just recently that they have reviewed the comments. And while they haven't officially denied our appeal or accepted our appeal, what they've done is they've taken our technical comments, and essentially said that Minot you have a pretty strong case here. We think you have some pretty good data and we want to take that and incorporate it into new maps. So effectively what that means is is FEMA starting this process over revising these maps, the hydraulics and hydrology that goes into them and will submit draft maps back to us probably sometime in the summer of 2023. What that means is providing Minot would not submit another appeal, the earliest that those maps would go effective is sometime probably in the fall of 2024. So, I think that's good news for us a, it buys us some time to work on our flood control project, which would shorten that window of the timeline when maps go effective to the certification of our first few phases of flood control to take some of those sections of the valley out of the official floodplain. So, I think that's good news for us. And depending on what FEMA comes up with in this next round, we'll review that like we did before. And if we think an appeal is warranted, then we'll communicate that with the council and take those next steps. I do want to remind the community though, that at some point, we will have changes in our floodplain maps that will take the floodplains out of the river banks as they are right now. Meaning that folks with federally backed mortgages would be required by laws to have flood insurance. And generally speaking, if you're near a river or a stream, or water body, it's always a good idea to have flood insurance. So just because the maps aren't going effective, that should not prevent the public from contacting their insurance agent and discussing their options for flood insurance. I just wanted to present that information to the council. And if you have any questions, I'd be happy to try to answer those. Lisa Olson 11:51 -3- Transcribed by https://otter.ai Thank you. Any questions for Mr. Meyer? Alderwoman. Evans. Carrie Evans 11:55 So, for people in the floodplain, who do have flood insurance right now, this would not sort of status quo right now. Right, they shouldn't see their rates, like wildly go up. Lance Meyer 12:09 President Olson and Alderwoman. Evans, that's correct. So, if you're within the valley right now, and you're in a x shaded zone, which is the 500-year floodplain, that's the majority of our Valley, you qualify for what they call the preferred rate. And you would receive a lower premium. And that will stay the same, you know, barring the increase that the federal government typically puts on those, but it would be a status quo Carrie Evans 12:38 until the new maps and everything will sort of be reevaluated. Lance Meyer 12:42 that's correct. Okay. FEMA is also put out a new way that they rate policies called Risk Rating 2.0. So, there's more factors now that go into reading flood insurance policy. So that's why it's always important to contact your flood insurance agent talk through those. Carrie Evans 12:57 Thank you, Mr. Meyer. You're welcome. Lisa Olson 12:59 Any further questions? See none. Lance Meyer 13:03 Thank you. Lisa Olson 13:03 You're welcome. Anything further in your report, Mr. City Manager. Harold Stewart 13:09 Just to follow up with Lance, there will be a press release that's are prepared by staff. They'll be released to the public tomorrow morning with regards to the FEMA updates as well. So the other media or citizens can look to the city website for further information there as well. But I don't have anything further this evening. Lisa Olson 13:25 Thank you. And I will ask the city attorney to come up as she is coming up in air forgot to welcome troop 433 There's many of you here tonight. So welcome, troop 433. You are working on your citizenship in the community badge. So welcome to our city council meeting. Hope you enjoy it and hope you learn something. All right. City Attorney, Kelly Hendershot 13:50 -4- Transcribed by https://otter.ai President Olsen and other members of council I presented a written report and I'd be happy to take any questions. Lisa Olson 13:56 Any questions for the city attorney? Seeing that there are none. Kelly Hendershot 14:00 Thank you. Lisa Olson 14:03 All right, we will move on to our consent items. And that is items 5.1 through five point 17. I have not been asked to pull any at this time. Is there any that need to be pulled? Is there anyone in the audience that would like an item pulled? If it is not pulled? It will be passed on staff recommendations? item that needs to be pulled? See none are the wishes of Council. Carrie Evans 14:33 Move to pass the consent agenda for items 5.1 through 5.17. Steve Podrygula 14:40 Second. Lisa Olson 14:41 All right. That's been passed and seconded. Is there any discussion among the council members? Any discussion? See none call the roll please. Kelly Matalka 14:51 Evans. Carrie Evans 14:51 Yes. Kelly Matalka 14:52 Olsen? Lisa Olson 14:53 Yes. Kelly Matalka 14:53 Pitner? Paul Pitner 14:55 Yes. Kelly Matalka 14:56 Podrygula. -5- Transcribed by https://otter.ai Steve Podrygula 14:57 Yes, Kelly Matalka 14:57 Ross. Tom Ross 14:58 Yes. Lisa Olson 15:02 All right, we will move on to our action items. And the first action item that we have this evening is item 6.1, the City Hall rehabilitation to approve plans and specifications and Call for Bids. So, we'll call up our city engineer. And I believe then we'll have a presentation following that. Lance Meyer 15:22 Thank you again, Madam President. Tonight, I have with me Eric Hofer from JLG. We'll be going through our one of our last check ins here with the City Hall project. So, we're at now in this process is basically we have our construction drawings ready. And I've already advertised. And we're asking Council to approve the plans and specs so that we can go for bids. Thank you, Mr. Hofer Mr. Hofer 15:52 Good evening, you should have some information in your packets. Same information that'll be on the screen here tonight. Most of this is just recap information. So, I'll scroll through it pretty quickly and kind of highlight the changes of the high points that have changed since last time I presented. Just wanted to reiterate the goals and aspirations that were established by the building committee at the beginning of this project. These are items that we read that we revisited throughout the process, making sure that all the decisions that we were making throughout cater to these six main ideas being City Hall should be a welcoming facility to encourage civic engagement. Stewardship is important to maximize the impact of taxpayer resources staying on budget, top talent, the facility should act as a tool to recruit and retain the best staff wanted to foster collaboration and teamwork amongst the departments. The facility should be flexible spaces that adapt to the ever changing technological and staffing needs. And finally, we'll want the facility to be user friendly. This is the overall schedule. So here we are today at right before the bidding phase here for an update, be looking to gain approval to move into the bidding phase, and actually put this out for competitive bid. After the bidding, we would look to be back in front of you on the first the first meeting in December to review the bids and make some recommendations on the path forward. And then construction starting shortly thereafter. And anticipating about 15 months in total for construction on this project. These are the floor plans these haven't changes. They're just here for refresher. And if there's any questions, I'm happy to take those I'll just keep going to the presentation for now. We can come back here if there's any specific questions or comments on the floor plan. So, to scroll through these There we go. Also have the renderings that we presented at the last Council meeting. As well again, just for a refresher to jog your memory. This is the new exterior, the south side of the of the old Wells Fargo building being the new entrance to City Hall. The interior shot right as you're coming into the facility off of that main entrance, with utility building and the assessor’s department on either side with a central circulation core down the center. And your new city council chambers of you as you walk in from the back looking towards the dais the budget this one has changed -6- Transcribed by https://otter.ai since the last meeting. So, I wanted to just quickly recap this still tracking a $13.8 million total project budget with a about a 5% contingency as we come in to bid. Again, the contingency is there for unknown things that come up during the course of construction, very important on, you know, an interior remodel project, especially right now tracking at about $13.2 million total for the base bid project, putting us at about $600,000 under budget and then tracking a number of alternates that we reviewed previously, totaling $1.6 million. Again, those alternates are there. If you get favorable numbers on Bid Day, you're able to take those we do have to take them in order in order to meet the procurement requirements for the federal funding. So yeah, overall tracking pretty well under budget going into bid. setting ourselves up well for a hopefully a good competitive bid environment. So that's my presentation happy to answer any questions or comments you may have Lisa Olson 19:53 any questions for Mr. Hofer? Any questions? See none. Thank you. Thank you. All right. And we do have a question before us and what would be the wishes of the council regarding going into the bidding process. Carrie Evans 20:13 I move to approve the plan specifications. Oh, what's up? Oh, Lisa Olson 20:19 Alderman Pitner. Alderman Pittman. Did you make a motion? Paul Pitner 20:23 if you were looking for a motion? Yes, I am. Lisa Olson 20:25 So, we only heard part of you. You did make the motion. Paul Pitner 20:30 Correct. Lisa Olson 20:31 All right. Thank you. Alder woman Evans, you're seconding? Carrie Evans 20:34 I certainly will. Lisa Olson 20:35 All right. Any discussion? Any discussion? seeing none Call the roll? Kelly Matalka 20:41 Pitner? Paul Pitner 20:43 Yes -7- Transcribed by https://otter.ai Kelly Matalka 20:44 Podrygula? Steve Podrygula 20:45 Yes. Kelly Matalka 20:45 Ross? Tom Ross 20:46 Yes. Kelly Matalka 20:47 Evans? Carrie Evans 20:47 Yes. Kelly Matalka 20:48 Olson Lisa Olson 20:48 Yes, Motion passes. Item 6.2 excuse me, is Miscellaneous boards and commissions While reviewing city ordinance, it was brought to the attention of staff that there are two committees the Minot Human Relations Commission and the Minot area wide planning organization that are not currently active. The Minot area wide Planning Commission was established in 1972. And the human relation Commission was established in 1976. Staff was unable to find documentation to confirm when the last activity took place. So, the question for us is, they're looking for a recommendation to discuss what action to take regarding the mind and Human Relations Commission and the mind and area wide planning organization. Alderwoman Evans, Carrie Evans 20:57 so, I would like to separate those two, I would like to speak on the Human Relations Commission. And I am going to move that we adopt alternative number three that was recommended, which is reviewing and amending the code of ordinances relating to the committee and proceeding with recommending and approving members. I do this for a couple of reasons. One, there is no time restraints as the city manager pointed out. And I am completely supportive of the reestablishment of the Human Relations Commission. And I just believe because it has been a while we really need to review that and come back to the council with some good recommendations. And a clear vision, particularly as it pertains to, as the city manager pointed out in his memo, a lot of our visions and aspirations we came up with at our retreat. So, and I'd be happy to lead up that effort with our city attorney to review and make those recommendations. But I think moving forward with appointing members before we really, you know, dig in and clean that up and perhaps amend it might be a better order of things as it pertains to the Human Relations Commission. Lisa Olson 22:50 -8- Transcribed by https://otter.ai We have a motion on the table. Is there a second? Steve Podrygula 22:52 Second. Lisa Olson 22:53 All right, in particular, thank you. Any discussion related to this motion? Alderman Podrygula? Steve Podrygula 23:00 Yeah, thank you. I'd like to speak in favor of this. From my historical perspective, we've had activities such as this in the past, when I first moved to my knot, there was a very active might not Commission on the Status of Women. My wife was a member of that for several years, and it kind of fell by the wayside in the 1980s. I think it was focused on a word called issues of gender equity, more traditional family issues like a daycare, things like that. They've not gone away. And I think now the kinds of groups the kinds of people who might have a stake in better human relations, more improved human relations have widened. And I think we'd be a good time to take a good look at this. And if we can get everything modernized, and up to snuff, I think to very seriously consider reinstating it. As I said before, many of the issues that were considered have not gone away. In fact, I think they're more strongly implicated now in our success as a community, and one of the issues the state is struggling with is workforce development. And it's very hard to work even if you want to work and have the training to work if you don't have a place to take care of your kids. And that is again, traditionally been labeled as a women's issue or family issue. But I think it certainly has to do with the welfare of a of a significant portion of humanity and even a portion of our community, namely our kids. Lately, I think there's been more concern about issues related to gender identity to sexual orientation, things like that. In particular, we've had a big push to recognize the contributions of our indigenous peoples, that the tribal nations on whose original territory we live now. So, I think there are several groups now that would be more implicated, more impacted by these kinds of issues, and I think it'd be worth taking a good long. Look at that. Lisa Olson 24:55 Thank you. Any further comments? Any comments from the audience? All right, so the motion on the table is to adopt alternate three for the Minot human relations commission. call the roll. Kelly Matalka 25:13 Evans. Carrie Evans 25:14 Yes. Kelly Matalka 25:15 Olsen? Lisa Olson 25:15 Yes. Kelly Matalka 25:16 -9- Transcribed by https://otter.ai Pitner? Paul Pitner 25:20 Yes. Tom Ross 25:20 Ross. Yep. Lisa Olson 25:22 Motion passes. What are the wishes regarding the mining area wide Planning Commission? holder in particular, Steve Podrygula 25:31 I'd also like to see us take a closer look at this. In fact, I would move that we again, begin a similar process to what Carrie just proposed for the human race or Human Relations Commission. Lisa Olson 25:45 There a second. Second. For the comment holder and political Steve Podrygula 25:51 Thank you, the reason I'm suggesting we move ahead with this move head was exploring it is that again, we've been called by the citizens and I think our better selves to look more carefully at how the various governmental entities in the community can work together. We have had for many years, the Liaison Committee between the school board this the park board, the county and ourselves, unfortunately, that typically deals with very mundane issues like the phone lines in the 911. Center. Again, that's on a mundane issue, critical issue. But it really has never looked at this more substantive issues of how we coordinate our services, how we plan together, how we work together, to do what's best for the community to develop a vision, what's best for the community. I think the council has done some significant things in that area, particularly most recently, when we deliberately held back on our budget to give more of a chance to the school board to have the voters pass their bond initiative, we'd be looking at a very significant improvement in the quality of the educational system in the community. And it's one of those things where I think we if we talk together, if we work together, if we plan together, the results are more likely to be positive for everyone. So, I think there is a precedent in terms of us informally, agreeing to support each other. But really, there's no forum for that. I also understand that as communities get bigger, I think briefly as if they cross the 50,000 thresholds, there are federal requirements that we have various planning bodies. So, you know, in Grand Forks, they have won between the city of Grand Forks and the city of East Grand Forks to coordinate things. And one of the things they're looking at now is a new Red River Bridge, which having lived in Grand Forks for years, I can tell you is really needed, particularly during harvest season with the beat trucks. So those are the kinds of things that I think other communities are doing, and I think we should look very carefully at doing ourselves. So that's why I would like us to take a careful look at this to Lisa Olson 27:50 any further comments. Alderwoman. Evans, Carrie Evans 27:52 - 10 - Transcribed by https://otter.ai can I ask them a particular clarifying question? Sure. What so in my motion, I sort of had suggested maybe me in the city attorney lead up the effort at review and recommendations. Who are you seeing as sort of the leads on the planning wide? That might not area why planning review? Just so we have some direction instead of just saying, hey, yeah, let's do that. Right. Steve Podrygula 28:16 I think the current membership of the Liaison Committee, I think, Mark, and Lisa, are the current members of that. And I think the the county representatives, the chair right now. Lisa Olson 28:29 Yes, yeah, Steve Podrygula 28:30 I think starting with that group coming to them and saying, Look, we'd like to give you guys more of a role, we would like to see you be more active would be a very good first step. I also think the city manager should be part of that, because he's been meeting regularly with the administrative staff of the other governmental entities. And I think he's starting to form the kinds of positive relationships at the staff level that we really need and have. So, this, is there another meeting scheduled for the Liaison Committee? Lisa Olson 28:55 Not that I'm aware of, okay, Steve Podrygula 28:57 I think in the past, they've met maybe quarterly, sometimes months and months have gone by with any without any meetings, meetings. And if the community is growing, if the issues facing us continue to be there continue to grow. That doesn't strike me as being a very good use of our resources in our in our collective brainpower and our collective organizations if we just let things happen. So, I think to answer your question, Carrie, I would propose that the two members of the liaison committee and Mr. Stewart kind of take the lead with that and kind of talk with the liaison committee and see what their thoughts are, because obviously, we can't do it on our own. There has to be willingness on their part. Yeah, Carrie Evans 29:30 I just like to have sort of an action plan. So, I think that's a good idea. Thank you. Lisa Olson 29:32 Okay. Any further comments? Seeing none, call the roll. Kelly Matalka 29:39 Podrygula Steve Podrygula 29:40 Yes, Kelly Matalka 29:41 - 11 - Transcribed by https://otter.ai Ross? Tom Ross 29:41 Yep. Kelly Matalka 29:42 Evans. Carrie Evans 29:42 Yes. Yes. Kelly Matalka 29:44 Pitner? Paul Pitner 29:46 Yep. Lisa Olson 29:47 Motion carries. Alright. That moves us on to item number seven, which is personal appearances. And this is an opportunity for anyone in the audience to come forward and to address the Council on any items that have not been on our agenda. So, if there's anyone that would like to come forward at this time, you're more than welcome to do so. Seeing none, we will move on to item number eight, 8 which is Miscellaneous and discussion items. 8.1 is the recycling update presentation. So we'll ask Mr. Sorenson to come forward and give us an update on recycling. Jason Sorenson 30:30 Madam President, members of council, thank you. The last time we spoke about recycling, this council gave me the direction to go ahead and start designing the transfer station, and some of the landfill entrance improvements and things that we've been talking about. So that work is done, those projects are out for bid. And one of the things we talked about the last time we spoke was kind of revisiting the cost analysis, see how times have changed and kind of what the markets look like for whether we jump into recycling or not. So. So the state of recycling, I guess, is what I've titled today's short presentation, just kind of showing where we are and kind of where we're heading. So, we currently have two projects that are out for bid, those bids will be opened this week. We have the transfer facility that opens on Thursday, that's two. That's the building construction conveyor compactor and site work for that facility all by itself. That's a Thursday bid opening. And currently, the estimated costs about three and a half million dollars. We've been back and forth, I guess we just released an addendum, our original intention was to have that facility constructed by next fall. There's a depending on which contractor you talk to, there's upwards of a year lead time to get a steel building delivered. So, try to keep our prices down, we've lengthened out our construction timeline, so as to not try to accelerate projects faster than they need to be. And really kind of where we're sitting, it doesn't get a recycling program implemented any quicker if we get the building constructed in October versus April or June of next 2023. So, the other project is the landfill entrance improvements. That'd be the entrance road, st worked for the scales of water main extension, that bid opens tomorrow. And that's about a $1.7 million project. So, we will open those bids this week, we'll put together some recommendations, and we'll bring those recommendations forward at the November 15 council meeting is our current plan. So, recycling - 12 - Transcribed by https://otter.ai markets have really changed I guess in the last in the last year or two that we've been talking about this back in 2019, before we started designing the facility. Basically, when we take a ton of recycling to a Minneapolis recovery facility, they charge a processing fee, and that that number has been hovering somewhere in that $76 range is kind of without really bidding it and getting somebody under contract, you don't really know what it's going to be. But currently, that's kind of the number that we've been using. So back in 19, the rebates on the material that you bring was only bringing about $60 per time, so the city would hold material, their pay to process it. And then the rebate really wasn't even covering the cost of the processing fee. So, 2021 analysis, basically the numbers have been rising gradually throughout the entire year, we're still kind of processing fee is kind of in that same ballpark number 76. But the year to date, average per ton is $160. So instead of us paying the net of $16 per ton, we're receiving $84 per ton. So pretty, pretty marked increase in those, those numbers, those prices still reflect our program excluding glass. If we were to include glass, that annual average is about $128. So, you know, those are some things for us to keep. Keep in mind, I guess as we decided to move forward. Those numbers are like I said, that's a year to date average. So, they were pretty low beginning of this year, and they're really high right now. So, the August rebate was somewhere around about $230 a ton. So, I asked some of the people that run the recovery facilities in Minneapolis to give me you know, what's, what's happened. Why, what's going on, you know, so back in we've talked about this before, but back in 2007 When China passed its national sword policy, they set an extremely low contamination rate for imported recyclables. And then they restricted a bunch of their import licenses. So that resulted in a huge influx of domestic supply, and then really no end markets to take it to. So, there's just, it's just really, really cheap, I guess, at that point. So since then, all of that cheap supply has prompted investment here in the country. And they're more processing plants that have been built and developing these domestic markets to keep the material here in the United States. So that'll provide. And that was what I what I asked some of the questions is like, what's happening long term? What's happening short term? To know if, you know, if it's $230 a ton in August? Is it going to stay there? Is it going to, you know, what should these are long term which is a short term that might impact the so the long-term investments are obviously a long-term benefit. And then there's continued pressure from consumers to buy recycled content or materials with recycled content. So that's actually creating more demand for these recycling products. Short, short term, we've had COVID disruption. So, we would expect that to normalize and probably bring those numbers down. But from the people I've been talking to, they think that we're probably seeing the book ends of the recycling commodity prices were probably at a high now. And they think we've probably seen the low from the 2017 to 2020. area. So, in my cost analysis that I sent out about a few weeks or a month ago, I think I'd used like $130 per ton for us for our revenues. So, it's kind of in this general January here we can I think we can probably expect about a 50% or $50 per ton revenue for the next couple years, kind of as a as an average. So, for comparative comparison sake, I just I had asked the city of Dickinson if they could share their numbers with us. So, this is a chart of Dickinson's processing costs versus the rebate, they locked in on a contract back in 2018, when they started their program. So, I think they're paying about $64 a ton for processing. So initially, when they started, you can see that their rebate was in excess of what their processing costs. And then they spent a good part of a year, basically paying that net difference where commodity markets really took a dive. And then for the last about 10 months to a year here, you can see that numbers have really, really climbed I think the largest number I saw was about $185 a ton. So, their numbers might be a little bit behind. So, I would expect August and September maybe even to be a little bit higher than this. So that brings us back to the cost analysis. When you plug these numbers back into that's the very bottom number is kind of the number I've been watching. That's kind of the net cost per account per month. The 2019 analysis, we were a little bit over about $3. And now we're you know, in that dollar 50 ish range based on all the factors that have considered into our cost analysis. Some interesting information. We participate in the annual utility rate survey that 82 S does. And this was started in 2002 with communities in Minnesota, North and South - 13 - Transcribed by https://otter.ai Dakota and Montana. And it has since grown to nine states and they include the Minneapolis St. Paul metro area compares utility rates amongst participating communities. And in the 2021, I think they had about 100 communities provide information for the study, and they did have some statistics on recycling. So, of the cities that participated 88% reported that they had a recycling program. They participated in average participation rate of about 72%. And then 42% of the systems that had a program are charging a separate fee for recycling. And then the average fee was about $5.60. So, I just thought that was interesting kind of looking at the entire region and kind of where we were we would fit in there. Like I said, I would try to keep it brief. And that's kind of the state of recycling today. And I would certainly welcome any questions if you have any. Lisa Olson 39:52 Thank you, any questions, for Mr. Sorenson? Carrie Evans 39:54 Oh, always have a recycling question. So, the details such as you know If we would do glass or whatever materials, we would be asking residents to put in their bands, that's something we can work out in the timeframe. Like, we haven't made those decisions yet, like even about how often it will be collected. So, the logistics, we're still going to have some time to think through and watch those markets, see if it makes sense to add glass into the mix or take something out or things like that. Jason Sorenson 40:25 Alderwoman? Evans Yes, that's correct. You know, really, I guess I see the meeting next month, kind of as a kind of as a kickoff point, it's kind of a no go no go point. I don't foresee the council recommending to build a transfer facility and then deciding not to implement recycling, you know, a year or a year later. So it's, this is kind of the point that we've come to, and, yeah, a lot of those details can be developed over the next year and a half as we build that facility. You know, do we want to collect once a week, twice a week, that that's still kind of up in the air. trashcan size is something that we can still work out. And then yeah, including glass, excluding glass, those are, those are all still on the table. And those are things that really can be changed on the fly. You know, that's, that's part of hiring a Recycling Coordinator, we'll have to, you know, if we decide to not accept glass, and then we want to start accepting glass, you know, that that's, that's part of that education component for the Recycling Coordinator to get that out to the public and help make sure everybody's aware of Lisa Olson 41:32 it. Any further questions? Alderman Ross? Tom Ross 41:37 Very good presentation. Jason, the question that comes to mind is, since we're a regional landfill, are we are there any regulation or anything that that we can do to, for the lack of a better term, encourage the other communities that are bringing their trash to mine it to recommend they start or require they start recycling? It seems kind of, you know, we're doing it, but nobody else around us is doing it. Jason Sorenson 42:09 Alderman Ross, that's it. It's, it's a great point, it's one that we've been talking about over the last couple years is, you know, if we're going to, you know, be serious about recycling, then we shouldn't be the only ones doing it, we should try to make sure that that everybody who's bringing trash to us is doing it. You know, there's, you know, - 14 - Transcribed by https://otter.ai some communities that it makes sense for them to do curbside programs, you know, some maybe there's drop off locations, I think there's a lot of a lot of opportunity there, to offer this to the, to the larger region and figure out how to make it work. It's just at this point, I haven't put a lot of thought into it. I've been trying to concentrate on our program, kind of learn how to walk before we before we run kind of a deal, but I think there's a lot of opportunity to kind of roll this out to the region, and make it available. Lisa Olson 43:05 Thank you. Any further questions? Alderwoman. Evans, Carrie Evans 43:09 not a question. But um, Jason, I just want to thank you for walking us through this entire process. Since I've been on council, this is common you have taken, you know, your time to do the research and keep us completely apprised of developments along the way. And I really, really appreciate your efforts on this and getting us, you know, step by step to a curbside recycling program. Jason Sorenson 43:35 Thank you. Lisa Olson 43:37 Alderman Podrygula. Steve Podrygula 43:39 Thank you. I wanted to echo what Carrie said, and also offer a couple other observations first. Although sometimes we're accused of kicking the can down the road. There are times when a delay is better. And I think this is one of those times I think the markets will stabilize, we'll have a better sense of what the world economy is like, we can do some of the creative thinking and planning, like you've talked about in Carrie's mentioned, like do we do glass? Do we get other communities involved? I think we shouldn't under parties involved in the area, understand the Air Force Space has been very interested for a long time, hopefully places like Minot State and Trinity would be interested to. So, this gives us the chance to build the program up in when it starts going to have it run more fully and more effectively. So, I think in this case, the delay actually is a good thing. The second comment I wanted to make is that I really appreciate as Carrie said, you’re keeping us updated. And I wanted to thank in particular, Harold for a change in our in our council agenda policies whereby presentations such as yours, now need to be put together and disseminated with the putting out of the council agenda on Thursday, early Friday. This morning today. In fact, I received two bits of input from constituents who had seen and who had read and developed very detailed questions based on the presentation that they had accessible and available to them. So, I think already, we're seeing the positive impact of having more information out earlier. And that's a really big thing. I've favored this for many years on kind of technical and philosophical grounds. But I think now I can also favorite and speak to it on practical grounds. If people have information earlier, they have the chance to digest it, they have the chance to ask questions, they have the chance to offer much more meaningful input. And certainly, it's much easier for us to deal with things like floor plans, and project cost estimates or something is less complicated as City Hall, and something as expensive and time consuming and important as recycling when we have that information earlier. So that really has made a difference for me, and I know, several other constituents. So, I really appreciate you putting the effort in to have this ready earlier, and then presenting it as a package to us. Thank you. - 15 - Transcribed by https://otter.ai Jason Sorenson 45:49 All, I'll plan to respond to the email also, that you had CC me on this morning, I'll put together a response to a lot of the questions that that were posed. Steve Podrygula 45:59 Thank you. Lisa Olson 46:01 Any further questions, Mr. City Manager Harold Stewart 46:06 two questions and more for information to the public. And one of them does relate to the email received over this weekend in advance of this meeting with the presentation being available. First one being not to go in and answer all their questions. But I think one that's pertinent to the public is, what is the value of the city running this program versus leaving it to the private sector to address this issue? And then my second question I hear often, and I will state to the council that this is a this is a topic I get a lot of questions of when I'm out interacting with entities and civic groups and those sorts of things. So, it is something that communities paying attention to. And to be honest, there's opinions on both sides of the issue. Right, there's some that believe that it's time for the city to move forward the recycling program. But there's also a significant amount of constituency out there that doesn't believe that this is a good thing for us to move forward with. But one of the questions that has come up is should the city not move forward with the recycling program? Is the transfer station still need it? And so, I would ask for just for the public's benefit response to those two questions, the value of the city providing the services supposedly, even to the private sector to meet that need. And then the question about the transfer station. Sure. Jason Sorenson 47:20 Mr. City Manager? Yeah. So, the city might not do the program versus like some of the drop off locations and some of the other entities that are collecting some recyclables. And I guess I go back to, you know, what are? What are our goals, to recycling? To begin with, and I and I think one of the main ones that kind of prompted some of this was some of the landfill battle that we had, and that's reducing the amount of garbage that goes into the landfill. So, while there, there are some drop off locations, collecting recyclables, they're just not large enough scale to really put a dent in the amount of material that goes to the landfill. And then, you know, secondly, why, you know, why get us involved? And, you know, why don't we let these other centers, you know, develop programs? Do a Google search on why do people not recycle? And you will find page after page after page? And the answer is the same for all of them. And it's because it's not convenient. I'll admit, I'm probably a, I'm a, I'm a proponent of recycling, and I do very little of it. I'm, it's, I guess its kind of sad. But in order for me to recycle, I have to stockpile stuff in my garage. And then I have to take cardboard to a certain place cans to another place, and then find out if there's a place that takes plastic or not, you know, it's not convenient. I have a full-time job. I have three kids, I chase activities, and I have hobbies that I like to do. So, there aren't many people, honestly, that are willing to make that commitment and do that. So, if you put a garbage can in front of their door, and they don't even have to sort recyclables just put it all into one container. That's where you get participation. So, I guess that would be my main response is why should we be doing this versus somebody else? With regard to the transfer facility know, if we do not move forward with recycling, there'd be no reason to build a transfer facility at this point. - 16 - Transcribed by https://otter.ai Lisa Olson 49:31 Any further questions or comments? Thank you. All right, thanks. And with that, we are at the end of our Oh, I'm sorry, Alderman Ross. Tom Ross 49:42 Just thank you. Jason's presentation brought up a question neither for Lance or the guys from JLG. If you could address Do have any concern with any supply chain issues with the kind of aggressive timeline for concern construction of City Hall. I don't know who wants to address that. But is it? I mean, Jason says there a year out with steel delivery. Lisa Olson 50:06 We had this discussion actually at our building committee earlier this week. Tom Ross 50:12 So, it's pertinent. It's pertinent. Lance Meyer 50:15 President Olson, an alderman Ross, you know, not speaking for Jason. But I think generally, all of our construction projects right now have some risk associated with them with supply chain issues. We just bid the City Hall retaining wall project, we had a good bid, we were really concerned about steel pile and our availability to get it and what it would cost. And we're competing against this potential federal funding coming in for all these infrastructure projects. So sometimes, in these markets, timing is everything. Right? So, we're opening projects, soon, we hit the right window, we may get to get a good bid. If, if we open at the wrong time, then we might not get one we like some products are going to have longer lead times than others. And we've been trying to do our best to extend bid periods where appropriate to try to counteract some of that market variability. On our city hall project, we took a look at the completion date. And we said, well, you know, maybe it's worth our time to extend that project completion date out by a couple months just to help absorb any potential impacts, but also helps us from moving all of our operations in the dead of winter. So that's probably not a bad thing anyway. But we're appropriate. We do look at those situations and try to adjust get the best bid price we can for our citizens. Tom Ross 51:47 Thank you. Lisa Olson 51:51 Any other questions? All right. All right. Well, we have that we are at the end of our agenda. So, I will look for a motion to adjourn. Is there a second? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed same sign. I think that was probably in favor. Motion carries. We are adjourned. 52:09 Evans/Ross at 6:17pm - 17 - Transcribed by https://otter.ai