HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/03/94CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
October 3, 1994
6:00 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Roll call: Mayor Rooff, Jordan, Collier, Krizek, Mollenhoff,
Murphy, Getty, Anders.
Moved by Murphy, seconded by Mollenhoff that the Agenda, as
proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Mayor Rooff reviewed the actions taken at the previous work session
in which approval was given for 13 recycling sites with the
addition of cardboard recycling at each location. Councilperson
Krizek requested that the Corkery Company remain in compliance with
the portion of the contract which requires them to keep the sites
clean and orderly.
Jim O'Reagan of Waste Tech, a branch of Denver Construction,
presented some revised figures for the curbside recycling data.
Mr. O'Reagan stated that the cost for the MRF system was $1.78 per
household plus the additional costs for disposal per tonnage. He
stated that the current policy opens additional problems for the
City to address. He inquired who the patrons were that were
recycling. By having open sites, the City was paying for the
recycling efforts of the greater metro area rather than Waterloo
residents only. This is an increased cost to the City as the
materials are hauled away and charged on a per ton basis. The
second problem raised by current methods is the lack of
documentation on the amount of material recycled. There is no
assurance that all the materials at the site are recycled rather
than being hauled to the landfill. He explained that there are
several methods of curbside recycling; co -mingling, source
separated or blue bag. The Des Moines area is currently
implementing the source separated curbside recycling.
Bill Dotzler, 210 Poplar, addressed the work session as a member of
the Recycling Task Force organized by Mayor McKinley. He requested
that council members each receive a copy of the Final Report by the
Mayor's Recycling Advisory Committee. This report shows that the
current method of recycling was implemented to stimulate recycling
by site and wasn't intended to be used with a volume based garbage
system. Mr. Dotzler reminded the Council that there are many
pitfalls to the current method. If recycling sites are used with
a volume based system there will be an increase in roadside dumping
and increased site costs to the City.
Councilperson Anders stated that he supports the curbside recycling
effort. Councilperson Getty reminded the Council that there is a
two year agreement remaining with the landfill for measured
tonnage. Mayor Rooff requested that council members receive the
Final Report by the Mayor's Recycling Advisory Committee and after
reviewing this document discussion could be initiated again.
Mayor Rooff summarized the policy on the table for discussion which
includes changing the monthly garbage fee to $10.00 per month for
a two 30 -gallon bag limit and an additional $1.25 sticker required
for additional bags. Free leaf pickup would be offered for three
weeks each spring and fall. Large item pickup by appointment would
be re-established and code enforcement would be stepped up by newly
hired utility crews.
The council discussed the need for burning. It was stated that
requests have been received to change the code to allow burning of
vegetation and tree limbs but exclude leaf burning. Councilpersons
Anders and Jordan support the need to provide leaf pickup and are
against changing the burning ordinance. Councilpersons Collier,
Getty, Mollenhoff, Murphy and Krizek could support burning if there
weren't limited open burning times. Councilperson Krizek raised
concerns about lawsuits that could be filed. Councilperson Getty
suggested that the council try the free leaf pickup this fall and
evaluate the costs before voting to change the burning ordinance.
City Council Work Session
October 3, 1994
Page 2
A suggestion was made to include a coupon which would allow brush
to be taken to the landfill. This would be provided to residents
that are able to haul items themselves and the coupon would
alleviate the $2.50 minimum charge required by the landfill. Street
department staff indicated that the last week of October and first
two weeks of November are possible dates for the free pickup.
Councilperson Jordan stated the Boy Scouts would be heading efforts
to assist the elderly with their yard work again this year and
names of those in need could be provided to Wayne McGee.
With no further business before the work session, it was moved by
Mollenhoff, seconded by Jordan that the meeting adjourn at 6:55
p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Susan Fangman
City Clerk