HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/26/94COUNCIL WORK SESSION
September 26, 1994
4:00 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Murphy, Collier, Jordan, Krizek,
Getty.
Members absent: Anders, Mollenhoff.
Moved by Krizek, seconded by Collier that the Agenda, as proposed,
be approved. Ayes: Five. Absent: Anders, Mollenhoff. Motion
carried.
Mr. Dick Grimm, Street Superintendent, presented alternative
actions for the council to take to address leaf pickup or burning
this fall. Mr. Grimm provided a cost analysis and comparison for
the four options.
No change in the yard waste pickup policy would result in increased
revenues, no change in operating costs but may increase the amount
of illegal dumping which occurs.
The establishment of a free drop off location would decrease
revenues by $14,000 and increase operating costs due to the need to
man the site to prohibit illegal dumping. However, this option
does not serve those residents that are unable to haul their yard
waste to the site.
Free curb side pickup would decrease revenues by $24,000 and
increase operating costs between $82,000 and $109,000 this fiscal
year. The increase costs are attributed to vehicle costs, labor
costs and the cost of a de -bagger to be jointly purchased by the
cities of Waterloo and Cedar Falls.
If the Council would make an ordinance change to allow burning
revenues would be decreased and operating costs would increase for
the landfill operations and Fire Department. The City would have
exposure for EPA regulations and lawsuits similar to one filed in
Moline, Illinois for ADA discrimination by persons with breathing
problems.
Discussion was heard on ways to decrease the costs of a free curb
side pickup with either utility crews being used or labor being
supplied through the Department of Corrections.
Councilperson Jordan raised the issue of privatizing the leaf
pickup. He believed that private haulers would be able to provide
the service more economically if RFP's were prepared. Mr. Grimm
stated that this may be looked into in the future but time would
not allow for preparation of the RFP before action would be needed
as leaves were already starting to fall.
Mayor Rooff requested that Councilperson Jordan and Mr. Grimm meet
with him during the next week to arrive at a workable alternative
to recommend to the Council for action on September 29, 1994.
Mr. Grimm summarized the current recycling efforts and the annual
costs associated with these efforts for the Council. He provided
three concepts for recycling and volume based garbage for the
Council to consider.
The Council could increase the number of recycling sites to 13 and
add cardboard recycling to each site for an additional cost of
$111,900. This in conjunction with a one bag limit would make
strides in the goal of 50% reduction of landfill waste as mandated
by the State of Iowa.
Council Work Session
September 26, 1994
Page 2
A second alternative is the establishment of a MRF system that uses
a private contractor to sort the recycled material from the garbage
and then haul the waste to the landfill. The cost for this type of
operation is estimated at $422,754 per year.
The Armstrong Company has proposed a privatized curbside recycling
system which is estimated to cost $7.00 per month per household for
an annual cost of $1,104,000. This is the same recycling system
that was used on a trial basis last year.
Mr. Grimm is recommending the Council approve the increase of the
number of recycling sites and use volume based garbage as an
incentive for recycling.
Mayor Rooff proposed that the Council develop a solution which
increases service through large item pickup, free leaf pickups and
property cleanup by utility crews. Discussion was heard on
retaining the $10 monthly fee and providing additional services but
placing a two bag limit for a volume based garbage system.
It was agreed that this item be tabled until October to evaluate
the concept of retaining the $10 fee and the associated costs of
providing additional services.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by
Collier, seconded by Jordan that the meeting be adjourned at 6:00
p.m. Ayes: Five. Absent: Anders, Mollenhoff. Motion carried.
Susan Fangman
City Clerk