HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/18/91CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
March 18, 1991
5:00 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Mayor McKinley, Brown, Hudak, Dell, Fox, Angel
and Wright.
The Agenda, as proposed, was approved.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Yard Waste
Committee's recommendation on yard waste burning.
John Meyer, Public Works Director, stated that the current
ordinance allows burning through December 1, 1990. The Yard
Waste Committee's recommendation is to allow burning during five
weeks in the fall, except Sunday, and that burning be banned in
1992. The committee felt that 1991 should be used as a
transitional year and allow for marketing of the burning ban and
prepare citizens for 1992. Although this was not an unanimous
recommendation of the committee, it was a majority opinion. Mr.
Meyer stated that it was now up to the Council to accept the
recommendation, liberalize it, or ban burning completely.
Councilperson Brown questioned why the committee exempted Sunday.
The idea behind this recommendation was that there should be one
day where no burning is allowed. Although it was stated that
this exemption may be hard to enforce, it was stated that policy
for enforcement must be developed that could include a fine
schedule for violators. Mr. Meyer also stated that consideration
should be given to mailing each garbage customer a notice of the
City's ordinance on burning.
It was stated that many large communities in Iowa have banned
burning including Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Dubuque. Mayor
McKinley asked for council input on whether the City of Waterloo
should adopt a similar policy.
Councilperson Wright suggested that the City wait to address the
issue until the Iowa Legislature has acted to force cities to
adopt such a ban. The State of Iowa has done air samples in
Waterloo and at times the City has reached its attainment level.
Depending on when and where the sample is taken, determines
whether such a ban could be imposed by the State.
Fire Chief Stan Stapella stated that burning becomes a great
source of neighborhood conflict. They currently enforce the
ordinance on a nuisance basis, often ending with pitting neighbor
against neighbor. The Chief indicated that he, as Chief, could
still impose a burning ban if atmospheric conditions were such
that burning was a danger.
Councilperson Angel stated that she was against a burning ban if
there is no affordable alternative. Mr. Meyer stated that
whatever the Council's decision was, city staff stood ready and
willing to enforce the Council's decision.
It was the consensus of the Council that the Committee's
recommendation be liberalized to allow three weeks of burning in
the spring (April 7 - 27, 1991) and five weeks in the fall
(October 27 - November 30, 1991). It was also the Council's
intent to ban burning in 1992. Penalties and enforcement issues
will need to be addressed at a later time by the Council.
With no further business before the Committee, the meeting was
adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Larry P. Burger
City Clerk/Auditor