HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/03/92CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
February 3, 1992
5;15 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Mayor Manning, Angel, Buck, Brown, Budak, Dell, Fox
and Wright.
The Agenda, as proposed, was approved.
John Meyer, Public Works Director, presented the final report prepared
by the Waterloo Recycling Advisory Committee, a copy of which is on file
in the office of the Clerk/Auditor.
The Committee was appointed by former Mayor Bernie McKinley to address
state mandated waste reduction requirements. The first goal is to
achieve 25% reduction in landfill solid waste by July, 1994, and a
second goal of 50% reduction by July, 2000. The State has designated
recyclable materials as the top priority in meeting these goals.
Previous steps taken to reduce yard waste were a first step.
Committee members present were introduced. The Committee met eleven
(11) times between June 4, 1991 and January 22, 1992, formulating their
recommendations.
The goals of the Committee were:
1) Formulate recommendations for the reclaiming of recyclable
materials within the City of Waterloo.
2) Formulate recommendations for the initiation and maintenance
of a volume -related solid waste disposal fee for Waterloo's
residential garbage customers.
3) Develop recommendations for a public relations and education
campaign to implement the programs recommended.
The objectives of the Committee were:
1) Review the existing solid waste collection practices currently
being carried out by Waterloo city forces with respect to
garbage, refuse, yard waste, and large item collection.
2) Review existing revenue sources and expenditures within the
Solid Waste Fund that affect garbage, refuse, yard waste, and
large item collection and disposal.
3) Review current available practices and technologies for the
separation of recyclable materials from the garbage and refuse
waste stream.
4) Review available equipment that may be used and available for
household recyclable separation and handling.
5) Review available equipment and practices for the collection of
recyclable materials at curbside.
6) Review rate alternatives currently in practice and available
for use to recover the cost of garbage, refuse, yard waste,
and recyclable collection and disposal.
7) Review working programs in other communities.
8) Prepare a written report that summarizes findings and make
specific recommendations to the Waterloo City Council.
Existing city services and characteristics, including costs and revenues
were reviewed.
The Committee's recommendations were as follows:
1) Garbage and refuse collection should continue at once a week,
City Council Work Session
February 3, 1992
Page 2
2) Continue with the curb side collection of yard waste with City
crews, with consideration given to designating drop-off
locations.
3) Supplement yard waste collection and street sweeping program
with fall leaf collection during the 3-4 week heavy leaf fall
period.
4) Reclaiming of recyclables--two types of drop-off methods were
presented including: (1) Drop-off locations within 2 miles of
most households, and (2) staffed drop-off locations in 2 or 3
locations within the City. Curb side collection of
recyclables was discussed with city crews collecting 4 types
including old newsprint, clear glass, metals, and #1 and #2
plastics. The City would collect recyclables weekly from a
container purchased by the City and assigned to the occupant.
In addition to recyclables, the City would collect 15 gal. of
garbage (in a container provided by the City). This entire
operation would be provided by City staff with one (1) person
operators.
5) Return to spring and fall clean-up week, and eliminate the
current large item collection system.
6) No changes to current street sweeping operations.
The estimated annual operating budgets for the above recommended
services were itemized with a total cost of $3,400,000. Estimated
initial start-up costs are $1,354,000. A state grant may fund start-up
costs leaving a need to generate $591,000 locally.
One of the goals of the Committee was to recommend volume -based rate
system. The following alternatives were suggested:
1) A 15 gal. subscription container would be supplied to each
dwelling unit. A monthly charge of $8.25 would be established
for collection of this 15 gal. container and any recyclables.
Any trash generated over and above the 15 gal. container would
be collected only if a tag or coupon were attached to the bag
at an additional rate of $1.75 per bag (30 gal. 50 lb.
maximum).
2) A basic monthly fee of $5.00 would be charged to recyclables,
with each bag of refuse/garbage required to have attached a
coupon at a charge of $1.50 each.
After discussion, it was determined that the City seek public input on
the recommendations with an eye toward development of a consensus plan.
It is hoped that curb side pick-up could commence as early as Fall,
1992. Gary Wilcox, Director of the Solid Waste Commission, reported
that the Commission may have some match money for start-up costs. It
was noted that enforcement provisions are the responsibility of the
Solid Waste Commission through its permitting process with the
Department of Natural Resources.
Bill Dotzler, Committee member, thanked the city for the fine staff
support received from John Meyer. He encouraged the City to keep the
City of Cedar Falls abreast of our actions.
The Committee was thanked for an excellent report.
With no furtherbusiness before the Work Session, the meeting was
adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Larry P. Burger
City Clerk/Auditor