HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-02/18/2019COUNCIL WORK SESSION
February 18, 2019
4:30 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Members present: Morrissey, Klein, Schmitt, and Juon. Absent: Jacobs and Amos. Mr. Feuss
arrived at 3:49 p.m.
Moved by Juon seconded by Schmitt that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Voice -vote
Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
Objective: Presentation of the FYE2020 Code Enforcement budget.
Maria Downing, Foreman, provided an overview of the Code Enforcement Department budget.
Council members discussed Code Enforcement Department operations and the proposed FY2020
Code Enforcement Department budget with the Foreman.
Objective: Presentation of the FYE2020 Animal Control budget.
Sandie Greco, Traffic Superintendent, provided an overview of the Animal Control budget.
Mr. Feuss arrived at 3:49 p.m.
Council members discussed Animal Control operations and the proposed FY2020 Animal
Control budget with the Traffic Superintendent.
Objective: Presentation of the FYE2020 Sanitation budget.
Randy Bennett, Public Works Director, provided an overview of the Sanitation budget.
Council members discussed Animal Control operations and the proposed FY2020 Sanitation
budget with the Director.
Objective: Discussion of recycling program and sanitation fund.
Randy Bennett provided an overview of the recycling program and contamination problems in
city recycling and the increased cost associated with the contamination. He outlined three
options for helping with recycling issues. These options included taking the curbside recycling
to Cedar Valley Recycling without a contract, purchasing our own separate cans for yard waste
while rebidding the recycling process, and contracting out curbside recycling collection. He
suggested pursuing option three with the caveat of requiring the 23,000 accounts to do single
stream recycling. This would reduce the cost of the program and material going to the landfill.
He would look to the vendor to take over the blue containers and eventually purchase brown
containers for yard waste. The goal of this change would not be to reduce staffing.
Mr. Morrissey questioned if the drop off locations are on a scheduled pick up.
Sam Barrett, Sanitation Supervisor, explained that Sundays are challenging, as there is not any
recycling pick up on that day. However, he believes Rite Environmental does a good job of
picking up at the sites.
Mr. Morrissey questioned if all of the sites have cameras.
Sam Barrett, explained that none of the sites currently have cameras.
Mr. Morrissey questioned if the cameras will come back to catch violators.
Randy Bennett explained that they can look at getting cameras back at the location.
Mr. Morrissey questioned if recycling bins were being contaminated from April to November
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Sam Barrett explained that December is the worst month for contamination and it improves
during January, February, and March.
Mr. Morrissey questioned the cost to the city of contamination in the yard waste containers.
Sam Barrett explained that the biggest issues are machine breakdowns and debris coming out of
the machines.
Mr. Morrissey questioned if the three distinctly separate carts would help catch violators.
Randy Bennett confirmed it would help eliminate contamination by having a distinctly different
type of can for yard waste.
Mr. Schmitt questioned if one of the proposed options was already attempted before.
Michelle Weidner confirmed that it had.
Mr. Schmitt questioned where the city does dumpster collection.
Sam Barrett answered that dumpster collection is city run, not contracted out.
Mr. Schmitt questioned if it might be worth it to look into the garbage burning system that Ames
uses.
Sam Barrett confirmed it would be.
Michelle Weidner explained that the last time garbage burning was proposed the amount of
garbage at the time was manageable.
Mrs. Juon questioned what choices the homeowners would have for participating in collection.
Randy Bennett explained that the blue cans would remain as recycling, a yard waste container
would be brown, and they would want to require recycling and leave yard waste pick up as an
option.
Mrs. Juon questioned the budget request to have an Assistant Public Works Director.
Sandie Greco explained that down the road it may be advisable to look at hiring an Assistant
Public Works Director but as of right now that request is not being made.
Mr. Feuss questioned if there would be any changes in scheduling when it came to trash pickup.
Randy Bennett answered that they were thinking about more frequent collections, starting with
twice a month single stream collection.
Mr. Morrissey questioned if the recycle sites could be taken out of service if everyone is required
to participate in the curbside recycling program.
Randy Bennett confirmed that could be a possibility.
Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, provided an overview of all the departments funded
from Sanitation fund balance, and the future expenses needed for the Sanitation fund.
With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Schmitt seconded by Juon that the
meeting be adjourned at 4:48 p.m. Voice -vote Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Kelley Fele e
City Clerk