HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.20.2003 (2)• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
February 20, 2003
8:30 a.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Kincaid, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty.
Moved by Getty, seconded by Greenwood that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
The council met to discuss the FYE04 Budget. Mayor Rooff reviewed the alternatives proposed
for the Sanitation Budget as discussed at the February 17, 2003 council work session.
Councilperson Jordan stated he didn't get any complaints from citizens regarding the proposed
$1.00 per month increase for garbage services. Councilperson Welper stated he heard from a
man with the small garbage cart who thought $1.00 per month increase is unfair for those with
the smaller carts. Councilperson Kincaid stated that everyone he talked to agreed with the $1.00
per month increase after he explained the need for the increase. Councilperson Getty stated he
would like to go with the $1.00 per month increase rather than a percent per month increase.
Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, explained the cost per customer at 9.09 percent per
customer monthly increase for garbage services. The net increase would be $265,000.00 per year
using the 9.09 percent increase, which is close to the yearly increase of $278,532.00 if the
garbage rates were increased $1.00 per month per customer.
Councilperson Getty stated that the council needs to discuss overflowing garbage cans as it costs
$33.00 per ton at the landfill, and overflowing cans over the entire town increases the cost of
garbage services.
It was the consensus of the council to increase garbage rates $1.00 per month per household.
Tim Shea, Superintendent of Waste Management Services, discussed the bulk item pickup
program. Tags would be required for disposal, including items to be disposed of at the
neighborhood cleanups. Fees would be charged for each appliance picked up. Mr. Shea
explained that new regulations prohibit the disposal of appliances in the landfill that contain
freon, mercury, capacitors, or thermostats. To help cover the cost of disposal or de -
manufacturing, residents will be required to purchase and attach a city disposal tag. Tags will be
sold at the Waste Management Services Department for the following:
Air conditioners, dehumidifiers, freezers and refrigerators would be disposed of at a cost of
$12.00 per item. Clothes dryers, clothes washers, dishwashers, kitchen ranges, oven/stoves,
microwaves, furnaces, thermostats and water heaters would be disposed of at a cost of $4.00 per
item. The basic bulk item pickup rate will be $10.00 for ten items with each tagged appliance
counting as one of the ten items. Appliances dropped at neighborhood cleanups are subject to
the same required tag. Automobile, pickup and SUV tires will be accepted with approved
stickers at a cost of $3.00 per tire. Mr. Shea stated that TVs and computers are not mandated by
the new regulations.
Councilperson Hurley asked if citizens would be willing to subsidize bulk item pickups with a
higher increase in garbage fees. Councilperson Hurley asked what irnpact changing the bulk
item pickup program will have on the city's goal of cleaning up the city. Mr. Shea responded
that some citizens will throw those items in the ditches.
Councilperson Getty stated the average household will get rid of a refrigerator or clothes dryer
once ever ten to fifteen years, and it won't hurt them. It will hurt those contractors who get paid
to pick up large appliances then put them in with the neighborhood cleanups.
Councilperson Hurley suggested that the tags for the bulk items also be sold at the City Clerk's
office. Councilperson Jordan stated he feels people will be willing to pay for the bulk item
pickup, but we will need to advertise the bulk items.
Council Work Session
February 20, 2003
Page 2
It was the consensus of the council to include the bulk item fees with the ordinance to increase
the garbage rates.
Councilperson Kincaid stated he accepts the bulk rates, but would have a problem charging those
rates during neighborhood cleanups. Councilperson Kincaid suggested allowing one appliance
per household without cost during the neighborhood cleanups. Councilperson Getty stated if we
allow the appliances to be picked up during neighborhood cleanups, he does not feel anyone
would pay the bulk rate. Mr. Shea asked what about the household that would bring another
water heater at the next neighborhood cleanup.
Councilperson Clark stated that this is not a penalty to anyone, but the city is just trying to
recoup our costs.
It was the consensus of the council to implement the tag program for appliances, and the cost per
item will be approved along with the ordinance approving the $1.00 increase per month for
garbage rates. It was agreed the new programs will be televised on Government Channel 15 and
that Neighborhood Services will contact the neighborhood groups.
Bob Bamsey, from Earth Tech, suggested when creating the educational program for Channel 15
that the clip shows why it costs to pick up the items and also film the process for disposing of the
items. Mr. Bamsey encouraged the council to get with the appliance dealers so that the city's
program is not so cheap that the appliance dealers will want their customers to put their old
appliances on the curb for the city to pick up.
Council Members discussed the yard waste program. Mr. Shea reported that it costs the city
$100,000.00 last year for the fall and spring yard waste pickup program. Councilperson Jordan
asked Mr. Shea to provide the council with the yard waste expenses for free yard waste pickup
program vs. citizens purchasing the bags.
Mayor Rooff stated he asked Mr. Shea to look at the city having a composting site, but it costs
$25.00 per ton of yard waste at the landfill. Mayor Rooff stated he also suggested a clean burn
with the Fire Department.
Councilperson Hurley reported that he received three telephone calls from people who thought
the yard waste cart is a great idea. Councilperson Hurley suggested that the city do a survey
prior to implementing the program to see if we have enough interest. Councilperson Hurley
asked what can citizens do with the yard waste bags already purchased. Mayor Rooff stated that
we could use July 1 as the final date to use the bags.
Councilperson Getty noted that we are increasing water, sewer, garbage and yard waste pickup
fees, and he is concerned for all the elderly people on fixed incomes who won't be able to afford
to participate in all these programs. Mayor Rooff stated the council has the ability to look at
other parts of the budget to make cuts.
Councilperson Welper suggested the possibility of each household owning the yard waste carts.
The city could sell the carts to the citizens at a discount rate. Councilperson Welper stated
citizens could call in when they want to have the cart picked up. Councilpersons Clark and
Greenwood liked Councilperson Welper's suggestion. Councilperson Welper stated we could
make it a truly volunteer program. Mr. Shea stated that the program would have to be on a
collection basis, whereby customers only put the cart out when it is full.
Mayor Rooff stated we need to look at the costs before the council can make a decision on the
yard waste program.
Mr. Shea noted that only 25 percent of the population participates in the yard waste bag program
while 100 percent help pay for the program.
Mayor Rooff asked Councilpersons Welper, Getty and Greenwood to work with Mr. Shea to
come up with a yard waste program.
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Council Work Session
February 20, 2003
Page 3
Eric Thorson, City Engineer, reminded the council that the Storm Water Management Program
adopted by the council said we would have a yard waste program in place.
Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, presented information on the bonded debt
outstanding at June 30, 2002.
Mayor Rooff noted that property tax supported bonds outstanding at June 30, 2002 totaled
$54,940,000.00, which is about one-half of our capacity. The total bonds outstanding at June 30,
2002 was $90,415,000.00.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Jordan that the
meeting be adjourned at 10:11 a.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk