HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.17.2003 (2)• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
February 17, 2003
9:00 a.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Kincaid, Welper, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty.
Members absent: Greenwood.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Clark that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six.
Absent: Greenwood. Motion carried.
Mayor Rooff stated the work session was scheduled to discuss the FYE04 Sanitation Budget.
Staff has suggestions centering around delaying purchase of garbage trucks, reboxing which may
save money using the same chassis, consideration of voluntary pick up of yard waste using yard
waste carts. New federal regulations requiring mercury switches, freon and other elements
harmful to the environment be removed from appliance before disposal have increased prices for
our bulk item pickup program. Staff will submit information on a tag program for neighborhood
cleanups. The program will still have the large bulk item pickup for $10 for ten items, but
appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, air conditioners will require an additional charge.
Tim Shea, Superintendent of Waste Management Services, presented the following alternatives
were presented:
1. Do not purchase trucks. This is likely not a feasible option because we are operating one
1993 model. The Sanitation Department has identified an option that will allow us to re -box
trucks after five years, doubling the lives of the trucks.
2. Raise base rate $1 per month, 23,211 customers times 12 months = $278,532.
3. Sanitation Department Proposal
A. Bulk Item Pickup - Tags would be required for disposal, including items to be
disposed of at Neighborhood Cleanups. Fees would be charged for each appliance
picked up.
B. Change the Yard Waste Program:
1. Purchase 8,000 yard waste carts, paying for them over 6 years.
2. Charge $4.50 per month for 12 month program. 5,500 subscribers will make
the FYE04 Sanitation Budget break even. If we aren't able to sign up 5,500
accounts, we will need to make other plans, such as delaying the purchase of
capital equipment.
Customers using the yard waste carts would pay $4.50 per month for one pick up per month.
During the months of April and November these users would have free weekly pickup of yard
waste. Approved paper bags could still be dropped off at the Easton site for a cost of $0.50 per
bag, except during April and November when there would be no drop off charge. If extra carts
are available for November, leaf pick up by request will be provided at $10.00 each per month.
The $4.50 per month fee includes the cost for labor, vehicles and disposal.
Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, stated that council could choose #2 or just #3 and
still purchase new garbage trucks. Ms. Weidner reviewed the Sanitation Truck Replacement
Program. Council could elect to replace one automated truck, rebox two automated trucks and
replace two pickup trucks in FYE04 with proposed budget if the council chooses either Option
#2 or Option #3, and we would not need to bond. We would need to replace at least one
automated truck per year.
Mayor Rooff stated that 5,500 subscribers is about 25 percent of our garbage customers.
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February 17, 2003
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Councilperson Welper stated he doesn't think we will get 5,500 customers to pay $4.50 per
month. Councilperson Welper stated he is in favor of the yard waste carts, but have customers
pay as they use the carts. Councilperson Welper stated a customer could cancel his yard waste
cart at any time and why would they want to pay in January and February when there is no yard
waste.
Councilperson Hurley asked how flexible would the city be on the drop off site at Easton
Avenue. Mr. Shea replied that other cities have schedules and stay with them. Anyone who does
not want to join the yard waste container program can still drop off their yard waste at the Easton
Avenue site. Ms. Weidner stated she felt if enough customers join the yard waste cart program,
we should be able to be flexible. The yard waste carts would be picked up by garbage route.
Councilperson Jordan asked if more customers join the program would the monthly fee go up or
down. Ms. Weidner responded we would have to adjust for that.
Councilperson Getty stated that if we don't keep to a schedule, the cost for the program will
increase.
Mr. Shea noted there are other ways to dispose of yard waste such as composting, mulching, and
taking the yard waste to the drop-off site.
Ms. Weidner stated that she is proposing we purchase 8,000 yard waste carts using bond money.
Councilperson Welper stated he feels citizens will try to lower their monthly garbage fee by
changing to a smaller cart.
Mr. Shea reported that 15 to 20 percent of customers abuse the system with overflowing garbage
carts. Mr. Shea suggested the city charge a surcharge for residents who have overflowing carts.
Councilperson Hurley stated that all customers are allowed five free yard waste bags each year.
and suggested not picking up the carts that are overflowing.
Councilperson Getty stated that when someone's garbage is not picked up, they call the Mayor's
office or council members. Sometimes the carts are half way up the driveway or they put out the
cart after the trucks have already gone by.
Councilperson Kincaid stated that a lot of times when a garbage truck goes down the street,
customers go across the street and put their garbage in their neighbors' cart, which makes it
overflow.
Councilperson Clark stated he would like to pick options #2 and #3. Councilperson Hurley
agreed with options #2 and #3.
Councilperson Clark stated he would like to change his mind as he feels we need to help those
who won't use the yard waste carts. Councilperson Clark stated we should allow bags in the fall
and perhaps in the spring. Ms. Weidner stated she would recommend selling the bags for $.30
per bag.
Councilperson Welper asked why not have the yard waste cart program a pay as you go program.
Ms. Weidner responded that would include a big capital investment for the city.
Mr. Shea stated that it would cost $40,000 to $50,000 for a computerized system, and he feels
$4.50 per month allows customers to budget for the year as it would be on the quarterly bill.
Councilperson Getty stated those areas of town with a lot of older trees have a lot of leaves, and
those customers will not want to use the yard waste carts.
Councilperson Clark stated he favors option #1 and option #2 if it includes free pickup in the fall.
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Council Work Session
February 17, 2003
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Mayor Rooff reported there are no additional Code Enforcement Officers in this proposal. Mr.
Shea reported that the bulk of users now use the $10.00 per month garbage cart. Mr. Shea stated
that most cities using the yard waste cart system get 30 percent participation.
Councilperson Jordan asked what would happen if only 2,000 customers signed up for the yard
waste cart program. Ms. Weidner responded that the city will promote the new program and will
ask customers to sign up for the program before we start the program.
Mr. Shea reported with all the extra services this year, the sanitation fund lost $62,000.00.
Councilperson Jordan asked if option #2 affects neighborhood cleanups. Mayor Rooff responded
that the neighborhood cleanups are still in the budget, and there are no changes to the proposed
budget from last year's budget.
Councilperson Getty stated that regardless if we go with option #2 or option #3, the city needs to
initiate the $12 tag for bulk item pick up of appliances.
Councilperson Jordan asked if we could do an 8 or 9 percent increase per month rather than
$1.00 per month increase.
Councilperson Hurley stated he agrees with option #2 and option #3, but along with option #3
the city would not start the program if not enough customers sign up. Councilperson Hurley
stated we need to develop an educational program, and enforce existing policies, such as open
lids, stuffed and overflowing carts.
Councilperson Getty stated he agrees with option #2 and also implement the new bulk item
program.
Councilperson Kincaid agreed with option #2 and stated he could go along with option #3.
Councilperson Kincaid stated he has a problem with how the city will monitor and wants to
make sure innocent people don't get a surcharge because of neighbors putting garbage in other
neighbors' cans.
Councilperson Welper stated he agrees with option #2 and would like the city to really enforce
overflowing cans. Councilperson Welper stated that he does not agree with option #3 as he
thought it would be a pay as you go program, but he will go along with the program.
Mayor Rooff stated it looks like the consensus of the council is to increase the garbage rate $1.00
per month and the majority of council favors option #3.
Mr. Shea suggested a moratorium be placed on changing garbage carts while the rate hate takes
affect. Councilperson Kincaid suggested the city charge an administrative fee if residents want
to change carts.
Mayor Rooff stated he feels there may be an impact on the number who will sign up for the yard
waste cart program if we still have free yard waste pickup. Mayor Rooff asked Ms. Weidner to
have figures for a percentage increase for monthly garbage fee rather than the $1.00 per month
increase.
Mr. Shea stated we will have to do something with the neighborhood cleanups and the bulk item
pickup program and is suggesting a tag system.
Councilperson Hurley stated he noticed the sanitation budget went from 13 positions to 12
positions. Mr. Shea responded that FYE04 budget does not include a special project coordinator
position who has transferred to code enforcement. Councilperson Getty stated he has a problem
with code enforcement positions being charged out of the sanitation budget. Councilperson
Getty stated that Lou Cutwright supervises Code Enforcement, and those costs should come out
of Mr. Cutwright's budget.
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February 17, 2003
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Ms. Weidner responded that if those positions are not funded out of the sanitation budget, we
would have to find other sources of funding in the general fund or reduce the general fund.
Mayor Rooff stated we would need to find other revenues or reduce the general fund somewhere
else, and people are asking for more code enforcement officers.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Clark, seconded by Jordan that the
meeting be adjourned at 10:21 a.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Greenwood. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk