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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.17.2003COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 17, 2003 4:30 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Kincaid, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty. Moved by Jordan, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Tim Shea, Superintendent of Waste Management Services, reviewed the proposed Yard Waste and Recycle Schedule for 2004. Mr. Shea reported that four additional weeks of yard waste pickup has been added to the calendar. The calendar includes one week for pickup of recycling materials for each month. Mr. Shea stated if the council decides to increase the number of pickups, we may have to look at increasing the fee. Mr. Shea asked that the council make a decision on the calendar by mid -December, so that the schedule can be mailed to the customers. Councilperson Clark stated he does not think there needs to be a week for pickup of recyclables at the end of December, but he would rather have an additional week of yard waste pickup. Councilperson Clark suggested that the week for pickup of recyclables in October and November be eliminated and use those weeks to pick up yard waste. Mr. Shea responded that the city has a contract with a contractor to pick up the recyclables once per month. Mr. Shea stated that pickup of yard waste was increased for the summer months because of the heat. Mr. Shea noted that the revenue generated by the number of customers will pay for the additional four weeks of yard waste pickup. Mr. Shea stated that a lot of the citizens joined the program for the pickup of recyclable materials. Councilperson Welper asked what the cost would be for a vacuuming system. Mr. Shea responded that the vacuum could cost between $180,000 and $185,000, plus additional equipment and labor costs. Mr. Shea stated that customers can have more than one can and pay $3.00 per can per month. Mr. Shea stated that he would need additional capital funds to pay for additional carts. Mr. Shea reported that we are probably generating 300,000 tons of yard waste per year at a cost of $75,000 per year. Councilperson Greenwood noted that Cedar Rapids allows high producers to have paper bags to set alongside the container as long as they pay for the program. If they don't have a container, they are not allowed to use bags. Councilperson Greenwood noted that multi cans are hard for citizens to store. Councilperson Getty commented that the bags could mean additional manpower to pick up the bags. Councilperson Getty reminded the council that the program has only been active for one year, and he suggested that we monitor the program for one more year. Councilperson Clark stated he likes the program, but would like the month of November to be dedicated to yard waste pick up without pickup of recyclables. Councilperson Hurley asked Mr. Shea to ask the contractor for the recyclable materials about not picking up the recyclable materials in October or November and report back to the council. Mr. Shea responded he would check with the contractor, but reminded the council there will be people who will call because they joined the program as a way to recycle. Councilperson Hurley asked if there was a better way to communicate with the citizens regarding the schedule. Mr. Shea responded that the calendar is mailed to the customers. The City Clerk suggested that calendar be shown on the government access channel. Councilperson Clark stated that he originally supported not charging citizens to drop off yard waste at the Waste Management site, but he now has changed his mind. Councilperson Getty stated if we decide to charge for the citizens to drop the yard waste at the site, then we need to let people know early that there will be a charge. Council Work Session November 17, 2003 Page 2 Mr. Shea updated the council on the neighborhood cleanups. Mr. Shea reported he has had meetings with the Neighborhood Coalition Association to come up with ideas, and there have been some good collaboration. Mr. Shea updated the council on the mowing/cleanup of nuisances. Mr. Shea reported that almost 300 properties were mowed this year. Mr. Shea suggested that the five day notification to property owners is not enough time as some time there is bad weather or the equipment is down, and it is too short a time for property owners out of town. In addition, oftentimes the property has to be cleaned before it can be mowed. Mr. Shea noted that property owners receive a ten day notice to clean up lots, and he is suggesting that the same amount of time be given to property owners to mow their property. Mr. Shea stated that approximately 75 percent are repeat offenders. If they have additional violations in the same calendar year, then the fee is increased. Mr. Shea stated that he would like to work with Lou Cutwright to give prolific nuisance designation to some of the property owners. Councilperson Getty stated he feels the unpaid fees should not be assessed to the property owners, but the city should put a lien on the property as Black Hawk County can forgive the assessment. Councilperson Welper agreed and noted that is why it is advantageous for some property owners to have the city mow or clean the lots. Councilperson Getty stated that Mr. Shea has a plan which would have the Neighborhood Associations clean and mow the lots, and the city would pay the associations. Councilperson Hurley asked Mr. Shea to write a memo to the council with all the suggestions made tonight and schedule another work session or ordinance committee meeting to look at the current ordinance. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Jordan, seconded by Welper that the meeting be adjourned at 5:05 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk