HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.13.2002COUNCIL WORK SESSION
May 13, 2002
4:30 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Berry, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty.
Moved by Getty, seconded by Hurley that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six.
Absent: Jordan. Motion carried.
The council reviewed the ban on burning of yard waste within the city. Mayor Rooff stated his
office receives calls from citizens pro -burning and against burning.
Councilperson Jordan now present at 4:37 p.m.
City Clerk Nancy Eckert stated that her office received a letter from Alane Houck, 122 Kingbard
Boulevard, requesting the city place a ban on burning within the city.
Councilperson Hurley stated he receives calls and letters ten to one against burning.
Councilperson Welper stated the comments he receives are also ten to one in favor of banning
burning. Councilperson Welper stated that during the municipal election, he said he would be in
favor of placing a ban on burning.
Councilperson Greenwood stated he is an advocate of clean air. Today he talked to a dozen
people and three or four tried to change his mind on banning burning. Most of the people in
favor of burning have a large amount of leaves to dispose of. Councilperson Greenwood stated
in his business he sees a lot of kids needing an inhaler to breath in the fall.
Councilperson Jordan requested that the council not just ban burning but to establish alternate
programs. Councilperson Jordan stated that people tell him they have the right to burn.
Mayor Rooff stated that we currently offer a free leaf pickup program and have discussed a
transfer station. The cities of Cedar Falls and Evansdale allow burning. Mayor Rooff stated the
reason the city has taken no action on burning is because we thought the state would provide
legislation regarding burning.
Councilperson Clark stated he does not see how the city can totally ban burning until we have a
city policy on how to get rid of leaves. Councilperson Clark stated he supports a limited time to
burn and more stringent enforcement of the current ordinance. Councilperson Clark stated that
citizens with large trees need a way to get rid of the leaves. Councilperson Clark stated he does
not support a ban on burning.
Councilperson Getty stated he supports burning, and that there are at least 100 citizens who want
to burn compared to those who do not want burning. Councilperson Getty stated that he cannot
support banning burning until we have a place to put the leaves. Councilperson Getty stated that
the city currently does not issue tickets for illegal burning.
Councilperson Berry stated that she is against burning. If burning could be allowed outside the
city limits, she would not have a problem with the burning, and she wished the city could find a
place in the country to burn them. Councilperson Berry stated she can only imagine what people
with breathing problems go through when there is burning throughout the city. Councilperson
Berry suggested the city look at purchasing a mulching machine.
Mayor Rooff stated the city would still allow an exception to burning for those request to burn
prairie grass.
Tim Shea, Superintendent of Waste Management, stated there is no "free" leaf pickup as it costs
the city approximately $85,000 per year in tipping fees to dispose of the leaves. Mr. Shea stated
there are a number of alternatives to burning. Some cities increase the costs for pickup when
they ban burning. Bags need to be available to the citizens at a lower cost. The city needs to
look at a base solid waste fee. Banning burning with the current "free" leaf pickup could cost the
Council Work Session
May 13, 2002
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city an additional $20,000 for tipping fees to dispose of the additional leaves. Another
alternative for citizens is mulching. The city could look at spreading the leaves on land.
Mayor Rooff stated that there have been controlled burns at the Waste Management Plant and
asked if the city could have a controlled bum somewhere. Mr. Shea responded that the city can
always bum, but we would need to find a site and perhaps burn at night when people are
sleeping, but it could be hard to get a state permit.
Jon Crews, Mayor of Cedar Falls, stated that the Department of Health and representatives from
the DNR talked to council members last year. Cedar Falls and Waterloo are the two largest cities
in the state that currently allow burning. Mayor Crews stated that the City of Cedar Falls has
gone to automated yard waste collection. The problem is a citizen could have zero trees and still
end up with leaves in his/her yard. Mayor Crews reported that Cedar Falls still has leaf pickup in
the spring and fall. Mayor Crews suggested that the cities of Waterloo and Cedar Falls probably
should work on similar programs. We need to make banning of burning user friendly. Cedar
Falls mulches the leaves and transports them to an old landfill.
Mayor Rooff stated Waterloo needs to look at locating an area to transport the leaves and then
mulch them.
Councilperson Hurley stated he feels it is the city's role to protect those who cannot protect
themselves. He would like to stop burning because it is injurious. Councilperson Hurley stated
there are other alternatives to burning such as mulching and composting. Councilperson Hurley
volunteered to be a member of an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate alternatives to burning.
Moved by Getty, seconded by Berry that an ordinance banning burning be placed on the council
agenda of May 20, 2002. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Clark that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:02 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk