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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/19/1995 - Solid Waste Abatement CommissionMINUTES OF THE SOLID WASTE ABATEMENT Eagan, Minnesota January 19, 1995 A regular meeting of the Eagan Solid Waste Abatement Commission was held on Thursday, January 19,1995 at 5:30 p.m. Present were Acting Chair Terry Davis, Wally Wall, John Tapper, Floyd Hier, Dan Breva, Ken Ische, Patrick Freter, Jim Weinzettel and new commission member Swenseld. Also present were Communications/Recycling Coordinator Joanna Foote; former Chair Terry Jacobs; Ron Manning, BFI; Bob Elliott, Quality Waste Control and Carl Peters of Waste Management -Savage. AGENDA Upon motion by Tapper, seconded by Breva, the agenda was approved as presented. r dLaIA Upon motion by Hier, seconded by Tapper, the minutes of the December 15,1994 meeting, were tabled for discussion -at the next meeting. All were in favor, except Ische who voted againsL ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS A. Farewell Remarks from Outgoing Chair— Former Chair Terry Jacobs was present and addressed the commission, thanking them for allowing him to be a part of the commission. He stated that the group is diverse and he was Impressed by the Involvement of the haulers and their honesty and cooperative attitude with the group. B. Welcome and Introduction of New Commissioners— The commission members welcomed new commission member Al Swenseid of Coca Cola. C. Review Orientation Dates & Procedures— Acting Chair Davis discussed the orientation that will be held for all new Commission members on January 24, 1995 at 5:00 p.m. This orientation Is also open to returning commission members. D. Adopt 1995 Meeting Schedule— There was discussion regarding a change of meeting time.Other options would be the 2nd or 4th Tuesdays and Wednesday evenings. It was decided to put this Rem on the next meeting agenda for discussion. OLD BUSINESS A. Waste Collection Systems Discussion— Solid Waste Abatement Commission January 19, 1995 Page 2 Hlar stated that he would Ake to see housing counts Included on the chart from the December 15,1994 Solid Waste Abatement Commission packet. Weinzettel commented that he felt It was Important to analyze the current system and look for ways to improve lt. Joanna commented that she felt that a change in the wording "organized collection system" to 'Waste collection systems" was a better description. Davis stated that he hoped the commission would get to the point where it could narrow down and then examine ways to Improve the system. He feels the need to look at ft thoroughly and discuss all the pros and cons of the various systems. Foote explained that having outlined what the current system is, It Is Important to examine It and find ways to strengthen the program. She felt this was a better way to go rather than to spend time to Investigate other systems that would not be able to Implement initially. Tapper commented that there is a need to address the present system and look at all of the other options, not necessarily targeting any one area. Wall questioned whether haulers were given a packet of Information when they applied for licensing that outfined what was expected of them and what guidelines they had to follow to be licensed within the City. Foote stated that they were not given any such Information each year, but may have been Initially. Wall asked If the haulers were given a copy of the ordinances and the statute requiring recycling. Foote responded that they were not given this in an entire packet, but updates are sent as changes are made. Wall feels that ft Is Important that they receive Information as to what Is required of them so that they are within code requirements. Foote asked haulers present whether they were provided any packet of this type from the City. They responded that they were not. Weinzettel commented that he was very pleased with the new vinyl stickers that trucks were required to have attached to Indicate licensing with the City of Eagan. Davis commented that there needs to be a comparison of collection system options. He stated that the commission should go through the process of determining which we are not going to consider - evaluate what to eliminate and narrow the scope of systems to consider. He stated that Just examining the present system is not sufficient. There are other systems that need to be examined, since the present system is not meeting all of the City's needs. Frater agreed and stated that ft may be difficult, but that if ft was done systematically ft would be a good way to approach ft. Davis stated that ft was Important that if the commission decides to build on the current system, it should be certain that this system meets the needs of the community as specified by the City Council. Foote stated that since the 1988 report, the state has restricted some options to be considered. Davis suggested still narrowing down the options and then decide how each would work for the City of Eagan. Foote stated that the only option that could be looked at Initially because of State Statutes would be a consortium. Hiar stated that the systems should be discussed whether they could be implemented or not. Foote stated that she was concerned that too much time would be spent looking at options that aren't available. Ische stated that there are Just too many trucks In neighborhoods. He commented that it Is similar to a public utifdy and needs to be dealt with in that respect. He further stated that the current system is not working efficiently. Solid Waste Abatement Commission January 19, 1995 Page 3 Hier stated that we need to look at the current system and whether or not this Is an accurate description of the current system. He said that they need to examine the various aspects such as number of trucks and they need to talk about some of the weaknesses, not Just strengths of the current system. Davis suggested that if we know what options to look at, they can begin to narrow it down. Hier stated that by then looking at other systems, the commission can make decisions about whether the current system is accurately depleted. Ron Manning of BFI, stated that he believes the description represents the current system well. Weinzettel commented that he would add to the list, that citizens have an option choose a company to take yard waste rather than their regular hauler. Residents can also choose a hauler that will allow commingling of recyclables. All of these "realities" of the current system add to the choices that residents can make. Foote suggested adding a statement to the list of How the Eagan Solid Waste Collection System Works that states "multiple haulers provide a wider variety of consumer options." Mr. Manning stated that the number of trucks were necessary because of recycling and the need to separate recyclables. He felt that education was necessary concerning truck routing, productivity, etc. He stated that because of recycling, there is still a need for three vehicles and area routing would not change that. Tapper said that they should be discussing the number of trips rather than the number of trucks. Frater commented on Street Superintendent Amle Erharts discussion of the cost for road repair In the City. Frater stated that as he recalled, according to Erhart, there is only a 4% Increase in wear which Is a very Insignificant factor compared to the total budget for streets. The road wear is not the issue, that the problem is the number of trucks that people see passing by and through their neighborhoods. Foote stated that since specific numbers are not available, there is a need to go with an overall assumption that there Is increased road wear, due to truck traffic, but because there are so many factors involved, there are no specific figures. Davis stated that the problem is they can't quantify it and so it should not be taken Into consideration. Noting the time, Davis stated that the commission needed to be thinking about electing a new Chair in February. Foote stated that Commission members Wall and Davis were reappointed along with the new Commission member Swenseid. Davis suggested moving on to the staff report and then, if time allowed, the Commission could come back to waste collection systems discussion. Breva expressed the need for members to individually evaluate other system types, as outlined on the matrix from the November meeting. The commission members could then have something ready to agree on and discuss for the next meeting. He suggested looking at evaluation criteria for the Solid Waste Abatement Commission January 19, 1995 Page 4 next meeting. Frater said he would like clarification of whats a possibility and what's not, based on the State Statutes. STAFF REPORT A. New materials and handling in 1995— Item 1. Used Oil Filters—Foote Informed the commission that beginning January 1, 1995, used oil fifters have been banned from landfills and must be treated as hazardous waste. The Dakota County Household hazardous waste site will accept used oil fifters as well as area gas and service stations. Item L Telephone Directories—Foote stated that telephone directories have been banned from landfills since August 1, 1994, and will continue to be a problem for the next couple of years. She stated that U.S. West will continue the coordination of drop-off sites, but they claim they are working with haulers to facilitate curbside pick-up as the main collection system. Foote asked the haulers present whether they had been notified of the curbside pick-up. Weinzettel stated they were notified of the drop offs but not of a curbside pick-up request. Foote commented that a representative of U.S. West, Janet Henry, Is claiming that U.S. West Is working with haulers to provide curbside pick-up. The concern is that the drop-off site bins may be removed before the haulers can get a system in place and working well. Davis stated that it appears U.S. West is looking for cities to work with haulers and the cities are looking at U.S. West to work with the haulers. He questioned whether there was anything in the statutes that mandated any specifics with regard to curbside collection and who Is responsible for what. Foote stated that the statute Is open and that it is U.S. WesPs responsibility to coordinate a program and any fees incurred are absorbed by U.S. West. Davis asked if there is a responsibirdy placed directly on U.S. West to organize the hauling community. Foote said no but U.S. West has determined that curbside pick-up is the best way to proceed. She stated that many haulers would be willing to attempt this but there are specific requirements, particularly that the phone books need to be clean and dry and that would be a very difficult requirement to meet considering our weather conditions. Weinzettel stated that it needs to direct the responsibility to the hauling community. The problem with this type of pick-up Is that it would be very costly. Davis stated that it should be said that the curbside system is insufficient and then drop It. Focus on educating the public to bring the telephone books to the drop offs. Joanna commented that U.S. West is pushing curbside pick-up and they are threatening to take away those dropoffs. Hiar stated that we should send her a letter to let her know how we stand on this issue. Davis suggested putting this Item on as an agenda item for the following month. He fell that it was necessary to plan a strategy, whether to have Janet Henry attend a meeting or find ways to deal with the situation. Foote stated that she would like to keep the commission updated concerning this Issue, but that there really isn't enough time allotted for her to become more involved In this particular Issue. Other organizations, Including RAM and ARM, are Involved and are pursuing the necessary course of action. Davis stated that there Is a need to get legislators Involved in what's happening. Breva stated that he wants to see statutes that control this. Solid Waste Abatement Commission January 19, 1995 Page 5 Wall asked whether a program could be started with Eagan for drop-off sites within the City. Foote responded that according to 1994 County funding guidelines it was not an eligible expense, because phone books are a banned material. Davis stated it should be discussed again as an agenda Item to consider alternatives. Hlar asked whether there was a commitment for March and would there be bins at the dropoff sites. Foote stated that there will be a bin at the Cub Foods store but that Ms. Henry forgot about the bin at the Fire Administration Building. Henry also stated that Eagan is not even a part of U.S. West's Minneapolis delivery area. But Foote Will continue to pursue a bin for the Fire Administration lot for March. Item S. Brown Goods—Foote discussed a memo from Dave Magnuson from the Dakota County Hazardous Waste staff. She stated that brown goods Include electronic equipment, computers and television sets. She commented that the state and county have not mandated brown goods as hazardous. They're not sure what to do with them, as it Is costly to recapture the lead. Some haulers are taking them and so are some landfills but they do not have to. She stated that the County is directing residents to keep brown goods or call the three places listed In Magnuson's letter which are: Material Processing Corporation, Asset Recovery and Twin City Refuse. Hiar stated that the County needs to be more Involved in this. He commented that If the residents get confused they ought to be directed to the County. A motion was made by Breva to direct Foote to Inform callers that Dakota County says this is where you take these Items and there will probably be a cost involved. If they want more Information, they should call the County. The motion was seconded by Frater, all members voted in favor. Wall commented that the commission is the Solid Waste Abatement Commission and why are they taking on hazardous waste. Foote stated that Solid Waste Abatement Involves everything that makes up the waste stream and that the Commission's goal is to help avert as many materials as possible. Hiar suggested bringing brown goods up again in March. B. Mixed paper promotions— Foote distributed a copy of a flyer that she Is creating to send out to residents on mixed paper collection. Frater suggested that a warning be made clear not to combine mixed paper with newspaper. He fell that It must be stated that It cannot Include newsprint. Foote stated that It will say to separate from newsprint. Breva questioned whether thermal fax machine paper was recyclable. Foote replied that It was not included because it Is questionable. Elliott stated that his company will pick up window envelopes and fax paper. Foote stated that RMR stated they will take many things but that she didn't want to see the haulers commit to picking up certain Items, only to have them eliminated from the waste stream in the future. Solid Waste Abatement Commission January 19, 1995 Page a Davis stated that these were good suggestions and that they want to make sure information is on the flyer. He stated that if there are still haulers out there not taking mixed paper, they need to be urged to do it. Breva suggested that a statement be on the flyer that if the residents have any questions, they should contact their hauler. C. Monthly recycling ads/directory ads— Foote stated that the 1995 work plan for recycling Includes monthly newspaper ads to be placed in local newspapers such as the Sun Current, This Week and the Eagan Fire Departments phone book. Each ad will focus on a specific recycling them. Breva hoped that some ads would highlight disposing of oil fifters. A motion was made by Well to lengthen the Solid Waste Abatement Commission meetings from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., rather than the current meeting time of 5:30 to 7:00, for the next three months or so. Breve seconded and all members voted in favor, except for Weinzettel who voted against. Davis stated there is a need to set objectives for 1995. How to keep track of things. Create a pending Ust to keep track of objectives, goals, County money, etc. He believes these are things that need to be tracked. Hiar suggested that Foote come up with a pending Ust. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Weinzettel, seconded by Wall, all members voting in favor, to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m. Chair Date