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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/23/2004 Urban Affairs Advisory Minutes 3-23-2004 Page 1 of 4 URBAN AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2004 1 CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Urban Affairs Committee was called to order by Chair Shirley Doenng at 7 00 p.m. Members Present: Barry Berg, Sandy Breuer*, Robin Curran, Shirley Doenng, Shelley Madore, Sharon Schwartz and Pam Sohlberg. * Sandy Breuer amved at 7 15 p.m. Staff Present: Susan Bast, Recycling Coordinator and Kathy Bodmer, Assistant Planner Guests present: Ron Moemng and Mike Trulsan, Waste Management; and Rick Sievers, BFI. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION Sharon Schwartz moved, seconded by Shelley Madore, to approve the agenda. The motion tamed 6-0 3 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 24, 2003 MOTION Sharon Schwartz moved, seconded by Shelley Madore, to approve the minutes. The motion carved 6-0 4 DISCUSSION ITEMS CURBSIDE COLLECTION OF YARD WASTE Shirley Doenng, Chair, stated that the City Council requested that the Urban Affairs Committee review whether the City should amend its ordinance to allow the curbside collection of yard waste. She noted that a draft ordinance amendment had been prepared by City Staff that was included in the packet. Pam Sohlberg asked for a clanfication of what the City Council wanted the Committee to do Shirley stated that the results of the garbage collection survey were presented to the City Council at their February 12, 2004, informal meeting. The City Council was pressed for time at the meeting, but at the very end of the discussion, they asked the Urban Affairs Committee to take a look at whether the City should allow curbside collection of yard waste Shelley Madore stated that she was not in favor of amending the ordinance because it would be too confusing for residents. She stated that many people do yard work on weekends and some might place their bags down by the curb on the weekend and leave them there until collection day She stated that from a water quality standpoint, she had a concern about leaves going into the gutter and impacted the stone water that goes into the ponds and avers. Barry Berg agreed with Shelley and said he was concerned about wind blowing the leaves and debns around. He pointed out that the paper yard waste bags are not sturdy http.//www ci.apple-valley.mn.us/Minutes/urban affairs/2004/03-24-04.htm 4/28/2009 Urban Affairs Advisory Minutes 3-23-2004 Page 2 of 4 Sharon Schwartz said she didn't see the point of moving yard waste down to the curb She said she was concerned that the rest of the trash would migrate down to the curb too She said she also was concerned about wind blowing stuff around. She commented that in her neighborhood, yard waste is picked up 2.00 p.m. Pam agreed with the others. She stated that she has a neighbor with piles of saplings down by the curb She stated that her neighbor is probably not aware of the present door-side collection requirement. However, Pam stated that the yard waste down at the curb looks trashy Barry suggested that haulers provide reusable containers. He said if they would agree to that, then he would be okay with curbside collection. Shirley noted that this idea had been discussed at the last meeting.. She stated that she didn't think that reusable containers were an option, given the volume of yard waste that is generated during peak seasons. Barry stated that he uses a reusable container now and he finds that it is very convenient to use. Robin Curran stated that if the Committee decides that yard waste should remain at the door, that the recommendation should be based on the fact that it looks better, not because it prevents debns from blowing around. She pointed out that there would be debris blowing around up at the door in the same way as if it was down at the curb She said maintaining a neat appearance is a valid argument; preventing the blowing of debris is not. Sandy Breuer stated that she does not have an objection with curbside collection of yard waste. She stated that she agrees with Robin, that blowing debris will not be worse at the curb than at the door Pam stated that she was concerned about having to look at the stuff at the curb for 16 weeks. Sandy asked the haulers whether Apple Valley is the only community that requires door-side collection of yard waste. The haulers confirmed that only Apple Valley requires door-side yard waste collection. The haulers noted that Edina's yard waste is collected curbside. Barry asked whether the haulers had any comments they wanted to share with the Committee. Ron Moening, Waste Management, stated that in his industry everything is going to automation. He stated that in other cities, you don't often see trash on the curb He reminded the Committee that sometimes garbage can look just as unsightly up at the house as down at the curb He stated that curbside collection is better for the individual dnvers. Hauling companies are able to contain costs with curbside collection. Mike Trulsan, Waste Management, asked whether complaints of unsightly garbage are more of an issue in Apple Valley than in other communities. He stated that ultimately Apple Valley is a Waste Management customer, and if this service is being requested, Waste Management will provide it. Mike reiterated that their primary concern is for the welfare of the drivers. Rick Sievers, BFI, stated that Apple Valley is the toughest community to collect. He stated that he is a former dnver and that he knows that BFI has a hard time keeping drivers on the Apple Valley routes. He said they get a number of workman comp claims. Sharon asked whether yard waste can be collected automatically Rick Sievers, BFI said they are able to put a cart tip on the back of the trucks to automate the process. Waste Management also has auto lift of the reusable containers. Sandy asked the haulers whether they charge extra for reusable containers. Rick http.//www ci.apple-valley.mn.us/Minutes/urban affairs/2004/03-24-04.htm 4/28/2009 Urban Affairs Advisory Minutes 3-23-2004 Page 3 of 4 said for BFI rt depends on the level of service. Ron Moemng stated that Waste Management provides one reusable container for free, with an additional charge for more containers. MOTION Shirley called the question. She asked for a show of hands to indicate who supported maintaining the present door-side collection of yard waste. Motion tamed 4 to 3 (Breuer, Curran and Doering) REFUSE COLLECTION ORDINANCE -EDUCATION CAMPAIGN The Committee reviewed the proposed educational materials that will remind residents of the door-side collection requirement. Suggestions were offered on how the materials could be distributed. In conjunction with the review of the educational materials, the Committee reviewed an outline of hauler responsibilities and City responsibilities regarding the refuse ordinance. The Committee focused on the ordinance provisions for the haulers to enforce the door-side collection requirement. Sharon Schwartz stated that she had a concern with the provisions of the ordinance that require the haulers to report residents who are m violation of the ordinance Sharon stated that rt sets up an antagomshc relationship between the haulers and their customers. She questioned why the requirement is in the City Code if it's not being enforced. She said haulers won't turn m their customers, that's it's not m their best interest to comply and that therefore, it's not being done. The haulers concurred and stated that they felt that if they reported their customers that their customers would go to a different hauler MOTION Sharon moved, seconded by Robin to recommend that the ordinance be amended to eliminate the provision that requires haulers to report when their customers have placed their garbage m violation of the door-side requirement. The Committee noted that this requirement places an undue burden on the haulers to enforce the City's ordinance. Motion tamed 7-0 The Committee stated that part of the educational information should include information on how to obtain a replacement recycling bin. The Committee reviewed a proposed flyer prepared by Sue Bast and Tara Roffler of the Dakota Recycling Office that will be distributed m new recycling bins and new resident packets. The Committee suggested that the title be somewhat softened up Otherwise, they liked the information that was provided. The Committee was asked whether anyone had come up with a good tag line for the material. Sharon Schwartz stated that she and her family had come up with a few ideas. The favorite one presented by Sharon and supported by the Committee was "Keep rtneat -away from the street." This will be used on the materials. The Committee asked about providing the results of the survey for the newsletter Kathy Bodmer stated that an article is being prepared for the Summer newsletter 5 OTHER BUSINESS None. 6 ADJOURNMENT http.//www ci.apple-valley.mn.us/Minutes/urban affairs/2004/03-24-04.htm 4/28/2009 Urban Affairs Advisory Minutes 3-23-2004 Page 4 of 4 MOTION Pam moved, seconded by Robin to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 9 15 p.m. http.//www ci.apple-valley.mn.us/Minutes/urban affairs/2004/03-24-04.htm 4/28/2009