HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/26/1999URBAN AFFAII2S ADVISORY COMMITTEE bIEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26,1999
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Jahn McKay called the meeting of the Urban Affairs Committee to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Barry Berg, john McKay, Shelley Madore and Pam Sohlberg. Shirley Doering arrived at 7:07 p.m.
Members Absent: Robin Curran and Sharon Schwartz.
Staff Present: City Administrator Tom Lowell, Police Captain Craig Anglin, Assistant Planner Kathy Bodmer and
Assistant Planner Margaret Milton.
Guests Present: David Domack, and David Weidenfellei-.
2. APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 26, 1999 AGENDA
MOTION: Shelley Madore moved, seconded by Barry Berg to approve the agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 28,1999
MOTION: Barry Berg moved, seconded by Pam Sohlberg to approve the minutes. The motion. carried unanimously.
4. FOLLOW UP OF PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED ITEMS
A. REFUSE PROGRAM
Captain Anglin introduced himself to the committee and stated that his departrnent does no[ typically enforce
Trash violations. From a public safety standpoint,. he noted that pests could rummage through trash that is left
outside.
A discussion ensued regarding the enforcement of garbage placement on a complaint basis. Bang Berg asked
whether the code sliould be amended to address this method of enforcement. The problem of blowing trash and
blowing trash containers was also discussed. Barry Berg suggested that the ordinance could be amended to allow
curbside placement of gazbage with a requirement that haulers return the trash cans to the door.
Shelley Madore asked Captain Anglin to provide information to the committee at its next meeting regarding the
number of complaints from blowing trash or trash containers. She also asked for a report of the number of
curbside placement complaints the City has had. Captain Anglin stated that he would ask some of the
Community Service Officers to drive through some of the neighborhoods in the City and look for the items
requested by the committee.
John McKay reminded the group that the gazbage-hauling ordinance. is a complex issue with a number of different
agendas, such as the number of [rucks in a neighborhood, aesthetics, costs to consumers and ability of haulers to
compete. He asked the committee to keep llrese different agendas in mind when making any recommendations to
the City Council.
Pam Sohlberg stated that she might be comfortable with a compromise such as curbside placement of gazbage
with zone hauling if the haulers return the cans to flte house. Barry Berg suggested that heavy materials could be
placed at the curb, but cans returned to the door by the haulers. Pam Sohlberg noted that the committee has been
reviewing the issue of garbage placement for many years and Utat aesthetics has always been a concern for the
committee.
John McKay noted that there were hauler representatives preseniand asked if they would like to address the
committee. Dave Domack introduced himself as a hauler with Lakeville Sanitation. He stated that his company
is abiding by the current doorside collection of garbage requirement. He noted that his company had been recently
notified that it was in violation of the ordinance because the driversaccepted curbside placement of garbage in a
multiple family neighborhood. He said that the situation was corrected, but that rates had to be increased from
$6/unit to $23/unit. He also said drat he talked to his company's attorneys and insurance companies, and
continued to have concems regarding resident liability for a driver hurt on private property. He said an important
concern was driver longevity. He noted that zoned collections would address the aesthetic issues because most
residents now use a cart for their gazbage. Lastly, Mr. Domack stated he had ongoing concerns with safety
because unattended garbage trucks idle 3 to 4 times longer when the driver has to go up the driveway.
Dave Weidenfeller of BFI stated that he agreed with the issues discussed by Mr. Domack. Mr. Weidenfeller said it
is not just a cost savings issue for the haulers, but an issue of driver longevity. Driver longevity would lead to
better customer service for the community.
MOTION: Moved by Barry Berg, seconded by Pain Solrlberg to direct staff to develop a proposal on how a
survey may be generated and the best method for gathering community input - e.g. citizen survey, open house
meeting, public hearing, etc. Motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Moved by Shelley Madore, seconded by Barry Berg, to ask the City Attorney's office to reseazch
whether there aze liability issues for the City or a homeowner if a driver is hurt either on private property or public
property. Motion passed unanimously.
Shelley asked staff to research which party would be responsible for informing residents if the refuse collection
program was changed to curbside collection.
B. PARKING OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
Captain Anglin stated that many times he has been involved with helping residents find overnight parking of
recreational vehicles (RV's) for visitors. From a crime prevention standpoint, large RV's provide opportunities
for prowlers to hide and maybe susceptible to vandalism.
General discussion followed about the scope of the problem. Maggie Milton reminded the committee that 11
recorded complaints of parking recreational vehicles have been received in 3 yeazs. Barry Berg asked whether a
fighter definifion of a RV would help with enforcement. Captain Anglin said yes, the cleazer the definitions in the
code, the easier it is to enforce. John McKay stated that the committee should keep in mind that the parking of
RV issue also has many different agendas to consider. He stated that safety was the biggest concern.
The question was raised whether the parking of this particulaz recreational vehicle is a unique situation. Kathy
Bodmer stated that while the code allows the City Council to direct the removal of a recreational vehicle, they
could only do that in instances where there is a threat to public health, safety or welfaze. In this case, the RV has
not been found to be a health, safety or welfare concern. Pam Sohlberg asked whether this was more of a
neighborhood dispute issue. She asked if the City had mediation services available to residents.
MOTION: Moved by Barry Berg, seconded by Pam Solilberg for staff to invesfigate mediation sexvices. Barry
Berg amended his motion by stating that staff should review the ordinance so that in cases where there aze
disputes benveen neighbors drat are not healtir, safety or welfaze issues the City would provide mediation services.
Pam Solberg withdrew lrer second. Motion died far lack of a second.
MOTION: Moved by Barry Berg seconded by Shelley Madore directing staff to reseazch private mediation
services. Motion passed unanimously.
John McKay concluded the meeting with a couple of housekeeping items. He reminded the committee that they
will be voting for a new Chair at tlreir nest meeting. Jolm McKay then expressed his appreciation to the
committee members for their work over the years.
5. ADSOURNMENT
MOTION: Moved by Shirley Dolrring, seconded by Parn Sohlberg to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed
unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p. m.