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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/20/1980 Unapproved Draft � � CITY OF APPLE VALLEY URBAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 20, 1980 PRESENT: Deters, Hein, Myers, Schwartz, Staff inember Kelley ABSENT: McKay, Staff inember Pressnall Vice-chairman Myers called the meeting to order at 7:33. Kelley said John McKay telephoned to say he would not be at tonights meeting but did relay his neighbors responses to curbside pickup. Myers said all 6 neighbors he talked to did not want the present method of pickup changed. Hein said the people she talked to didn't particularly care, but would be willing to carry their garbage to the curb if there were a cost savings. Deters said the people she contacted were happy with the current system but would go along with curbside if mandatory trash districts were used. Schwartz said she talked to 16 people; 7 thought curb- side was o.k. , 9 opposed it and of the 16, 13 thought a reduced bill would be in order if curbside were allowed. Kelley said McKay's responses were all opposed to unrestricted curbside, with only 1 agreeable if mandatory districts were used. All members agreed that everyone was basically unwilling to give up the freedom to choose their own hauler. Knutson of Knutson Rubbish said he was surprised that people's resistance to curbside was as low as it is - people usually resist change of any kind. In today's world of inflation and rising fuel costs some sacrifices have to be made; they can help abide by President Carter`s price guidelines by using curbside pickup to hold down costs. He is looking at a price increase in July which could be foregone if curbside pickup is implemented. The owner of Reid Sanitation said it takes him twice as long to make the same number of pickups in Apple Valley than it does in cities which allow curbside; Jim Thompson of Town and Country agreed. Schwartz asked if people began using more disposable garbage bags to place on the curb, wouldn't that defeat any savings in petroleum usage since plastic is made from petroleum. Knutson said that plastic bags are made from a waste product which would be discarded otherwise. Schwartz said her neighbor's hauler comes at 6 A.M. ; isn't that rather early for someone to have to put their trash on the curb. Knutson said he doesn't pickup before 7 A.M. , the ordinance could specify times for collection. Schwartz asked about plastic bags on the curb on windy bays; Thom�son & Knutson said in other communities this is a minor problem, empty garbage cans next to a dwelling blow away almost as easily. Myers asked if there was any way to get the haulers to agree to mandatory zones to prevent pickups in a particular zone on other days. Knutson said that this was to protect the samll hauler, he himself would have no problem with mandatory zones; Thompson and Reid agreed. Knutson suggested a one year trial period for the proposed system if the city is worried; the haulers would be agreeable. Deters said the citizens would be giving up a convenience, what would the haulers be giving up? Knutson said they are just trying to hold down costs to the consumers by asking them to carry their own garbage to the curb. Knutson said . � Page 2 Urban Affairs Committee Minutes 3/20/80 they would put the commitment to forego the next price increase in writing and deliver it to their customers explaining the curbside system; he offered to let the Urban Affairs Committee write the letter and he would sign it. Schwartz asked about using large trucks in winter on streets where scooter pickups go now; are they safe? Knutson said due to much greater weight they are safer. The Committee felt that any district curbside pickup system should be mandatory for all haulers and should have set hours such as 7:00 to 5:00. Kelley was asked to contact haulers not represented to see what they would do if mandatory districting were implemented. Deters felt a consistent holiday pickup should also be addressed. The committee would also like some feedback from the City Council. Carl Hein announced that she would be gone for the next 2 months. Meeting adjourned 9:03.