HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/20/1980 Unapproved Draft
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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
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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.